FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Going to Uzbekistan, people often ask the same questions. To save your time, we have collected all the answers to form your idea of ​​the country and to prepare for the trip. You will find:

• The best time of year to visit the country;

• The most interesting tourist destinations of Uzbekistan;

• What you need to take with you;

• Other useful points.

Any foreign visitor needs a visa for being able to travel to Uzbekistan. But you should mind that requirements depend on your native country. You can find detailed information on our website or send your questions to [email protected]
The weather in Uzbekistan varies from dry summer with 40 °С (104 °F) to cool winter with -23 °С (-9 °F). The most suitable time for your Uzbekistan vacation is from March till July and then from September till November. The temperature of these periods keeps on the level of +20+30 °С (68+86 °F). However, if you want to see the local mountains, winter will be more favorable for this purpose.
Uzbekistan is a Muslim country so local people prefer more conservative clothes which veil their bodies enough. Remember that summer is quite hot in Uzbekistan. If you plan your trip for the warm months, you should take everything made of natural materials. Besides, you should not forget to take sunglasses and a hat. If you go there in rainy periods, or if you plan to stay in deserts at nights, you should have a backpack with you to put there a windproof jacket, a bottle of water, and other tourist necessities.
It is allowed to export and import drugs in quantities not exceeding 7-daily requirements, in the presence of documents issued by the medical institution of the country of residence or stay, confirming the recommended amount for the course of treatment. It is allowed to import and export psychotropic substances by individuals for personal use without submitting a document in the amount of up to 5 drugs of different names and no more than two packages of each of them, within the course of treatment. When crossing the customs border at checkpoints, individuals are required to declare the presence of narcotic drugs and of psychotropic substances, while for narcotic drugs-to submit to the customs authority a document issued by a medical institution of the country of residence or stay of an individual, indicating the name the drug, its dosage form and the recommended amount for the course of treatment. In case of exceeding the names and quantities of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances specified in the document, issued by a medical institution, and declared to the customs authority, the surplus is subject to seizure and destruction.
The import into Uzbekistan, sale, and use by private individuals of ANY unmanned aerial vehicles in the country is prohibited. An exception for import and use on the territory of Uzbekistan is provided for foreign media using quadrocopters to create photo and video content for informational purposes to expand the idea of the country's tourism potential and the development of inbound tourism. Before leaving for Uzbekistan, it is necessary to submit an application to the Ministries of Tourism, Culture, and Defense, as well as to the Uzbekkino Agency and the State Inspectorate for the Supervision of Flight Safety, specifying the shooting locations and the data of the responsible persons.
As of May 2022, there are no restrictions on the number of cash imports for individuals in Uzbekistan. If the total amount of foreign currency imported in cash exceeds the equivalent of 70 million soums (approximately $ 6,500), the passenger must indicate this in the customs declaration. Refusal of the procedure will be regarded as a violation of the law. For a smaller amount, an oral declaration will be enough. When leaving the country, a declaration will be required to export more than 100 million soums (approximately $ 9,000 at the current exchange rate) or an equivalent amount in accordance with the current exchange rate.
The Uzbekistan currency is som. See the table on the left to know how much American dollars it is today. You can exchange any foreign currency in all the major banks of the country. The preferred currency is US dollars in cash. Exchanging money in Tashkent is easier since it’s the capital city. You may ask your Uzbekistan travel guide to assist you to avoid any exchange difficulties. You should have cash with you for any case. If you don’t have som, you can still use US dollars for some everyday expenses. New banknotes without any damages are preferable.
Both Master Card and Visa are accepted in the large cities of Uzbekistan. Small cities mostly use cash. n ordinary shops, not for tourists, payment is made in local currency-sum. You can cash out at the terminals installed in the tourist centers of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. We recommend just in case to take a trip in cash in an amount sufficient for expenses. The most convenient currency for conversion is still the US dollar - it is in dollars that you can withdraw money in terminals. You can exchange Euro, British pound and Japanese yen in exchange offices at banks.
Every visitor older than 18 years who has an International Driving License cab rent a car. A better option would still be to hire a personal driver with it to avoid any difficulties in the new location. This is one of the services our company offers.
Traveling to Asian countries with Dolores Travel Services is safe. Still, getting insured by one of the local insurance companies in your country is recommended. Contact our managers if more information on this issue is needed.
The majority of local people practice Islam. There also are Christians, Jews, Buddhists, and followers of other religions.
Despite the official language is Uzbek, many people speak Russian. In Samarkand, Bukhara, and some other areas, people speak Tadjik as well. Young people mostly know English.
