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Uzbekistan - Things to Do in Uzbekistan in December

Things to Do in Uzbekistan in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Uzbekistan

10°C (50°F) High Temp
20°C (68°F) Low Temp
51 mm (2.0 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

  • Winter sunshine without the crowds - December sits in a sweet spot between the autumn tourist rush and the spring Silk Road tour groups. Major sites like Registan Square and the Bibi-Khanym Mosque feel genuinely spacious, and you can actually photograph the tilework without elbows in your frame. Hotel prices drop 30-40% compared to April-May peaks.
  • Perfect walking weather for the old cities - Temperatures between 10-20°C (50-68°F) make exploring the medinas of Bukhara and Khiva absolutely ideal. You can comfortably walk 8-10 km (5-6 miles) daily through the historic quarters without overheating. The mild conditions mean outdoor cafes stay open, and you'll see locals lingering over tea in courtyards rather than rushing indoors.
  • Navruz preparation season brings unique cultural access - While the main Navruz festival happens in March, December through February is when artisans prepare their goods. Workshops in the Chorsu Bazaar area and Bukhara's trading domes are buzzing with ceramicists, suzani embroiderers, and metalworkers creating pieces for the spring festival. You'll get unprecedented access to watch master craftspeople work, and prices haven't inflated yet.
  • Clear desert skies for the Silk Road architecture - December typically brings crisp, clear days with minimal haze. The low winter sun hits those turquoise domes and golden mosaics at perfect angles, especially between 2-4pm. Photographers actually prefer December over summer for this reason - the light is softer and the contrast between the blue tiles and cloudless sky is stunning.

Considerations

  • Nights get genuinely cold, especially in the desert cities - While days are pleasant, temperatures can drop to -5°C to 0°C (23-32°F) after sunset in Khiva and Bukhara. Many guesthouses in historic quarters have inconsistent heating since the buildings are centuries old with thick walls designed for summer cooling. Budget an extra $15-25 per night if reliable heating matters to you.
  • Some mountain routes and rural homestays close for winter - The Nuratau Mountains and Fergana Valley homestay programs typically shut down by mid-December. Yurtstays near Ayaz-Kala are weather-dependent and often canceled with little notice. If your trip centers on rural experiences or trekking, December forces you to stick to the main Silk Road cities.
  • Shorter daylight hours compress your sightseeing window - Sunset hits around 5:30pm in December, which matters more than you'd think. Many outdoor sites like Savitsky Museum's sculpture garden or the Ark Fortress ramparts lose their appeal in the cold after 4pm. You're realistically working with a 9am-4pm prime window, meaning you need an extra day in each city compared to spring itineraries.

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Best Activities in December

Registan Square and Samarkand Architecture Tours

December is genuinely the best month for exploring Samarkand's monumental architecture. The low winter sun creates dramatic shadows across the Registan's three madrasas between 2-4pm, and you'll often have entire courtyards to yourself. The cooler weather means you can spend 3-4 hours wandering the complex without the exhaustion that comes with summer heat. The tilework actually photographs better in winter light - less glare, richer blues. Morning frost occasionally dusts the domes, creating scenes that summer visitors never see.

Booking Tip: Most architecture-focused walking tours run 3-4 hours and cost $35-55 per person for small groups. Book 5-7 days ahead through platforms that verify guide credentials - you want someone who can read the Arabic calligraphy and explain the restoration history. December means guides have more availability and often spend extra time since they're not rushing to the next group. Look for tours that include the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, which is particularly stunning in winter afternoon light.

Bukhara Old City Walking and Workshop Visits

Bukhara's compact old city is perfect for December exploration - you can cover the trading domes, Lyabi-Hauz plaza, and Ark Fortress in comfortable 10-20°C (50-68°F) weather. What makes December special is access to artisan workshops preparing for Navruz. Metalworkers in the Toki-Zargaron dome and miniature painters near Chor-Minor are deep in production mode, and many welcome visitors to watch. The covered bazaars provide natural shelter if those occasional December showers hit. Late afternoon light through the Kalyan Minaret's brickwork is extraordinary this time of year.

Booking Tip: Half-day walking tours typically run $40-65 and should include workshop visits beyond just the tourist-facing shops. Book through operators offering December-specific itineraries that emphasize craft workshops over summer's carpet-selling focus. The best tours start around 10am when workshops open and end by 3pm before it gets too cold. Many guides can arrange informal tea with artisans if you book private tours, which run $80-120 for two people.

Khiva Walled City Exploration

Khiva's Itchan Kala feels like a film set in December - the tourist buses disappear, and you'll walk streets that feel genuinely medieval. The compact walled city is ideal for the shorter daylight hours since everything sits within 400m (0.25 miles) of the West Gate. December weather is perfect for climbing the Islam Khoja Minaret and walking the city walls without the summer heat making the steep steps unbearable. The desert location means incredibly clear skies - the turquoise tiles against deep blue winter sky create colors that seem oversaturated. Street vendors selling hot sambusa and warming tea appear on corners, something you won't see in summer.

