Asia - Central Asia
Messages: 10,409 - Threads: 1,846
May 14, 2013 6:26 AM
Jasonleecifer
last reply
May 14, 2013 9:01 AM
btdt53
1 replies
177 views
location:
Uzbekistan
Nukus, Moynaq, Aral Sea tour flexible dates 17-24?
We are two people currently in Uzbekistan and arriving in Urgench on the 16th of May. From there we have 8 days to plan a trip to the South Aral Sea. From what I hear in country people have trouble organizing a full vehicle in Nukus. Would anyone want to join us?
We are fairly flexible.
Also from word of mouth in Uzbekistan the tours end up costing around 170$ with a full vehicle of 4. Someone told me about a piece of the Aral sea looking like a mini grand canyon. Has anyone seen this? I am curious because the budget "lada" vehicle tour listed in Lonely Planet seems to not go there.
Would it be easier to arrange a trip to the shore from Moynaq? read: easier and cheaper.
170$ for a 1 or 2 night tour seems very pricey to me.
Thank you
May 14, 2013 4:38 AM
schtenschten
last reply
May 19, 2013 9:53 AM
etc4ca
1 replies
120 views
location:
Tajikistan
Tajikistan with a 5yo?
We (the adults) are pretty experienced travelers, but we'd like to take our 5 year old to Tajikistan. We're lucky enough to be able to spend some money to hire 4x4 drivers and stay in good places, but we're keen to go on bespoke trips to various remote valleys, the Wakkan corridor and the GBAO in general (all with a driver).
Any views about whether to do this or not with a child?
Safety's obviously paramount, but also illness, food, altitude etc. etc.
What are people's experiences and thoughts?
May 13, 2013 9:07 PM
RusWarren
last reply
May 13, 2013 9:07 PM
RusWarren
0 replies
87 views
location:
Tajikistan
Tour to Pamirs for around $650 in June/July/August
Hi
i am planning a tour to Pamirs this summer, preferably July/August. I found a tour agency (with recommendations from 2 friends) with good price and program, and i wonder if someone wants to join me and share the costs? as i understood, the most expensive part is renting a car and sharing the car cost would really help
i am at my email rus.warren@yahoo.com if you want to join
Thank you
Warren
May 13, 2013 6:57 PM
Elessar
last reply
May 18, 2013 5:19 PM
Elessar
7 replies
366 views
location:
Kyrgyzstan
Tips for Single Female
Looking for some specific advice on traveling in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as a single female. I already get the impression I should not go out alone at night and should avoid the cheapest hotels. Are there forms of transport I should avoid? How common is it to see local women in shared taxis / minibuses? Do they make any effort to seat women together on buses (as they do, say, in parts of Turkey)? Any tips for ensuring that I get a reasonably safe taxi? What about hiking -- obviously, the easiest thing would be to team up with other travelers, but if this doesn't work, would hiring a guide from CBT be reasonably safe? What about hiring a driver for the Pamirs? Several Western governments warn about harassment (esp. in Tajikistan), so I am wondering what I am up against.
And is there a good phrase in Russian (or Kyrgyz/Tajik) to say to someone who is getting too friendly? ...
more »
May 13, 2013 3:04 PM
Florasol
last reply
May 14, 2013 11:52 PM
Florasol
2 replies
135 views
location:
Kazakhstan
Existing road between Ucharal and Maqanshy at Lake Alakol?
Hello
I was wondering if there is really a road from Ucharal to Maqanshy as it is shown on many road maps.
Google maps shows a 2 km gap of water of Lake Alakol at the village of Rybache. Is it possible to cross this water channel by a ferry or bark and continue on the road to Maqanshy.? I am on bicycle, so I don't mind any help maybe of local fisherman who could take you to the other shore.
thanks a lot for your help?
Frank
May 13, 2013 12:45 PM
spigott
last reply
May 15, 2013 12:50 PM
Ask_G
5 replies
186 views
location:
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan visa from London multiple tourist entry
Help! I am leaving for Almaty on 26 May and I am struggling with a visa application.