National Uzbek cuisine is famous throughout the world. Apart from local cuisine restaurants, you can find many places where they serve Russian, European, or Korean dishes. By the way, drinking tapped water is not recommended. You should prefer the boiled or purified one. And take some coffee with you if you can’t go without this drink as it’s not much popular in the country.
"Osh" or "Pilaf" (in Russian) – each region has its own method of preparation. Main ingredients: rice, meat, carrots. "Dimlama" - fried and steamed vegetables with or without meat. "Manty" - dumplings: contain: vegetables and meat in the dough. "Shurpa" - local soup with vegetables and meat. There are many kinds, noodle soup, vegetarian, chicken, with dough, pea and so on. "Kebab" - kebab with different types of meat and vegetables. "Samsa" - local pastries with different types of meat. "Tandoor kebab" – lamb roasted in "tandoor"e, the local oven. “Chuchvara” – a local dish like ravioli. "Stuffed pepper" - meat, cabbage with rice with fried vegetables. "Lagman" - local noodles with sauce.
Tea is the # 1 guest on every table, coffee continues to gain popularity. In the hot season demand cool juices, nectars, compotes, lemonades, and still there are machines with sparkling water, because of the organic origin of very tasty milk products-ayran, koumiss, guzha. Alcohol is allowed in the country.
1 Pies, biscuits, ice cream and fruit. 2 Baklava, halva. 3 Dried fruits. 4 Local sweets
Traveling to Uzbekistan with our company, you may not worry about anything. We will guide you all along. If you need Uzbekistan travel advice, you can always get in touch with us.
Ordinary passenger trains run between the main tourist cities of Uzbekistan, as well as high-speed trains - "Afrosiab", "Shark" and "Uzbekistan". Smoking is prohibited on all trains in Uzbekistan. The high-speed train "Afrosiab" operates daily flights on the routes Tashkent - Samarkand - Karshi and Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara. They are equipped with comfortable reclining chairs and a footrest, there is a table and reading lamps, multimedia and climate control are built in. The monitor displays information about the route. Above the chairs there are shelves for luggage, hangers for clothes are provided. Adapted for people with disabilities. There is a bistro car with dishes of national and European cuisine, as well as tea, coffee and soft drinks. Speed: up to 210 km/h. The Shark train operates regular flights on the Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara route. The composition includes comfortable cars of the first class, 1st and 2nd class, as well as a buffet car. A comfortable microclimate is provided. Each car is equipped with televisions broadcasting movies and clips, an audio system allows you to listen to radio or music on the way. A free light breakfast is provided for passengers, drinks are available for purchase in a wide range. Speed: up to 160 km/h. The Uzbekistan express electrified train has been launched on the Tashkent-Pap–Kokand–Margilan-Andijan route. The wagons are differentiated according to the following classes: "Economy", "Business" and "VIP". They are equipped with heating and ventilation, air conditioners that maintain the temperature inside the salons at +20 + 25 ° C. The bistro car sells food and drinks. Speed: up to 160 km/h. Night train "Tashkent - Bukhara". It has a low speed – up to 140 km / h, which provides comfortable conditions for sleeping, so it is often used for moving tourist groups, saving daytime for excursions. It consists of cars of the SV class - a double suite with a TV, standard, a reserved seat, as well as a restaurant car with dishes of European and national cuisine.
The highest threshold for duty-free goods' transportation to Uzbekistan at international airports is up to $ 2000. Through railway and river checkpoints - up to $ 1000. The lowest quota at road (pedestrian) checkpoints is up to $ 300.
Yes, it is allowed to import alcohol (including beer) up to 2 liters, tobacco products of all kinds - up to 10 packs, perfume products based on alcohol - up to 3 units, jewelry made of precious stones - up to 65 grams.
Narcotic and psychotropic drugs, explosive substances, materials harmful to the construction of the state and society, aimed at war, terrorism, violence, extremism, pornography, as well as, ethyl alcohol, laser beam distributor, unmanned aerial vehicles, pyrotechnics, slot machines associated with cash winnings, used vehicles of the category “m2”, “m3” and “N2”, new vehicles, the degree of contamination of which does not meet the requirements of the environmental class “Euro-3”, moving on gasoline or diesel fuel. fuel, in addition, household electrical appliances with energy efficiency class" G " VA "F" , as well as incandescent bulbs with a power exceeding 40 watts.
Export of goods from Uzbekistan in the amount of not more than $ 5000 is allowed without Customs Declaration.
Flour products - up to 5 kg, rice-up to 3 kg, fresh / dried fruits and vegetables-up to 40 kg, meat products, sugar and vegetable oil - up to 2 kg.
For the import and export of wild animals and plants (including Annexes of the Convention on international trade in species of wild fauna and flora), a special permit issued by the State Committee of Uzbekistan for ecology and environmental protection is required.
The issuance of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances is carried out according to a prescription issued in Uzbekistan, after a medical examination and confirmation of the diagnosis of the disease that caused the need to prescribe such drugs. The purchase of prescribed funds is carried out directly to the patient, at their own expense in the appropriate pharmacies.
