EN
Plan your trip

Blog

Notes from Khiva

Seasonal tips, festival dates, honest comparisons and news for travellers, written by our team in Khiva.

Subscribe by RSS

A night in a desert yurt camp in Uzbekistan: what to expectWhat a night in a yurt camp in Uzbekistan’s Kyzylkum desert is really like, from camel rides and sunset to dinner by the fire, folk songs and the stars, with the main camps near Lake Aydarkul and Ayaz Kala, seasons, comfort, what to bring and how to get there.

All posts

19 posts

· 5 min readA night in a desert yurt camp in Uzbekistan: what to expectWhat a night in a yurt camp in Uzbekistan’s Kyzylkum desert is really like, from camel rides and sunset to dinner by the fire, folk songs and the stars, with the main camps near Lake Aydarkul and Ayaz Kala, seasons, comfort, what to bring and how to get there.
· 5 min readIs Tashkent worth visiting? What to see in one or two daysMany travellers rush through Tashkent on the way to Samarkand. Here is an honest look at what the capital offers, from the Khast Imam complex and Chorsu bazaar to the metro, museums and mountains, and how long to stay.
· 5 min readRamadan in Uzbekistan: what travellers should knowWhat it is like to travel in Uzbekistan during Ramadan, how the month is observed in a secular, Muslim-majority country, what changes for visitors, iftar invitations, Eid celebrations, etiquette and practical tips, with expected dates for 2027.
· 5 min readSamarkand or Bukhara: which city should you choose?Samarkand dazzles with grand Timurid monuments; Bukhara charms with a living old town. An honest comparison of sights, atmosphere, food, getting there and who each city suits, to help you decide or plan both.
· 5 min readSilk Road cities of Uzbekistan compared: Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and moreA side-by-side comparison of Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabz, Tashkent, Kokand and Termez, by atmosphere, highlights, time needed and access, to help you decide which to include in your trip and in what order.
· 5 min readThe Aral Sea disaster explained: what happened and how to see it todayHow one of the largest lakes in the world almost disappeared in a few decades, why it happened, what it means for the people of Karakalpakstan, what is being done now, and how travellers can visit Muynak and the remaining sea responsibly.
· 5 min readThe best photography spots in Uzbekistan, and when to shoot themThe most photogenic places in Uzbekistan, from the Registan at blue hour and the tiled lanes of Shah-i-Zinda to Bukhara’s Kalyan minaret, Khiva’s walls at sunset, the desert fortresses, the Aral Sea and the Tashkent metro, with the best times, angles and practical tips.
· 5 min readThe best souvenirs from Uzbekistan and where to buy themFrom suzani and ikat silk to Rishtan ceramics, Bukhara knives, silk paper, spices and dried fruit, a guide to the best souvenirs from Uzbekistan, where to find them, what they cost to bargain over, and how to bring them home safely.
· 5 min readUzbek bazaars: a guide to Chorsu, Siab, Kumtepa and the best marketsA guide to the great bazaars of Uzbekistan, from Chorsu in Tashkent and Siab in Samarkand to Kumtepa in Margilan, Urgut and the markets of Bukhara and Khiva, with what to buy, how to bargain, what to taste, etiquette and the best times to go.
· 5 min readUzbek melons: the season, the varieties and where to taste the bestWhy Uzbek melons are famous across Central Asia and beyond, the melon season from June to October, the main varieties from Khorezm, Bukhara and the Fergana Valley, how to choose a good one in the bazaar, dried melon, melon traditions and where to taste them.
· 5 min readUzbekistan public holidays 2027: dates and what they mean for travellersThe public holidays of Uzbekistan in 2027, from New Year and Navruz to Ramazon Hayit, Qurbon Hayit, Independence Day and Constitution Day, with expected dates, how each is celebrated, and what they mean for trains, hotels, sights and your travel plans.
· 5 min readUzbekistan wine: history, grapes and where to taste itAn introduction to wine in Uzbekistan, from ancient vineyards and the Russian-era wineries of Samarkand to local grape varieties, sweet dessert wines and a new generation of producers, with where to taste, what to try and etiquette in a Muslim-majority country.
· 5 min readUzbekistan’s hidden gems: 12 places beyond Samarkand, Bukhara and KhivaTwelve lesser-known places in Uzbekistan for travellers who want to go beyond the classic Silk Road cities, from the Savitsky Museum and the desert fortresses to Nuratau villages, Termez’s Buddhist ruins, the Fergana Valley, Boysun and the Ustyurt Plateau.
· 5 min readWhat to wear in Uzbekistan: a dress guide for women and menWhat to wear in Uzbekistan, with dress norms in Tashkent, the Silk Road cities and the countryside, what to wear at mosques and shrines, advice for women and men, seasonal packing lists and shoes for cobbled old towns.
· 5 min readWhere to watch the sunset in Khiva: the best spots from a local teamThe best places to watch the sunset in Khiva, from the city walls and the Kunya-Ark watchtower to rooftop terraces, the Islam Khodja minaret and the desert fortresses outside the city, with timing, seasons and tips from our team in Khiva.
Registan Square in Samarkand under a blue sky · 3 min read10 mistakes first-time visitors make in Uzbekistan (and how to avoid them)Too many cities, too few days, midday sightseeing in July and last-minute train tickets. The planning mistakes we see every season, and the simple fixes.
Crenellated walls of Ichan-Kala looking towards Kalta Minor · 3 min readKhiva in winter: is it worth visiting from November to February?Cold, bright days, almost no crowds and low prices. What Khiva is really like in winter, what is open, what to pack and who will enjoy it.
Kalyan minaret and the domed bazaars of Bukhara · 3 min readKhiva or Bukhara: which should you choose if you only have time for one?Two Silk Road cities, very different trips. An honest comparison of atmosphere, sights, food and getting there, from a team based in Khiva (we will try not to be biased).
The three madrasahs of Registan Square, Samarkand, at sunset · 3 min readNavruz 2027 in Uzbekistan: dates, traditions and where to celebrateNavruz falls on Sunday 21 March 2027. What happens on the day, what you will eat, where to be, and how to plan a spring trip around the biggest holiday of the year.
Rooftops and minarets of Ichan-Kala, Khiva, in evening light

Have a journey in mind?

Answer a few questions and a planner in Khiva will send a day-by-day route and a price. Free, with no obligation.

Build your own trip Chat on WhatsApp

Tour to Uzbekistan · Koshona street 75/1, Khiva, Uzbekistan · WhatsApp +998 91 920 94 20 · tours.uzbekistan@gmail.com · tourtouzbekistan.com/blog/

WhatsApp Plan your trip