Uzbekistan in 7 Days: Your Ultimate Guide for an Unforgettable Trip and SIM Usage in the Country

The Pearl of the Silk Road: Strategic Planning for the Perfect Trip

Uzbekistan is one of the most fascinating destinations in Central Asia, a millennial crossroads of cultures that has seen the flourishing of empires, art and science. This guide provides a detailed framework for organizing an unforgettable week, both for leisure and business trips, in the heart of the ancient Silk Road.

PHASE 1: PRE-TRAVEL PREPARATION

Documentation and Visas

• Passport : Valid for at least 6 months from the date of return

• Visa : If you come from certain countries you can enter without a visa for stays of up to 30 days, a visa is required for other countries.

• Health insurance : Mandatory, cover at least €30,000 for medical expenses

• Vaccines : No mandatory vaccinations, routine recommended (tetanus, hepatitis A/B)

Budget and Exchange Rate

• Value locale : Som uzbeko (UZS)

• Average daily budget : €50-80 for standard trips, €120-200 for luxury trips

• Payment Methods : Cash preferred, cards accepted only in high-end hotels and restaurants

• Exchange : Airports and official banks, avoid changing roads

Climate and Clothing

• Best period : April-June and September-November

• Dress : Conservative, cover shoulders and legs at religious sites

• Comfortable shoes : Essential for walking on uneven terrain in historic sites

PHASE 2: OPTIMIZED ITINERARY 7 DAYS

DAY 1: TASHKENT - Arrival and Acclimatization

Morning:

• Arrival Tashkent International Airport

• Hotel transfer (book in advance)

• Late check-in and breakfast

Afternoon:

• State Museum of History of Uzbekistan (2-3 hours)

  • Opening hours: 10:00-17:00, closed on Mondays

  • Ticket: about $3

  • Focus: essential historical overview to understand the journey

Will be:

• Minor Mosque (Minor Mosque)

• Dinner in a traditional Uzbek restaurant

• Jet lag rest

Specific rules Day 1:

• Don't plan any intensive activities on the first day

• Drink only sealed bottled water

• Always keep taxi/transfer receipts

DAYS 2-3: SAMARKAND - The Jewel of the Silk Road

Transfer:

• Afrosiab Train (fast): 2h 10min, €15-25

• Reservation required online or local agency

• Recommended morning departure (7:30 or 8:00)

DAY 2:

Morning:

• Registan Square (3-4 hours)

  • Opening hours: 8:00-20:00

  • Combo Ticket: $7

  • Focal Point : Photographing in the golden hours (8:00-9:30)

  • Visit the interior of the three madrassas: Ulughbek, Sher-Dor, Tillya-Kori

Afternoon:

• Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum (Tomb of Tamerlane)

  • Visit duration: 1-2 hours

  • Historical significance: burial of the great conqueror

  • Rule : Silent respect, it is a sacred place

Will be:

• Walk in the Siab Bazaar

• Dinner with local specialties (plov, manti, lagman)

DAY 3:

Morning:

• Shakhi Zinda Complex (2-3 hours)

  • "The Living King" - Sacred Necropolis

  • 11 mausoleums decorated with majolica

  • Rule : Count the steps when going up and down (local legend)

Afternoon:

• Bibi Khan Mosque

  • One of the largest mosques in the Islamic world

  • The Story of Tamerlane's Chinese Wife

• Ulugh Beg Observatory

  • 15th century astronomical site

  • Testimony of Timurid scientific progress

DAYS 4-5: BUKHARA - The Holy City

Transfer:

• Train or private car: 4-5 hours

• Morning departure from Samarkand

DAY 4:

Morning:

• Ark Citadel

  • Opening hours: 9:00-18:00

  • Center of power for 2000 years

  • Local history museum included

Afternoon:

• Poi-Kalyan Complex

  • The minaret at Kalyan : a symbol in Bukhara (47m)

  • Kalyan Mosque and Mir-i-Arab Madrasa

  • Rule : You cannot climb the minaret for safety reasons

Will be:

• Lyabi-Khauz : square with a pond

• Dinner in a traditional cafe (chaikhana)

• Folk dance show (if available)

DAY 5:

Morning:

• Maghokiya Attar Mosque

  • One of the oldest in Central Asia

  • Built on a pre-Islamic Zoroastrian site

• Samanids Mausoleum

  • Architectural masterpiece of the 10th century

  • First example of Islamic architecture in Central Asia

Afternoon:

• Chor-Minor : Four Unique Minarets

• Shopping in covered bazaars (carpets, ceramics, silks)

• Specific rule : Always bargain in the bazaars, initial price reduced by 30-40%

DAY 6: KHIVA - Open Air Museum

Transfer:

• Domestic flight (1 hour) or car (6-7 hours)

• Recommended flight to optimize time

Intensive program:

• Itchan Kala (UNESCO Walled City)

  • Single admission ticket: $10

  • Kalta Minor : unfinished minaret, symbol of Khiva

  • Juma Mosque : Forest of 218 Wooden Pillars

  • Tash Khauli Palace : Royal residence with harem

  • Mausoleum Pakhlavan Mahmud : patron saint of Khiva

Khiva specific rules:

• A single day requires precise planning

• Start visit at 8:00 to avoid tourist groups

• Bringing water: desert climate even in the city

DAY 7: RETURN AND DEPARTURE

Final options:

• Direct flight Khiva-Tashkent-Italy

• Or return via Tashkent with time for final shopping

Shopping last-minute Tashkent:

• Chorsu Bazaar for local products

• Recommended souvenirs: Rishtan ceramics, suzani fabrics, spices

If you are thinking of taking a trip alone or with friends or for work, do not forget the importance of staying connected wherever you are. For unlimited Internet connection, contact BLIVALE where you can get unlimited Internet according to the destinations:

• Unlimited data plans

For unlimited plans like data BLIVALE guarantees free roaming anywhere in the world, no additional or hidden costs. Don't let the lack of connection stop you; get ready to explore the world with freedom and spontaneity.