For dogs, cats, and other animals (not more than 2 heads) and birds (not more than 10 heads) belonging to persons entering and leaving Uzbekistan, a veterinary certificate shall be issued without the permission of the Chief State veterinary inspector. Animals are allowed through the state border as a priority. In case of importation of more than 2 pets, the veterinary certificate is issued with the permission of the Chief State veterinary inspector of Uzbekistan. Transportation of animals and birds in air transport is allowed subject to the rules of the country of departure, transit, destination, and subject to the availability of certificates and permits of veterinary supervision. Transportation of animals and birds is not included in the permitted baggage allowance and is paid at the rate for excess baggage. In the passenger cabin of the aircraft it is allowed to carry dogs, cats, monkeys, birds and other small animals, the weight of which together with the container (cage) should not exceed 8 kg. if this norm is exceeded, the animal is transported in the luggage compartment of the aircraft. Without restriction in weight and without payment of fees for excess baggage allowed to travel guide-dogs for blind and deaf passengers, provided that the animal has a collar, muzzle, and passenger presented a certificate of health. Transportation in passenger trains of small pets and birds is allowed in all cars in the presence of the veterinary certificate.
By plane, of course. The largest number of international flights falls on the capital city of Tashkent, where you can start your journey through the important cities of the Great Silk Road by any convenient transport mode - use domestic flights, trains or cars.
Yes, you will need a passport and registration from the hotel. The minimum cost of connection is usually $ 1 (but payment is made in local currency-sum), then you can buy an additional service, such as an Internet package. SIM-cards of the UMS operator can be purchased immediately upon arrival, though so far only at the airports of Tashkent and Bukhara. Points of sale of mobile operators, among which are also represented by the company-operators Uzmobile, Ucell, Beeline can be in any сentral location of the city, including the train station in Tashkent. Being in the historical centers, pay attention to the sign WI-FI- it is free service for the guests' convenience is now represented there everywhere. And of course, even the most modest guest houses have got their own WI-FI router, providing free access for guests.
Similar bans have previously taken place (mainly in the subway). Now in Uzbekistan, as, perhaps, in any other country in the world, shooting at airports, military and strategic facilities is prohibited. The ban also applies to the shooting of relics, such as the original of the Osman's Koran and the photo of religious rites. In all other there are no restrictions, but it is worth bearing in mind that some historical and architectural attractions, such as the Bibi-Khanym mosque, Samarkand, are charged a small, purely symbolic fee, approximately in the amount of 1-2 dollars. The funds go to maintain the preservation of the monument, and the pictures that can be taken there are really worth it! The fee is not compulsory, if you just want to see the object without photos, just buy a regular entrance ticket, if they are not included by default in the cost of your tour.
In Uzbekistan, 173 emergency departments are represented throughout the country. On average, the team arrives within 15 minutes. Emergency medical care is provided free of charge. In hotels of category 5* the medical office round the clock functions. Medicines can be purchased in pharmacies, look out for the sign "Dorixona", among which there are around the clock. General reference telephone number: (998 71) 140 19 19. Here you may need the help of people who speak local languages, because both the staff of pharmacies and instructions for medicines are available in Uzbek and Russian. If you are traveling with Dolores Travel, your guide will accompany you and help you solve the problem. All drugs, except those that have in their composition psychotropic and narcotic substances are released without a prescription. In case of hospitalization, we recommend notifying the diplomatic mission of your country in Uzbekistan. There is no mandatory vaccination regime for entry.
When buying, do not forget to require an official certificate of purchased valuable souvenir (carpets, etc.) proving that it is not antiques. Without this certificate airport's customs control can stop you at departure and confiscate these gifts or even start a criminal case.
Silk Carpets Samarkand and Bukhara, Bukhara gold embroidery and Suzane, in Khiva - national headgears, Shakhrisabz embroidery, Fergana – Margilan silk and Rishtan ceramics, Bukhara – copper chasing and Gijduvan ceramics, Tashkent – miniature paintings and souvenirs made of wood, jewelry of silver, gold and copper with stones in Bukhara
In Khiva — National Folklore performance in the Tosh Khovli Palace and Circus in Feruz Madrasah In Bukhara Folklore show in Madrassah Nodir Devanbegi and Classical Music in Modarikhan Madrasah In Samarkand – Masterclasses in the house of craftsmen Show Rituals, Tashkent — Theater. Alisher Navoi, Nurata – Kazakh folklore with the participation of the Bard
You can find much information about tourist attractions and places of interest when looking through the pages of our website. Of course, the most wonderful cities are those standing along the Great Silk Road. They preserved the precious architecture created in 13th –16th centuries. The Road includes Bukhara, Khiva, Tashkent, Samarkand, and Fergana Valley cities.
For general information, you can look through the prices of the tours represented by our company. Please, mind that they do not include the air flight cost. You can check the prices for the flight with your local airlines or contact our Uzbekistan travel agent who will help you calculate the final cost that includes your flight tickets, the tour itself, visa, additional services, and local expenses.

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Uzbekistan 2024