The Kazakh embassy site does not appear to be working and when I google visas for Kazakhstan I get innundated with sites pretending to be the Embassy but all being visa agencies. None of them tell me the absolute about what I need to get a tourist visa for Kazakhstan, each is slightly different. I am flying in on the 26th May in the morning and out again on the same day at night to Bishkek, I am coming back to Almaty on the 29th and staying for four days.
As far as I can see I need a multiple entry tourist visa but how do I get one? Do I need to supply a letter of employment? Will an email confirmation from a travel agent suffice for hotel accommodation?
I cannot get a phone number that works at the Kazakh Embassy and I am now in short time...
Is it really this difficult to get in?
Any...
more »
Pamir Highway road conditions
Whilst this may not be a 'live' road report service, there is now a pretty good overview of road conditions available for the Khorog to Sary Tash portion of the Pamir highway. This seems particularly useful for the cyclists as it includes an altitude profile of the route. Check it out at http://www.meta.tj/travel-news/
Local guides for the Eastern Pamir
If you are seeking a local guide for private excursions in the Eastern Pamir, then META have just published a list of all of the guides in that locality along with contact details for each. Check out: http://www.meta.tj/resources/
May 13, 2013 10:07 AM
etc4ca
last reply
May 13, 2013 10:07 AM
etc4ca
0 replies
65 views
location:
Tajikistan
Internet access in the Eastern Pamir
Over the last 12 months Megaphon (MLT) have installed mobile telecommunications masts in all (Alichur, Murghab, Rangkul, Toktamish, Karakul & Shymak) the villages in the Eastern Pamir, enabling phone and internet communications if you are using that provider. Note that TCell coverage is only provided in Murghab.
However, as you can only get electricity in Murghab (sporadic at best) you'll need well charged computer and phone batteries. Some homestays will turn on the generator (if they have one) but the petrol is expensive so don't think that they'll do this for nothing.
Permit on Alay
Should i get border-zone permit in Osh, my way: Osh - Sary-tash - Murghab on the Pamir highway(i dont mean Gbao)? i start from Osh by bicycle.
May 12, 2013 5:33 AM
uriengel
last reply
May 12, 2013 7:10 AM
anillos_de_satu...
1 replies
119 views
Kulma pass opened!?!
According to Pamirs.org: "Kulma Pass open for tourists - confirmation from Tajik Border Guard commander and Khorog Tourist Office."
So who's going to be the first one to report actually crossing it?
:-)
May 11, 2013 2:29 AM
AnasMohandes
last reply
May 12, 2013 6:46 AM
anillos_de_satu...
6 replies
341 views
location:
Kyrgyzstan
No visas anymore?
I had some research about visas and now I think that we do not need anymore visas, just they stamp pasport.
This is new to me, anybody could verify please??
May 11, 2013 1:50 AM
AnasMohandes
last reply
May 22, 2013 8:22 AM
AnasMohandes
6 replies
251 views
location:
Kyrgyzstan
Osh airport Visa on arrival
With my pasport being from greece I can take "visa on arrival" at the Manas international airport in Bishkek.
does anyone knows if this is also the case in Osh international airport. Thanks a lot anyone who replies.
Anas
May 10, 2013 11:28 PM
AnasMohandes
last reply
May 11, 2013 1:26 AM
diallo_musso
3 replies
159 views
Bishkek to Shymkent.
Need some information on how tom go from Bishkek to Shymkent.
Any help please?
what transport? hours of travel? price/
thanks in advance, Anas
May 10, 2013 11:22 PM
AnasMohandes
last reply
May 10, 2013 11:22 PM
AnasMohandes
0 replies
66 views
Shymkent to Almaty
Hi there!
Anyone can give me info about best transportation from Shymkent to Almaty?
what mode of transport? how maNY HOURS? PRICE?
Thanks in advance, Anas
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