Uzbekistan Travel Guide: A 9-Day Silk Road Itinerary 📚 This guide is based on thorough research from official tourism and government sources rather than a personal visit. Written by Debarun Sana Uzbekistan holds the three most iconic Silk Road cities in one country — Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva — each with turquoise-domed mosques and madrasas that predate most of what's commonly thought of as "ancient" architecture in the West. Entry got genuinely easier for American travelers at the start of 2026, and this 9-day route covers Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Entry Requirements — Genuinely New as of 2026 As of January 1, 2026, U.S. citizens can enter Uzbekistan completely visa-free for stays of up to 30 days , under a presidential decree signed in November 2025 — no e-visa or advance application needed at all. This replaced a more limited exemption that previously applied only to U.S. travelers aged 55 and older. ...