Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

So many good moments....the wonderful architecture (which is largely reconstructed but finding out more about its history over the years was fascinating); the people - so friendly and keen to engage with us, welcoming and open; watching the sunset in the desert camp; swimming in the lake in the sun; watching local bread being cooked in an oven in the market, then eating it; trying nuts and roasted apricot kernels in the market; going to the hammam - amazing! The food - so delicious after all the dire warnings for veggies - I'm a veggie and the salads are wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Olympics? Dilshod deserves a medal - he is very knowledgeable about the history, economy, religion etc of his nation, but for me it was his personal experience in his own lifetime of Uzbekistan's recent past that was so vivid. We stopped off at a cotton field one day so he could explain how it's grown and how to pick the buds. He organised dinners for us, ordered ahead when we were running late, sorted the bills, stopped at ice-cream shops when we asked(!) and explained everything with patience and good humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go! It's amazing - the architecture is breathtaking and the people are really friendly. Whether you are a vegetarian or not, the salads and the breads are really tasty. Cover up for mosques as per the trip notes - the guide is always very clear about what to wear and when (it's not a major issue, just respect the dress code). Take your cossie! It really is worth swimming in the lake - a unique experience.

Suggestions

Hot weather in August was forecast in the Trip Notes, but some people found it too hot. I loved it, but be prepared.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Registan in Samarkand at night. Also dancing with a happy smallholder in Khiva and chatting with families on days out at the shrines.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was excellent. He took the role of general guide, looking after us very well, and was also our guide at each of the sites that we visited. His Engish was the best I have experienced on all my trips with a detailed knowledge of not only his country's history and culture, but also each place that we visited. He kept us amused on bus journeys with stories and was very helpful with local currency.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes cover what you need to know.

Suggestions

I would have liked to have visited the Fergana valley.

Most Inspirational Moment

All good but coming around a lane corner in Bukhara to see an extraordinary vista of domes, minarets and tiled archways. Also seeing Tamerlan's mausoleum and tomb.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A star. Dilshod rules.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Lots of handicrafts pottery, brass etc so if you like that sort of thing leave space in your bag. Carpets are fabulous. If buying a carpet take sufficient dollars to pay cash. Lower price as avoids seller paying approx 12 1/2 % charge to Mastercard. Think twice if a vegan. Uzbeks are serious carnivores. Meat tastes great but don't stray too far from shish kebabs and koftes as more adventurous parts of menu often disappoint.

Suggestions

Go!

Most Inspirational Moment

I went for the architecture, and got it in spades. Bokhara's Poi Kalyon was a high point, until we got to Samarkand's Registan Square. Came home very satisfied!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dilshot was magnificent. Sympathetic, knowledgeable, totally in charge; he led the group with light-touch certainty and firmness. He rose to every problem that arose. He led us round a comprehensive but still manageable itinerary which otherwise would have made navigating the richness of Khiva, Bokhara and Samarkand much more difficult. He provided comprehensive background information, plus personal insights which added valuable illumination. He helped us around meal options and hard Uzbeki menus - serious practical issues.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You could spend years in this part of central Asia, but this tour captures the best bits and crystallizes them. Unless you want to put in the years, this is the overview and experience you wanted in a holiday trip.

Suggestions

Please look at other airline options. Offer the reassurance that the local guide(s) is on hand all the time, so you won't need to struggle through Uzbek or Russian to get what you want. The younger part of the population, particularly in the more tourist frequented areas (though tourism is still small scale) are increasingly speaking English (as are the stall holders in the markets and bazaars)!

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching Eagles soar above Alexander the Great's fortress

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Dilshod, he was very nice and jolly, very polite and knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Most shops and traders deal in Dollars, so don't exchange them all, ask your guide for advice.

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

Suggestions

the desperation to ensure that we did not miss the returning flight meant that the last 2 days involved a lot of travelling and "free time", so was a let-down; it would appear to be possible to contract this and allow a free day, most of our group of 16 (top weight, fewer would have been more manageable, C&K were restricted to 8, even VJV were fewer) would have voted for an extra night in the desert yurt stunning venue, superb leader, ghastly flights (internal A320 lovely), outstanding monuments, fascinating people (what an ethnic mix), in the top 10% of trips

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.

Suggestions

The meals didn't cost more than £4-5 per head. Delicious lamb kebabs, chicken, beef, vegetables rice etc etc & lovely green tea. Came home feeling so healthy.

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.

Suggestions

Prior to the trip I had very low expectations for the food. It was delicious particularly the opportunities to eat in the homes of local people. The array of salads that accompanied every meal were some of the best I have ever had. The national dish Plov absolutely delicious. We all gained weight! The fruit was excellent...pomegranates, watermelon in particular. Vodka very cheap and good at US$3 a bottle. I would have loved the opportunity to have had a cooking lesson to learn how to prepare the amazing salads and Plov. If you love shopping particularly textiles and jewellery bring lots of US $ and room in your luggage. The suzani, Uzbek embroidery, carpets and ceramics are unique and very reasonable. Expect to haggle. Your money goes a long way in Uzbekistan! It's easy to feel rich in Uzbekistan the highest note is 5000 som worth about $2.50. So $50 worth turns into a wad of notes wrapped in an elastic band and you carry a brick around. Fortunately US$ are accepted for everything except food including restaurants and supermarkets, toilet and camera fees.

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.

Suggestions

The trip notes for the tour are good and prepare travelers well by being cautious - the accommodation was very good throughout, comfortable and clean with western facilities, and I would rate them more than 'standard'. Finally, Uzbekistan is a safe country, and I went out and about on my own without any problems - lovely!

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.

Suggestions

The trip was 'exactly as it said on the tin' in terms of the trip notes and my expectations. I was truly delighted with every aspect of the trip and thoroughly recommend it. Book it now!