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Travellers' reviews about Uzbekistan

4.1
12 reviews
Jim & Cindy
3
Uzbekistan
Friends
The destination was very nice and overall, we enjoyed the trip even though there were several stressful problems.
The best parts:
The history, culture and scenery was amazing.
The worst parts:
Our experience with *** was mixed. Our initial planning went well and they were very accommodating with tailoring the itinerary to our wishes. However, when it got close to the time to apply for a Turkmenistan LOI and make the final payment things went down hill. Before we left they missed the deadlines for requesting our LOI information for Turkmenistan and sending us a link for the final payment. It appeared as the trip was headed toward falling apart so I contacted support@evaneos.com and they helped to get things on track. I sent a detail description of the problems before we left to support so I won't repeat what I wrote then here but the delays caused numerous problems. Below is a summary of those problems: • several of the hotels that we agreed to during our planning process were cancelled due to the late final payment which was due to them not providing us a link to the final invoice until about a week before we left even after several requests from us. ⁃ Hotel/Resort at Issyk Kul lake was closed for the season except for renting self service bungalows. When we were dropped off we discovered there was no water in the room so went looking for some place to get a bottle but discovered that litterally everything at the hotel was closed - restaurants, bars, snack shops, pools, beach, etc. The only other people there were maintenance and security staff. The guide had left but we called him and came back to get us and took us to dinner. ⁃ On arriving in Khiva we were dropped off at a hotel in the middle of a residential district and the driver had no information about our dinner, which was included in our itinerary, or about when or where we were suppose to meet our guide the next day. We found a restaurant using Google Maps and went to dinner since the hotel didn’t have a restaurant. The next morning no guide showed up so I sent *** a WhatsApp message, and to make a long story short, the guide had gone to the hotel where we were suppose to be booked that had been cancelled because of the late payment. ⁃ there were other hotel changes but the downgrade wasn’t drastic and didn’t cause us any problems so I won’t go into them in detail. • we were stranded at a border after crossing into Tajikistan. My phone no longer worked because I hadn’t had a chance to get a Tajik sim card so after an hour I was able to get a local at the border to call the next hotel (had the number in my trip details) to see if they could arrange transport. They couldn’t so I got another local that was headed our way to take us to the hotel. The hotel worked with our guide often so they called them and they met us at the hotel. • after being stranded at the border I insisted that the next guide in Osh call the guide in Uzbekistan to make sure that everything was arranged. The Uzbek guide had no idea what our Tajik guide was talking about as he was scheduled to guide an Italian group the next day. Our Tajik guide called his boss in Bishkek and was told that they would work out something the next morning as it was too late that day. I sent *** a message on WhatsApp and fortunately one of their people got it and arranged for a guide. We would have been stranded without a guide again if we hadn’t insisted that they call and confirm our crossing. • When our guide finally showed up in Khiva (see 2nd bullet under the hotels main bullet above), I went over our program with her to make sure it was what we expected and it turned our that she had been booked for a half-day morning tour only. I told her that it should be a full day tour and include lunch and dinner. She told me that, no, it was only a half-day tour and that if our lunch and dinner were included that we could eat at the hotel, however, as mentioned above, the hotel didn’t have a restaurant. After about a half hour of back and forth with her manager and Silk Road she got the message that it was a full day tour with lunch and dinner included. Her boss booked the meals after that and we ended up stuck way back in a corner for our lunch and dinner as both restaurants were already fully booked. The above are the major issues that we faced. There were other small things but that’s always true so I won’t go into them. Regards, Jim Barnett
Evaneos
Dear Jim & Cindy, Thank you for your feedback! We are more than happy that you enjoyed your trip to Uzbekistan, although there were some issues and we are looking forward to see you again soon! Yours sincerely, Your Evaneos Team!
The Adventurers
4
Uzbekistan
Friends
We spent 10 full days in Uzbekistan & really enjoyed all the sight seeing Loved Khiva,Bukhara,Samarkand & Tashkent-Enjoyed the drive through Ferghana Valley Our customized itinerary worked out well but was a little hectic for us seniors 70 plus The show at ElMerosi in Samarkand is a must see We tasted all the local specialties & had a very good flavour of art & architecture,culture & history of Uzbekistan Our guide Saeed,was very knowledgeable & well organized A memorable & lovely trip
The best parts:
We all enjoyed Uzbekistan totally So much to see & take in-the architecture & art on monuments,the history, the culture-all very very beautiful & interesting-difficult to pick 1 or few things Loved Khiva & could have spent two days instead 1 Also could have spent atleast 1 more day in Samarkand -2 days was a bit rushed
The worst parts:
Not satisfied with the hotel *** in Nukus -had they run the centrally controlled exhaust fans in the bathroom to clear the stench that would have been better Very unhappy with hotel *** in the Ferghana Valley-the service was very poor overall considering that it is a 4* hotel-the front desk & the restaurant at the hotel gave very poor service After promising to do so,they did not give us wake-up calls & quality of take away breakfast was poor
Evaneos
Dear The Adventurers, Thank you for your feedback! We are more than happy that you enjoyed your trip to Uzbekistan and we are looking forward to see you again soon! Yours sincerely, Your Evaneos Team!
