Summer Holidays with Kids: Where to Go in July and August

Summer for a family with children in Uzbekistan is both a joy (school holidays, fruit, long evenings) and a challenge (heat of +40 C and above). The secret is simple: look for water, mountains and shade, and travel in the morning and evening. This article offers ideas for short trips from Tashkent, tips on organising the day and practical advice for the road with kids.

General rules for summer trips with kids

1. Plan the day around the heat. Activities from morning until 11 and after 17. In the middle of the day rest, swim and nap.
2. Always carry water. Children dehydrate faster. Offer water regularly without waiting for complaints.
3. Hats and sunscreen. A sun hat, SPF 50 and light covering clothes.
4. Light food. Fruit, vegetables, yoghurt, crackers. Leave fatty and heavy food for the evening.
5. Watch how they feel. Listlessness, headache and a red face are signs of overheating. Take the child to shade, give water and wash with cool water.
6. Water safety. Never leave children unsupervised and swim only in permitted places.

Where to go

Mountains near Tashkent

The Western Tien Shan is very close to the capital. Chimgan, Beldersay and the Charvak reservoir offer coolness, clean air and space for kids. Here you can:

• ride a cable car and see the mountains from above (check that it is running and any age limits);
• walk easy trails along the river;
• swim in Lake Charvak where there are organised beaches;
• have a picnic by a mountain stream;
• feed horses and donkeys, if there are riding places nearby.

Temperatures in the mountains are 8 to 15 degrees lower than in the city, but it gets cool in the evening, so bring sweaters.

On the way it is worth stopping in Chirchik, a town northeast of the capital. The Tashkent to Chirchik route is about 30 to 40 km and takes 40 to 60 minutes. From here the road goes on to Gazalkent and Charvak.

Parks and rides

Tashkent has parks with rides, fountains and shaded alleys. There is a zoo, Tashkent City park, water parks and children's centres. They often run in the evening when the heat eases. Check opening hours and age limits.

Jizzakh and Zaamin

The Zaamin mountains: pine forests, cool nights and mountain streams. You can stay for a few days at a guesthouse or recreation base. The road from Tashkent runs through Jizzakh. The Tashkent to Jizzakh route is about 190 km and takes 2.5 to 3 hours. After that there is a climb into the hills, so check the road condition and the bases' operating hours.

Lakes and reservoirs

Charvak, Aydarkul and Tudakul are good for rest with swimming. Pick places with lifeguards or base owners, a gentle entry into the water and shade. Do not let children swim near reeds and currents.

The south and the desert in summer

Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are very hot in summer. If you go with children, limit sightseeing to the morning hours and spend the rest of the time indoors or at the hotel pool. For little ones the mountains are the better choice.

How to organise the road

• Leave early. The car is cooler in the early morning and children fall asleep more easily.
• Bring water, wipes and a change of clothes. Nausea and mess on the road happen.
• Stop every 1.5 to 2 hours. You need to stretch, use the toilet and drink water.
• Child seats are essential. They save lives. Make sure there is a suitable seat or booster for your child.
• Entertainment. Books, colouring, headphones and screen-free games, or cartoons downloaded in advance.
• Never leave children in a closed car in the sun, even for a minute. The cabin heats up within minutes.

Travelling with a shared ride

For a family with children, comfort and safety matter. In the Yo'ldosh app you choose a trip, see the driver's profile and book a seat in advance. Before the trip, ask the driver whether a child seat can be fitted, whether the air conditioning works and whether stops are possible. It is cheaper than a taxi and more convenient than a bus with a change. For short trips to the mountains and back, the Tashkent to Chirchik and Tashkent to Jizzakh directions suit well.

One-day ideas

1. Charvak. Morning on the road, swimming, lunch by the water and back in the evening.
2. Chimgan or Beldersay. Cable car, a walk and a picnic.
3. City day. A museum or zoo in the morning, a pool at noon, a park in the evening.

Two or three day ideas

1. Zaamin. A mountain guesthouse, walks and clean air.
2. Charvak overnight. Swimming and rest on the shore.
3. A classic programme. Sightseeing in Samarkand in the morning and evening, a pool and nap by day.

What to bring

• Sun hats and sunglasses for everyone.
• Sunscreen and insect repellent.
• Spare clothes and towels.
• Wet wipes and hand sanitiser.
• A light sweater for the evening.
• A first-aid kit: fever reducer, bite remedy, antiseptic.
• Favourite toys for the road.

Bottom line

Summer with kids in Uzbekistan can be comfortable if you choose mountains and water, travel in the morning and evening and protect children from overheating. Choose routes on the pages for Tashkent to Chirchik and Tashkent to Jizzakh, and coolness is a couple of hours from the city.

Cover photo: Teasdale, Sara, 1884-1933, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons.