Yellow sands of the desert, blessed isletsoases, minarets and snow-white walls of fortresses... Do you think that all this is a description of some exotic country in the Middle East? Not at all. In order to see with your own eyes the hot desert, plunge into the bustling polyphony of a real oriental bazaar or step under the shadow of fortress walls, the stones of which are eaten away by time, it is not at all necessary to go to restless Saudi Arabia or Syria. A trip to Uzbekistan will be a great alternative for those who dream of taking a step from modern everyday life into the fairy tale of a thousand and one nights. Especially if you decide to neglect the services of airlines and go to conquer the vastness of Uzbekistan behind the wheel of your own SUV.
What to take on the road?
What is the beginning of any journey?Of course – fees. Especially if you are going on a trip by car. Any car traveler knows that the quality of a vacation "on wheels" directly depends on how carefully you have prepared your car for multi-kilometer sections of the road. All the equipment necessary for traveling can be divided into several groups. - Money and documents. These are two components without which it is impossible to realize your grandiose plans. First of all, carefully plan your budget, not forgetting that the main part of the route runs through the territory of another state that has its own currency. For a trip to Uzbekistan, you will need: a full package of documents for the car, a Russian driver's license, a Russian passport, a foreign passport (it is worth remembering that for citizens of Russia, a visa-free entry regime applies to the territory of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan) and medical insurance. It is best to keep the bulk of your funds on a bank card. But it is worth checking with your bank in advance whether the card is valid in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. In case of theft or loss of the card, you can easily block it and thus protect your money. But you won't be able to do without cash at all. It is best to plan for the so-called "unforeseen expenses" in advance; there may be shops or gas stations along the road in the steppe or desert, but you are unlikely to find an ATM there.
- Spare parts. The main load during the autotravel falls on the car. Therefore, it is best to take care of its technical condition in advance and have spare parts, canisters with fuel, motor oil and antifreeze.
- GPS-navigator and maps. Nobody wants to lose the time of his well-deserved vacation, wandering on unfamiliar roads. GPS-navigator and map help you navigate the terrain.
- Personal things, hygiene products and drinking water.
- Communications and chargers. Going on a trip by car, do not forget about becoming such a familiar mobile phone. In advance, replenish the account and find out from your mobile operator about the cost of outgoing calls and SMS in roaming. If you expect to spend a long time in another country, then using SIM cards of local mobile operators, you will reduce the cost of telephone calls. It's useful to have a charger with you, which allows you to charge the phone from the car battery.
- Camera or video camera and chargersdevices to them. There is no need to remind you that there must be a means in the journey with which you can write down your impressions and then show them to friends and acquaintances. Just make sure that you have enough memory cards, cassettes, etc. Because on this trip you will have what to write down.
Well, things are packed, the route is chosen. Forward, towards adventure!
How to pave the way to Uzbekistan?
Before you go on a trip toIf you were driving to Uzbekistan, you could hardly imagine how intricately the cultures of Europe and Asia are mixed on the territory of Russia. Don't believe me? Then plan your route through Tatarstan and Bashkiria. The pointed snow-white mosques of Kazan: al-Majani, Nurulla, Azimovskaya and Kul-Sharif harmoniously combine with the Lutheran Church of St. Catherine, the Kazan Mother of God Monastery and the Peter and Paul Cathedral. By the way, Kazan has its own "leaning" tower Syuyumbike, one of the highest in Europe. And the central, historical part of the city is a living testimony to the close interweaving of cultures. Bashkiria, with its stud farms, kumys and beshbarmak... It seems that at any moment the Khan's army will descend from Mount Yamantau on thoroughbred horses. For car travelers, it will be important to know that the highways along the route are of republican or Russian significance. This means that throughout the entire journey you can get technical assistance if necessary. Or spend the night in roadside motels with guarded parking lots and cafes. The mountain landscapes of Bashkiria outside the window of your car imperceptibly replace the endless expanses of the steppes, which means that you are close to the next stage of the journey to Uzbekistan - the first crossing of the state border. If you have correctly completed all the documents, then there should be no problems with crossing the border of Kazakhstan. The only thing that is worth mentioning in particular is filling out the customs declaration. Enter everything in it! Starting from personal belongings and jewelry, and ending with a mobile phone, so that you do not have any misunderstandings on departure. If you did not take care in advance to exchange Russian rubles for tenge, you can do this at the border.
Road through the steppes of Kazakhstan
Perhaps the hardest and most deserted partyour journey will be the road through Kazakhstan. Endless steppes, small towns and a few yurts of nomadic shepherds - that's all the civilization. Therefore, in order not to run out of fuel in the middle of the road, stock up on gasoline in advance. By the way, you will get your first lessons in real oriental hospitality in the steppes of Kazakhstan. Wherever you make a stop, at a lonely shepherd's yurt or at an adobe house in a small village, you will first of all be given real green tea to drink, and only then asked about the purpose of your visit. It is impossible, while in Kazakhstan, not to visit Balkhash, a unique natural phenomenon, a half-salty, half-fresh lake, striking in its pristine beauty and purity of water. A habitat of nomadic and sedentary peoples of Asia, known since the eighth century. Numerous tourist centers and campsites located on its coast will become a place of rest, a kind of oasis in the steppe, giving the opportunity to enjoy the cleanest air before the next leg of the journey. Having rested on the coast of Lake Balkhash and gained strength, you can set off for the next stage of your journey, which will also begin with crossing the border. This is where your carefully filled out declaration will come in handy. Judging by the reviews of car travelers, the border between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is not a place you will remember with a smile. Therefore, it is best to cross it well rested and collected. And remember our advice at the beginning of the article? You should have some money with you in the local Uzbek currency - sums.
Tashkent - the city of a thousand fountains
No matter what difficulties may be associatedcrossing the border of Uzbekistan, believe me, Tashkent is worth it. The capital of Uzbekistan is a city of a thousand fountains, a city of Peace, a city of Friendship, the capital of Islamic culture. These are just a few of the epithets that tourists who have ever set foot on the fertile land of Tashkent award the city with. This city is one of the most striking examples of resilience. It was literally rebuilt brick by brick after the earthquake of 1966. At that time, most of the architectural treasures perished. Now Tashkent is the embodiment of the architectural thought of modern architects. Modern buildings are amazing. Here, in an earthquake-prone zone, multi-story buildings proudly rise into the sky in spite of everything. The beauty of Tashkent fountains and parks can be talked about endlessly. The capital of Uzbekistan is a very green city - despite the almost fifty-degree summer heat, you will not find a single piece of land that has not been ennobled and landscaped by the sensitive hands of local residents. The Tashkent metro is also an architectural work of art, some even say that the Tashkent metro is more beautiful than the Moscow one. But be that as it may, it remains the only one in Central Asia. Modern hotels are always ready to welcome you within their walls. It is especially worth noting that in Uzbekistan you must register at your place of residence on the third day after your arrival. But this will not be a problem if you stay only in those hotels that have the right to register. This information will definitely be provided to you at the reception.
Samarkand - the pearl of the East
For anyone who travels by car,The quality of roads in Uzbekistan will be a pleasant surprise. They meet all modern requirements and standards, because an important sector of the economy of Uzbekistan is the tourism business. And one of the brightest pearls in the crown of the East is considered to be Samarkand. Since ancient times, Samarkand, then Sogdiana, was considered the educational capital of the East. Numerous ancient madrassas - Ulugbek (at one time a hundred students studied there), Tilyalya-Kari, Sherdor - serve as proof of this. As well as the remains of the building of the Ulugbek observatory. And what is surprising if the Great Silk Road passed through Samarkand. Both cultural and scientific achievements of Europe and the Ancient East were brought here on the backs of two-humped camels, leaving their mark on the culture and architecture of this city. Walking along the streets of Samarkand, you seem to cross a certain time barrier, instantly immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the ancient East. And before your inner eye pass the great ups and downs of this beautiful city. Architectural masterpieces are found here at every step. The mausoleums of the great khans and conquerors - Khoja Abdu Darun, Khoja Danier (the mausoleum of St. Daniel) and the most beautiful and revered - Bibi Khanum. According to ancient legends, it was ordered to be built by the beautiful Bibi Khanum in honor of her husband, as a gift for his return from a military campaign, and the price for the construction of this majestic structure, the architect appointed a kiss from the khan's beloved wife. Mosques rise majestically above the city. The Chorsu business center is also interesting. Every street, every intersection here breathes history. Numerous guides, who can be hired right on Registan Square, will be happy to tell you many legends and tales passed from mouth to mouth.
The Blessed Bukhara
But no matter how beautiful Samarkand is, youпридется его покинуть, чтобы отправиться в город, без посещения которого путешествие в Узбекистан нельзя считать состоявшимся. Сквозь пустынные солончаковые равнины пролегает дорога в благословенную Бухару. Более двух с половиной тысяч лет стоит на земле этот древний город. Любого путешественника привлечет так называемая старая часть города. И если вы хотите получить настоящее представление о Востоке, то вам стоит поселиться в Старом Городе. Единственным минусом для тех, кто путешествует на автомобиле, может стать то, что эта часть города закрыта для автотранспорта. Но на прилегающей территории есть огромное количество благоустроенных стоянок и гаражей, где ваш автомобиль будет под надежной охраной. А вы в полной мере сможете насладиться неспешностью и размеренностью жизни на востоке. Для желающих вкусить настоящей восточной экзотики в Бухаре найдутся так называемые «семейные гостиницы», стилизованные под древние караван-сараи. Помимо ночлега вам предоставят возможность попробовать настоящие узбекские блюда. Плов с изюмом, балаза нахот, шурпа, самса, каурма лагман, манты и настоящие узбекские лепешки. Все, чтобы свести с ума любого гурмана. А восточные сладости и бесконечные чаепития под сенью древних чинар – чем не досуг бая? Но не этим привлекательна Бухара для путешественников. И даже не своими архитектурными памятниками, искусными творениями зодчих. Это поистине благословенный город. Если верить легендам, мир в средней Азии будет царить до тех пор, пока на чинару у Ляби-хауза прилетают аисты и выводят птенцов в своем гнезде. Атмосфера умиротворения царит в старой части города, словно время тут замерло в точке наивысшего покоя. Проходите ли вы под знаменитыми голубыми куполами или наслаждаетесь созерцанием спорой работы чеканщиков на центральной площади, следите ли за быстрым мельканием игл золотошвеек, вышивающих зардузи, или слушаете призыв муэдзина с площадки Минарета Калян – вы чувствуете, как каждый камень рассказывает вам о событиях, которыми богат этот город. Величественные стены крепости Арк, зимней резиденции эмира Бухарского, заставляют трепетать от восхищения и чувствовать себя пылинкой на фоне этих древних стен. Розовеющий в лучах восхода мавзолей Саманидов покоряет замысловатым рисунком и орнаментом стен. А знаменитый ковровый базар Бухары! Вот уж поистине – место, где стоит приобрести «сувенир». Правда, и обойдется он вам недешево. Но если вам нужен настоящий восточный ковер, то за ним следует отправляться в Хиву. Настоящие ценители восточных ковров знают — как бы ни был совершенен его рисунок, ткачихи обязательно допускают в нем одну ошибку, дабы красота восточного ковра не была совершенной. Ведь совершенен один Аллах. По сей день хивинские мастера следуют этой традиции и допускают неточности в своих прекрасных творениях. Это лишь малая часть тех красот, что вам предстоит увидеть в Узбекистане. Что бы вы ни искали в этой стране — экстремального отдыха в песках Кызылкума или на урановых карьерах Учкудука, неспешного отдыха под ритмичный перестук дафа или вдумчивого изучения произведений древнего зодчества – вы все это здесь найдете. А путешествие в Узбекистан на машине станет ценнейшим сокровищем в копилке ваших впечатлений.