Laura GP
1
Uzbekistan
Friends
But definitely Uzbekistan is very interesting country and I will speak and.recommend to my friends to go and enjoy so delightful places, food and people. Turkmenistan is a different but adventure country is more for younger people because it offers another kind of tours like trekking. I think that both are very different and worthy of the effort . But I won’t recommend this travel agency.
The best parts:
I personally liked my trip very much, all of the places are very interesting most of the services provided like guides ands transportation were just fine. Olga in Turkmenistan was well informed knows about her country’s history . Iin Uzbekistan we had good ones.
The worst parts:
The worst and terrible is that in almost every place the agency didn’t give us the hotels we choose. I did picked every one after weeks in choosing and gave my list. I. Specifically ask for them within months in advance and they hardly gave us “similar” that of course were cheaper. So the trip became very stressful because this series of surprises! And gives you a exact reason for being ripped. They charge you a first class trip and you get 2nd ?! The communication with the agency is terrible!
michelle
5
Uzbekistan
Couple
Uzbekistan was clean and the people friendly and helpful, almost happy that we came!
The best parts:
Our guide, Shokhrukh was very knowledgeable and actively helped us understand the culture. He understood our needs, giving us free time . Seeing the geography and putting it to history
The worst parts:
losing luggage by Aeroflot--hardly Evaneos' problem We were both very happy with the program
Wanderlust
5
Uzbekistan
Family
This was our first winter holiday and I’m very thankful to Shahlo for her well-planned program itinerary. She organized for calmly visits to cater for a toddler in the group which we appreciated very much; we felt relaxed and did not have to worry about rushing around in the cold weather. And very importantly, we were well rested before the start of each day. The guides were punctual and forthcoming. They would always check with us if we preferred to continue with the visits or break for lunch when it was time. The drivers were also punctual and always ready to help with our luggages. Uzbekistan food is very tasty and I would seriously consider returning again. The locals are warm and friendly, and we felt comfortable and at ease when patronizing the shops and market places as neither did the guides compelled us into buying something nor did the vendors engaged in hard-selling. This enhanced our pleasant experience further. The places of visit are filled with history and culture that we never fully knew of until we were there and witnessed it personally. The intricate designs and architecture of the monuments are beautiful and mesmerizing. They are great backdrops for stunning shots and we enjoyed the peaceful surroundings. Uzbekistan is beautiful and a must-visit country for an experience like no other. We are happy and satisfied with Shahlo agency’s services and would recommend it to our families and friends for a customized tour and in providing expert advices for the local agency.
The best parts:
Love the food, beautiful sceneries and architecture, learning about the history and culture and friendly locals.
Great Uzbek Trip
5
Uzbekistan
Solo
Other than what I described above, the love, affection and kindness shown by locals was simply amazing. Despite the language barrier, one could easily guess the sincerit, honesty and love they have for us.
The best parts:
Beautiful clean country, hospitable people, rich culture history and architecture and Delicious food
The worst parts:
Public bathrooms
Evaneos
Thank you so much for your feedback from your trip! We are so happy to hear how kind and affectionate the locals were and that you enjoyed your trip. :) I hope we will see you again on the Evaneos platform. Kind regards, Rachel
coppia
4
Uzbekistan
Couple
The trip was chosen by reading the Lonely Planet and the description of the travels in different forum in internet. Bukhara and Khiva were the most beautiful towns and it was a pleasure to walk in their streets. Sleeping under the stars and in the tend in the desert at Darvaza was fascinating
The best parts:
Our referent of the local agency was always available and continuously checking how our trip was going on. She was able to solve the problems when they were raising (like a driver who did not understand the meeting hour, the lost of a voucher, changes in the program schedule). We always felt safe. All the guides they offered were excellent for the language, the knowledge and the way they were showing and explaining the different things. Only the guide in Khiva was less good.
The worst parts:
The part of the trip from Samarcanda to Bukhara across Nurata could be better organized. We lost a lot of time. it was very hot and the drivers should have arrived with the car already fresh. Instead they were turning on the air conditioning upon they arrival. The car was hot and it took too much time before the temperature was decreasing in the sits behind. When we had a stop, the driver was closing the air conditioned. The car rented in Khiva was not comfortable as the others
Trecker
4
Uzbekistan
Couple
My husband read about the findings of mathematician in Uzbekistan and wanted to go to see the observatory. We like looking at buildings and from the photos we saw this was the place to see some amazing ones. We are also interested in history so the exploits of Timor and Gengis Khan were known to us and we wanted to see the places for ourselves. The guide was excellent. Said introduced us to many local restaurants and places which made the trip special and personal. We did not feel packaged.
