Messages: 20,007 - Threads: 4,279
posted
09-Jul-2008 12:47
by:
Irene_Adler »
last reply
06-Jun-2009 05:33
by:
Irene_Adler »
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1,195
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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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59,074
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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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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
01-Dec-2009 18:56
by:
celticbhoy7 »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 18:56
by:
celticbhoy7 »
0
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Anyone have recent experience getting a Tajik visa at the embassy in Moscow? I can't find anything on here more recent than 2007. I have a US passport and would like to know if I need LOI here and how long it takes to get the visa. Cost would be nice to know as well...do they still have different prices for different lengths? Thanks for any info!
I am travelling home from Tokyo to China to Kyrgyzstan , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Tashkent by land/sea from where I`ll fly home to the UK.
I will travel alone by the cheapest means possible.
I have just started reserching and have cancelled my plan to go along the Pamir Highway due to the weather and costs:
Here is my new plan:
Kashgar to Sary Tash on the Irkeshtam Pass. Then to Sary Moghul for a few nights then catch the Daroot-Korgon Bus to Osh.
****From Kashgar to the border I will just take a cab but from the border to Sary Tash this may be difficult? Poss hitch on a truck but as Central Asia_Traveller pointed out the trucks now take a different route. Any ideas????
If this isn’t possible I’ll take the overnight bus from Kashgar to Osh? If it runs in winter??
From Osh I’ll now go to Andijan (UZ) down to Kokand via Fergana. From Kokand I’ll travel to Khojand...
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posted
01-Dec-2009 16:05
by:
jaic »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 18:53
by:
fluffy_bunny »
3
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30
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location: Tajikistan
Hi, my name is Jai, I just completed a solo trek across the Gobi Desert in Mongolia and I am sitting in China now hating society. I am planning a Christopher McCandless/ Into the Wild type trip to Tajikistan or Nepal soon. Would have preferred Bhutan but it is like 120 us dollars a day. I would prefer to hitch to the Pamirs in Tajikistan and seek solitude. Does anyone know if there is a hunting shop where I can pick up a rifle in Tajikistan? Can I get some form of transport from China to Tajikistan? Can I pick up a visa at the border? If there is anyone out there who is mentally and physically resilient and wants to meet up with me in China and hitch to Pamirs they are welcome. We can then maybe seek solitude and arrange to hitch back to China at a certain date.
"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because ...
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posted
30-Nov-2009 22:54
by:
dottii »
last reply
30-Nov-2009 22:54
by:
dottii »
0
replies
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23
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location: Uzbekistan
Hello! I am currently in Iran, and am looking into applying for a China Tourist Visa. I am looking to travel through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan etc to reach China (I have not yet looked into the route), and have heard that applying for a China Visa in Toshkent may be the easiest way. Does anyone have any experience with this? I have an Irish passport and am not intending to return to Ireland to obtain the Visa, so any help on this subject will be truly appreciated! Thank you :)
Furthermore, any advice on which route to take to reach China would be great too!
Kind regards
posted
30-Nov-2009 12:11
by:
ElizabethK »
last reply
30-Nov-2009 22:17
by:
transland »
3
replies
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61
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location: Kyrgyzstan
I want to go to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in either April or May next year. Almost went in May last year, but had to cancel at the last minute. Watched the Tashkent weather for the time I would have been there, and temperatures were typically around 95F (35C) which is well above what is shown in weather tables online and in LP for May. I prefer temperatures no higher than 80-85F (30C). I welcome feedback on weather in April and May on the typical tourist routes in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Maybe May 2008 was not normal? Or if April tends to be nice, maybe better to play it safe and travel in April?
Thanks
Elizabeth
posted
30-Nov-2009 12:07
by:
ElizabethK »
last reply
30-Nov-2009 12:07
by:
ElizabethK »
0
replies
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27
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I want to go to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in either April or May next year. Almost went in May last year, but had to cancel at the last minute. Watched the Tashkent weather for the time I would have been there, and temperatures were typically around 95F (35C) which is well above what is shown in weather tables online and in LP for May. I prefer temperatures no higher than 80-85F (30C). I welcome feedback on weather in April and May on the typical tourist routes in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Maybe May 2008 was not normal? Or if April tends to be nice, maybe better to play it safe and travel in April?
Thanks
Elizabeth
posted
29-Nov-2009 10:46
by:
gunsnroses23 »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 08:24
by:
gunsnroses23 »
10
replies
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226
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location: Afghanistan
Hi to all, I'm new to this forum. I have been reading it for a while & read many threads of foreigners asking about going to Afghanistan but I couldn't find a thread about a Pakistani national asking about going to Afghanistan maybe I missed it, in that case just post me the link please. So here's my question:-
I'm Pakistani & I intend go to Kabul in 1 month or so. I asked some Afghans & Pakistani Pashtuns regarding this issue, many have advised me not to get the visa for Afghanistan since they say you can enter Afghanistan without a visa (of course by moving around the crowd on border cross point) & most of them have advised me to take the Khyber Pass route but since I heard that there's trouble going on there, is it still possible for a local to go there from Peshawar? If yes then how much will this whole trip cost from Peshawar to Kabul? I don't know much Pashto just few words ...
