Uzbekistan & Tajikistan initiary

Thorn Tree forumCountry forumsCentral AsiaUzbekistan
Enter custom title (optional)
This topic is locked
Last reply was
1.6k
…
Send as an e-mail
Send as an e-mail
janneke_f
janneke_f

Hello!

Me and my boyfriend are traveling to Central Asia in a few weeks. We are planning to visit Uzbekistan and Tajikistan following this initiary. Comments are more then welcome!

Day 1: Amsterdam - Riga - Tashkent
Day 2: Tashkent
Day 3: Tashkent - Fergana valley. Stay in Fergana or Margilon
Day 4: Fergana valley. Stay in Fergana or Margilon
Day 5: To Tajikistan via Kokand - Konibodom border crossing.
Day 6: Khojand - Istaravshan.
Day 7 Istaravshan - Dushanbe.
Day 8: Dushanbe.
Day 9: Dushanbe - Penjikent.
Day 10: Penjikent - Samarkand.
Day 11: Samarkand
Day 12: Samarkand
Day 13: Samarkand - Nuratau mountains
Day 14: Nuratau mountains - Buchara
Day 15: Buchara
Day 16: Buchara
Day 17: Buchara - Khiva
Day 18 Khiva
Day 19: Khiva - Nukus
Day 20: Nukus. Late flight to Tashkent
Day 21: Tashkent - Amsterdam

Although I read quite a lot on the internet, I cant find good up to date info on these questions:
1) Did anyone crossed the border at Kokand - Khojand and Penjikent - Samarkand recently? Are they opened for foreigners?
2) We are planning to catch a plane from Nukus to Tashkent on our way back. Whats the best way to book a ticket in advance? In Tashkent as soon as we get there, or online?
3) I was searching the internet for some CBT/Homestay initiatives. I found the Orexca website and Nuratau.com. Does someone have experience with these agencies?

Thanks! Any help is much appreciated!

Janneke

View last reply
Report
1
sputnikboy
sputnikboy

The itinerary in Tajikistan seems pretty tight. The Kokand border is open to foreigners, I was the only person there (tajiks and uzbeks included). The road between Khujand and Dushanbe is the worst I've ever taken (especially the iranian-built tunnel) I guess the detour to Istaravshan is pretty much in the same condition.
It took me almost three hours waiting for the 4WD to get full, take this in account, maybe you will have more luck than me.

I'd give Nukus another day and take the trip to Moynaq to see the Aral Sea disaster. If you can, from Khiva or Urgench go also to the desert Qalas, the landscape of the Kyzylkum desert is well worth it.

Foreigners can buy flight tickets only in Uzbekistan and only in the airport. I bought one through Stantours: they are extremely reliable, the service costs 15 dollars.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
2
ric112
ric112

i've been researching a similar trip and it seems the border between Samarkand/Penjikent is currently closed and you might have to cross at Oybek

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
3
willywins
willywins

i will recomend less days in bujara and more in khiva. also samarkand has 3 highlights spots (the rest of the city is nothing) so if you need extra time in anywhere else take it from samarkand. You can buy flight tickets also in the city center and about hotels dont book anything in advance with agencies, once you arrive to the city the taxi driver or anyone else will offer you hotels. I didnt pay more than 9 dollars except in tashkent

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
4
sputnikboy
sputnikboy

#3 It depends on your taste. On the second day in Khiva I was definitely bored: Bukhara and Samarkand were way better IMO.

Buying flight tickets in the city center? I don't think so, every aviakassa I went to told me to go to the airport...

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
5
99dragons
99dragons

That is an impossible itenery. No border crossing at Penjikent.
Everything takes longer.
I think a double entry visa will be necessary.
Keep your major money on your body not in your pack or even a jacket pocket
You might consider returning to Tashkent a day earlier, "stuff" does happen, and they are not time consciencous there.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
6
musafir
musafir

I feel stressed and worn out just reading this itinerary. Nothing goes to plan in Asia PLUS There is no rest day built into do nothing and just bum around and soak up local life slowly.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report

This topic has been locked by a moderator.

Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner