Messages: 20,174 - Threads: 4,313
posted
09-Jul-2008 12:47
by:
Irene_Adler »
last reply
06-Jun-2009 05:33
by:
Irene_Adler »
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1,297
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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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60,090
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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 »
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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
15-Dec-2009 21:51
by:
warren123 »
last reply
15-Dec-2009 21:51
by:
warren123 »
0
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location: Kazakhstan
Just wondering if there is another way to get to China from Almaty without flying since I heard that the Kazakhstan-China border crossing is close for Kazakstan Independence day celebration and there is neither bus nor train until 5 days later. Thanks!
posted
15-Dec-2009 12:13
by:
dabronstein »
last reply
15-Dec-2009 12:13
by:
dabronstein »
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Hi everyone there!
I friend and I are planning to visit Central Asia by June/July, we have 2 months available.
Whitch countries would you recomend us to visit?
We don't know any countries in Asia, we thought in Central Asia only because we are starting our trip at middle east, probably Syriah and Lebanon.
Thanks in advance for your answers.
David
posted
15-Dec-2009 12:04
by:
2bibbie »
last reply
15-Dec-2009 22:05
by:
mountaintourism »
1
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17
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location: Afghanistan
There were some negative comments about the charity 'Mahboba's Promise' last year and that the funds that were being made available to Mahboba’s uncle were assisting education of young men who were being indoctrinated into the Taliban. Can anybody advise how the charity is running ‘on the ground’ – are there sustainable results?
posted
15-Dec-2009 05:34
by:
derekmayfield »
last reply
15-Dec-2009 08:42
by:
emmeff »
1
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28
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I'm not having much luck finding a guest house in the $30-40 range. Has anyone got a suggestion that may or may not be on the usual lists? Thanks!
posted
15-Dec-2009 05:33
by:
derekmayfield »
last reply
15-Dec-2009 05:33
by:
derekmayfield »
0
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22
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location: Afghanistan
In 2005 I traveled by car from Kabul to Mazar-i-Sharif. Wonderful trip. Next month I'm thinking of doing it again. Of course, this is a new security situation. Just checking in to see if anyone has made this trip by car recently and if they had any insights. Thanks!
posted
11-Dec-2009 23:58
by:
jolyon_wagg »
last reply
14-Dec-2009 20:59
by:
jolyon_wagg »
6
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Hi, could someone offer a basic explanation of these for someone who has never come across this concept before?
What kind of person can provide such a letter? How easy are they to obtain? And does one need a separate one for each country?
posted
11-Dec-2009 23:50
by:
jolyon_wagg »
last reply
15-Dec-2009 18:08
by:
ChristopherCulver »
7
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117
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Hi there, I’m thinking about doing a trip through Central Asia (especially Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and possibly Tajikstan) next year and have a few questions about these ‘stans.
What would be the approximate costs per day to travel in these countries (Uz. And Turk.)? Cost of a meal, cost of accommodation etc. I know it’s dependent on all soprts of things so just a rough approximation. I tend to be a budget backpacker type traveller but am not too bothered about scrimping down to the last penny. But assuming that one would be watching ones money, not drinking a huge amount, and not buying souvenirs, how much do you think I should budget for?
Is accommodation often pretty basic in these countries?
What are the best times of year to visit? It’s possible that I would be there around July-August. Is the weather insanely hot around that time?
Language – Is English spoken an...
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posted
11-Dec-2009 08:03
by:
notarzt »
last reply
15-Dec-2009 22:00
by:
mountaintourism »
1
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74
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location: Afghanistan
Hello,
We are planning a circumnavigation - trip around the world by road with a 4wd. So I have a question concerning the route we will follow. After Africa, we will head to Tehran (Iran) then Afghanistan from Zaranj - Nimroz Province - to Bamyan then Kabul and Jalalabad to end in Pakistan.
I'm aware of all kinds of risks ...
But does someone ever take the road between Zaranj - Nimroz province - and Chaghchatan - Ghor Province. On the road map from 2004 I have, the road is mentionned as a "track", so what kind of road conditions will I face ?
Thanks for your answers !
