UZBEKISTAN

Halal-friendly vacations

Samarkand - Samarkand is considered a hub of world cultures with a 3,500-year history and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Alexander the Great, the Arab conquest, Genghis Khan and finally the great conqueror Timur all had a major impact on the city's vibrant culture. Often referred to as the “Pearl of the Muslim World,” it is home to a wealth of Islamic architecture and art, such as the Bibi Khanum Mosque, the Gur Emir Mausoleums, Registan Square and the Ulugbek Observatory.

Tashkent - As the capital of Uzbekistan, it is also the largest city in Central Asia. The city features wide avenues and green alleys with architecture from different eras, including Soviet architecture, modern architecture, and centuries-old minarets and mosques. One of the city's main attractions is the Khazrati Imam/Hast Imam complex. Its library is said to contain one of the world's oldest Korans from the 8th century.

Bukhara - Bukhara has been an important center of Islamic theology and science for many centuries and is considered one of the best examples of a well-preserved Central Asian Islamic city from the 10th to 17th centuries. It contains almost 140 architectural monuments from the Middle Ages and its historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Khiva - Khiva's old town, Itchan Kala, was the first place in Uzbekistan to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 due to its importance to the Silk Road route. Khiva is known as “the museum under the sky” due to its incredibly well-preserved historical architecture and landmarks. Surrounded by thick mud walls, Itchan Kala is home to over 50 historical monuments.

Aydarkul Lake and Nurata Mountains - Created during the Soviet era, Lake Aydarkul is a huge semi-artificial lake that stretches for about 250 kilometers and is located in the middle of the Kyzylkum Desert. It is home to several dozen species of fish and numerous birds. Surrounded by ancient villages, steppe, desert and lakes, the Nurata Mountains are a great place for nature hikes and there are also yurts where you can stay overnight.