Central Asia

I cannot find the information anywhere except my Lonely Planet book and Google maps. Is there someone who knows whether it's open or not?

Hi,

I'm not sure if there have been any recent updates on the Thorntree about this border crossing, so I figure I'll write one. There's a single border crossing between Tajikistan and China, crossing a high pass (the Qolma or Kulma Pass) in the Pamirs east of Murgab and north of Tashkorgan. This border crossing has not yet been made an official border point for third-party travelers, HOWEVER numerous people have been getting through this summer. All the people that I met or heard about had…

I live in London. I'm going to travel to Uzbekistan next spring and wanted to use a travel company. Was wondering if it is better to book through the agency based in England or to search Uzbekistan based companies in google?

Hi all, I've been working with a colleague for the last few weeks in Almaty and am planning to take a week in Kyrgyzstan (Sept. 18-25) and then get back to Almaty. My preference would be not to have to spend too much time in transport and to have just a couple of destinations from which I can readily do day hikes rather than overnight trips. Arslanbob looks ideal for what I want but is too far from Bishkek. Is it getting too late to find somewhere suitable near Kochkor to base myself for long…

Really keen to do a long drive on the Pamir highway and would like to rent our own simple car
- appreciate the benefits of having a local guide/driver, but sometimes we just like to be independent versus feeling like tourists being guided everywhere etc.
Spent 3 wks in Kazak & Kyrgyz last year - loved it! Got down to Sary Tash & Sary Mogul, hence the desire to continue on.
Planning for Uzbek & Tajik on this trip.

1 - Recommendations on best way to do this? car hire experiences? good rental…

I plan to arrive in Uzbekistan's part of Fergana Valley from Osh or from Jalal-Abad (both in Kyrgyzstan). As far as I have understood, the border crossings from both towns lead toward Andizhan first. According to the sources on the internet, Andizhan is not particularly interesting town, but the accent is more on the area around Fergana city and the two surrounding towns of Margilan (for silk) and a bit farther Rishton (for ceramics).

Along the three places mentioned above, I have noticed that…

Hi!

Has anyone taken a day trip to Mary and Merv from Ashgabat? Our travel agency quotes us a price of USD 255 per person, going in a group with a guide. That's by flying both ways. It seems quite expensive, though...

What do you think?

The exchange rate for Uzbek Som has been adjusted to the previous black market rate, approximately double the former official rate.
Thus, one US dollar is over 8000 Uzbek Som now, and you can exchange foreign currency at banks and private exchange booths.
www.westwards.de/usbekistan/2017/09/devisen-schwarzmarkt.html
www.oanda.com

Please post your experiences with ATM machines over the next weeks! Will they be better stocked now?
Westwards
www.westwards.de

Hi
can someone please tell me who i make the money order to when applying at the embassy in Washington (USA).

Hello all,

I am planning a trip to Afghanistan in 2018 and am facing a small dilemma. Of my top choices, Untamed Borders come across as star tour organisers (no question there), but Afghan Logistics & Tours are offering me a slightly lower price for a 2-week solo trip. I have found a lot less direct feedback about Afghan Logistics & Tours than Untamed Borders.

Has anyone travelled with Afghan Logistics & Tours and, if so, what was your experience?

Many thanks!
anjci