Uzbekistan might be best known for its ancient Silk Road cities' rich culture, history and art, but the country’s spectacular scenery should not be overlooked. One of the great things about this little-visited nation is that you can be in the sultry deserts of Karakalpakstan (a semi-autonomous region in southern Uzbekistan) one day and the snow-capped mountains bordering Kazakhstan the next. Whether you prefer desert or mountain vistas, read on to discover the best of Uzbekistan’s scenery…
1. Kyzylkum Desert
2. Aralkum Desert
3. Nuratau Nature Reserve
4. Chimgan Mountains
5. Zaamin National Park
Kyzylkum Desert
Kicking off our highlights of Uzbekistan’s scenery is a trip to the country’s sprawling desert landscapes. Did you know that Uzbekistan is home to one of the world’s largest? The vast Kyzylkum Desert is even bigger than the United Kingdom and is known for its distinctive red sand dunes and the Aydar Lake, also known as ‘the turquoise sea in the sands’. Home to a surprising variety of plant and animal life, depending on the time of year, you might see wild tulips, vibrant green shrubs and camelthorn trees punctuating the arid land. Head out on a guided jeep or camel tour to explore the ancient kalas (fortresses) that scatter the desert plains. It’s easily accessible from the fascinating desert city of Khiva.
Aralkum Desert
Located in the ‘stan within a stan’, Karakalpakstan, the Aralkum Desert was borne from what was once the huge Aral Sea – previously the fourth-largest lake in the world. An environmental disaster has led to the rapid shrinking of the Aral Sea, leaving a salty, sandy, dried-up seabed in its wake: the Aralkum Desert. In spite of these sober beginnings, the desert is becoming an eco-tourism destination, thanks to renewed conservation efforts in the region and the haunting beauty of a landscape populated with rusted fishing boats and white saline sands. Across Uzbekistan’s deserts, tourists can meet nomadic peoples and stay in their yurts, sipping vodka around the fire before setting off on their camel across the salt plains the next morning.
Nuratau Nature Reserve
Nestled in between the Nuratau mountains lies another highlight of Uzbekistan’s scenery: the Nuratau nature reserve. Founded in 1975 to protect and preserve the native wild sheep, the beautiful reserve is thriving with plant and animal life (much of which is endemic to the region). Here, you can hike between traditional Uzbek villages along remote mountain trails, passing walnut and pistachio trees, waterfalls, trickling streams and poppy fields. Stay in family-run homestays and get to know the friendly locals of Nuratau.
Chimgan Mountains
Head northeast of the capital, Tashkent, where an easy day trip takes you into the glorious countryside, past strawberry fields and pastures filled with grazing cows and magnificent Arab horses. Wind your way up further into the mountains before dipping down to the stunning Chervak reservoir, where a refreshing swim, picnic lunch and a snooze is very much the thing to do - particularly in the summer months. Here are the mountains of Chimgan, a small chain that borders Kazakhstan, where you can peek over into the Tien Shan ('heavenly' mountain range). There is some great trekking and plenty of day hikes on offer here.
Zaamin National Park
Last but by no means least on our list of must-see Uzbekistan scenery is Zaamin National Park. Located in the Jizzakh region, Zaamin is the oldest nature reserve in the country, boasting a range of landscapes from juniper forests and apricot orchards to alpine meadows. The reserve is a haven for diverse flora and fauna, home to over 700 species of plants and over 40 species of animals, including the elusive Turkestan lynx and Asian black bear. With over 93 miles of mountain trails to keep you occupied, who knows what you’ll discover…
Written by Hannah Whitehall
