Boysun/Baysun and Nuratau Reserve

Hey,
we are planning to visit Uzbekistan next May or June.
Has anybody been to the city of Boysun and the surronding. I read it`s famous for the traditional live and also the nature.
And we are also thinking about a visit to the Nuratau Reserve north of Samarkand for hiking and stay at local homes.
How has been there? How to get there?
Are this places worth a visit?

Thanks for feedback
Ben

Hello!

Also was planning to visit Baysun, but had to change plans, maybe also visit in May-June. The place is just great, mainly nature, but also culture. Of course it depends on what you think is beautiful and worth visiting.

The best way to get there is in train from Tashkent to Karshi/Termez ($30-50 depending on class) and by taxi from there to Baysun (around $30-50).

Also the same with Nurota regarding worth or not. It's better to get there from Navai: Tashkent - Navai by train (also $30-50) and by taxi from Navoi (around $30).

Here are some photos (this is group in Tashkent which organizes regular trips, you can contact them):
Baysun: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.304613863020274.1073741860.232436440238017&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.404962749652051.1073741916.232436440238017&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.236677046480623.1073741841.232436440238017&type=3

Nurota: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.381088865372773.1073741901.232436440238017&type=3

If you have detailed questions, will try to answer.

Best Regards,
Sanjar

Better to avoid going in June, usually it`s too hot. May is a perfect time to go, especially you can get gathering the goods and flowering the trees. Depends on from which side you will come you can you taxi or train.

Boysun is a quiet small town, not much tourist infrastructure and you need to be outgoing (ask around long enough for someone to open the museum for you, or to arrange a music performance). Also go to nearby Omonxona (Omonkhona) Spa for nature and atmosphere.
The Nuratau mountains are easier to arrange because a well-organised NGO coordinates most of the homestays, including walking tours, guides, donkeys for multi-day hikes etc. They also have information on transport including a bus from Tashkent, share taxis and private transfers: http://nuratau.com/
You can also ask at Antica B&B in Samarkand as they support the project.

Westwards
www.westwards.de

Thank you Sanjar for your usefull informations.
The pictures are very nice.

Nuratau Reserve is worth several days if you have the time. As others have noted, the NGO-organized home stays in several small villages are interesting way to see countryside and people (subsistent farmers). You can hike from village to village to village and it's a very peaceful way/place get off the silk road 'path'. Nothing spectacular but added a nice detour from my original Uzbek plan (Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara & Fergana).

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