3 independent reviews for Silk Road tour, cities of the Silk Road
Reviews for Silk Road tour, cities of the Silk Road
David Finbow review 20 Oct 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It's hard to single out one activity.......Camping by the Darvasa gas crater, the off-road drive to the Gonur Depe archaeological site or the wacky city of Ashgabat would be my top 3.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
1. Don't forget your camera. 2. Be prepared for a fairly monotinous, high carb diet. 3. Leave plenty of room in your luggage for souvenirs.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not really, other than supporting the local economy. Other travelers in the group had booked direct with the vacation company so weren't aware of Responsible Travel at all.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good. The sites visited in both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan were excellent. James, the tour leader worked hard with the local guides to ensure the whole trip was a memorable experience for everyone.Sara Warren review 26 Sep 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The hospitable and very friendly people wherever we went - smiling faces all the way. Also the sheer vastness of Kyrgyzstan, which I loved - the dramatic mountain passes, the shepherds bringing their animals down from the high pastures. Uzbekistan brought me back to present day - and other tourists (!) - but Bukhara was the city which I loved most - it had an air of tranquillity about it.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Go with an open and flexible mind - and a pair of crocs when visiting drop toilets at night (a tip I read about before I went and which proved most useful). Then I left my crocs at Tash Rabat! Just go prepared to accept opportunities if the chance arises - we were able to go to the ballet in Tashkent and on our return to the city at the end of the vacation we travelled on the Metro (built by the Russians and very beautiful) and then visited the State Circus. Only dogs and horses used, otherwise all human acts.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I hope that my vacation benefited local people by our inter-action with them, particularly in the bazaars and markets. Our support of local craft work and homestays/restaurants.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I have wanted to visit Central Asia for many years - and to sleep in a yurt! Neither disappointed and I had a wonderful vacation, and am left with memories of such very friendly people and fantastic scenery. Now to get to grips with over 1,000 photos!!!Ann Rix review 24 May 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
1. The mausoleums in Samarkand 2. Crossing the Oxus 3. Desert flowers I am still trying to identify! 4. The market in Samarkand 5. The museums in Nuccus 5. The museums in Mary and Ashgabat2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
1. Take as many $1 bills as possible as photo fees etc all require small denominations. 2. Try and miss the Sunday market in Ashgabat 3. Do not miss the museums in Mary and Ashgabat3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
In Uzbekistan, where tourism is an integral part of the economy, the only town where I felt we made a valuable impact was Nuccus which, despite its fascinating art museum, seemed to be in greater need of tourists than the more well known towns. Neither country encourages home stays, which I feel means money goes more directly to locals, but if this could be included, it would be great. Turkmenistan certainly needs tourists to encourage conservation- unlike Uzbekistan no local tourism seemed to be happening. I appreciated using restaurants/ eating houses slightly off the beaten track so that the tourism dollar was spread around as much as possible.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. Our tour leader, Jude, was knowledgeable, unflappable and always encouraging and helpful. She really made the vacation. The only slight downsides were the border crossings (of which the worst was the first one- 11 checks of passports, searing heat and insane distances between buildings etc), the Sunday market in Ashgabat which is disappointing and a waste of time, and our driver who took us to the gas crater and then North- not a word or a smile, no consideration for passengers and used his mobile while driving! Murad was our best local guide and Izzat the least impressive. Finally, if at all possible, a direct flight to Tashkent at the end of the vacation would be preferable.Holiday Reviews
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