The best parts:
The architecture of Uzbekistan
The worst parts:
The road trip from Khiva to Bukhara
Seif
5
Uzbekistan
Solo
Uzbekistan is a wonderful country. I honestly did not expect myself to have so much fun and most of all the people were just amazingly nice to me everywhere. Every city I visited was beyond my expectations in terms of culture and architecture. The ones I liked most are Bukhara and Samarkand.
The best parts:
The whole country was amazing especially the people, everywhere. My favorite cities are Bukhara and Samarkand. Although I have to admit that I liked every single place I've been. Our guide was really nice to us and very helpful. Thanks again Said! You've been a wonderful guide. The driver was awesome too.
The worst parts:
I would have skipped the yourt camp but it was a nice and funny break. The visits are not planned wisely enough: the indoors visits should be planned during the burning sun of the early afternoon and the outdoors visits early in the morning.
Jill
5
Uzbekistan
Solo
The most amazing country l've visited ever. Impossible to single out a particular moment but loved our lunch at a family home where we watched plov and bread being cooked in traditional ovens by a paediatric doctor and her mother. There was the added delight of a tiny kitten! Loved seeing weaving, ceramics and other crafts in Bukhara but probably the best overall memory is the people in their gorgeous bright sequinned dresses and golden smiles. And the fabulous architecture.
The best parts:
Absolutely everything. The fabulous architecture of the ancient cities of the Silk Road were a hundred times more beautiful and extensive than l could have imagined. The Uzbek people were delightful and so welcoming and our guide Said was delightful, knowledgeable and fluent in 5 languages at the age of 21. Food excellent and plentiful, hotels brilliant, most with shower and bath. Wonderful painting, calligraphy, wood-carving and lots more to bring home as souvenirs with our photos, 1300 in my case!
The worst parts:
Nothing. Well, maybe would have preferred to miss the yurt camp and had the extra time in stunning Samarkand, although the lizards, tortoises, birds and flowers were lovely, as were the family, food and music by the fire. The American woman in our group of 3 was obnoxious, rude and domineering. Her haggling over prices down to the last dollar was appalling and embarrassing, especially as she was very wealthy. This is of course not your fault.
James Lim
3
Uzbekistan
Couple
We are very happy with the Destinations chosen by us. We are also very happy with the qualities of the Guides & Drivers provided by the Agency. The trip would be perfect had the hotels at 2 cities be better & we had no problem with coordination. Agency personnel must empathize with the tourists, with serious language problem in a strange land, we need constant guidance & up to date information, no anxiety!
The best parts:
Our trip through 3 countries was most interesting, the 3 classic old cities of Khiva, Bukhara & Samarkand in Uzbekistan, the amazing Dawaza Crater & beautiful white city of Ashgabat in Turkmenistan and the most scenic drive through Tajikistan. The people of the three countries were most friendly.
The worst parts:
1) The hotels provided in Dushanbe & Pendjikant in Tajikistan were at best 1*, far inferior to the 2-3* expected. Water pressure & hot water system in some hotel bathrooms were disappointing. 2) Agency should check the accuracy of the write up given out. Travel time from Mary, Turkmenistan to border was given as 1.5hours, should be 4 hours! Urganch in Khiva itinerary was shown as in Uzbekistan, actually Turkmenistan. 3) At many sights of Museum, Ruins & Monuments, no local Guide provided. I had to find my own guide, otherwise visit would be wasted without explanation. Local costs are very low, no reason to save on cost of guides. 4) Agency coordination with us should be improved! On some days, I had to chase after information for the next day, like time for start of tour, time to depart for next city or name of guide or driver! This caused me undue anxiety.
david
5
Uzbekistan
Couple
10 days travel to Khiva, Bokara, Samarqand, Tashkent - the desert. Sightseeing, culture, hanging out people watching,
The best parts:
Uzbekistan is unique - the places and the people. The guide and the travel company - we were invited to a wedding, and met many of their staff - very memorable. Please pass on our thanks and appreciation. Khiva was great but Bokara even better - more relaxed, more choices of places to eat .....
The worst parts:
Some of the hotels lacked charm or character. The Yurt camp could have been a lot better. You could cram this into a 7 day/night trip - drop the Yurt Camp. Connect directly in Tashkent to Khiva, 2 nights, Bokara 2 nights, Samarqand 2 nights then Tashkent 1 night.