Uzbekistan

[Glitterbiscuits]

I know it's a bit obscure but has anyone had a holiday in Uzbekistan?

Thinking of doing something a bit different in the Autumn.

I'd appreciate any advice, tips and reviews. I have very little knowledge of this part of the world

Go for it. I went in 2000 when it wasn't really a tourist destination - we visited Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand - we were supposed to go down to the Fergana Valley (the bit that neighbours Afghanistan) but there was some unrest there. I reckon there were about a couple of tour groups in the entire country. Beautiful scenery, amazing historical madrassas that are being restored, and they now have trains - I don't think there was really a functioning service when we visited, hence the drive across the desert in a Latvian Trabant. 😆

I can't wait to revisit.

I was in a group with Imaginative Traveller - if they don't exist or don't do the same trip, I know there are other companies who do, because I've seen the ads. I don't know if you can now travel independently. We stayed in small hotels sleeping dormitory style and one great memory is waking up at 5am to the sunrise call to prayer at the mosque just down the road.

Yes I went a few years ago with my then boyfriend. I'd really recommend it - it was amazing. I'd like to go back to that region. It was easy to do as an independent traveller. (trains went as far as bukhara iirc, but we hired drivers for other bits - we drove to the Aral sea which was incredible).

Steppes Travel have experts who can organise holidays for you. They are very knowledgeable and have a king track record visiting Uz. We were going and COVID stopped us.

There are trains but the timetable doesn’t work for most holidays so you need private transport as well as trains. Hotels can cancel on you. Choose the best you can afford. Yes, you can go to the Fergana Valley.

I think it’s a fantastic holiday. A family member went a few years earlier so we were keen to go. We learned: Food is a bit hit or miss. The best restaurants get booked up. Take time to explore a bit on your own. The guides don’t always go to the slightly out of the way madrassas but they are worth seeking out.

Uzbek Airways is ok but not if you get an old plane.

I loved it so much, I went a second time!

It's an easy country to travel in independently. I backpacked so that I could keep my plans fluid. The trains are good, long distance taxis cheap and reliable, and if you take a long distance or sleeper train, you'll find that your local cabin mates will totally spoil you and want to feed you!

The locals are so welcoming. I got used to people yelling "TOURIST!!!" and running to have their photo taken with me!

The first time I went to Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, and the second time I added in Khiva, the Aral Sea and the Ferghana valley.

A 100% recommendation from me.

We learned: Food is a bit hit or miss. The best restaurants get booked up

It wasn't a place for vegetarians, that's for sure.

Lamb, lamb, lamb and lamb. Usually with about an inch of fat on top when it's stewed!

@saraclara
@MrsDanversGlidesAgain

I'm vegetarian! Chips and bread fir me again then

Yes! Went in 2019, adored it. Very easy to travel independently.

Recommend seat61 website for train travel - the afrosiyob trains linking Tashkent, Samarkand, Burkhara etc are fantastic. The metro in Tashkent is a sight to behold as well.

I also recommend the caravanistan website as an excellent resource for travelling in the region.

The cities are so beautiful. People so friendly. We actually found some really nice places for food - just do a bit of online research.

Ooooh I'm jealous!

The BBC Race Across The World is on the Iplayer just now and they have to go through Uzbekistan!

Seat 61 and caravanistan were my go to planning sites too.
And yes, the metro! Amazing artwork in the stations. Kosmonavtlar was my favourite..

What's on the menu? manti, manti or manti. 😆

Oh come on, be reasonable. There's always plov, plov, plov and plov! 😄

Hahaha I loved both plov and manti (and samsas.....and lagman...) also found some lovely kebab/bbq restaurants in the cities.
But yes, not the best for a veggie! However I'm sure someone will have written a travel blog about travelling as a veggie in Central Asia!!

Is it bad that when I returned to Tashkent the day before my flight home, I headed for the Irish Pub and a burger and chips?

😂

Nah. Came back from California one year and after three weeks of Bud and Michelob (this was before craft beers) it was straight down the pub for a pint of London Pride before we were unpacked. After coming back from Uzbek I ate salad for a fortnight.

What's Tashkent airport like now? when I was there it was like something left over from WW2. Judging by the above posts it sounds like they have had a major infrastructure overhaul.

On my list! Joanna Lumley visits as part of her Silk Road series, which is available online (ITV by recollection).

Yes! Go! Been twice. Love it. Once Pre 2000, then again end of last year. Hurrah.

I am really encouraged by these positive replies but scared we will starve!

There's yoghurt. And cheese. And a LOT of bread! Oh, and vodka. More vodka than you can imagine. And that Uzbek hospitality means you have to drink it. Homestays are wonderful, but dangerous!

Are you all vegetarian?

Caravanistan has an excellent forum so I'd maybe drop a post on there and ask for advice.

If you are really strict it is worth thinking about because I can imagine even a vegetable dish would be cooked with utensils used to stir meat, possibly with animal oil etc.

The bread is bloody good

We went to the markets as we travelled around and judging by my pics, you can tell where you are by thickness and shape of the bread - which is indeed bloody good.

Sam Willis did a programme about the Silk Road, wanting to travel on that was the reason I went. Looks like that's available on Amazon Prime

The bread 'stamps' that make the patterns on the Uzbek bread, make great, and very cheap souvenirs!

Yes, loved it. Travelled independently about 20 years ago. Friendly and fascinating. Started in Uzbekistan and went overland through Kazakhstan on to Kyrgyzstan. Beautiful cities in Uzbek and utterly stunning mountains in Kyrgyzstan. Go for it!