Are you looking for a destination that is steeped in culture and legacy, and that played host to hoards of conquerors and nomads, but is highly unlikely to be cited on your neighbour's list of this year's 'getaways'? Uzbekistan, in the heart of Central Asia, is the place to go if you're looking for something different this year. Visitors are still few and far between, yet with its Silk Road setting, the country offers a wealth of historical context as well as fascinating sights and scenery.
The Uzbekistan landscape consists of flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes broad, splendid river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon.
The mountainous regions of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan surround the Fergana Valley in east, with the Aral Sea in west, and add to the wonder of this breathtaking country.
The ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand celebrated its 2,750th anniversary in August 2007 and is now Uzbekistan's second city. It was added to the Unesco World Heritage List in 2001, and with its majestic Registan Square and glorious Islamic architecture, it is easy to see why. Fascinating to visit, it was the capital of the Tamerlane Empire, named after a conqueror whose 14th Century Central Asian realm extended from modern-day Iraq to China.
Also not to be missed on any visit to the country include the once very powerful cities of Khiva and Bukhara, where the fortresses remain as impressive attractions for all to see. And if viewing magnificent mosques or visiting busy and vibrant bazaars and markets is your thing, then Uzbekistan won't disappoint. And the experience will be all the richer if you can manage to learn a few words of the local language of Russian before you arrive.
Today, the old atmosphere of the Silk Road still survives in the oriental bazaars and tea houses where the many nationalities of Central Asia gather together, wearing their traditional and colourful clothes.
When to go
The best times to visit the country are from May to June and from September to November, when the temperatures will be warm and dry, rather than extremely hot or extremely cold.
Escorted and private tours
Being still so off-the-beaten track - though you will find comfortable four-star hotels - escorted and private tours are few and far between. However, they do exist and we work with a small number of tour operators who offer excellent and comprehensive trips to Uzbekistan. Visas are needed for the country and we can provide more information on this.
Some tours can be combined with the neighbouring of Krygyzstan, and being the mountainous paradise that it is, could very much be worth considering.
To enquire about tours to Uzbekistan, telephone us on 0845 475 0342
More information:
See the BBC website an up-to-date country profile.
Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is Erkin; I am working as tour operator in the "Sarbon Tour " Travel
Agency. Our company is leading activity in the sphere of tourism already for
7 years and offering journeys through the Central Asian countries such as:
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. Tour
programs of our agency fit travelers of all age and interest. Here are some
of them:
"Fan Mountain and trip to Samarkand"- trekking on the mountains of
Tajikistan.
"The journey along the Silk Road cities"-visiting such ancient cities as
Samarkand,Bukhara,Khiva
"Experience tours, Uzbekistan -country of craftsmanship"- introduction with
Gijduvanian school of Art and their method of making ceramics and Gijduvan
embroidery.
"The "Kupkari" in the home land of Tamerlan"- an excellent chance to witness
the ancient game of Uzbek riders "Kupkari".
"In the land of blue domes"- classic tours along the ancient and legendary
cities of Uzbekistan.
For special groups (archaeologists, historian, scientists and etc...) we
organize meetings with specialist for example, with the scientists of
Uzbekistan Academy of Science. We offer different journeys with the duration
from 8 to 29 days. During the
journey our tourists has a great chance to witness the customs and tradition
of many nations. At the edges of desert near the foothills of Pamir Mountain
it's possible to observe pictures of ancient people cut out on the cave
walls, and to stay in Yurta (a tent house arisen in the middle of the desert
and steppe where live nomads) .
We are ready to fulfill all of your desires!
"SARBON TOUR" offers the following type of services:
1. Individual and group tours;
2. Visa support for countries mentioned above;
3. Diverse excursion and cultural programs;
4. Professional guides English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and etc;
5. Reservation air-tickets, buses, airplanes, trains;
6. Accommodation in the hotels of any category;
7. Full and half pension;
8. Transfer by air-conditioned buses;
9. Lunch and Dinner at national houses and restaurants;
10. Degustation of wine;
11. Visit to craftsmen workshop and etc...
SARBON TOUR greatly hopes on your collaboration with us.
Sincerely,
Erkin Sultonov
English and Japanese speaking Tour Operator
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Uzbekistan, Samarkand. 140101.
5/37, str Reghistan.
tel/fax: 00998 662 351 894
email: info@sarbon-tour.com, erkin@sarbon-tour.com
www.sarbon-tour.com
Posted by: Erkin Sultonov | March 25, 2008 at 10:52 AM