Travel to CIS countries

Bukhara   

Bukhara (also spelled Bokhara Bukhoro or Buxoro) in Uzbekistan was historically one of the great trading cities along the Silk Road. The city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 Get in

Trains run from both Samarkand and Tashkent regularly. The trains themselves are comfortable ex-Soviet type things, with cabins usually accommodating 4 people.

 Get around

The Old Town is where you want to be. The beauty of it is that there is no need at all for any form of transport other than your feet as the town is so small. Also, many of the streets are far too slim to allow cars down them.

 

Bukhara has long been a center of carpet trading. The style of rug called "Bokhara" are actually made by the Turkoman tribes of the area and might better be labelled Turkoman rugs. Indian or Pakistani rugs may also be marketed as "Bokhara rugs" if they copy Turkoman designs. It is actually possible to visit a UNESCO site in the old town and see how the dyes for the carpets are made from natural ingredients, and also watch teams of around 2 women weave them.

 Sleep

There are numerous bed and breakfast places around the Lyabi Hauze complex. These are excellent for independent travellers. Rooms can be had quite cheap (less than $20 per person but standards and prices vary place to place), but make sure you look at a few before you make your choice. Some of them are amazing houses set round courtyards and provide an unforgettable experience much better than any hotel. You can also expect some top quality breakfasts with fruit, bread, cheese, yoghurt, and an unlimited supply of tea!