Uzbekistan launches programme to develop 162 natural sites for adventure tourism

Uzbekistan’s appeal is expanding well beyond the storied monuments of the Silk Road. The Tourism Committee under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change has launched a programme to upgrade visitor infrastructure at 162 natural sites across the country, aiming to attract a new generation of active travellers drawn to mountains, canyons, and open wilderness.

The initiative focuses on improving access routes, establishing safety standards, certifying professional mountain guides, and developing eco-friendly guesthouses in remote valleys. Activities at the centre of the programme include mountain trekking, paragliding, climbing, and winter sports — bringing Uzbekistan’s rugged alpine north and the scenic landscapes of the Fergana Valley onto the international adventure travel map.

The strategic shift complements Uzbekistan’s established strengths rather than replacing them. For travellers who have already explored Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, the programme offers a compelling reason to return and see a completely different side of the country. For first-time visitors, it adds an outdoor dimension that few Central Asian destinations can match.