The Best Attractions In Republic of Karakalpakstan

Passing through the Kyzylkum Desert - Uzbekistan 4K Travel Channel

After visiting the fortress Ayaz Kala we make our way to Bukhara, which is 450 km away. Approximately 300 km of our trip leads through the Kyzylkum desert. We're lucky because it's already early September. At this time of the year, the thermometer only rises up to 45º C. Within the months of July and August, Temperatures of 60º C are not unusual here.
First, the road leads us through an agricultural area. It is harvest time and especially the hay must be brought in. From time to time we see three-wheeled tractors. These are in-house productions of Uzbekistan.
Not far from Kyzyl Shiva, we pass the former fortress Guldunsun qala.
After crossing a canal at the border between Khwarezm and the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, we reach the desert. Shortly thereafter, we have to pass a checkpoint again.
In southern direction, we now approach the wetland of Amudarja. On the opposite bank is already Turkmenistan. But it is too hot here for a longer stay. We continue our way 200 km dead straight through the desert. The highway is surprisingly well developed. In the middle of nowhere, we take a rest. A lonely restaurant offers some shade.
As we continue our journey, we see a wind trouser in the desert, which whirls up the sand.
As we approach the edge of the desert, we cross a railroad line that is under construction. The line is being upgraded for the high-speed train between Bukhara and Khiva.
We stop again at a cotton field to see the ripe cotton capsules up close.
Thereafter, the density of buildings along the road increases again. Modern buildings line the street.
We reach the center of Bukhara. Some restaurants, two Madrasas, and a mosque, group around a little pond.
We stay just a few steps away at B & B Nazira & Azizbek. A pretty courtyard, where you can meet other guests invites you to linger. The rooms are clean, have a private shower and air condition. Free WI-Fi is available. Breakfast is served in the courtyard. The women are very friendly and helpful.
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Nach der Besichtigung der ehemaligen Festung Ayaz Kala machten wir uns auf den Weg in das 450 km entfernte Bukhara. Ca. 300 km davon führen durch die Wüste Kyzylkum. Wir haben Glück, denn es ist bereits Anfang September. Um diese Jahreszeit steigt das Thermometer lediglich nur noch auf 45º C. In den Monaten Juli und August sind auch 60ºC keine Seltenheit.
Zunächst führt uns die Straße noch durch landwirtschaftliches Anbaugebiet. Es ist Erntezeit und vor allem das Heu muss eingebracht werden. Von Zeit zu Zeit sehen wir dreirädrige Traktoren. Dies sind Eigenproduktionen von Usbekistan.
Unweit von Kyzyl Shiva passieren wir die ehemalige Festung Guldunsun qala.
Nachdem wir einen Kanal an der Grenze zwischen Choresmien und der autonomen Republik Karakalpakstan überquert haben, erreichen wir die Wüste. Kurz darauf gilt es auch wieder einen Checkpoint zu passieren.
In südlicher Richtung nähern wir uns nun dem Feuchtgebiet des Amudarja. Am gegenüber liegenden Ufer ist bereits Turkmenistan. Für einen längeren Aufenthalt ist es hier aber zu heiß. Nun geht es erst einmal 200 km schnurgerade durch die Wüste. Die Autobahn ist erstaunlich gut ausgebaut. Mitten im Nirgendwo legen wir eine Rast ein. Ein einsames Restaurant bietet etwas Schatten.
Als wir die Fahrt fortsetzen sehen wir in der Wüste eine Windhose, die den Sand ordentlich verwirbelt.
Wir nähern uns wieder dem Rand der Wüste und überqueren wir eine Eisenbahnlinie, an der gearbeitet wird. Die Strecke wird gerade für den Hochgeschwindigkeitszug zwischen Bukhara und Xiva ausgebaut.
Wir stoppen noch einmal an einem Baumwollfeld um uns die erntereifen Baumwollkapseln aus der Nähe anzusehen.
Danach nimmt die Bebauungsdichte entlang der Straße wieder zu. Moderne Gebäude säumen die Straße.
Wir erreichen das Zentrum von Bukhara. Um einen kleinen Teich gruppieren sich einige Restaurants, zwei Medressen und eine Moschee.
Nur wenige Schritte entfernt übernachten wir im B&B Nazira & Azizbek. Ein hübscher Innenhof, in dem man auch leicht andere Gäste kennenlernen kann lädt zum verweilen ein. Die Zimmer sind sauber, verfügen über eine eigene Dusche und haben eine Klimaanlage. Auch freies WLAN ist verfügbar. Das Frühstück wird im Innenhof serviert. Die Frauen sind sehr freundlich und hilfsbereit.
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Episode 14 - Uzbekistan - Tashkent, Khiva / 365 days off