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posted
29-Nov-2009 04:12
by:
sunshine22 »
last reply
30-Nov-2009 16:57
by:
allan74 »
3
replies
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86
views
location: Kyrgyzstan
Did anyone else go to Lake Song-kul this summer...isn't it the most beautiful, peaceful place ever?!
posted
28-Nov-2009 16:40
by:
Raki_Man »
last reply
28-Nov-2009 20:32
by:
fluffy_bunny »
1
replies
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67
views
location: Kyrgyzstan
This must happen more than you think, that they need to put it on an Embassy website........
4. If stopped by militia patrol for identification check, one is advised to present the passport only, while there is no need to show the belongings in the handbags or pockets.
5. If noticed misuse of powers on part of police authorities, it is advised to get as more information about the officers as possible, i.e. name, rank, and place of work, and report this information to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Embassy, Ministry of Interior of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Bishkek Police Department.
http://www.kyrgyzemb.jp/consuleg_eng.htm
Hi I am planning a trip from China through to Uzbekistan in late Feb early March 2010.
1) I am planning of travelling from Kashgar to Osh then from Osh along the Pamir Highway down to Khorog via Mugrab. I have been looking for advice regarding if this is possible. I contacted META in Mugrab and they said in theory the Pamir is passable year round. I understand that if the weather is bad I may have to wait. My main concern is will there be shared taxis along this route at this time of the year? I am travelling solo and cannot afford a car of my own.
2) Also I am looking for a travelling companion if anyone is in the region at this time of year to help cut costs and share transport.
3) Has anyone taken the flight from Khorog to Dushanbee at this time of the year? Does it fly in Winter?
Many Thanks
Matthew
posted
28-Nov-2009 03:09
by:
biancu »
last reply
28-Nov-2009 13:39
by:
CentralAsia_tra... »
1
replies
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96
views
Hello,
I'm thinking of crossing from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan, specifically from Beynau (Kazakhstan) to to Aqshalak (Uzbekistan) , bi bicycle. My questions are:
1. Did anyone there have done this ride before? are there any active towns in between?
2. In which direction does the wind mostly blows to? As I read sand storms are not uncommon due to the retreat of the Aral Sea.
3. I know there is a train from Beynau to Kungrad. Anyone out there who have taken that train? Is the border opened to foreignness?
Any other information and/or suggestions are very welcome.
Thanks in advance.
posted
28-Nov-2009 00:51
by:
dequincey »
last reply
30-Nov-2009 12:20
by:
emmeff »
6
replies
,
133
views
location: Uzbekistan
I am in the early stages of planning a trip to C Asia, flying from London to Tashkent return. From Uzbekistan I want to travel to Kyrgyzstan (and perhaps Tajikstan) then back to Uzbekistan (and fly back to London.) I have a British passport but live in Portugal. A few queries, please.
1. My idea is to arrange a LOI online from e.g. Stantours while in Portugal then get a double entry Uzbek visa in London before flying. Does anyone have recent experience of this, particularly the double entry aspect?
2. How straightforward would it be to pick up a Kyrgyz (and perhaps a Tajik) visa in Tashkent?
Any thoughts or better schemes would be gratefully received.
posted
27-Nov-2009 03:05
by:
chitralguy »
last reply
28-Nov-2009 06:25
by:
mountaintourism »
1
replies
,
91
views
location: Afghanistan
The snow starts melting,
The German army chief resigns over the killing of Afghan civilians in the NATO airstrikes
Al-Jazeera reports
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/11/2009112694429695983.html
posted
27-Nov-2009 00:17
by:
Jeraboa »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 02:53
by:
fluffy_bunny »
1
replies
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69
views
Hi guys,
I was hoping some-one could give me some information about travelling in Kyrgyzstan in Mid-late October. (Roughly 15th-31st)
I'd be doing this as a side trip from China so travelling twice across the Irkeshtam pass.
I understand that it will be very cold at night and that day time temperatures will be extremely changeable.
My main Questions are, will it be possible to trek (horseback) from Kyzart to Song Kol and will there be yurts to stay in?
Is the Jalal abad - Naryn road (via Kazarman) open as this will save backtracking?
Is it possible to make an overnight trip from Arslanbob (eg to Kyzyl-Unkur)?
Will it be possible to visit Sary Mogul?
Although I've travelled fairly extensively in the tropics my experience of travelling in colder climates is limited to city breaks and ski resorts so any info or advice is really appreciated,
Thanks
Jeraboa
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posted
26-Nov-2009 21:28
by:
celticbhoy7 »
last reply
26-Nov-2009 21:28
by:
celticbhoy7 »
0
replies
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53
views
Anyone have recent experience getting a Kazakh or Uzbek visa in Kiev? Didn't find a website for the Uzbeks and the Kazakh one is very incomplete. I'm mainly interested in the length of time it takes to get a tourist visa and also if the Uzbeks here require LOIs. I have a US passport and have gotten 2 visas without LOI but I know different embassies have different regulations. Thanks!
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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