Things to Do in Uzbekistan in February

February Weather in Uzbekistan

11°C (51°F) High Temp

-4°C (25°F) Low Temp

25 mm (1.0 inches) Rainfall

65% Humidity

Is February Right for You?

Advantages

Crystal clear visibility for Silk Road architecture photography - February's low humidity and minimal dust storms mean perfect lighting conditions for capturing the blue domes of Samarkand without haze
Authentic local winter experience with traditional heating methods like sandali (heated low tables) in family guesthouses and hot tea culture at its peak - locals are most welcoming during cold months
Significantly reduced tourist crowds at major sites - you'll often have Registan Square to yourself for 20-30 minutes at a time, impossible during peak season
Peak season for traditional crafts workshops as artisans work indoors - carpet weaving, ceramics, and metalwork demonstrations are most accessible with master craftsmen having time to teach visitors

Considerations

Limited daylight hours (9am-6pm usable light) restricts outdoor sightseeing time and some rural attractions may close early or be inaccessible
Central heating is inconsistent outside major hotels - expect indoor temperatures around 15°C (59°F) in budget accommodations and frequent power outages in smaller cities
Mountain passes to Fergana Valley may be closed due to snow, limiting access to eastern regions and requiring significant itinerary flexibility

Best Activities in February

Samarkand Historic Architecture Tours

February's cold, clear air provides exceptional visibility for photographing the iconic blue domes and minarets. Morning frost creates stunning contrast against turquoise tiles, and you'll experience these UNESCO sites without summer crowds. Indoor sections of mausoleums offer warm respite between outdoor viewing. The low winter sun angle (25-30 degrees) creates dramatic shadows perfect for architectural photography.

Booking Tip: Book guided tours 5-7 days ahead through licensed operators who provide indoor warming breaks. Tours typically cost 200,000-400,000 UZS ($18-36). Look for operators offering traditional tea breaks in historic madrassas. Reference booking widget below for current tour options.

Bukhara Traditional Craft Workshop Tours

Winter is prime season for indoor artisan experiences as craftsmen have more time and workspace is comfortably heated. Learn carpet weaving techniques passed down through generations, try your hand at miniature painting, or observe master metalworkers creating traditional items. Workshops run 2-4 hours with hot tea service and are genuinely educational rather than tourist-focused.

Booking Tip: Book directly through craft cooperatives or licensed cultural tour operators 3-5 days ahead. Workshop fees range 150,000-300,000 UZS ($14-27) including materials. Avoid operators promising 'shopping opportunities' - seek authentic learning experiences. See current workshop tours in booking section below.

Tashkent Soviet Architecture Walking Tours

February's crisp air makes 3-4 hour walking tours comfortable, and the city's Soviet-era monuments look particularly striking against winter skies. Explore the brutalist metro stations (warmest underground network in Central Asia), visit Chorsu Bazaar's winter sections, and understand modern Uzbek urban life. Local guides share stories impossible to find in guidebooks.

Booking Tip: Book with cultural tourism operators specializing in contemporary history tours. Expect to pay 250,000-450,000 UZS ($22-40) for 4-hour tours including metro tickets and warm indoor stops. Look for operators offering stops at traditional chaykhanas (tea houses) for warming breaks. Current options available in booking widget below.

Khiva Old Town Night Photography Sessions

February evenings provide ideal conditions for capturing Khiva's ancient walls and minarets under artificial lighting. Clear, dry air eliminates humidity blur, and early nightfall (6pm) means golden hour transitions perfectly into blue hour. The Ichan-Kala fortress walls create wind barriers, making outdoor photography sessions more comfortable than expected.

Booking Tip: Arrange photography tours through local guides who know optimal shooting locations and timing. Sessions cost 200,000-350,000 UZS ($18-32) for 2-3 hours including equipment protection tips for cold weather. Book 2-3 days ahead and ensure guides provide warm indoor breaks. See booking options below.

Traditional Uzbek Cooking Classes

Winter is perfect for learning hearty Uzbek dishes like lagman (hand-pulled noodles) and manti (steamed dumplings) in warm family kitchens. February ingredients include preserved vegetables and dried fruits, showcasing traditional food preservation methods. Classes run 3-4 hours in heated homes with generous tastings and recipe sharing.

Booking Tip: Book through family-run guesthouses or cultural exchange programs rather than commercial operators. Classes range 180,000-320,000 UZS ($16-29) including full meal and recipe cards. Ensure classes include market visits for ingredient education. Reference current cooking class options in booking section.

Desert Edge Camel Trekking

February offers comfortable daytime temperatures (8-12°C/46-54°F) for Kyzylkum Desert excursions without summer's extreme heat. Visibility extends for kilometers across winter desert landscapes, and traditional yurt camps provide authentic heating with wood-burning stoves. Sunset views are spectacular without dust interference.

Booking Tip: Book desert tours 7-10 days ahead through licensed operators with proper cold-weather camping equipment. Full-day tours cost 400,000-700,000 UZS ($36-63) including traditional meals and warm overnight accommodation. Ensure operators provide adequate sleeping warmth ratings (-5°C minimum). Current desert tour options in booking widget below.

February Events & Festivals

Throughout February

Navruz Preparation Season

While Navruz (Persian New Year) occurs in March, February is when families begin intensive preparations including traditional crafts, special food preparation, and house cleaning rituals. Visitors can observe and participate in wheat sprout growing (sabzikor), traditional bread baking, and community preparation activities that are culturally significant and welcoming to respectful observers.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated, waterproof boots with good grip - cobblestones in historic cities become slippery with morning frost and occasional snow

Layering system: thermal base layer, wool or fleece middle layer, windproof outer shell - indoor/outdoor temperature differences of 15-20°C (27-36°F) are common

Warm hat covering ears and insulated gloves - wind chill in open squares like Registan can make -4°C (25°F) feel like -12°C (10°F)

High-capacity power bank and charging cables - cold weather drains phone batteries 40-50% faster, and power outages are common

Cash in small denominations (UZS notes) - card readers often malfunction in cold weather and many artisan workshops are cash-only

Moisturizing cream and lip balm - dry winter air causes rapid skin dehydration, especially noticeable at 1,400m (4,593ft) altitude in Samarkand

Sunglasses despite winter weather - snow glare and bright winter sun reflecting off light-colored stone buildings can cause eye strain

Compact umbrella for occasional snow and winter precipitation - traditional bazaar covers don't extend to all walking areas

Portable tissue packs and hand sanitizer - cold weather means runny noses and limited access to warm washing facilities

Traditional scarf or neck warmer - shows cultural respect and provides practical warmth during outdoor mosque visits where head covering is required

Insider Knowledge

Visit major monuments between 10am-2pm when thermal mass from stone buildings retains overnight heating - they're actually warmer than outdoor air temperature during midday

Traditional guesthouses use sandali (heated low tables with blankets) for warmth - this is authentic local winter culture, not tourist accommodation failure

February is peak season for genuine antique shopping as dealers bring out stored inventory for serious collectors - authenticity is highest but requires expert knowledge

Local families invite visitors for hot tea more readily in winter months - accepting these invitations provides authentic cultural exchange impossible during tourist season

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming all attractions maintain summer opening hours - many historic sites close 1-2 hours earlier in February, and rural attractions may be completely inaccessible

Packing only for extreme cold - daytime temperatures often reach comfortable walking weather, but layering flexibility is essential for indoor/outdoor transitions

Booking budget accommodations without researching heating systems - Soviet-era buildings often have unreliable central heating that can fail for days