Reviews

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

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52 Reviews

4.5 out of 5

Richard Dunstan

Reviewed October 2015

uzbekhistan uncovered

overall rating on the ground brilliant, transport to London and back DIRE; only a few hours of the 12 glorious days but if Uzbekhistan wants to encourage tourism, the age of their (?only) Boeing 757 and the Soviet charm of their staff needs to be seriously improved; this (an overnight flight out of 6 hours so arriving shattered and a miserable 7+ hours back, seats broken, minimal leg room, the most appalling inflight service etc etc) left an appalling impression.
Having got that off my chest, the trip was exhilarating and a much better itinerary than many of the other groups met at the airport (only 2 London flights a week so all, whatever their cost, suffered the same indignities) (C&K, VJV, etc who were submitted to a an unvarying diet (saturation) of the 3 Ms (mosques, madrassahs and markets); this one had intervening days out in the desert including an arguable highlight, a night in a yurt followed by a Bactrian camel ride to a swim in an inland sea

Most Inspirational Moment

our tour leader Dilshod who was unfailingly cheerful, knowledgeable, efficient, tactful etc etc., one of the finest of many trips (50+) but the country is revelatory, relieved of Soviet domination, apparently thriving (natural gas) and happy (although we went off route, deliberately, in Tashkent and walked through districts which had never seen a tourist, a total difference to the sanitised "open" areas, and the cleanliness of the streets was an object lesson)) the "heritage" is spectacular, the most wondrous monuments, heavily restored to almost too spick and span mode creature comforts adequate, the hotels varied from the Soviet in Tashkent to boutique style in Bokhara to less than modest in Samarkand; acceptable, never less than so but never more, always hot water but lacking in individuality or recommendation food very samey, excellent salads for those who dared (the markets were most impressive in the wealth and depth of produce), ; 75%+ suffered from intestinal hurry; those of we lucky who eat off the streets were happily spared

Thoughts on Group Leader

brilliant

Advice for Potential Travellers

go go go

Susan Holmes

Reviewed June 2015

Uzbekistan Uncovered

This was an amazing trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

continuously exciting along the Silk Route, seeing the beautiful architecture. The Uzbeks are wonderful people. So hard working, happy, friendly and respectful through all the generations. The country is clean & organised. We stayed in great atmospheric small hotels. The guide took us to amazing places to eat off the beaten track!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had the perfect local guide. He was so informative, friendly, there for any questions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel very light. So much shopping from hand done paintings to carpets.

Teresa Theobald

Reviewed October 2014

Uzbekistan Uncovered

Uzbekistan is known as the ” land of the golden smile” not a reference to a national happiness index but rather that many local women and some men have mouths featuring the status symbol of a full set of shiny golden teeth. It’s dazzling! The Uzbeks are good spirited and genuinely hospitable. I didn’t feel like a tourist or a traveller more like a guest of Uzbekistan.

Most Inspirational Moment

Without doubt, Khiva. It would have to be one of the greatest cities on the Silk Road. Walking through this monotoned medieval mud inner walled city with it's turquoise domed monuments and labyrinth of mosques, trading domes, madrassa and minarets is like stepping into another era. The people, ideas and goods that must have travelled east to west and return have left indelible marks on this country's landscape, it's culture and people. Overnight in the yurt great fun and we all enjoyed a day away from looking at monuments and listening to history and the intertwining of Muslim Soviet Uzbekistan. The group was excellent, all wonderful travel companions also entertaining dinner and shopping companions.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dilshod is an excellent guide. Incredibly patient. Supplied us daily with water and sweets whilst on the bus. He arranged some incredible lunches whilst on the road including vodka shots! Our driver was excellent considering the roads are dreadful. He kept the bus immaculate. Very comfortable bus despite the roads.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Uzbekistan though beautiful and steeped in culture has an oppressive government. Read Christopher Aslan Alexander's excellent book 'A carpet ride to Khiva' before departure. Then you are presented with quite a different outlook from the prescribed information you are given on tour approved by the Russian backed government. Then you can draw your own conclusions from both sources. Look beyond the lights going out without warning, water that sometimes doesn't flow at night, showers sometimes cold. Street lights that don't exist, bring a small torch it will be invaluable. We all succumbed to Tashkent Tummy, bring Immodium, Buscopan for stomach cramps and rehydration salts. High salt content in the water particularly Khiva, bring hair conditioner and use liberally to counteract the salt! Bring your own roll of toilet paper for public toilets the local version is like corrugated recycled cardboard! It's all worth it.

Elizabeth Hobbs

Reviewed August 2014

Uzbekistan Uncovered

A brilliant tour to a wonderful country. The itinerary is very thorough and gives a comprehensive view of the life, landscapes, and culture of Uzbekistan. Recommended to anyone who likes to see a unique country and travel off the beaten track.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was fascinating! I enjoyed visiting different areas, riding on a camel, wandering through the bazaars, and watch life go by in a tea house. The people are very friendly and welcoming, and the food is a great mixture from Middle Eastern stews to dumplings from the Far East. Most of all though, the architecture is breath-taking and was very inspirational. The tilework, patterns, colours, and wood carvings are beautiful and showcases traditional craftsmanship.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dilshod was an excellent leader - full of information, happy to answer questions, and helpful with arranging our requests. He nearly always had a smile on his face! Our drivers Valenteen and Aziz were also good; getting us safely from A to B on both easy and difficult roads.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to be amazed :) If you travel in the summer months beware of high temperatures from late 30s up into the 40s (but it is do-able and air conditioning is available to help). Pack a torch for the desert camp. Also be prepared to pay small amounts throughout the trip for camera fees and toilet fees.

Susan Drake

Reviewed August 2014

Uzbekistan uncovered

This trip has an excellent itinerary – an absolutely perfect mix of guided sight-seeing, individual time to explore & little extras, like the camel ride and lake-side swim. (Again, this was just the right amount of time as we met other groups who had two nights at the yurt camp & we felt that the timing for us was perfect after after the desert castles).

Most Inspirational Moment

With so many amazing sights, it is hard to pick one. I loved Khiva, probably because it was so compact and the first glimpse of the city really took my breath away. There so many beautiful buildings and sights and the Uzbek people offer a warm welcome wherever you go. I loved the fact that there were more Uzbek tourists at all the key sites than foreigners and we ended up starring in many of the locals' photos as a 'holiday oddity' for them.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dilshod is an extremely knowledgeable and patient guide. He is able to answer any question and is extremely thoughtful, asking discreetly after health and able to make allowances as required. Not only did he book taxis for individuals to see whatever they desired in free moments, but he also put them into the taxi and helped to negotiate the fare.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We travelled at the start of August. It is hot (35-42 degrees) but the advantage of this is that it is 'off-season' so the sites are not crowded. If you can take the heat, it is a good time to go. Drink lots of water and wear long sleeves - cover up! You will quickly get used to dealing with the stacks of notes - but never as adept at flicking through them to add up as the locals! Some of the journeys are sometimes long because the roads surfaces are not always good, but the infrastructure is gradually improving and it is just one aspect of the trip.

Jonathan Gready

Reviewed August 2014

Uzbekistan

This was a well organised trip to a very interesting country.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is difficult to select one moment from such an enjoyable trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dilshod was very well organised a capable guide who went out of his way to be helpful. He has an impressive knowledge of his subject and gave an exemplary service.

Advice for Potential Travellers

July might be a bit too warm for some people - on some occasions the temperature exceeded 40deg C. that said our group leader re-arranged plans so that we could have siesta during the middle of the day.

Sally Marullo

Reviewed July 2014

Uzbekistan Uncovered

This was a captivating and well-balanced trip to a country with a fascinating sweep of history, both ancient and modern. Our group was friendly, fun and considerate and our guide, Dilshod, excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many. Wandering the ancient streets of Khiva was awe-inspring, the magnificent architecture in general, also the desert - travelling through the wilderness to get a measure of the challenges experienced by Silk Road travellers, spotting an eagle with a snake in its beak, being invited to join a school reunion party during a lunch stop. Above all, Uzbek people were so friendly and welcoming, and keen to have their photos taken with us and converse (English has been introduced into schools now).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Dilshod, was excellent. He had a warm personality, was very efficient, highly knowledgeable and everything was done for our interest, enjoyment and safety (always had plenty of bottes of water available to prevent dehydration!).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Public toilets can be grim!

Shaheen Jeewanjee

Reviewed July 2014

Uzbekistan

A very good experience

Most Inspirational Moment

It was all good

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not go in mid summer. Too Hot

Jae Bond

Reviewed June 2014

Uzbekistan - amazing

Uzbekistan is a fascinating country – this amazing trip highlighted how little I knew about the region and how much more I now what to know…

Most Inspirational Moment

Early morning sun light on the tiles at Samarkand, Silk Road vodka at the amazing Hotel Uzbekistan, driving through the deserts, the internal flight across the desert, the variety of tiles and patterns especially in the understated Summer Palace... And the shopping!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dilshod was a fantastic leader, knowledgeable and funny, he took good care of us all and taught me lots about this history of this constantly changing country. It was a very good group of people and this helped make the holiday - that and the vodka!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was a bit wary of the standard of the hotels and traveling conditions when reading the website and trip notes, but I think the notes are over cautious. The hotels were all good, all clean and the staff lovely and very helpful even when faced with a scorpion. The one thing that was difficult, though mentioned in the trip note, is the lack of concept of vegetarian food, unless you love stewed cabbage and cabbage soup, however it is easy to buy nuts and dried fruit so don't bother taking supplies of those, and eggs were available at most breakfasts, but I did end up quite hungry by the end

Reviewed November 2013

UZBEKISTAN UNCOVERED

A wonderful, rewarding holiday in a country that is just waking up to tourism but has so much to offer with lovely, friendly people and mind blowingly fabulous buildings and cities. Be prepared to take the rough with the smooth – the hotels are basic but clean and (usually) the showers work. Food is tasty if sometimes repetitive and costs are reasonable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Like most, I went expecting Samarkand to be fabulous (and it was) but Khiva was a real surprise. Beautiful, calm, quiet and understated it was a joy to simply wander around. No pressure, no overt-tourism, simple but lovely accommodation (and cold beer!) it felt safe, gentle, authentic and undiscovered. A lovely old city right outside the door or our hotel, much to explore and a real gem of a discovery.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dilshod Khaitov (of Asia Adventures used by Exodus) was probably the best Guide and Tour Leader I have experienced over many years of worldwide travel. Always there, willing and helpful, never intruding, full of knowledge and eager to share, he is a diamond among leaders. I cannot enough praise the contribution he made to the success of the holiday and his advice was always accurate and timely.However, ladies - you may need to ask him specifically what is best to buy where as, like most men, his appreciation of retail therapy could be worked upon! However, remembering that, he will quickly advise what is best to buy where and will give advice to prices (i.e., the amount to be bargained down).

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a complete lack of ATMs so you will need to take US$ in cash, in a body belt. However, at no time did I feel under threat as a "rich tourist" for mugging, etc and even when I needed to access the body belt in a shop, there was no worry about theft. You will be subject to the usual small children selling postcards etc,but considerably less than other countries. Bring your postcards home to post if you really want them to arrive but with advice from you guide as to what to buy where, you should end up with some lovely, unusual (if not unique) souvenirs. Toilet paper is thicker than anything I have ever pasted on a wall (apart from Tashkent) so something moist from home will be appreciated. Hand gel is mandatory, due to the dust and whilst showers usually work (sometimes even with warm water!) be prepared for shortages. In other words, pack a sense of humour!

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