Uzbekistan

Had been planning to go to Uzbekistan for a longtime as we had visa free. But every time we plan it would be holidays and the thought of being crowded and high price, cancelled going there. This time, it was unplanned. Just wanted to go somewhere and got into this women's group trip to Uzbekistan and Almaty. Though the itinerary was not satisfactory and I was at the edge of just to get out somewhere, took this trip just before a week.

Boarded the flight at right time but it took off after 1.5hrs later with technical issue. The start itself was troublesome. After landing, found that another flight was also delayed. Hence, felt relieved. 

Day 1: Tashkent

At the Tashkent airport, we had to exchange to local currency. Didn't get SIM card as I wanted to be disconnected from everything, everyone and just be on the trip myself.

We went to see few site seeing directly from the airport.

1. Lal Bahadur Shastri statue 

2. Khazrati Imam mosque

3. Independence square

4. Independence monument

5. Senate republic building

We went to Raaj Kapoor's restaurant in Tashkent. We had an Indian restaurant feel and the food was good. After dinner, checked in hotel Uzbekistan which was walking distance. The climate in the evening was very pleasant. 

 

 Day 2: Tashkent to Bukhara

Morning after breakfast went to the railway station and boarded train at 9am from Tashkent to Bukhara. It was 6.5 hrs journey. Noon was very hot and the AC was not at all helpful inside the train. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, snacks were sold inside the train. On the way, the train halted at Samarkand station. It is very famous for the big breads. Almost half the shop was bought by the travelers. 

We all were tired by the time we reached Bukhara by 3.30pm. People carrying huge luggage had tough time as we had to carry on steps or drag them along the side provided for wheelchair. Went directly to a restaurant for lunch. Being Vegetarian had mentally prepared myself to have salads throughout the trip. Ordered some salad and a brinjal dish which was cold. Survival food.

Then reached our Bukhara hotel Omar Khayyam Hotel, which was really good... the breakfast, the neatness, the service. This is in Khakikat area of  Old Bukhara. Everything was walking distance. No traffic and full of shopping and restaurants. In the evening, with the lights it was just set like a beautiful scene of old town. The place was mesmerizing that we forget about everything and just be in this place.

We wandered around the evening, clicking pictures, taking reels. Some started their shopping and so we could get the feel of local currency. There was one art shop where it was made with straws, coffee, colors etc. Beautiful crockery sets, uzbek man and woman, pomegranate being the local fruit depicting fertility and all over the arts, scissors for male and female, different kinds of musical instrument, clothes. It was a paradise for local shoppping. Later found a restaurant where it was mentioned vegetarian foood available. It had a lovely ambiance with live music, dance. Though I ended up having salad being only available vegetarian dish! No regrets as had great time with new friends.

 

 Day 3:

We had a half day walking tour of the area. Ms Dilya was the local guide. We visited

Great Minaret of the Kalon (Mir-i-arab madrassa and Poi kalon mosque)

Maghak-i Attari mosque (oldest mosque of Bukhara) 

monument of Hodja Nasreddin

Moschea bolo-khauz

Ark of Bukhara (fort)

kosh madrassa

Mausoleums

Lyab-i hauz

water tower shukhova

cradle significance of Uzbekistan

central market (spices, varities of herbal tea, bukhara halva)

trading domes

Embroidery, carpets, metal makings

Hammam for ladies 

Evening we spent time wandering around the place again. Shopping, watching live musics dances on the street. Had dinner (again salad) with live music, dance.  Watching the lights on the architecture in the night. Being Indian, felt like celebrities as the local people have great regard for Indian Bollywood. They came and clicked pictures with us!

Day 4: Bukhara to Samarkand

After breakfast, again walked on the streets. By this time, we were all familiar with the area and pricing of items in shops. Felt we were locals by now.

Boarded train to Samarkand at 5pm and on the way had good fun making some reels in the train. It was 8pm by the time we checked in the hotel Malika Prime. Had good dinner at nearby restaurant Boulevard (falafel with salad) Then we took a walk in a nearby park which had a light show fountain.

Day 5: Samarkand day tour

After breakfast, met our guide Selmon khan. We visited

Amir Temur Mausoleum

Shah-i-zinda

Registan square

Local Market

We reached back our hotel by evening 8pm and some of us planned to visit Registan square to watch the light show at 9pm. Later had dinner (veg wrap for a change) at Labi Gor Terrace. 

 

 Day 6: Samarkand to Tashkent airport

We left early morning to tashkent airport. We exchanged local currency to Kazhak Tenge at airport. Unfortunately our flight at 2pm got cancelled and we had to take next flight at 3.30am next day. Thankfully airlines provided us stay. We went and checked in by 3pm. Few of us went in search of Indian hotel and got into The host restaurant. Finally we got to eat good butter naan, dal fry, paneer sabji, veg biryani. Felt as if our taste buds came back to life. Rest of the day we had good nap after heavy lunch as we all were sleep deprived. 

Dinner was provided by airlines and later walked around that area. Left to airport by 1am. 

Day 7: Almaty

Reached Almaty and checked in Salut hotel by 7am. Very basic kind of hotel stay. Not recommended.

All were tired and just slept off after breakfast. Skipped lunch and directly went for half day tour of Almaty. We visited

First President park

Republic square

Abai, poet of Kazakh, statue

Panfilov park

Ascension cathedral

Walking street (Zhibek)

Had dinner in a pub Clover, which served Indian food. The climate was rainy and chill. Survived again having some rice and veg side dishes.

Day 8: Shymbulak

Its a ski resort with cable car to reach on top. There are 3 levels. Costs 6500 Tenge (local currency) a ticket. We went till the 3rd level. Saw snow, clicked pics, vids. There were professional drone guys there. Some clicked those. Suddenly there was a hailstorm for few mins and we could enjoy that too. Overall had loads of fun. 

Had soup for lunch as nothing veg was available in that place. We were dropped again in that walking street as some wanted to shop. I just enjoyed walking around and watching the live music, kids playing on the streets. 

We found a veg cafe Amrita and barged in. Seeing our group he was little shocked but greeted us Radhe Radhe and we realised it was ISKCON devotees cafe. It took almost 2hrs for him to prepare our list..single handed he did it. The vibes of the place was like Rishikesh. Finally had some good food. And back to hotel by 9pm. Next day we all had flights back home. 

Day 9: Back to Home

Finally the trip ends with loads of memories. The group was like minded and hence the trip was really enjoyable. 

Thanks for reading. Have a great time!