useful information

Useful information about Uzbekistan for tourists

Dear guests and citizens of republic of Uzbekistan! To avoid violation of custom legislation when entering into Uzbekistan, during customs control and registration you need to know below coming information:
- While crossing customs border of republic of Uzbekistan each passenger needs to fill custom declaration form T-6 by declaring foreign currency in cash, currency values, inventory holdings and other belongings of private use.
- Bringing foreign currency in cash into republic of Uzbekistan as well as traveling cheque are allowed in unlimited amount for residents and non residents but must be declared in custom form T-6
 
Bringing foreign currency in cash into republic of Uzbekistan with certification of form of TC-21
- If resident or non resident wish, foreign currency can be put on deposit with certificate TC-21, free of charge. First copy of TC-21 certificate with stamp is given to owner (passenger).
Detected fake foreign currency in cash, during custom inspection, not allowed entering into republic of Uzbekistan. Fake currency is stopped with drawing up of an act in set form of law.
 
List of items prohibited to import into republic of Uzbekistan
Publications, manuscripts, cliché, pictures, illustrations, photos, photographic films, photo negatives,
Movie – video – audio products, gram records, sound materials aimed or related to undermine state and social regime, braking territorial integrity, political independency and state sovereignty, propagandizing war, terrorism, violence, national oneness and religious hatred, racism and its variety (anti-Semitism, fascism) as well as pornographic materials.
Prohibited import and export of rare and disappearing sort of animals in republic of Uzbekistan, listed in Red Book.
Import of goods, by natural person, for commercial activity, required registration of this person as an individual entrepreneur with right for import and export operations.
Limit of import of precious metals, not obliged by custom fees, is 5 units with total weight no more then 30 grams. Import and export of precious metals and jewelry for commercial aims are carried only with license given by Ministry of external Economic Relations and Trade of republic of Uzbekistan.
Import of radio electronic facilities and high-frequency equipments carried only with approval of appropriate authority of republic of Uzbekistan. (Centre of Electromagnetic Compatibility of Communication and Information Ministry of Uzbekistan)
To import phytogenic and animal origin, special permit need from appropriate authority of republic of Uzbekistan.(Sanitary -Epidemiology Station)
Import and export of drugs and medical equipment allowed only with permission of Ministry of Health of republic of Uzbekistan.
Not showing in custom declaration and not presenting to custom inspector during oral inquiry of foreign currency in cash, inventory holdings and other belongings, will be understood and appear as factor of breaking custom laws of republic of Uzbekistan. When such law breaking facts of custom laws are found, they will be validated with processual documents according to articles of customs code of republic of Uzbekistan.  
 
 
GENERAL INFORMATION about Uzbekistan
 
Languages
The official language is Uzbek (Turkic origin), but the main part of the population speak Russian (Slavonic origin). In some areas (Samarkand, Bukhara) people also speak Tadjik (Persian origin). English is getting popular among young people.
 
Uzbekistan Area
447,400 sq km
 
Religion
Islam – 88%, Christian (orthodox) – 9%
 
Climate/Weather in Uzbekistan
Climate in Uzbekistan is sharply continental, it varies from dry and arid, with warm summers and cool winters in the west to moderate rainfall, with temperature summers and bitterly cold winters in the east. Temperature in Uzbekistan ranges during the year, from +40˚C in summer (July and August) and -20˚C in the middle of winter (January and February). Humidity is fairly low. In spring and fall temperatures are of a more moderate nature (mid 20˚C to 30˚C)
 
Population of Uzbekistan
The population of Uzbekistan is over 24 mln. The density of population is 52, 8 people per 1km2. Ethnically the peoples on the territory of Uzbekistan are Uzbek (80%), Russians (5%), Tadjik (5, 5%), Kazakh (0, 8%), Karakalpak (3%), Tartar (1%) and others. Population is concentrated in the plains around water sources, in the valleys and deltas of the big rivers. 
 
Currency Exchange in Uzbekistan
National currency is soum. 1 soum = 100 tiyin.
$1 = 1295, 00 soum (as of December, 2007)
All foreign currencies can be exchanged in major banks. The preferred currencies are US dollars and Euros (Cash). In country cities there are difficulties with exchange, advice to do all changes in Tashkent or ask your Tour leader/driver. Tourists should have enough cash US dollars (new dated notes in best condition) for most expenses.
 
Business hours:
Banks: working hours: 09:00-16:00
Closed: Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
Post offices: working hours: 09:00-18:00
Closed: Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
Department stores: 10:00 – 18:00 (with regular holidays)
Closed: Sunday
Business hours: 09:00-18:00
Closed: Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
Government organizations: working hours: 09:00-18:00
Closed: Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
 
Credit Cards
Credit cards VISA, MASTER CARD are acceptable in major banks, hotels, stores and restaurants (In Tashkent). In country cities most used cash payments. Anyway we advice to have enough cash for all your expenses.
 
