Mineral Springs and Sanatoriums of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan's sanatorium culture dates back to Soviet times and is still very much alive: every year thousands of people go to take the waters, drinking mineral water, soaking in baths and breathing mountain air. For locals it is a familiar kind of holiday; for visitors it is an unusual way to see the provinces and rest away from the bustle of big cities. Here are the best-known resorts, what they traditionally treat and how to get there.

Important: this article is not medical advice. Consult a doctor before travelling for treatment.

Chartak: thermal water of the Fergana Valley

Chartak (Chortoq) is the valley's best-known balneological resort, located north of Namangan at the foot of the mountains. Its main asset is warm mineral water from deep wells, used for baths and pools. Bottled Chortoq mineral water is sold all over the country.

Chartak's sanatoriums traditionally receive people with joint and spine problems, nervous system conditions and skin complaints. Besides treatments, it is a pleasant place to stroll: the resort area is full of greenery, surrounded by orchards and foothills.

Kasansay and the mountains north of Namangan

Northwest of Namangan, in the valley of the Kasansay river, lies another popular holiday area. It lacks Chartak's medical fame, but it has mountain air, a reservoir, guesthouses and summer cottages where Namangan families escape the heat. Many people combine a course of treatment in Chartak with a day or two in the Kasansay hills, as the roads between them are short. The Namangan — Kasansay route is the easy way there.

Chimion: mineral waters near Fergana

Chimion is a village and resort south of Fergana, in the foothills of the Alay range. It has its own mineral springs, a sanatorium and guesthouses. The focus is drinking cures and baths; people traditionally come with digestive and musculoskeletal problems, but check specific indications with the sanatorium and your doctor. Orchards and hills nearby are good for gentle walks.

Zaamin: a cure of mountain air

The Zaamin sanatoriums in Jizzakh region are famous not for water but for climate: altitude, dry air and juniper forests releasing phytoncides. Historically people with respiratory illnesses, including children, were sent here. Besides treatment, there are excellent walks in the national park, and in summer it is far cooler than in the valley.

To get there, travel the Tashkent — Jizzakh route, then about one and a half to two hours to the resort area.

Resorts compared

The profiles are general: each sanatorium has its own licence and list of treatments.

How to book a stay

1. Choose a sanatorium and contact it directly or through a travel agency. In high season (summer and holidays) places sell out quickly.
2. Check what is included: accommodation, meals, treatments and a doctor's consultation.
3. Prepare documents. Many sanatoriums ask for a spa treatment card or basic test results. Foreigners need a passport and registration, which the sanatorium usually handles.
4. Consider the length. A classic course is 10–14 days, but many places accept guests for 3–5 days just to rest.

Prices vary widely with room category and treatments, roughly from several hundred thousand sum per day and up. Check current rates before you go.

Contraindications and common sense

• Hot mineral baths are not for everyone: with heart disease, high blood pressure, pregnancy or acute inflammation they are prescribed with caution or not at all.
• Do not drink mineral water by the litre for your health; therapeutic waters are taken according to a schedule.
• If you travel in summer, mind the heat: in the valley, baths and pools are best in the morning and evening.

When to go

Autumn and spring are the best seasons for the Fergana Valley spa resorts, with mild weather and fewer people. Zaamin is best in summer when the valleys hit 40 °C. Many sanatoriums stay open in winter, but there are fewer walks on the programme.

Getting there

From Tashkent the road to Namangan crosses the Kamchik pass; from there local transport goes to the resorts. On Yo'ldosh you can book a seat in a shared car on the Namangan — Kasansay and Tashkent — Jizzakh routes: cheaper than a taxi, with verified drivers and convenient departure times. See how it works on the for passengers page.

Cover photo: The Colonial Mineral Springs Company, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons.