Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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28 Reviews

4.5 out of 5

Keris Mcdonald

Reviewed September 2018

Two Out of Three Aint Bad

We did this trip as a private group of friends. We’re all keen on history and museums – we’d also managed as a bonus to book tickets for the closing ceremony of the World Nomad Games, which coincided with our visit to Kyrgyzstan.

The Islamic monuments of Uzbekistan were breathtaking, and the natural scenery of Kyrgyzstan was lovely. Both countries are clean and well-ordered and felt safe. I enjoyed the yurt camp far more than I expected too – it had the best beds of the trip 😉

Kazakhstan I cannot recommend. It’s the only country I’ve *ever* been to that I’d consider not worth the effort. It feels like going back into the Soviet era – there was a plainclothesman lurking outside our hotel reporting on arrivals for example – and the police are flat-out corrupt. One of our number was held at the Kazakh border for 7 hours on the way out – there were strong attempts at intimidation (though luckily he kept his cool) and it all ended with him slipping a £100 bribe to an officer to get out of the country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Finding out about Ulug-Beg and his astronomy was inspirational. Bukhara is wonderful - a golden jewel of a city. Samarkand's mausoleums are unforgettably beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two leaders - Tahir in Uzbekistan and Ermek for the rest of the trip. Both were conscientious and flexible, and were willing to put in extra hours to take us to museums we wanted to see that weren't in the official itinerary. Ermek stuck with our detained friend right throughout the crisis - he was our hero.

Advice for Potential Travellers

All three countries on this tour are police-states to some extent. Mostly this means people are well-behaved in public, but BE REALLY CAREFUL. In Uzbekistan you will not be able to avoid tourist shops as they are literally set up within every corner of every historical monument. Don't feel hassled to buy anything - there isn't any hard-sell. Do take the opportunity to shop in the food markets though - and buy the smoked cheese strings, they are awesome! Kyrgyzstan is the opposite - if you want souvenirs you might well have to ask your guide to find you a shop. In Kazakhstan DO NOT SMOKE IN PUBLIC - the police are looking for a chance to shake tourists down. DO NOT BUY A SOUVENIR KNIFE AT ANY POINT ON THE TOUR, even if the vendor tells you it is certified to be allowed across the borders. It isn't. If you do get detained, stay absolutely calm despite every provocation; they're just trying to pressurise you so that they can extract more money. And remember to refer to your guide only as your "translator." PS: Take Enterosgel with you. It's better than imodium.

Suggestions

It's a very diverse tour - Uzbekistan and Kyrgystan are real contrasts and we enjoyed visiting both immensely. I'm afraid I think they should drop Kazakhstan out of the itinerary altogether in future, as the place has little to recommend it and the risk is too great.

Archie Robertson

Reviewed August 2018

Central Asia Discovery Trip

A varied trip through three Stans. Uzbekistan very Western with modern cities, and has put a loot of effort into monument preservation; Kazakstan, harder to define, its a really big Steppe. Kyrgistan is just beautiful and largely untrodden by tourist hordes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Swimming in Issyk Kul

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both were really good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dont expect too much of Almaty and Kazakstan!

Sarah Coupland

Reviewed July 2018

"Why do you want to go there?"

When I told people I was going to three of the ‘Stans’, their question was always why ?
To be honest, I wasn’t sure myself until I’d been, but they are very different countries, not subject to mass tourism, with different cultures, lovely people and a joy to explore.

Most Inspirational Moment

My personal highlights were, the mausoleums at Shakhi Zinda, talking to the students learning English in Registan square and Bukhara - all in Uzbebikistan. However, being allowed to hold the eagle hunter's Golden Eagle in Kyrgyzstan was an honour.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two group leaders In Uzbekistan, Dilshod was confident and highly knowledgeable and he would tell us interesting stories of his personal life growing up in Uzbekistan under Soviet rule. He provided advice daily and was always checking everything was OK. In Kazakhstan and Kyrgzystan, Ermek was equally engaging but with a quieter manner. He enjoyed imparting knowledge of his home country, Kyrgzystan, and keen to learn and join in with our English sense of humour. Alexi, our driver in Kazakhstan and Kyrgzystan, was amazing, fixing the coach when we broke down.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure your dollars are clean, any marked or slight tears and the money exchange will not accept them. There are ATM's available (for top ups) for example at the Hotel Asia in Bukkhara and the Kass Hotel in Almaty. (Tip: If you do happen to stay in the Kass Hotel, get your picnic lunch from the deli which is 2 minutes walk, turn right at the main road) As a rough guide, I spent $85 in Uzbekistan, $60 Kazakstan (drinks at hotel were a bit more expensive), $100 in Kyrgzystan plus dollars for tips for the guides and drivers For the yurt stay - if you drink, make sure you buy alcohol to take with you as they don't sell it! Also, we were a group of 14 and they were able to mostly put the couples together (rather than the gender separation mentioned in the notes). We went in early June and it rained and was a bit cold in the evening, so pack a waterproof and a fleece (just in case) At the home stay meal in Karakol - buy your wine at the house (cheaper than the Green Yard Hotel prices) - but breakfast at the Green Yard is amazing! The food was better than I had anticipated, I ate lots of salads, kebabs and pasta. Meals are not expensive and the vodka and beer are cheap. Shopping is best in Bukhara with some free time for exploring. Would recommend The Old Bukhara and Minzifa restaurants in Bukhara Ladies, make sure you take a scarf for your head/shoulders, but respectable shorts and t shirts were fine for the most part, with only a few places where knees needed to be covered as well.