PS : Support Akis and Vula's circumnavigation : http://www.theworldoffroad.com/theworldoffroad/en/index.php
posted
11-Dec-2009 01:56
by:
travelbaby »
last reply
15-Dec-2009 22:10
by:
mountaintourism »
2
replies
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70
views
location: Afghanistan
Hi,
Looking at flying into Kabul from Dubai. Any comments on air safety records for Kam Air or Ariana? It's one or the other....
Many thanks!
posted
09-Dec-2009 19:42
by:
pockozaur »
last reply
10-Dec-2009 04:08
by:
pq »
3
replies
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111
views
Hi all,
can anybody share with me your experience regarding travelling during dec - jan, winter months between Dushanbe and Khorog,
could you send me some good links on that subject?
I would like to know about the weather, road conditions, travel duration, and what are the chances that once i get to pamir i will be stuck there for winter?
I am going on a small trip, before the real research that i want to do next year?
I am going on 15th of dec; until 5th of jan
I am looking for places to stay in Dushanbe
Maybe one of you would like to join me - but i imagine that no one is going this direction
anyway
looking forward to hear from you
peter
posted
09-Dec-2009 18:45
by:
ainsan »
last reply
09-Dec-2009 19:27
by:
ainsan »
0
replies
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88
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Kidnapping of the bride - Mosfilm 1966 (with English subtitles)
Prisoner of the Caucasus, or Shurik's New Adventures is a Soviet-era comedy film dealing with the theme of bride kidnapping. The title is a play on "The prisoner of the Caucasus," which is a poem by Alexander Pushkin as well as a short story by Leo Tolstoy . It was directed by Leonid Gaidai. The premiere of the film took place on April 1, 1967 in Moscow.
Plot summary
A kind, yet naïve, student named Shurik goes to a place in the Caucasus to learn the ancient customs of the locals and falls in love with a girl called Nina. Her uncle sells her as a bride without her knowledge and arranges to have her kidnapped by the eccentric trio: Coward, Fool and Experienced. After a failed attempt, the uncle decides to trick Shurik into helping with the kidnapping - telling him that it is a traditional custom and that it was ...
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posted
08-Dec-2009 20:10
by:
Raki_Man »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 20:10
by:
Raki_Man »
0
replies
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76
views
A couple of days ago I wrote to Air Astana to ask whether they would allow me to board their plane from Bangkok to Bishkek, via Almaty with a one-way ticket and no transit visa for Kazakhstan or visa for Kyrgyzstan.
I'm always a bit worried about whether I can get on an international flight with one-way ticket
I had a very helpful reply from someone high up who advised that I could do this- provided I had proof (emails would do) that I would be leaving the country overland. Also confirmed they did not need transit visa for a 2 hr stopover in Almaty and no probs for Australian passport at Manas Airport.
Very handy to have this advice in the back pocket when I am booking in at Air Astana at BKK airport.
Hi has anyone taken the train from Tashkent to Turkistan (Or passed on that line)
Is it easy to cross the border? As I hear now it is difficult to travel on land due to the closed crossing at Chernyaevka.
How much will it cost?
I found the timetable at the DE Bahn train website. But couldn`t find the price as its international.
Many thanks
Matthew
posted
07-Dec-2009 11:21
by:
musafir »
last reply
07-Dec-2009 11:21
by:
musafir »
0
replies
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68
views
Hi ,salaam, and namaste ji
how much would a ND/Tashkent/ND air ticket cost around september 2010??
any ideas??
posted
07-Dec-2009 02:21
by:
ainsan »
last reply
07-Dec-2009 02:33
by:
ainsan »
0
replies
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100
views
The White grand piano
Director: Mukadas Mahmudov
Screen play: Timur Zulfikarov
Cameraman: Ibragim Baramykov
Composer: Alexander Zatsepin
Artist: Hussein Bakayev
Country: the USSR
Studio: Tajikfilm
Year: 1968
Actors: Stalin Azamatova, Nina Shatskaja, Ruslan Ahmets, Akmurad Bjashimov, Abdulhajr (Khurram Kasymov, Tamara Kokova, Alexey Smirnov, Marjam Yakubov,...
Genre: a musical film
In search for an unique white grand piano the musicologist Alla Arsenyeva comes to Dushanbe where she gets acquainted with well-known composer J.J.Ahmedov, his young colleague Shodi, charming Lola and old woman Roziya-Bibi.
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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