Booking Tip: Entry to Itchan Kala costs around $15 for a two-day pass covering all monuments. Consider hiring a private guide for 3-4 hours at $50-70 rather than joining group tours, which are sparse in December anyway. Morning tours starting at 9:30am catch the best light on the eastern facades. Some guides offer evening walks if you're visiting during the New Year period when the city adds decorative lighting. Bring cash in local currency - card readers are unreliable in the old city.

Tashkent Soviet Architecture and Modern City Tours

Tashkent works brilliantly in December because it's primarily an indoor/urban experience. The metro system itself is worth hours of exploration - stations like Kosmonavtlar and Alisher Navoi are underground palaces with chandeliers and mosaics. December weather is ideal for walking between the Chorsu Bazaar, Amir Timur Square, and the modern Tashkent City district without summer's oppressive heat. The city's museums and galleries provide perfect rainy-day alternatives. The Hazrati Imam Complex and Applied Arts Museum have excellent heating. December also brings the city's New Year preparations, with Amir Timur Square getting elaborate light installations by mid-month.

Booking Tip: Metro photo tours run 2-3 hours and cost $30-45 per person. Book tours that combine Soviet architecture with the modern city transformation - Tashkent has changed dramatically in the past three years with new pedestrian zones and renovated Soviet buildings. Full-day city tours typically run $65-90 and should include both the historic Islamic sites and the Soviet-era neighborhoods. December means indoor venues like the State Museum of History are less crowded, so you can actually read the exhibits. Tours starting at 11am work well since mornings can be quite cold.

Fergana Valley Day Trips from Tashkent

While overnight homestays close in winter, day trips to the Fergana Valley remain excellent in December. The valley sits lower and warmer than the surrounding mountains, with temperatures typically 3-5°C (5-9°F) higher than Tashkent. December is when you'll see traditional bread-baking and ceramic production without the summer tourist groups. The drive through the mountains can be spectacular after December snowfall, with the Kamchik Pass offering dramatic winter scenery. Margilan's silk factories operate year-round, and December visits mean you'll see actual production rather than staged demonstrations.

Booking Tip: Full-day Fergana Valley tours from Tashkent run $90-130 per person including transport and lunch, or $180-220 for private tours for two people. Book at least 10 days ahead since December means fewer departures and vehicles need winter equipment for mountain passes. Tours should include Margilan's Yodgorlik Silk Factory and Rishtan's ceramic workshops. The 5-6 hour drive each way is comfortable in modern vehicles with heating. Verify that tours are actually running - some operators list Fergana Valley year-round but cancel December departures if bookings are low.

Uzbek Cooking Classes and Food Market Tours

December brings seasonal shifts in Uzbek cuisine that make food experiences particularly interesting. Markets overflow with winter vegetables, dried fruits, and nuts being prepared for New Year celebrations. Cooking classes focus on warming dishes like shurpa soup and baked samsa rather than summer's cold salads. The cooler weather makes standing over hot tandoor ovens actually pleasant. Classes typically include market visits to Chorsu or Siyob bazaars, where December brings pomegranates, persimmons, and the season's first citrus from the south. Indoor cooking means weather is irrelevant, making this perfect for those occasional rainy December days.

Booking Tip: Cooking classes run 3-4 hours and cost $45-75 per person, typically including market visits and the meal you prepare. Book through operators offering home-based classes rather than restaurant kitchens for more authentic experiences. December classes often feature holiday dishes and New Year preparation techniques. Morning classes starting around 9:30am work best since markets are most active then. Some operators offer evening classes that include dinner with local families, running $55-85 and providing genuine cultural exchange beyond just cooking.

December Events & Festivals

Late December

New Year Celebrations (Yangi Yil)

New Year is actually bigger than Christmas in Uzbekistan, a holdover from Soviet times that has evolved into a major national celebration. Cities install elaborate light displays by mid-December, with Tashkent's Amir Timur Square and Samarkand's Registan becoming focal points for festivities. December 31st brings public concerts, fireworks, and street celebrations. Hotels and restaurants offer special New Year dinners, though these book up quickly. The celebration combines Russian traditions like Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) with Uzbek hospitality, creating something unique. Markets sell decorations and special foods throughout December.

