Uzbekistan/Tajikistan - 3 weeks travel plan

[Romb]

Hi, we are going to Tashkent and then to Tajikistan for trekking (8 days in Fann mountains). After this back to UZB (Samara, Buchara).
Penjikent border is still closed, so is it better to go back via Oybek-Buston to Samarkand? Or road via Denau-Tursunzade?
And do you have any tips for another interesting places in UZB (TAJ) ?
Thanks.

[steven]

I think a loop Oybek - Tajikistan - Denau - Termez - Bukhara will be most interesting.

There are many interesting places in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, it's a bit difficult to recommend things without knowing your personal preferences. What would you like to learn?

[Romb]

Hi Steven, I was asking about route, because of your report here - http://caravanistan.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=374
So I dont know whats the better/quicker/cheaper route Our plan is 3 weeks in September: Tashkent - Oybek - Khujand - Istaravshan - Penjikent (trekking Fann mountains)
Then back to UZB (via Oybek, or via Denau) to Samarkand, Buchara.
We would like to add some non-tourist (stay on budget) place like: yourt stay, markets,...be close to uzbek people...
Thanks

[steven]

Oybek will def be quicker, but if you want to get off-the-beaten path then Denau-Termez is more interesting corner of Uzbekistan imo.

Interesting places to just show up and see who you meet. In Ferghana Valley, there are some more touristy villages - the rest are dusty agricultural communities. Close to Bukhara and Samarkand there are some other places of interest for instance Katta Langar http://caravanistan.com/places/katta-la ... mausoleum/

Nuratau mountains has some eco-tourism projects, a great way to get to know locals. http://nuratau.com/