Fergana -> Osh - a couple of questions

Hi all,
Next week I intend to head from Fergana to Osh, but am unsure about stopping overnight in Andijan. I met a couple of people who said that it really isn't worth it - there's little to see, and the town's not really set up for tourists as such. How long a trip is it from Fergana by road to the border beyond Andijan?
Second question is about Osh - can anyone recommend somewhere good to stay. Not too pricey but not too grotty, obviously, and if there are other backpackers there, so much the better.

I'm intending to stay at 'Olga and Valentina's guesthouse' in Fergana, btw - anyone been there or have any other suggestions of friendly places to stay?
Thanks

Hi,

I don't know about Osh (we're heading there soon), but I am in Fergana now.

When we got to Olga and Valentin's guesthouse yesterday, but they were drunk and started shouting at our driver because he drove 50 meters past their door. They were abusive and rude, and the driver was a very decent guy, so we decided to find another place.

I recommend the Golden Valley Homestay, it's not too close to the centre (about 10 mins by foot), but it's comfortable, cheap (7,10, or 15 dollars depending on what meals you want), and the owners are very warm, friendly and can arrange a whole host of things for you to do in the valley.

If anyone has any tips on Osh, that would be helpful too.

We also stayed at Golden Valley Homestay in Fergana and it was fine paid 10 dollars.

In osh we stayed at Osh Guesthouse which was fine, there are always other backpackers there which is good as can normally share taxis with people. The man there is helpful and can arrange transport for you. Do not turn up at night and expect a bed as it will be full. Maybe ring ahead to book as its a small place.

We came from Osh through to andijan in shared taxi and it was maybe 3 hours maybe a little longer, maybe shorter ! The taxi took us to the bazaar in Andijian where all the taxi`s are waiting! we them walked around the bazaar and got the bus to Fergana, which took 1 1/2 hours and was 700 sum. The bus stn is not far from the bazaar. There wasnt much to see in Andijian so we decided to leave.
Maybe check at the bus stn in Andijian if there are shared taxis there, before walking to the Bazaar.

I am sure if you got the bus from Fergana to Andijian and then shared taxi to Osh, or the border you will be fine. If you just get the taxi to the border and walk through there are loads of taxi drivers waiting on the other side that will take you into Osh, which is only 10km away.

Good luck!

I wouldn't say that Andijan is not interesting. I'd like to visit this city just because it was the only place where Uzbeks dared to say "F... U" to comrade Karimov. Spending there one night you can try to learn more what really happened there.

In Osh the best place I know - "At Lada's" Center, near a small market and 1 USD by taxi to one of the best local cafes - The Vstrecha. They have very good AC double (with very good double beds!!!) and twin rooms. I stay there when I'm in Osh and want non-Uzbek kind of comfort. Booking is required since the place is not a big one. Lada is a (?) friend of local famous (among ones who knows who is who in Osh) Uzbekistanian Russian ex-KGB man - Vitaliy, he is the real owner I guess. His own guesthouse "At Galina's". Tashkentskaya 8 in some of the ded-ends not so far from the round about on 50 Let Kyrgyzstana Street. So if you want to get some feelings like you are to stay at "Boris the Blade's" try it.

Cheapest and perhaps the first GH in Osh "At Iminjan's". Outskirts. Bokombayeva 51, phone 5-13-18. There I stay when I want to feel that I'm really in Osh.

But at both places they do not speak English good enough for communication over phone and if you want to book accommodation at the places mentioned above try to do through:

E-mail: ili@mail.ru

But there are many other places to stay in Osh. Brother/sister Oshguesthouse will offer something from the first hands soon I'm sure.