What to put in your suitcase when travelling in Uzbekistan

Before setting off on your trip to Uzbekistan, you will need to carefully consider to what to take with you in your suitcase and, in particular, you will need to adapt the contents to what you are planning to do when there and the time of year you will be visiting.

If you are wondering what clothes to take with you, bear in mind that Uzbekistan is subject to an extreme continental-type climate. Temperatures can reach more than 45°C in summer! You will therefore need light clothing to enable you to cope with the heat. In winter, temperatures can get as low as -30°C. So you will obviously need sufficiently warm clothing to protect you from the cold. And no matter what the conditions, you will need long-sleeved tops and long trousers to cover your arms and legs when visiting religious sites. If you are planning to go hiking in Uzbekistan, don't forget to take suitable equipment with you, especially a good pair of walking shoes/boots. Be particularly careful not to forget to take anything you need with you as you may well have some difficulty getting hold of things once there.

This advice also applies to your first aid kit. In addition to the usual plasters, bandages, ointments etc., you should also seriously consider taking something to treat travellers' diarrhoea. Plenty of visitors to the country have their trip ruined due to this condition. Depending on the conditions, you may well need mosquito repellent and a good sun-cream no matter what the time of year. For hiking purposes, consider taking something to treat mountain sickness and plasters/dressings for blisters.

If you want to have photos/videos to show people when you come back, you will not only need a camera or camcorder but also enough memory cards to store the pictures/footage you take. In order to withdraw cash, you will need an internationally accepted credit card (e.g. Visa, Mastercard or American Express). You will also need a passport in order to enter the country.

What to include in your suitcase

1. Light clothing if you are visiting in summer, due to the hot temperatures.
2. Warm clothing if you are visiting in winter, due to the glacial temperatures.
3. Very good quality walking shoes/boots to enable you to make the most of the wonderful hiking opportunities.
4. A first aid kit containing the usual plasters, bandages, ointments etc. plus something to treat travellers' diarrhoea.
5. Something to treat mountain sickness.
6. Sunglasses and a good quality sun cream.
7. Mosquito repellent
8. A photocopy of your passport in case you lose the original
9. A camera or camcorder so you can take wonderful pictures/videos to remind you of your trip
10. An international driving licence to enable you to drive once in the country
11. A torch so you can find your way around if any power cuts occur