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50 Am. Round 2 pin continental plugs are standard.
 
Cuisine of Uzbekistan
There are over one thousand dishes in Uzbek cuisine. Fruits and vegetables grown under the tender oriental sun are terrific in taste. There are about 500 varieties of Uzbek PLOV only cooked in its own way in every region. Calorie content and ecological cleanness of local ingredients is unique, Uzbek cuisine can not be described, it should be tasted.
 
Time in Uzbekistan
+5 hours ahead GMT
 
Health
No mandatory requirements for entry into Uzbekistan and no vaccinations are officially required. Tap water safe in most areas, but bottle water is recommended anyway.
 
Insurance
As this kind of services in Uzbekistan is still developing, it is advisable to be insured at home by your local insurance company.
 
Security
Individual safety boxes are not always available in Uzbekistan hotels. An essential part of your luggage is a comfortable money wallet, which may be worn under your clothing. At all times you should carry your main documents (i.e. currency, travelers’ cheque, air tickets, passports, visas etc.) In accordance with local laws, you will be required to hand in your passport to the hotel reception on arrival to allow registration of your passport details by the hotel. Your passport will normally be available again after a few hours. Do not forget to collect it before departure.
 
Extras
You are responsible for covering the cost of your hotel extras such as phone calls, room service, mini-bar in your room and laundry. Before departing from all the hotels on the tour, please ensure that you have checked with the front desk for any personal charges that the hotel may have made to your room. 
 
Photography in Uzbekistan
No difficulty is put in the way of visitors who wish to photograph places of historic interest.
Photography inside some religious monuments and in airports, railway stations or near military installation may not be allowed. If in doubt ask your local guide. Please also note that there is a fee for photography in most sightseeing places 
 
Rent a car and Transport conditions in Uzbekistan
International Permit required. Minimum age is 21 years. Drive on the right. Speed limits 50-70 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on highways. Car rent with driver is widely offered rather than without driver.
Note that in Uzbekistan we don’t have latest editions of big coaches, minibuses and minivans. Most of them used vehicles of Korean, European and Chinese manufacturers produced before 1995. However they are safe, in proper working condition but still don’t expect more than middle level.
 
Hotels and accommodation in Uzbekistan
In Uzbekistan there is a variety of tourist class hotels, from private guest hoses to deluxe four stars hotels in country cities (only 4 deluxe hotels: 1 in Urghench, 1 in Bukhara, 2 in Samarkand); . But deluxe standard hotels’ quality here is differs from European standards, quality is lower, working for many years. Mostly travelers using private B&B or boutique hotels built in national style, closer to city centers. But they are not big (about 10-25 rooms only) and due to high season conditions, rooms there could be reserved already and sometimes we have to change for alternative hotels. 
 
Tips in Uzbekistan
Tipping is widely used. If you are satisfied with service, you can leave some tips. It will be gladly accepted.
 
What to take
If you are coming to Uzbekistan as a tourist following items are essential to take while staying: a backpack is very useful in carrying personal things, a hat, sunglasses, light shoes, sun blocks and light colored cotton clothes during summer and hot periods; a light water and windproof jacket is useful during autumn and period of light showers and at nights in the desert. Uzbekistan is a conservative country, though with Muslim traditions; therefore clothes should be conservative. Women and men may wear long slacks and shirts or blouses with sleeves.
 
Airlines in Uzbekistan
All domestic flights are operated by National Company Uzbekistan Airways. Flights schedule can be changed without prior notice. Maximum luggage limit – 20kg per person + 5kg hand luggage on Y class. Clients should be at the airport minimum 1.5 hours before for domestic flights; and 2.5 hours before for international flights.
Due to the only Air operator in Uzbekistan sometimes there are no available seats for the flights, that’s why we have to change the flights or even change the itinerary, and we have no other options and cannot guarantee in advance.
 
Visa
For foreign tourist it is necessary to get a tourist visa to visit Republic of Uzbekistan. To obtain the visa you have to send following information at least 15 days before arrival (Some country citizens do not need visa support and can obtain Uzbekistan tourists’ visas directly in any Uzbekistan embassy in 2-3 working days).
-             Full name
-             Gender
-             Date and Place of birth
-             Citizenship
-             Passport details: number and validity dates
-             Place of work or study (if retired, write “retired”)
-             Position
-             Place of obtaining visa country and city
-             Number of entries
-             Duration of stay
 
Distance between major cities within Uzbekistan
 AIRPORT AND INFORMATION FOR PASSENGERS