Messages: 19,912 - Threads: 4,261
posted
09-Jul-2008 12:47
by:
Irene_Adler »
last reply
06-Jun-2009 05:33
by:
Irene_Adler »
0
replies
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1,133
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Welcome to the Central Asia branch!
Welcome to the Thorn Tree's Central Asia branch.
We hope you find plenty of useful information about travelling to Central Asia here. It is highly recommended that new users check out the Central Asia FAQ thread before posting a new thread as you may find many of the answers you seek there. It also contains helpful information about how to search the forum, advice for how to post your questions, and obsolete information was deleted as recently as July 2008! If you are a returning user or know the 'stans like the back of your hand, please help us keep the FAQ thread up-to-date by adding important information which is absent, or pointing out information which is no longer being represented accurately.
Choosing a country to post to:
When you make a post and choose a country from the drop down menu, your pos...
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posted
24-Mar-2004 21:14
by:
everbrite »
last reply
12-Nov-2009 17:50
by:
flower_2008 »
101
replies
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58,605
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The countries covered by this FAQ are: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
It also de facto covers Xinjiang (China), Pakistan (being that it is a 'stan), and Northern Iran which are historically and technically part of Central Asia. In addition there are often questions asked here about Mongolia and Russia and occasionally the three Caucasus countries, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
For Pakistan consider cross posting on the Indian subcontinent branch; for Xinjiang (China) and Mongolia, the North East Asia branch; for Iran, the Middle East branch; and for the others, the Eastern Europe & the Caucasus branch.
Here's some tips to make life easier:
1. Do your homework
The web is filled with basic information on Central Asia. Google is your best friend. Get your basic info first, then you can ask intelligent questions on the Thorn...
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posted
24-Nov-2009 10:06
by:
Irene_Adler »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 10:10
by:
Irene_Adler »
0
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54
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Safety concerns can dominate discussion when it comes to travel in Central Asia. So that this branch is not covered in threads asking "Is Afghanistan safe?", this thread has been made sticky for travellers to post updates based on any recent experiences/information they may have. Personal and/or political arguments are not permitted.
You may post safety situation updates for the following countries here: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
For Pakistan consider cross posting on the Indian subcontinent branch; for Xinjiang (China) and Mongolia, the North East Asia branch; for Iran, the Middle East branch; and for the others, the Eastern Europe & the Caucasus branch.
The previous thread covering the safety situation in Afghanistan may also be of interest. It is now locked but can still be accessed and reviewed [here|http://www.lonel...
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posted
25-Nov-2009 18:32
by:
iamelise »
last reply
25-Nov-2009 19:42
by:
fluffy_bunny »
1
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28
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Hi there,
I was wondering if anyone knows about the route between Tashkent, Fergana Valley and Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan during winter. I'd like to travel in January but have no idea if the roads will be open. Any info regarding this would be much appreciated
Also if anyone else is thinking of travelling at the this time, please let me know and perhaps we can travel together.
Look forward to your responses,
Elise
Hi,
I will be leaving for Iran tomorrow, and then in Iran TRYING to apply for a Chinese Visa and then for Turkmenistan, Uzbeckistan, Krygistan or Tajikistan visas too. In Iran I cannot use my visa direct debit card, so will have to take cash, my concern is how MUCH roughly to take, as I'm guessing I need cash in the 'stans and China too (for visas for all these countries, travel, and other necessities)...I am wondering what the basic amount should be? And any other tips on this!
Thank you :)
posted
25-Nov-2009 00:48
by:
bennyclive »
last reply
25-Nov-2009 00:48
by:
bennyclive »
0
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28
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First I stress my experience could be a complete one off. I am planning my second trip to Uzbekistan and last year I managed to get 5 visas for central asian countries in 5 weeks and the Uzbek embassy was by far the quickest. This year however the embassy has had my passport for three weeks, have told me three times that they had all the necessary info (including LOI and a pre-paid special delivery return envelope) and that the visa would go in the post that day and I have still had no luck.
As I say I had no problems with exactly the same approach last year so perhaps this is a one off, or I did something there last year thats got me flagged haha BUT just in case there's a problem with the system at the moment I thought I'd send this warning out and recommend walking your visa in if at all possible. That way you wont be in my situation of having to cancel a holiday last minute (I...
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posted
24-Nov-2009 22:26
by:
rooinek »
last reply
25-Nov-2009 03:48
by:
Giora »
2
replies
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44
views
location: Uzbekistan
1.) What are the road transport options available from Nukus airport to Khiva?
2.) Is it realistic to expect to find a marshrutka, bus, or (preferred option) a taxi late at night?
3.) What is the approximate distance, travelling time, and taxi fare late at night.
posted
23-Nov-2009 04:41
by:
danielsprague »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 20:34
by:
chitralguy »
3
replies
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90
views
location: Afghanistan
Can anyone tell me what security is like (by Afghan standards) on the road from the Turkmenistan border at Toraghundi to Herat? I'm planning to drive it after a month or so.
Thanks
Daniel
Edited by: danielsprague
posted
22-Nov-2009 23:37
by:
maaikeneuville »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 00:46
by:
chitralguy »
6
replies
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121
views
Hi, me and my friend are on an overland journey from Belgium to Nepal.
Currently we are in Tehran and are thinking over our plans how to reach India. We would like to avoid Pakistan if that`s possible. Are there travellers who are in the same position? Are there travellers going by car via Turkmenistan and all the other Stans, going that way to India?
Since we had a bad experience with hitchhiking we would like to avoid doing that in the next couple of weeks. Is public transport an option all through the Stan-countries?
