Uzbekistan road trip: Kokand to Samarkand, 7 stops
This route traces a hitchhiking journey across Uzbekistan from Kokand to Samarkand, covering approximately 1,743 km through Central Asia. The traveler navigates local transportation and rural roads while documenting interactions with residents and exploring towns along the way.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Fergana Valley Recap
- End
- Tashkent
- Stops
- 7
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Fergana Valley Recap — Fertile eastern valley renowned for silk production and traditional crafts, historically central to Central Asian trade and culture.
- Kokand Hitchhike Start — Historic city in the Fergana Valley featuring a 19th-century palace and traditional bazaars reflecting the region's khanate heritage.
- First Local Encounter — Early interaction point where travelers meet Uzbek residents, revealing authentic daily life and hospitality customs beyond tourist centers.
- Al-Malik Town — Small settlement representing rural Uzbek communities with traditional architecture and local economic activities centered on agriculture.
- Angren Village — Coal-mining settlement showcasing industrial heritage and working-class life in Uzbekistan's Tashkent Province.
- Samarkand Route — Journey to the UNESCO-listed city famous for Timurid architecture, turquoise domes, and ancient Silk Road significance.
- Tashkent — Capital and largest city of Uzbekistan, serving as a major cultural and economic center in Central Asia.
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Hitchhiking is viable in Uzbekistan. Locals are willing to pick up travelers on the roadside without formal taxi stands.
- Avoid
- Avoid public displays of affection (PDA) like sitting on a spouse's lap in public, as police may intervene.
- Food
- Try local dishes like shashlik (meat kebab), plov, and somsa. Meat is sold fresh and cut in-store at local markets.
- Food
- Local beer brands like Sarbast are available and popular. Small croissants with strawberry jam are sold at roadside shops.
- Where to stay
- Locals often offer hospitality and may invite travelers to stay in their homes for free, especially in smaller towns.
- Timing
- Plan to find accommodation before sunset (around 7-7:30 PM) when traveling between towns.
- Transport
- Use Google Maps for navigation between towns, but verify routes as shortcuts near residential areas may not be straightforward.
- Tip
- Learn basic greetings like 'Assalamu aalaykum' to engage respectfully with locals.
- Where to stay
- Marshutka stands (shared taxi stations) are available in towns for organized transport if hitchhiking fails.
- Tip
- Locals are generally hospitable and kind. Many speak some English or will attempt to help travelers despite language barriers.
Video on this route
This Is The Real Uzbekistan...