Caravanistan

Hi, We actually travelled with the two previous posters above on the Turkmenbashi-Baku ferry, and it's funny to see the different experiences. Overall we wouldn't necessarily recommend this route, although it's fun to cross Turkmenistan (for those considering going to Aktau or through Daguestan inst...

Hi, We stayed in Ashgabat at Kuwwat Hotel for $10/person. Location is very convenient, close to the Russian bazaar and walking distance from the train station. But the hotel is NOT clean; I'm talking dozens of cockroachs crawling in your room, your bed and in your bag at night, shared bathroom with ...

Hello, We spent the night next to the crater on November 6th, on our way from Konye-Urgench to Ashgabat. You don't need to go to Dashoguz from Konye Urgench to Darvaza. Actually, if you're coming from Khiva, I'd recommend going to Nukus the day before to visit the Savitsky museum (see here for Khiva...

Hi, Crossed this border on November 6th from Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan on a transit visa. Stayed in Besqala hostel the night before in Nukus (10$/person) where we arranged a taxi (10$ for the car) to the border in the morning. The whole process was straightforward and easy. We arrived at the UZ bor...

Hi, Here's a more detailed summary of the options to go from Khiva to Nukus, based on our experience a few weeks ago. There is no marshrutka or shared taxi going from Khiva to Nukus directly, at least not in early November. Private taxi: the standard quote we got from many different persons was $50 ...

Hi Gary, We crossed the Dashoguz border yesterday and it all went very easily. Quite busy with locals but as a tourist the border control agents constantly made sure that we were the first that got to the counter and on the bus (which also gave us a bit of an uncomfortable feeling but we just went ...

My wife and I bought 2 carpets from Akbar House Collection in Bukhara. He's an eccentric but sweet man once you get to know him, and his knowledge and collection are really lovely - carpets and suzannis. We got a good price which is more than half the amount we would have paid in the West. If he li...

Crossed today, nothing difficult. I’ll just add three information: - the border is open 24/7 - you can change your somoni in som at the bazaar in Isfara - the exchange rate was quite good, just ask the pharmacist guy on the right at the entrance of the bazaar, he will make a quick phone call and 30 ...

When coming from Kyrgyzstan (Osh) on the Pamir Highway, the first chance to get a SIM card is at Murghab in the containers bazaar where we bought ours at Megafon. Very quick, relatively expensive (they have several deals - we took 3Gb for approx. $10; they are all valid one month), you just need yo...

Easiest thing ever. Went today to the embassy in Dushanbe at 10:30am (see coordinates above - don’t use maps.me location). Soldier in front will check your passport and let you in. Documents needed: - your passport (you don’t have to leave it, just show it) - a photo - a copy of your passport (I had...