BootsnAll Travel Community

Does anyone have any info they could offer me on any of these countries? I am planning a trip there next spring (probably end of February through May). I am looking for any info on places to visit or stay and things to do including anything off the beaten path and unique experiences. Also, I'll be traveling at the time so I am wondering how easy it is to get visas for these countries while I'm on the road.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Katie

I'm far from being personally knowledgeable Katie and it is like one of the last fronteirs for travel and other than googling on the countries, a site like the Silk road project might serve as a general overview.

Taskent is one of the major centres not to be missed and reason why I had that on my favourites list is some guy was out in the western China boondocks and was wanting out because of visa expiration.
I was looking at the Karakoram Hwy which runs down through the Himalayas from up that way and into Pakistan - pretty rough bus travel but a few 4wd type tours - only in season, the mountains pass being closed from December through to end of April, and so that brings me to my next point, it'll be bloody cold and I reckon with a bit more research you might find autumn could be better because it will not be much fun through summer either.

For visas, start off with www.projectvisa.com and allow yourself a heap of time as I suspect it is not going to be a cake walk.

Have fun, and keep us informed as a trail blazer.

Central Asia is one of my dream destinations, so please give us a report when you get back! (or keep a blog)

Here's the blog from a girl who's currently travelling through central Asia: http://cestovatela.livejournal.com

I've heard good things about lake Ysyk-Kul (sp?) in Kyrgysztan, and I've always wanted to go to Samarkand and Buchara in Uzbekistan too.

Isn't there a civil war going on in Tajikistan?

Its been a few years since we've been (summer 2000) but I LOVED Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Alot has most likely changed, but if yo are planning on camping/hiking bring your own equipment!!! We rented old old old stuff up at Altyn Arashan in Kyrgyzstan and had a very hard time getting the stove to light! Some highlights of Tashkent; staying at Gulnara's. It was a homestay and I cannot remember how we got swithched on to her, but she seemed quite well known. Samarkand and Bukara, wonderful!! Kyrgyzstan was amazing..high mountains, clear lakes, nice people, surprisingly good food!! We loved Lake Song Kul and staying in a yurta with a local nomad family, Lake Issyk Kul and Karakolagain staying in a local homestay where the summer end fruit was so good!! Camping up at Altyn Arashan and freezing at night (it was Aug and SO COLD!!) Going over the Toragut Pass to China. Oh and staying at the sanatorium in Jeti Oghuz. Ok, I could go on and on...I loved it. PM me for more specific info...I have my Central Asia book around somewhere with addresses adn organizations. We used Novi-Nomad in I think Karakol. I hope you go....it is a neat part of the world!!

We got our Uzbek visas in Bangkok...US citizens were able to get a 4 year multiple enrty, might have changed. And we got the Kyrgyz visa in Tashkent. Not cheap, but worth it!! China visa we got in Hong Kong before we left.

http://ravels2005.fotopic.net/ - have a look at my pic of travels thorugh Uzbekistan/Kyrgystan last year is you want. Amazing places - do not miss Khiva, Buhkara, Samarkhand and definately not the mountains of Kyrgyzstan - which we saw from staying at the Yak Hostel in Karakol. Staying at Mr Sayerbek's place in Bishkek near the German Embassy was great too. Overall - unmissbale!

UZBEKISTANis a NO GO!!
1]unless you have an invitation permit from a local and a valid reason to enter you will be deined a visa.

2]Tashkent is "unstable" and gettting unstable-er

3] IF you make it in and you are a US citizen they will assume you are CIA. All the post Communist paranoia with twice the oppression.

NO GOOD.
Kazakstan and Kyrgyzstan are better chioces.
Stay in Bishkek or Dushanbe....just as nice ...half the danger.

Make your 'Stan trip complete....Come and visit me in scenic Afghanistan....just kidding.

Hei,

I've been in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in Fall 2004. Man, where should I begin with tips? I reckon, the best thing would be if you look at some pictures first.

Kazakhstan pictures

Kyrgyzstan pictures

Then, if you're interested, read a few posts from my travel log:
Travel log of trip (you'd be interested from the log of 10.09.2004 to 10.10.2004)

If you have particular questions about places and tips about where to stay contact me at adi@aresthetics.ch.

