At the Crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Uzbekistan in Shoulder Season

By Suzanne Rommelfanger

Beyond the Crowds: The Best Way to Experience Uzbekistan

Beyond the “MMMs,” mosques, mausoleums, and madrasas, Uzbekistan is a draw for its rich Silk Road history, beautiful architecture, stunning textiles, delicious food, surprising wines and warm, welcoming people at any time of year. Having just returned, I highly recommend planning off-peak season travel to Uzbekistan in November. Here are five reasons why:

1. Crowds

The number one reason I recommend traveling off-peak is to avoid crowds. Luckily, Uzbekistan is not yet an over-tourist destination, so even in the peak season, the volume of travelers is nowhere near some of the popular destinations in Europe.

Historically, shoulder seasons typically attract significantly fewer visitors, which makes for a wonderful travel experience. There are next to no large groups swarming the sites and no long lines for entrances or bathrooms. And with fewer people and selfie sticks to maneuver around, you’ll have an easier time navigating smaller streets, courtyards and getting great photos! You may even feel like you have some places to yourself, for example, a near-private dining experience at a local restaurant.

2. Choice and Availability

Another advantage to November (or March) travel is the ability to stay where you want (hotels), move when you want (internal flights or trains), and get the tickets you want (for special sites or performances).

With higher traveler volume during prime travel months, if you don’t book well in advance, you may not be able to secure your top choice for exactly when to travel, or your preferred star category or location for certain accommodations. Unlike a large city with countless hotels, outside Tashkent, most prime destinations in Uzbekistan have limited options which book up quickly. In shoulder season, you will have more opportunities to ensure all your preferences are available.

3. More time to engage with people

Probably my favorite part of off-season travel, in any destination, is the opportunity for quality time and connection with locals.

One specific example in Bukhara was meeting a second-generation ceramicist in his shop. He noticed how interested we were in his pieces and how many good questions we had about his work. As there were no visitors in the shop, he decided to close it and offered to take us to his home studio to see more pieces and learn more about his family’s business. He then spent time showing us additional inventory and had a chance to explain the difference in pieces and pricing; from hand-painted and hand-glazed to more mass-produced, and how you could tell which pieces were done by a master versus an apprentice. If the store had been busy, we would never have had that unique interaction with a local artisan.

Another special moment was meeting the owner of a boutique hotel. On arrival, we were greeted warmly at check-in and got a personal tour of the heritage property from seeing the original bricks, found during excavation, to the hand-painted artwork in the breakfast room. He was filled with pride and was so happy to share his renovated labor of love with us. As we were almost the only guests on-site, it was a much more intimate experience, and we would be welcomed back as friends!

4. Weather

Uzbekistan is blessed with over 300 days of sunshine. Although with climate change weather can be unpredictable, this sunny statistic makes it a bit more predictable and there is no rainy season to avoid. Typically, November weather is cool, with temperatures in the 50’s (F) during the day and as low as the 30’s (F) at night. Dressing like an onion is key – so grab your layers and enjoy walking around when it’s not too hot. The sun is quite strong, so a sunny and 50’s day could translate to a light long sleeve shirt or cotton sweater. We also experienced a few gray cloudy days where 50’s without sun requires a jacket. Be sure to pack or pick up a scarf and/or hat at one of the local bazaars for the chilly evening light show in Samarkand.

Additionally, fall is still a beautiful time of year. We were treated to some gorgeous foliage and particularly charmed by the golden leaves of the Mulberry Trees.

5. Shop-portunities

Last, but not least, you will likely have a better experience shopping when there are fewer travelers. Rather than jostle your way through a bazaar, you can stroll, take your time, and enjoy the process.

You will have a chance to meet artisans and shopkeepers who are looking for business and want to engage with potential shoppers. We met a blacksmith who was excited to welcome us into his shop, show off his tools and wares, and take the time to offer customized engraving on our handmade scissors.

This hospitality is likely not offered when you have a busy store and a queue of paying customers. Another upside is lower prices, which can be inflated during the high season. You may still have some room to haggle if you enjoy the art of negotiation, but pricing is much more realistic while still ensuring a profit. November is a great time to spend some tourism dollars and purchase local Uzbek holiday gifts and souvenirs.