Uzbekistan in June

June in Uzbekistan is the start of summer, hot in the desert cities but with long days, fruit and pleasant mountains. 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.

June is hot and dry. In Bukhara, Khiva and Termez, afternoons often exceed 35 °C; Samarkand, at a higher altitude, is a little cooler. Rain is almost absent, skies are clear and the light is strong. Nights stay warm. In the mountains near Tashkent, days are pleasant and ideal for walks.

Approximate long-term averages for June:

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

Early June may still bring the Silk and Spices Festival in Bukhara in some years. Schools close for summer holidays, and Uzbek families head to the mountains, Charvak and Issyk-Kul. Check whether Eid al-Adha falls in June in your year.

See our calendar of festivals in Central Asia for dates.

• Sightsee at dawn and in the evening, when the monuments glow and the heat eases.
• Taste cherries, apricots and the first melons at the bazaars.
• Swim in the Charvak reservoir and hike in the mountains.
• Hike to Big Chimgan from late June.
• Enjoy evening concerts and folklore shows in Bukhara and Khiva.

Combine the cities with the mountains near Tashkent. Visit the desert fortresses only early or late. The Aral Sea is possible but hot. Termez is very hot; avoid it if you can.

June is the season of cherries and apricots, sold by the bucket in every bazaar, and of the first early melons and peaches at the end of the month. Light dishes suit the heat: cold yoghurt soup chalop, salads, fresh herbs and grilled meat in the evening. Green tea is believed to cool the body, and you will be offered it everywhere. Ice cream and cold ayran or kefir are popular in the afternoons. Dried apricots from the new harvest start to appear. See our guides to Samarkand food, Bukhara food and Khiva food.

Light, loose clothing covering arms and legs, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen, a refillable water bottle and sandals or breathable shoes. Whatever the season, bring a scarf or shawl for visiting mosques and shrines, and comfortable shoes for cobbled old towns. See our packing list.

Plan a long rest at midday in an air-conditioned hotel or museum. Drink plenty of water. June is shoulder season for foreign tourists, with slightly easier bookings than May, though domestic travel increases.

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 May and Uzbekistan in July, 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.