PHASE 3: KEY LOGISTICS ASPECTS

Internal Transport

• Trains : Reservations required, efficient system between major cities

• Domestic flights : Uzbekistan Airways, variable punctuality

• Car with driver : Flexible option, cost €40-60/day

• Transport Rule : Never travel without complete documentation

Communications: BLIVALE Solution for Guaranteed Connectivity

BLIVALE provides the most effective connectivity solution for travellers in Uzbekistan, offering both physical SIM cards and digital eSIMs specifically optimised for the Uzbek territory.

BLIVALE Services for Uzbekistan:

• Traditional SIM Card : Immediate activation upon arrival

• eSIM with GB as you go : Pre-trip activation from home, no waiting

• eSIM Unlimited per day : Pre-trip activation from home, no waiting

• Premium Coverage : Network optimized for international tourists

• Multilingual Support : 24/7 Support

• Automatic configuration : Plug-and-play without technical configurations

Real Usage Data of BLIVALE Customers in Uzbekistan:

• Average weekly consumption : 8-12 GB per traveler

• Usage peaks : 2-3 GB/day during visits to Samarkand and Bukhara

• Main use :

  • 25% GPS navigation and maps

  • 40% photo/video sharing on social media

  • 20% communications (WhatsApp, email)

  • 15% translators and travel apps

Verified Performance:

• Average speed : 25-200 Mbps download in major cities

• Latency : <20ms for quality video calls

• Uptime : 99.2% during the entire stay

• Customer satisfaction : 4.8/5 stars from travellers in Uzbekistan

Exclusive BLIVALE Benefits:

• No search for local operators at the airport

• Transparent pricing with no hidden costs

• Hotspot shareable with travel companions

• Automatic backup of photos to your cloud even

• Emergency contact always active even offline

Recommended Accommodations by Type

There are many other accommodations to go to, it depends on the areas and the type of cost, I'll just give you some suggestions (we are not affiliated).

Business Travel:

• Tashkent: Hyatt Regency, Hilton

• Samarcanda: Registan Plaza, Malika Prime

• Bukhara: Zargaron Plaza, Asia Bukhara

Leisure/Cultural:

• Traditional houses (guesthouse) for authentic experience

• Family B&B with local breakfast included

• Accommodation Rule : Always book with free cancellation

PHASE 4: BEHAVIOURAL AND CULTURAL RULES

Religious and Social Protocol

1. Mosques and mausoleums : Remove shoes, cover the body completely

2. Photography : Asking permission for people, prohibited in some religious sites

3. Greetings : Handshake between men, nod for women

4. Alcohol : Limited, do not consume in public or near religious sites

5. Ramadan : Respect timetables and practices if coinciding with travel

Safety and Health

• Water : Only in sealed bottles, ice not recommended

• Food : Restaurants crowded with locals = guaranteed freshness

• Medicines : Bring your own first aid kit

• Emergencies : Single number 102, but prefer to contact the hotel/guide

Money Management

• Cash : Always sufficient, ATMs not always working

• Tips : 10% restaurants, $2-3 tour guides, $1 porters

• Trading : Expected and normal in markets, start from 50% of proposed price

PHASE 5: FINAL PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST

Documents to Bring

✅ Passport + 2 photocopies

✅ Printed Health Insurance

✅ Printed hotel vouchers

✅ Train tickets booked

✅ Local emergency contacts

Strategic Baggage

✅ Universal power adapter

✅ Power bank per smartphone

✅ Personal medications + antidiarrheal

✅ High protection sun cream

✅ Conservative but comfortable clothing

✅ Comfortable walking shoes

Essential Apps to Download

✅ Maps.me (offline maps)

✅ Google Translate (with offline Uzbek package)

✅ XE Currency (currency conversion)

✅ WeatherBug (local forecast)

DETAILED WEEKLY BUDGET

Standard Category (per person)

• International flights: €200-600

• Accommodation (6 nights): €150-250

• Internal transport: €80-120

• Sure: €20-200

• Site entrances: €10-60

• SIM Card or eSIM see BLIVALE link

• Shopping e souvenirs: €50-100

• TOTAL: €540-1,345

Premium Category

• Likes business: €1,200-1,800

• Luxury Hotel: €400-600

• Private car with driver: €300-400

• High end restaurants: €350-450

• Guide private: €200-300

• TOTAL: €2,450-3,550

STRATEGIC CONCLUSIONS

Uzbekistan requires meticulous planning but offers a travel experience unlike any other in the world. The key to success is balancing organizational rigor with the flexibility needed to absorb the country's cultural richness. By following this detailed guide, every traveler can experience an intense and fulfilling week in the heart of the ancient Silk Road, taking home lasting memories and a deep understanding of one of Central Asia's most fascinating civilizations.

Final golden rule : Uzbekistan rewards those who travel with an open mind, cultural respect and a spirit of adaptation. Your week will be all the richer the more you grasp the authenticity of this extraordinary crossroads of civilizations.