Also we don`t have any visa for those countries. Does it take a long time to get them ?
We read that taking a ship from Bandar Abbas to India is not possible, but still we want to believe it is possible and maybe someone has experience with this?
Thanks for any advice.
Maaike
posted
22-Nov-2009 22:03
by:
nihilist00 »
last reply
23-Nov-2009 17:46
by:
Giora »
1
replies
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70
views
location: Uzbekistan
As of 2009/11/10 the crossing at Cherniaevka between Shymkent and Tashkent is still closed. If (as I did) you find yourself at Cherniaevka and unable to cross then taxi drivers will take you the 100km to Yallama for 5000T or US$40. It really is 100km so their quotes are not ridiculous.
I crossed the border at Yallamar without any hassle in under an hour. I bought some Uzbek sum for US$ on the street (no bank or exchange kiosks in sight) and then followed the obvious road to the bus stop on the highway. After about 10 minutes a marshrutka came along, I flagged it down and it took me to Sobir Rahimov in Tashkent for 1500S.
Forewarned with this post (and similar other posts) you may be able to get local transport to Yallama and do the crossing more cheaply.
Edited by: nihilist00
posted
22-Nov-2009 21:01
by:
musafir »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 19:58
by:
chitralguy »
5
replies
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139
views
location: Afghanistan
is mazar i sharif safe for a weekend visit from Uzbekistan?I look Afghan and speak a little Dari.
posted
22-Nov-2009 12:58
by:
heavenly3lues »
last reply
23-Nov-2009 19:12
by:
emmeff »
4
replies
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110
views
Hello! I will be in Bishkek for 10-14 days working in December. I was wondering if there was any budget accommodation I could stay at in Bishkek. My only requirement is that there is a shower. The more money I save on housing, the more money I make from my job! Right now, my company has me staying in a Bed and Breakfast for $36 per night and I am about 5 minutes from the job site. Does it get much cheaper than that or not? Let me know! Thanks.
Jeremy
posted
20-Nov-2009 01:42
by:
afghanguy »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 00:12
by:
chitralguy »
6
replies
,
160
views
location: Afghanistan
Salam
Good news for fellow travelers, Kam air has started flights from Kabul to Peshawar and Islamabad on a remarkable prices. This is the detail.
Kabul to Peshawar by Kam air.
Days thursday and sunday.
Departure time. 8 am from Kabul airport. Flight duration something like 45 minutes or so.
Price 4950 Afghanis.
Kabul to Islamabad.
Price is something like 8000Afghanis. It is recommended to fly from Kabul to Peshawar or Islamabad rather than entering to Pakistan by land through Khyber pass due to unstable circumstances in the Khyber Agency.
Safe travels.
posted
19-Nov-2009 03:23
by:
glastonburytour »
last reply
20-Nov-2009 14:41
by:
CentralAsia_tra... »
5
replies
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183
views
Hi,
my partner and I are currently travelling overland from the UK to OZ and are contemplating going through Central Asia in January. Are we completely mad? Will it be possible to travel overland through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan into China? Will the major routes be snowed in a lot of the time? We are aware that it'd be bitterly cold in many places but would we still be able to get the best from it at this time of year? Any clothing tips?! (our backpacks mostly contain hot weather items at the moment).
Any tips would be much appreciated.
Clark.
posted
18-Nov-2009 10:06
by:
agnieszka1221 »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 07:32
by:
mountaintourism »
14
replies
,
302
views
location: Afghanistan
I just received confirmation that I will be receiving my Afghanistan visa shortly, so now the big question, is it doable and will I survive? As an American all we hear in the media is war, Taliban, war, etc. I want to see Afghanistan for myself but I surely have no death wish. Is anyone aware of how doable is it for a solo female American traveler (traveling on European passport) to cross from Tajikistan (in the south-west, not east) into Afghanistan, safely travel to Herat then over to Pakistan via some southern border (basically nowhere near Islamabad, Jalalabad and those areas) overland (I don't want to fly anywhere). I will be there about March 2010 and I haven't done all my research yet, so forgive me, but I don't want to travel somewhere if I'm going to be in a constant state of fear. Any advice, words of wisdom?
posted
17-Nov-2009 15:36
by:
budgies »
last reply
20-Nov-2009 03:36
by:
ae123456 »
1
replies
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114
views
If you need to book Kyrgyzstan Airlines from Uzbekistan the phone number is 252 12 67. There is no office at the airport and tickets only go on sale the day before the flight.
posted
17-Nov-2009 08:26
by:
Riesj »
last reply
22-Nov-2009 05:29
by:
chitralguy »
17
replies
,
362
views
location: Afghanistan
posted
17-Nov-2009 00:49
by:
mortenHS »
last reply
20-Nov-2009 20:33
by:
chitralguy »
7
replies
,
188
views
A very weird travelling experience.
I spent 3 months in Manila last summer. The first 3 weeks I spent in a guesthouse in Malate. Not doing too much just relaxing and then spending the evening on poker games and beer. Then I moved to batangas for a few days where I watched the nightlife scene and had some relaxation. Then for some reason I ran almost out of money and had to sleep on some very cheap places with mostly filipinos. Does anyone else have had experiences with infriendly filipinos?
Asia is a spectacular assault on the senses, whether you're riding the trans-Siberian railway, gazing up at the temples of Angkor, struggling with the immense tide of humanity in India, or trying to s... more »
Multi-country guide. Borat may not have been the most savoury of ambassadors, but at least he shone a light on Central Asia.buy it »
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