Unveiling Uzbekistan!

Welcome back to the next thrilling adventure with the HumSafars! This trip was an unexpected delight – a spontaneous decision fueled by a combination of special occasions and a well-timed holiday weekend. Despite some initial hesitation due to personal reasons, the upcoming anniversary and a generous 5-day EID break were too tempting to resist. And so, we found ourselves jetting off to the stunning country of Uzbekistan in Central Asia. While not initially on our radar, a last-minute deal and some adventurous friends sealed the deal, and we are so grateful they did!

Uzbekistan is a treasure trove of history and culture, boasting magnificent mosques, ancient Silk Road sites, and breathtaking architectural wonders. And for the adrenaline junkies among us, there’s even a mountain range offering prime skiing opportunities. What sets Uzbekistan apart is its recent opening to tourists in 2017, making it a pristine, unspoiled destination just waiting to be explored. So, without further ado, let’s dive right into our Uzbek adventure!

Day 1– Touching down in Tashkent (the same city where the Indian hero Lal Bahadur Shastri met his mysterious end), we had a smooth 3-hour flight from Abu Dhabi and arrived in the afternoon. After a quick check-in at our hotel for a brief rest, we were ready to hit the ground running with a walking tour. Opting for a group package meant our tours were shared with fellow travelers, but given this impromptu trip, we were more than happy to have our friends along for the ride. Uzbekistan is a feast for the eyes – vibrant and bursting with color at every turn! The signature turquoise tiles that adorn many buildings caught our attention, and we later learned that this hue represents the vastness of the universe, with mystical significance in Islamic tradition.

As part of our tour, we were first awestruck by the beauty of the Hazrati Imam Complex in the old town of Tashkent. Home to the tomb of an esteemed Islamic preacher, poet, and artist, the complex boasts stunning architecture with an Islamic center, mosque, and charming souvenir shops. What truly captivated us was the rich library of oriental manuscripts, including the world-renowned Quran of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan – one of the oldest Quran copies in existence! The complex also houses translations of religious texts in various languages, many of which are ancient and hand-written, making it a fascinating blend of culture and history.

Our next stop was the iconic Freedom Square, or Mustaqillik Maydoni, at the heart of Tashkent. Surrounded by a picturesque park, this square holds a special place in the hearts of locals, serving as a tranquil spot for leisurely walks and hosting public events. Steeped in history, the square commemorates lives lost during World War II, with the striking monument of the arch of independence commanding attention. It is quite impressive, a high pedestal with a golden globe erected on the top with a visual rendering of a map of Uzbekistan, complete with a beautiful water fountain infront of it and 3 starks placed over the horizontal pillar. As we meandered through the park, we encountered a gallery adorned with memorial books honoring war martyrs, the poignant Eternal Flame, and the moving Lamenting Mother statue paying homage to fallen soldiers and their mothers.

Our journey continued through theaters and museums, but the vibrant Broadway Alley caught our eye with its lively atmosphere and diverse entertainment offerings. Entranced by street artists and the bustling scene, we decided to linger and soak in the energy. Despite our guide’s plans to visit Temur Square, we opted to stay and unwind at the enticing lounge within Broadway Alley. With its refreshing white décor and cooling water sprinklers, it was an absolute treat! It took us a while to explain our order to the waiters thanks to the language barrier, but we somehow managed and relished a relaxing evening amid the bustling surroundings.

As night fell, a concert ignited the streets outside, beckoning us to join the festive crowd swaying to the music. Despite the fact that the songs were in a foreign language unknown to us, we couldn’t resist immersing ourselves in the infectious vibe. Stranded without transportation, we attempted to hail a cab without success until a kind local woman stepped in. Using a ride-sharing app on her phone, she even waited till the cab arrived and ensured we safely secured a ride back to our hotel, a true testament to the warmth and generosity of the Uzbek people. An unforgettable end to a day brimming with rich history and unexpected encounters!

