One of those countries where I want to go for my own. life is Uzbekistan. But since I have never been there before, then with pleasure post guest post on self traveling to this country, that is about all that is necessary know before the trip: currency, customs, entry / exit, hotels, traffic police, transportation, attitude of locals.
The content of the article
- 1 Route
- 2 Features of independent travel in Uzbekistan
- 3 Transport in Uzbekistan
- 4 Other features of Uzbekistan
Contents
Route
Uzbekistan is the heart of ancient Sogdiana, Timur’s rate and the last line of the empire of Alexander the Great. In antiquity, here were born and empires faded away, brisk trade went on and ancient knowledge was transmitted; Today, Uzbekistan is the heart of Central Asia, which attracts tourists, food, historical monuments and, of course, by people.
Independent travel in Uzbekistan is best plan for spring, when it is not yet very hot, or for autumn, when the heat is already subsiding, and a huge amount appears in the markets local fruits and vegetables. We went to the May holidays – the most peak tourist season. What, however, did not prevent us quietly buy train tickets the day before departure, find hotels at reasonable prices and purchased fresh in the bazaars tomatoes =)
Our route was fairly standard: Almaty-Turtgul-Urgench-Khiva-Fortress Khorezm-Bukhara-Samarkand-Tashkent-Chernyaevka-Almaty. The main “chip” this logistics, I would call the long-distance train “Almaty-Nukus” immediately to Khorezm (Turtgul station), from where it is ok to Khiva 50 km. Usually travelers first go Tashkent-Samarkand, why for a limited period of time do not have time to get to Khiva (And it’s worth it).
Features of independent travel in Uzbekistan
Despite the openness and friendliness of the local population, travel around Uzbekistan can be overshadowed by commonplace obstacles by the authorities. The law is the law, and know some of it. Uzbek features are very useful:
1. Currency! Change currency in banks and on the black market. Course dollar in the bank 2000 sums, on the market – 2700-2800. Hand exchange considered illegal, so despite the abundance of money changers on any bazaar, they act covertly. Yes, it is dangerous and there is a fat chance be deceived. We were lucky – always the amount was correct to the penny. Exchanging 100-200 dollars, be patient: recount this a stack of papers will not come out quickly, the largest banknote is 1000 If you are planning to buy dollars in Uzbekistan, then the exchange must be made strictly in banks, with receipts and other paperwork. The amount of replaceable amounts (here’s a pun) for dollars should not exceed the amount of dollars exchanged for amounts. Currency from the country can not be exported.
2. Customs! Perhaps the biggest hemorrhoids for the traveler. At airports, it is easier to pass, but sometimes land crossings deliver a lot of headaches. However, our experience was successful. and besides empty bother with the customs officers did not go anywhere further.
3. Entry and exit from the country! At the entrance you are given a customs declarations that need to list all of your values and amounts (up to a penny) of all currencies imported into the country. The completed declaration must be kept until departure from the country, when you fill in the same one, you indicate in it everything from the country exported (things, equipment, money to the penny. At the exit can your money start to recount. I read about cases where not specified 10 tenge (2 rubles) turned to a person a bribe and a 2-hour hassle.
4. Hotels and accommodation! The logical continuation of p.3. Each the hotel will issue you a receipt of registration, which also must be stored before departure – check at the customs. Term stay in the country without registration in hotels – 3 days. there is tricky way to circumvent this rule: in the presence of relatives or friends in Uzbekistan, register with them. The price is such procedures – 5 USD, validity period – a month.
In more or less large cities, for example, in Tashkent, hotels You can look at RoomGuru, it is a convenient service for finding profitable offers for hotels in different booking systems.
5. Traffic police! Preponder for travelers on their vehicles.
If you are going to withdraw from Uzbekistan interesting and unique souvenirs, get acquainted with the order of import and export (Google help).
Transportation in Uzbekistan
Buses for long distances between cities almost does not go. Instead, they go local taxis – Daewoo Nexia, parking (popularly “Pyataks”) which are located near the bazaars or stations. Procedure landing next: negotiate the price (bargain!), waiting when you have a full salon and get under way. So, 500 km from Urgench to Bukhara, we flew for 6 hours, giving each for 50 000 sums (about 20 cu). From Khiva (20 km from Urgench) is cheaper than in 70 000 nobody wanted to go. Approximate prices check with local population, which with great eagerness will not only share all the necessary information, but also a bonus will invite to a wedding to the brother, the friend, the uncle etc. =)
It is also very convenient to travel between cities by train. Railway communication in Uzbekistan is very well developed. Uzbeks do a lot for the development of tourism infrastructure: introduce new routes, ennobles stations … So, we are from Bukhara to Samarkand and from Samarkand to Tashkent traveled by fast train “Sharq Express”. Price for a ticket a day before departure 26 000. It is also possible from Tashkent reach immediately to Bukhara. Train – clean, cars – sessile
Other features of Uzbekistan
The main attraction of the country is, undoubtedly, people: open, kind, hospitable, hardworking and responsive. Most big problem with them: refuse their hospitality because it is sometimes too much, especially when my brother has a wedding, where to visit the guest well, just be sure! In embarrassing situations we were looking for support from local people who always they happily helped us: they will hold a free tour, they will help fit, then spend where necessary.
For vegetarians, paradise is here, especially in summer and autumn: fruits and vegetables are not only cheap, but also really tasty. However, in The words “without meat” are poorly understood: even Bukhara pilaf with dried apricots and raisins are brought decorated with a handful of meat on top. True, as the cooks assure, all the ingredients are cooked for him. separately, so separating the meat from the other ingredients, you can get a pure vegetarian dish)
Uzbeks are not only industrious, but also trade. therefore You can bargain everywhere: even at the entrance to museums. So, with active discussions, prices can be brought down by 30 – 50%. It came to the case when our acquaintance named Timur passed for free into the tomb Tamerlana, motivating his unwillingness to pay deep blood kinship with the emir Timur. Similar “impudence” from our point view, Uzbekistan is perceived as a game with its unwritten rules. Immersion in it is equivalent to the adoption of the surrounding spaces without expectations and claims. Perhaps in this and the true meaning of any journey is to dissolve into an endless kaleidoscope of changing pictures, stop expecting of some kind of miracle and understand that it is this kaleidoscope that is the main miracle and the highest reward of any trip.
Andriyanov Yaroslav and Muradova Maria, authors of the blog idea37.info (on self-development and travel)
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