Throughout December

Navruz Preparation Markets

While Navruz itself happens in March, December through February is when artisans create the ceramics, textiles, and metalwork sold at the spring festival. This preparation period offers unique access to workshops and special market sections dedicated to Navruz goods. You'll see suzani embroiderers working on pieces that take months to complete, ceramicists firing their kilns with traditional designs, and metalworkers creating the decorative items used in Navruz celebrations. Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent and the trading domes in Bukhara are particularly active with this pre-festival production.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Layering system for 25°C (45°F) daily temperature swings - Mornings start around 0°C (32°F) but afternoons reach 15-20°C (59-68°F). Pack a warm base layer, mid-weight fleece, and a windproof outer layer you can shed by midday. The dry air means layers work better than single heavy coats.
Warm jacket for evenings - Temperatures drop fast after 5pm, often reaching -5°C to 0°C (23-32°F) by 8pm. A down or synthetic insulated jacket is essential for evening walks and dinners. Historic guesthouses can be cold at night despite daytime heating.
Comfortable walking shoes with good soles - You'll easily walk 8-10 km (5-6 miles) daily on cobblestones, polished marble mosque floors, and uneven medina streets. The mix of surfaces means you need shoes with grip and ankle support. Avoid new shoes - blisters are miserable when you're exploring all day.
Scarf or buff for wind and dust - Uzbekistan's desert cities get occasional winter winds that kick up dust. A scarf serves triple duty: warmth in the morning, sun protection at midday, and dust protection when winds pick up. Also useful for women visiting active mosques.
High SPF sunscreen despite winter timing - UV index hits 8 on clear days, and the winter sun reflecting off white marble and turquoise tiles is intense. Pack SPF 50+ and reapply every 3-4 hours. The dry air means you won't feel yourself burning until it's too late.
Moisturizer and lip balm for desert dryness - Humidity drops to 40-50% in the desert cities, much drier than the 70% average suggests. The combination of dry air and indoor heating will crack your lips and hands within two days. Pack heavy-duty moisturizer and apply it religiously.
Small daypack for daily essentials - You'll want water, layers you've shed, sunscreen, and snacks while exploring. A 15-20 liter pack is perfect for carrying what you need without being cumbersome in crowded bazaars. Make sure it fits under cafe tables since you'll be stopping for frequent tea breaks.
Portable battery pack for phone - December means shorter days and you'll use your phone constantly for photos, maps, and translation apps. Cold weather drains batteries faster than summer heat. A 10,000mAh battery pack will get you through full days without hunting for outlets.
Cash wallet with local currency organization - ATMs exist in major cities but are sparse in old quarters and smaller towns. Carry a mix of small bills - vendors in bazaars and small restaurants rarely have change for 100,000 som notes. Keep cash organized since you'll be pulling it out frequently.
Light rain jacket despite low rainfall - Those 10 rainy days in December typically bring brief showers rather than all-day rain, but they can be sudden. A packable rain jacket weighs almost nothing and saves you from huddling in doorways when afternoon showers hit. Also serves as an extra windproof layer.

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations in historic quarters with heating guarantees - Many gorgeous guesthouses in Bukhara's and Khiva's old cities occupy centuries-old buildings with thick walls and minimal insulation. These are magical in summer but can be genuinely uncomfortable in December when temperatures drop below freezing at night. Specifically ask about heating systems and read recent winter reviews. Properties advertising underfloor heating or modern HVAC systems are worth the extra $20-30 per night. Alternative: book a modern hotel outside the old city and walk in daily - it's usually less than 1 km (0.6 miles) to the main gates.
Start your sightseeing days at 10am, not 8am like summer itineraries suggest - December mornings are cold and many sites don't hit good light until mid-morning anyway. Locals don't really get moving until 9:30-10am in winter. Use early mornings for slow breakfasts and trip planning, then hit sites from 10am-4pm when it's warmest and light is best. This rhythm matches how Uzbeks actually live in winter rather than fighting against the season.
The high-speed Afrosiyob train from Tashkent to Samarkand gets heavily booked in late December - New Year travel means locals are moving between cities, and the comfortable Afrosiyob trains sell out 10-14 days ahead for late December departures. Book train tickets as soon as your dates are firm, or you'll end up on the slower regular trains that take twice as long. The Afrosiyob runs twice daily and cuts the journey to 2 hours versus 4+ hours on regular trains. Tickets run $15-20 and the heating actually works, unlike some regular trains.
Bargaining in winter bazaars follows different patterns than summer - With fewer tourists in December, vendors are more willing to negotiate but also more likely to stick to prices since they're not desperate for sales. The sweet spot is late afternoon around 3-4pm when vendors want to make one more sale before it gets too cold. Start at 60% of the asking price rather than the summer strategy of 40%. Building rapport with tea and conversation matters more in winter when everyone's just trying to stay warm and pass time.

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating how cold evenings get and ending up trapped in your hotel after 6pm - First-time visitors see daytime temperatures of 15-20°C (59-68°F) and pack accordingly, then discover that by 7pm it's below freezing and they're miserable. This is fixable: pack a proper winter jacket even though it seems excessive for the daytime temperatures. Evening walks through lit-up Registan or Lyabi-Hauz plaza are highlights of visiting in December, but only if you're dressed for it. Locals wear heavy coats after sunset for good reason.
Following spring or summer itineraries that don't account for 5:30pm sunsets - Guidebooks and blogs often suggest seeing 4-5 major sites per day, which works fine in summer with 14-hour daylight. In December you've got maybe 7 hours of prime sightseeing time, and trying to cram too much means you're rushing through sites in poor light or after they've effectively closed. Cut your expected daily site count by about 30% compared to summer itineraries. Quality over quantity matters more when you're working with limited daylight.
Booking rural experiences or mountain trips without confirming they actually operate in December - Many tour operators list yurtstays, mountain homestays, and trekking options year-round on their websites but quietly cancel them November through March. The Nuratau Mountains, Chimgan ski area, and Fergana Valley homestays are particularly prone to this. Always confirm specific December availability in writing before building your itinerary around these experiences. Stick to the main Silk Road cities if you want guaranteed operations, or have solid backup plans.

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