backpacker pricefriendly places to stay wanted

HI great backpackers - help wanted

Can anyone help me with some backpackerfriendly prices on places to stay.
Hotel - hostel - privat/ homestay or even plastic bag ;-)

The plan is: arriving the 8. july going home the 29. july. My budget is something between $10-25pr night.

1. and 9. july in Tashkent: 2 nights.
2. july Fergana - just 1 night.
   11.-13. tashkent 2 nights
   unknown dates: bukhara, and khiva urgench, samarkand

I have no idea how many days Ill stay the places - perhaps anybody have more ideas or good advises they are welcome

thanx
twt - kenneth

Hi Kenneth,
I have backpacked around Uzbekistan but unfortunately didn't visit Fergana so cannot suggest any places to stay there. For the other cities, my recommendations are as follows (don't remember exact prices but all were cheap and popular with other backpackers):

In Tashkent I would recommend the Hotel Elite, the address is: Usuf Khos Khodjib Street 75/10, Tashkent 700063. I spent 2 nights there and was really pleased with the standard/quality of my room and efficient service of the staff. The breakfasts were also excellent, lots of choice was available. The hotel is in a convenient and leafy area near the Park Bobur and not far from the airport.

Emir Hotel (Samarkand). It's address is: 142, Ok Saroy Street, Samarkand. It's a small private family-run hotel, situated in the ancient Makhalla, close to Gur Emir, the world-famous family mausoleum of the Timurids. Nearby are the Rukhabad Mausoleum and Ak-Saray Palace and the other historical sites. The rooms are not large, but comfortable. The family who run the hotel invited me to eat with them in the evenings at no extra cost.

Hotel Islamek (Khiva): It's address is: 60, Toshpulatov Street, Khiva. It's located in the center of the the old city, right near the ancient wall and very close to historical architectural monuments like the caravansaray, Tash-Hauli Palce, Amir Tora Madrassah, Tranb, and the bustling market. The owner helps to arrange excursions, particularly to the Aral Sea and his son speaks excellent English. They allowed me to sit on the roof top to enjoy the views and take photos. Very friendly place and good quality rooms. The only part that I wasn't impressed with was the breakfast, the only edible part of the breakfast for me was the bread :-/ Otherwise though it was a good choice of hotel.

Regarding how many days to spend in each place, I found that 1 day was enough for Tashkent as I didn't find Tashkent particularly exciting or interesting. The other Silk Road cities like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva have far more of interest and give you a real insight into the history of this fascinating country. Enjoy your trip!

try bohodir b&b in samarkand, mubinjon in bukhara and gulnara's gh in tashkent.
by far bukhara is the most atmospheric city in uzbekistan.

I liked Khiva the best. Like most things it is personal choice. Most places I cant remember where I stayed but in Samarkand I also stayed at Emir and thought it was great. Tashkent I stayed at Hotel Grand Tashkent and loved it. In Khiva I stayed at hotel just inside the south gate and it was also great. The name will be on my blog at www.travelpod.com/members/dzasta hope it helps.

I stayed in the Meros B&B in Khiva - $30 for two people in a twin room - very friendly place overlooking the wall. I spent two nights and one full day in Khiva which was enough time to see major sights, but I liked the place and could easily have spent another day wandering around there.

Bukhara - the Komil Hotel was lovely we had a large deluxe room for $60 per night but there were cheaper rooms for $30 single. 2 full days was OK to explore the town. At least two full days are needed IMO, more if you can manage it.

Samarkand the Davr Hotel davrhotel@mail.ru was 450m fromthe Registan. Very friendly and helpful ownes - free pick up from the station and a lovely breakfast in the courtyard. $30 for a twin room. Spent three nights there - two days in Samarkand and a trip to Shazrizab - which felt right to me.

I liked Tashkent and enjoyed wandering about the Chorsu, visiting the oldest Koran in the world, a couple of museums and the metro. A visit to the ballet at the Alisher Novoi theatre is a bargain at 5k sum for front row stalls too.

Janey

gulnara guest house in tashkent. $15 for dorm bed.
or hotel hadra if you want to be super cheap..and dirty. $7 private room with shared facilities

bahodir bb in samarkand. $8 for private room with ensuite toilet and shower.

there are a few places in khiva that charge $10 for a room. ask around, it's a small place.

If arriving by plane there is absolutely no reason to deal with the slimy taxi-drivers in the airport. Walk straight out spitting in their faces (no, maybe not) and about 200m away is a roundabout. If you stop there with your bags a taxi will turn up before long, and be delighted to take you into town for $5 (probably 5000som is a good price). Remember private cars double as informal taxis.

Edited by: dequincey