Month of May happened to be one of the best month to visit Uzbekistan!
I booked my ticket less than two weeks before my departure, so I didn’t have too much time researching or preparing but I happened to pack my luggage quite well so I decided to share.
I only travel with carry on in general. Usually max weight you can carry on is 7kg. I am a female in the 40s, and my trip was 8 nights 9 days covering 3 cities in Uzbekistan.
The temperature ranged from 15 to 32. The most days were dry 22 ish and very pleasant weather. I regretted packing the cashmere sweater and ultra light down jacket at first. But then it rained in Samarkand, then temperature shifted to cool. Definitely needed the warm layers in the morning and night while looking at the Registan square light show. Then in Bukhara, first day rained and it was cool, from then on was hot! like dry 30 degrees.
You must also consider appropriateness in Islam region. You should dress moderately. Uzbek ladies wear color and patterns a lot, it is very different from Middle Eastern area I have visited. Head scarf were worn by maybe 60% or so of women, not mandatory. I wore them in Samarkand because there were many beautiful mosques. Not in Tashkent and Bukhara (only one site near Kalyan Minaret).
(I live in very humid Thailand, with the humidity below 30 feels cold (cool) to me, but in dry climate 22 in half sleeve felt just right. 30 in dry heat was hot!)
Here is What I packed:
- 4 bra-tops
- 4 undies
- 1 half sleeve cotton top
- 1 Very thin long sleeve tee
- 2 long sleeve sheer tees (synthetic, easy dry)
- 2 lace tops (This is to wear on top of the sheer tees or dress or jumpsuit)
- 1 long sleeve medium weight cotton shirt
- 1 long sleeve medium weight knit cardigan
- 1 long skirt
- 1 long pants
- 1 long sleeve gauze dress
- 1 jumpsuit
- 1 Cashmere sweater
- 1 Uniqlo ultra light down jacket
- 1 big scarf
- Oofos sandals
- Knit boots (wore it to airport)
These are the basics I rely on to make outfits with
I would add these layers to make the outfit cuter. This is what I call Lace tops (not exactly same as mine but similar)
On a 30 degrees plus days, I would pick the
Bra top
Lace top
pants or skirt or jumpsuit, dress
If it’s cooler, I would add the sheer tops in between the lace top and the bra top.
If it’s even cooler, I would add the cotton cardigan on top (I forgot to add the picture but I also had big medium weight cover-all shirt for the same purpose)
If its cold, I would put on the cashmere sweater or the light down jacket.
I did see a lot of locals with the light down jacket at night.
(pro? tip is bring your old undies, socks, bras, clothes and say good byes at the end of the trip, to make room for souvenirs)
I used all the items I brought.
Obviously you would need to wash some of the items during the stay but I do that on any trip, so not a problem for me.
Uzbekistan was so beautiful beyond my imagination. When I visited Oman last year, I was amazed by the nature. Wading and snorkelling with sea turtles! However at mosques, there were limited hour to visit for foreigners and my timing didn’t line up so I couldn’t see their grand mosque inside. (which is understandable given it is a mosque.)
Uzbekistan welcome you to see their beautiful mosques or other Islamic important buildings during the opening hour even if you are not Muslim, so we went! Soaked in the beauty of geometry math and astrology. It was so inspiring and I would recommend any creative types to visit and see their beautiful land and culture.
Samarkand
I stayed at Bibikhanum Hotel, It was so beautiful. You should book early because they sell out. I could only stay for one night, then had to move to different place, which turned out to be nice too! It was an quaint B&B with superb hospitality.
Best thing I did was to buy Samarkand design vintage Suzani I have been wishing to have for a decade! (and yes I had enough room in my carry-on suitcase for it) Finally made it there and got the one I like!
In the famous Registan square, you wouldn’t think so but there is a hidden cafe, upstairs! You can enjoy coffee or tea with a great host who has been in business there for generations. You get to see the secret tiny door and go through secret tiny stairs to find the classrooms they used at Registan to have cup a coffee. very nice experience.
Bukhara
Bukhara is a Oasis city in dessert. It doesn’t rain often but when we arrived, it was raining for few hours.
But if you can see, it is a lot hotter than Samarkand. It was on the end of may so If you are expecting to visit in June, expect 40 degree heat.
In Bukhara old town, there are very few cars going by, so it’s so quiet. We loved it! There are more grand sites to see in Samarkand, Bukhara is rustic. I cannot tell you which I like better, I liked them both. In both cities I stayed in the middle of the major sites, so sightseeing was easy. We just walked everywhere. I thought there would be too many days on both cities but it was just right. 3 nights each.
Initially when I was booking flights, I wanted to squeeze in Khiva as well, but I couldn’t find the train and the drive to Bukhara was 9 hours so I gave up. I think it was a wise decision. For us 40’s, we had enough time in each city, we had proper hotel sleeps instead of over night trains. I booked all train to be during the day, like 12-3 pm train or 17-23 train. We don’t like sitting long time on plane or train but It was doable for us!
One thing I wanted to do and couldn’t do is to go to Tajikistan from Samarkand for a day tour. But for some Western passport require a visa. Obtaining Visa takes a while and you need a letter from tour company to apply. You should plan way ahead.
If there is a next time, I will plan month in prior and get the train tickets way ahead, and apply for neighboring country visas.