UZBEKISTAN: TRENDY TASHKENT AND HISTORICAL KHIVA.

Our arrival in Tashkent was a little bit tense. Daniel did read on the Internet plenty of awful stories about the passport and the custom controls. Fortunately, Magali was here to keep him calm. The result was the most quick and hassle free border crossing we had so far. No one asked us about the pictures and videos we were having in our phones and laptops and about all the medicines we were carrying. If you feel stressed up ike Daniel about these controls, we strongly advise you to take a flight from Almaty (or any airport with a connecting flight). The airport border is way easier to cross than the land border.

Tashkent is a big modern and extremely clean city. There are a few sights to see. Among them, the Chorsu bazar is worth the detour. From mutton kidney to wedding dresses, you can find whatever you need there. And most importantly you will find plenty of Uzbek currency. The government is artificially maintaining an exchange rate of 1$ for 3’000 soms (the local currency). This artificial rate led to a huge black market. The black market rate is 1$ for 6’150 soms. Suddenly your travel will cost you half less. And everybody is using the black market. The money changers do not hide from you. When we asked around, every body told us it is safe.

After two nights in Tashkent, we flew to the other side (West) of the country, namely the city of Khiva. This is where the historical adventure begins. The citadel is composed of a dozen of madrasas, a few minarets, a few mosques all connected with pedestrian paved streets. You really feel either like 200 years ago or on the set of a Sharazad themed movie. Khiva was also the place were the heat hit us the most (with a maximum between 45 and 50 degrees). Only travel warriors (a category we don’t belong to) can visit sights all day long. We chose instead the visit / nap with air conditionning / visit routine.

WE DID SPECIFICALLY ENJOY
The desert castles near Khiva (in the sovereign republic of Karakalpakstan). These ruins are more than 2000 years old and are in the middle of nowhere. A must see in the region.
The old city of Tashkent where you feel being like in a village. Children are playing football in the streets, older people are sitting on chairs watching them. You can also smell food that people are preparing for dinner and believe us, it smells really good.
The drink Kompot everyone is having in this part of Central Asia, which is basically made of boiled fruits in water and sugar, the fruits are then left apart and we only drink the filtered juice. We mainly had cherry and peach flavors, very refreshing!

ACCOMMODATIONS
Tashkent: Jahongir BB Tashkent: A very nice Bed and Breakfast located in the old city.
Khiva: Qosha Darvoza: A nice traditional hotel and among the most friendly staff we met so far. They installed a beamer in their courtyard at midnight so that Magali and a few other Italian tourists could watch the football game.

RESTAURANTS
Tashkent: the shashliks restaurants along the Ourafjon street near the Tinshlik metro stop for a good and inexpensive meal, also the best plov we had so far (mainly at lunch).
Tashkent: the bread bazar in the old city located in the corner of Ourafjon and Farobi streets.
Khiva: the Mirza Boshi and its views of the green dome’s madrassa nearby. We recommend trying the green dill noodles.

BEST KEPT SECRET TIP
Riding rented bicycles in the citadel of Khiva. It was a long time since we enjoyed a place where cars are prohibited.

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Cultural heritage and natural wonders of Akmola region, Kazakhstan

Akmola region is famous for Burabay resort area with beautiful lakes and mountains, a unique bird-watching destination Korgalzhyn Reserve with pink flamingos, etc.