Day 2– Fuelled by a hearty breakfast, we embarked on our next adventure – a journey to the vibrant city of Samarkand via the bustling train (apparently the fastest in Central Asia). With the option of a faster 2-hour ride on the bullet train or a leisurely 3.5-hour trip on the normal train, we had the latter for the onward journey due to availability issues. Upon our arrival in Samarkand, we were greeted by a waiting vehicle at the station, ready to whisk us away to our next destination.

Our guide surprised us with an invitation for an authentic lunch experience at the esteemed Muborak House, owned by the an old lady by the name Zaitova Mubaro Sharipovna. This non-commercial place exuded charm, with a lovely kitchen garden and inviting open spaces and has apparently also been classified as a heritage site by the government. We relished a delicious set menu infused with authentic and local flavors, savoring fresh salads and fruits that were simply crunchy and delightful. Dining here felt like being welcomed into a gracious host’s home, as our plates were continuously replenished with delectable dishes. Before bidding adieu, we captured a sweet memory with the owner, grateful for her heartwarming hospitality.

Our visit continued to the iconic Registan Square, a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site nestled in the heart of Samarkand. Adorned with magnificent madrasas and a rich history, the square left us in awe of its architectural splendour. We opted to admire its beauty from the outside instead of taking a separate ticket for the inside tour considering the heat (and heavy lunch). Our guide did however entertain us with tales of its storied past, including its destruction and restoration after attacks by Genghis Khan. He also told us of the beautiful lights we could see if we visited in the evening, but obviously we didn’t have that opportunity as we weren’t staying at Samarkand overnight.

Our excursion then led us to the mesmerizing Shakhi-Zinda complex, where we marveled at its intricate tombs, mausoleums, and dome-shaped buildings steeped in historical significance. The legend is that a cousin of Prophet Mohamad (founder of Islam) is buried here, and hence the significance. The guide also told us to count the number of steps while heading up, and on our way back. The belief is that if the number of steps match both ways, you will be considered free of sin. The top also has a lot of small souvenir stores, so we bought some small handicrafts to bring back as memory before rushing to take our train back.

Boarding the swift bullet train for our return journey, we swiftly retraced our steps back to Tashkent, arriving by early evening. After freshening up at our hotel, we set out with our companions to savor a delightful dinner and unwind. Our hotel was situated close to the iconic TV tower and amidst a tapestry of restaurants and pubs, so we were spoilt for choice, but we landed at a cozy British pub nearby (we were tempted to head back to Broadway street, but decided against it). An evening filled with engaging conversations, delectable dishes, and a relaxing ambiance – a perfect end to a day brimming with exploration and new discoveries in enchanting Uzbekistan!

Day 3– Today promised an exhilarating adventure as we set our sights on exploring the majestic Chimgan mountains! A scenic 2-hour bus ride brought us to the foothills of the mountains, where a brief cable car journey awaited to transport us to the summit. As we ascended, we were greeted by breathtaking vistas of peaks showing bits of remains of snow and the shimmering blue waters of a pristine lake, painting a picturesque scene. While the winter landscape hinted at a mesmerizing allure, having recently visited the beauty of Switzerland, it was hard to compete (Swiss beauty truly sets a high bar!). Nonetheless, our spirits soared as we captured the memorable moments with friends against the stunning backdrop.

Upon reaching the summit, we had a couple of hours to explore at leisure, although activities were somewhat limited to scenic photo spots. Families with children could partake in a few adventure activities, but we contented ourselves with soaking in the panoramic views and striking poses for the camera. The scorching heat prompted a pause from our photo shoot for the ‘gram, as we savored refreshing beverages and ice creams before descending back down on the cable car.

Our journey continued to a picturesque viewpoint overlooking the alluring Charvak Lake, its crystalline waters cradled by surrounding mountains. Engaging in a frenzy of photos and videos, we admired the vibrant hues and witnessed fellow adventurers embracing the thrill of activities like boating, kayaking, and paragliding. The paragliding looked very tempting, especially cause it was a bit different, it was as though you are seated in a canoe of sorts and flying through the air (maybe if you land on the water you can just row yourself back?), but we weren’t able to try it as we had to head to lunch soon (ill-effects of being in a group tour!).