Suggestions

Why do you want to go to the Stans? Because they are different, the architecture and history of Uzbekistan is amazing and the scenery of Kyrgyzstan is beautiful. Neither will disappoint,

Lesley Butler

Reviewed June 2018

Wonderful Trip

If you like history, visiting beautiful buildings and tasting local food, this is the trip for you. Yes there are some bad roads to contend with, but that’s a small price to pay. The highlights? Bukhara, meeting the eagle hunter and brilliant local guides.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting up close to a golden eagle.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two leaders. Dilshod in Uzbekistan was brilliant - his knowledge of local history was amazing and he also had a great sense of humour. Ermek in Kazakhstan and Kyrgystan was also a great guide - conscientious and a fund of information, particularly about the recent history of the region.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy the different cultures of Central Asia.

Suggestions

We found the local people very friendly and all three countries a lot more laid back than we were expecting.

Ian Buxton

Reviewed June 2018

A thought provoking journey

The trip introduced me to many aspects of the history of Central Asia of which I knew little. It has inspired me to read more on the subject. I was also possible to gain a little appreciation of the culture of the three countries I visited.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was not one single inspirational moment. The combination of places we visited and the information provided by our excellent guides stimulated much food for thought. I find that often inspiration comes after a period of reflection.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both of our guides were excellent. They were both different but equally good at their job. There were no problems when travelling throughout all three countries.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to find the time to read about the histories of the countries before going.

Suggestions

I have been on many Exodus trips and they have all been good. This one lived up to my expectations. I would recommend anybody who has a sense of adventure and a thirst for knowledge go on the Silk Rd.

Caroline Bradley

Reviewed September 2017

The Silk Route

Really exciting trip, very full on and packed with seeing the best of all 3 countries that you visit.
Be prepared for long but very rewarding days of sightseeing and travelling. Go with the flow!
Very friendly and hospitable people.
Eating out is cheap and there is plenty of choice of good quality meat (lamb, beef) kebabs/ pasties! (or the nearest thing to them, yummy) dumplings, paste/noodle/bread and salads. Local beer very acceptable and even the best vodka is very cheap and taste great..
Great photo opportunities and load of very interesting architecture such as Madrasah’s and mausoleums to see!
Scenery up in mountains is stunning with waterfalls and turquoise lakes.
Staying in the Yurt in the mountains in Kyrgyzstan was wonderful. No light pollution so you can see the milky way and shooting stars! But be prepared for it to be very basic and rustic! We ended up playing hand ball with a international team of people staying at the camp site and then sitting round the camp fire singing and drinking vodka watching the night sky.

Most Inspirational Moment

Staying in the Yurt in the mountains in Kyrgyzstan was wonderful. No light pollution so you can see the milky way and shooting stars!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dilshod was a composite professional and very knowledgeable Lisa was a lovely person who worked hard, and would certainly benefit from a bit of training (fine tuning) to make her even better :)

Advice for Potential Travellers

See comments above in summary.

Suggestions

See comments above in summary.

Karen Harrison

Reviewed September 2017

The Silk Road

This is a trip full of contrasts and culture.

Most Inspirational Moment

Uzbekistan was the best part of the trip, with an enormous amount of history and beautiful buildings. As a nation, they seem to have totally reclaimed their national identity following their independence. During our night in the mountains staying in a yurt, the magical, mesmerising Milky Way was also clearly visible (and even better with binoculars).

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leaders really knew their stuff, and if they didn't know the answer to a question, they came back to us with it the next day. The leaders were willing to answer questions on social matters, like marriage, Russian influences/legacies, school, cotton picking. This gave us a better understanding of each country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you buy your souvenirs in Uzbekistan (ikat prints, scarves, pottery, rugs) as there really is very little opportunity to buy anything worthwhile in either Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan. You'll regret it if you don't. Be prepared to haggle a little bit. The currency exchange app a fellow traveller told me about, XE Currency, was extremely useful for converting all currencies. Take a fork and spoon for picnic lunches, and socks for the night in the mountains. No medication containing Codeine is allowed in Uzbekistan.

Suggestions

Don't expect 'western' standards. Embrace the quirks and idiosyncrasies of each country and admire each country for how they have developed their own identities. Make sure you experience as much of the local food as you can. It really is very good, especially the lamb.

alexander culbard

Reviewed September 2017

the silk road

a simply amazing tour.

Most Inspirational Moment

not sure about describing this tour as inspirational but to see part of the old silk rd was/is part of our desire to see as much of it as possible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

in Uzbekistan, Dilshod was as good as you could possibly get. For the rest of the tour the guide was very helpful and friendly but sometimes difficult to understand.

Advice for Potential Travellers

definitely have medicine for upset stomach. . You will need to be reasonably fit. Take warm clothes for the mountains and bathers for the fantastic Issyk Kul lake.

Suggestions

we hope you have a tour from Uzbekistan say Tashkent- Kieva-Mary-Ashkhabad then into iran

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