As for Visas. It generally seems quite easy to get Visas. It's just the motion you have to go through. And money. I got my Kazakh visa in Moscow. No prob's whatsoever. The Kyrgyz I got in Almatay (Kazakhstan). The consular tried to rip me off...but you just have to stay your ground in these situations. And keep smiling. Don't get angry.
I met several people who came through Uzbekistan. None had problems, all found it a bit weired and all have had several police checks. I don't think it's 'bad' - but maybe not as enjoyable as the other Central Asian countries.
Tajikistan...hm, I don't know how the situation is overthere right now. I think, it's still not overly stable and I've heard some 'uncomfortable' stories from friends on the road (although I couldn't exactely remember the details now...the altitude air of Pakistan....hehehe). You'll have to do some research on Tajikistan. Turkmenistan should be fine.

Like I said, I have tons of tips, if you want to go into particulars. Just give me a note.

Thank you so much for all of your tips! It looks like I will have to only make it a month to a month and a half visit, but I am still hoping to see the highlights of this amazing and somewhat "untouched" part of the world. Can anyone mention any websites that would be able to tell me about the stability of countries in this area? Besides www.travel.state.gov, that is.

Thanks again!
Katie

**I will definitely be blogging about it too!

Katie. To be honest, I don't give much on the official recommendations as they are often overly cautious and often politically influenced. Just read news about the countries here's a website I found during a quick "new + uzbekistan" google search:

Eurasianet.org

Click on a country and on the right you'll see a 'Daily digest' link.

Adrian

Hi Katie,
I´ve been living in Tashkent for a year now and that Uzbekistan is a "no go area", like semicolon said, is simply bullshit. Maybe for US citizens, but that´s obviously their own fault. If you are in Tashkent next spring just mail me (kaineitzke@gmx.de) and you are welcome to dive into the local places with me and my Uzbek girlfriend.
Assalom, Kai.

quote:

Maybe for US citizens, but that´s obviously their own fault.

Kaiknudsen, I've been sitting here for like 3 hours trying to figure out what I did to the Uzbeks that's obviously my own fault. The answer is, not a damn f'ing thing.

Government / Citizens = Different things

No more so than I would blame a German for Hitler and Nazisim.



P

There is no innocence in a democracy.

But generally I agree that in the case of Uzbekistan the 'obvious' is not so obvious. It's difficult for me to judge about prejudices against foreigners, because I'm of a nationality that is usually well regarded and welcome. But generally Central Asia didn't strike me as a place with many suspicions and pre-judgments against foreigners. Actually, I always had the feeling that especially the young people are extremely open to meet you and get every piece of fact about the place you're from out of you. I don't really see why that should be different with Americans. The young generations in Central Asian countries know their countries are not modern but they'd like to be regarded as modern, so anybody from the west is a icon of modernism to them - and well worth spending time with. I wouldn't worry too much.

Also, as you point out with government <> citizens, the same is true with fundamentalists <> citizens. Even in countries that we perceive as extreme through our lopsided media, such as Pakistan, most Americans I spoke to had a good time and no problems whatsoever. We're not really aware of how misinformed we are - until you've seen it with our own eyes. Before I went to Central Asia, people told me I was crazy and would get beheaded by the Taliban or shot dead by some drug dealers. Everybody thought it was a lawless place where people ride camels and live in tents. It's mostly not like that. Corruption is big, yes (just smile and stand your place, you'll be fine) and alcoholism is more worrying than AK-47s. But generally people are very hospitable and happy to get to know you.

Adrian

quote:

Originally posted by semicolon:
UZBEKISTANis a NO GO!!
1]unless you have an invitation permit from a local and a valid reason to enter you will be deined a visa.

2]Tashkent is "unstable" and gettting unstable-er

3] IF you make it in and you are a US citizen they will assume you are CIA. All the post Communist paranoia with twice the oppression.

NO GOOD.
Kazakstan and Kyrgyzstan are better chioces.
Stay in Bishkek or Dushanbe....just as nice ...half the danger.

Make your 'Stan trip complete....Come and visit me in scenic Afghanistan....just kidding.

This is nonsense. Uzbekistan gets around 200,000 tourists per year. My friend works in a travel agency there, they issue visas to almost everybody who would apply. Americans enjoy a simplified regime, like many Europeans too. Visiting Uzbekistan (my native country by the way) is a must if you go to Central Asia, my opinion.

Also, Uzbekistan, any of its cities, if far safer than recommended Dushanbe. This is 100%.