Uzbekistan in February

February in Uzbekistan is still a winter month, cold but with lengthening days and the first signs of spring towards the end. The country has a dry, continental climate, with big differences between seasons and between day and night, so the month you choose shapes your trip: what you wear, which regions are comfortable, and how busy the monuments are. Below you will find what to expect, what to do and how to plan. For a year-round overview, see when to go.

February remains cold, especially at night, with frost common in Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Daytime temperatures rise slowly through the month, and sunny days can feel pleasant at midday. Rain or sleet is possible, and the occasional snowfall. In the south, around Termez, the first almond and apricot trees may blossom by the end of the month.

Approximate long-term averages for February:

Individual years vary. For month-by-month detail, see the weather pages for Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.

February has no major national festivals, but it is a good month to see daily life without crowds. In some years, the start of Ramadan falls in late winter; check the dates for the year of your trip. Preparations for Navruz in March begin in markets and schools.

See our calendar of festivals in Central Asia for dates.

• Explore Bukhara’s old town on foot, with tea breaks in warm teahouses.
• Visit the Gur-Emir and the Registan at sunset, when crowds are minimal.
• See craft workshops in Samarkand, such as the Konigil paper mill.
• Ski or walk in the snow at Chimgan and Amirsoy.
• Visit the Fergana Valley, reached reliably by train through the Kamchik tunnel.

The main cities are the best choice. Khiva is cold and quiet; if you go, stay in a well-heated hotel. The mountains near Tashkent are good for winter sports. Desert camps and Aral Sea trips are usually not operating.

February tables are still built on winter staples: plov, soups such as shurpa and mastava, dumplings and fresh bread from the clay oven. It is a good month for slow-cooked dishes like dimlama, meat and vegetables stewed in their own juices, and for halim. Dried fruit and nuts dominate the bazaars, along with the last stored apples and pomegranates. Towards the end of the month, the first spring greens appear: try ko‘k somsa, pastries filled with herbs, and herb-filled chuchvara dumplings. See our guides to Samarkand food, Bukhara food and Khiva food.

A warm coat, hat, gloves, warm layers and waterproof shoes. Bring a light umbrella for rain or sleet. Whatever the season, bring a scarf or shawl for visiting mosques and shrines, and comfortable shoes for cobbled old towns. See our packing list.

Like January, February is low season, with good hotel availability and lower prices. Train tickets are easier to find. Keep plans flexible in case of snow on mountain roads, such as the Kamchik pass; the train is a reliable alternative.

The fast Afrosiyob train links Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara; see Tashkent to Samarkand and Uzbekistan by train. For a route, see our 7-day and 10-day itineraries.

Compare with Uzbekistan in January and Uzbekistan in March, or see the full year on our when to go page. We can help plan a trip in any season, from winter city breaks to spring and autumn tours with desert camps. Remember that Ramadan and the two Eid holidays follow the lunar calendar and move about eleven days earlier each year, so check their dates for your year: they can affect opening hours, transport and hotel availability.