A delightful lunch followed at a serene standalone restaurant, offering both indoor and outdoor seating with a refreshing breeze. After a bit of detective work deciphering the menu’s vegetarian options, we indulged in a delicious meal before retracing our steps back to Tashkent.

With the evening at our disposal, a bout of shopping and revelry beckoned as we found ourselves at a lounge in the heart of the city. This was a bit away from the main road, and language was definitely an issue. Somehow the vibe the place gave us after we were given a table didn’t seem right; it was mostly empty at that time, but quite dark except some coloured lights near the performers and somehow almost felt like the mob hangs out here after hours by speaking to the waiters (whatever little we could communicate). Since the place and even the menu didn’t seem too appealing, we decided to make our way out and walked back to a nice Indian restaurant we had seen on the way, called Curry House. In hindsight, maybe we were just overthinking and being overly cautious, but man was this restaurant worth it! Our taste buds were treated to a culinary extravaganza! The familiar flavors of Indian cuisine surpassed expectations, transporting us to a realm of gastronomic delight even better than Dubai’s finest dining establishments if I may say. Satisfied with a lavish feast, we concluded our last evening at Uzbekistan with a contented heart as we retired for the night.

Day 4– As our departure loomed on the horizon, we had one last destination left, Chorsu Bazaar, an iconic open-air market brimming with cultural treasures. Dating back to the 1500s, this sprawling marketplace stands as the largest in not only Uzbekistan but the entirety of Central Asia, offering a kaleidoscope of wares ranging from clothing to souvenirs, handicrafts, and pottery and much more. It also hosts a majestic blue domed structure in the middle, which is another indoor market.

Amidst the maze of stalls and enticing displays, we immersed ourselves in the vibrant ambiance, meandering through the aisles in search of unique keepsakes to take back as memories while savouring some fresh juice and fruits in the stalls along the way.

Our rendezvous with the group was inside the blue domed market, which is for meat and dry fruits. We vegetarians were understandably perturbed by the sight of all the meat, but even our carnivorous friends found themselves taken aback by the vivid displays of various meats hanging there.

Reunited with our fellow travelers, we bid adieu to the vibrant marketplace and embarked on the journey back to the comforts of our awaiting vehicle, setting our sights on the airport for our return voyage to Dubai. As we reflected on the whirlwind of experiences and memories of our brief, yet unforgettable holiday, we departed Uzbekistan with hearts full of gratitude and a treasure trove of cherished moments.

Points to note-

• Language is a bit issue, most people, including hotel staff don’t understand English. Suggest downloading an offline translation app, or keeping google translate handy for the most basic of conversations too.
• Vegetarian dining options are available but may require some patience in explaining your preferences. Fresh salads and fruits abound, with tomatoes so juicy you could mistake them for apples!
• Currency- local currency Uzbeki Som is used everywhere, very few places were open to accepting USD or even credit card, so carry sufficient cash with you. Also, the currency is extremely devalued, so don’t be shocked if a meal for 2 costs you 250,000 at a decent place. We really enjoyed the feeling of paying a whole 1 Million during one of our meals!
• People are extremely helpful and friendly, you can see they want to have conversations with you, if not for the language barrier. Since it was ex- CIS region, people tend to know a bit of Bollywood too, especially the Late Raj Kapoor. Don’t be surprised if a few people approach to take pictures with you (especially if you are Indian) due to the Bollywood fascination.
• We stayed the entire duration of our trip at Tashkent, but if you get a chance, try and split your visit between Tashkent, Samarkand and maybe even Bukhara. We didn’t get a chance to visit, but have heard Bukhara is very beautiful too.
• Total cost of Trip (all for 2)
  • Tour Package- Including Hotels, Flights, Transfers- ~USD 1400 (sorry don’t have the breakdown for this)
  • Food- ~USD 150 (~2 Million in local currency!)
  • Miscellaneous (Cabs, tips, shopping)- USD 50
• Hotel we stayed at
  • Le Grande Plaza, Tashkent

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