A new article by our regular author and experienced traveler, Sophie Ibbotson. In this piece, she explains why winter is a great time to visit Uzbekistan. You can also read Sophie’s previous article on other seasons in Uzbekistan at this link.
Sophie Ibbotson, Uzbekistan Tourism Ambassador to the UK, @uzambassador
For the past few years, Uzbekistan Airways has flown three flights a week from London to Tashkent in summer, but only two flights a week in winter. That has changed for the winter 2024/25 schedule as the airline has seen a year-round increase in passenger demand. So much so, in fact, that they have put their largest plane, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with a maximum capacity of 270 passengers, on the route.
The vast majority of international tourists visit Uzbekistan in the spring and autumn months when the weather is most comfortable for sightseeing and the blue skies make the perfect backdrop to photos of glittering tiled monuments. But more and more visitors are choosing to come in the low season, and I’m a huge advocate of this. These are the reasons why:
Prices are lower
It is no surprise that airlines and hotels use responsive pricing to maximise returns: prices go up when there is high demand, and fall at quieter times. In the winter months you can often save $100 or more on your flight ticket, and hotels with low occupancy will readily cut you a deal. This is also the prime time to negotiate for an upgrade, getting you the most for your money.
Tourist sites are less busy
It is great to see tourism booming in Uzbekistan, but in high season the most famous attractions in Samarkand and Bukhara are overcrowded, which does negatively affect the ambience. I actively encourage culture vultures to visit in the winter months, when things are quieter, because then you can take your time to explore monuments without the noise and pressure of crowds of other people. Monuments and museums remain open year-round, so you can still see all of the highlights.
It is easier to get high speed train tickets
In high season, tickets on the Afrosiyob often sell out weeks before the train’s departure, making it necessary to drive or fly between Uzbekistan’s most popular tourist destinations. Demand for tickets is lower in the winter, so you can travel quickly and comfortably from Tashkent to Samakrand, and Bukhara, Navoi, Karshi, and Shakhrisabz. The electrification of the high-speed line is now almost complete to western Uzbekistan, so from September 2025 onwards, you will also be able to take the Afrosiyob to Khiva.
You can ski and snowboard
I adore the snow, and throughout the autumn get more and more excited about the prospect of taking to the slopes. Uzbekistan has some of the world’s fluffiest powder, and from mid-December to mid-March, there are multiple resorts where you can ski, within easy reach of Tashkent. Amirsoy Mountain Resort has the best winter sports infrastructure in the country, as well as a great hotel and restaurants, and there are also fantastic opportunities for backcountry skiing and heli skiing at the nearby Beldersoy and Chimgan resorts. Winter sports is an important growth area for Uzbekistan’s tourism sector: Amirsoy is expanding year by year, there are plans to modernise and expand the facilities at Beldersoy and Chimgan, and a new resort will be built at Nanai.
It’s more sustainable
Responsible tourism is sustainable tourism. Travelling off-season helps make tourism a year-round industry, which is economically more viable. It helps businesses have a sustainable, predictable cash flow, rather than lying empty or under-utilised. It is also vital for employment, no one — hotel staff, tour guide, driver, or restaurant waiter — can afford to stay at home for half the year!
The mountains look spectacular
There is something uniquely beautiful about mountains capped in snow. Somehow, the icy white colour enhances the drama of the landscape. I love to look upon a lake or reservoir like Charvak, ringed with snowy mountains. The white sets off the blue of the water and the sky, and the bright sunlight makes the ice crystals sparkle. It is hard to take a bad photo of the Western Tian Shan Mountains at this time of year.
It’s something to look forward to
The weeks after Christmas and New year tend to be fairly bleak. Once those celebrations are over, those of us living in the northern hemisphere have short, grey days and the warmth of summer seems a long time off. For this reason, I can think of nothing better than escaping on an adventure in January or February. And where better to go than Uzbekistan?
