TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
TBA |
| Currency |
(UZS)
Uzbekistani sum |
| Electrical |
220 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 998, City Code, Karakalpakstan 61+7D, Khorezm 62+7D,
Bukhara 65+7D |
Transport
Uzbek Airways is the key carrier used by travelers to arrive in
Uzbekistan. It is known for the good quality of service and flight
safety. Also, a number of foreign airlines is present in the market.
In general, people use vehicles when traveling inside the country.
Nevertheless, Uzbek Airlines run domestic flights too, which are
quite precise and efficient. As far as tourists are concerned,
comfortable air-conditioned coaches and mini-buses are used most.
Paragliding, rafting and camel riding are options as well.
Hotels
Uzbekistan, being a newly independent country, has a rapidly developing
tourism sector. A key part of it is the network of hotels ranging
from sumptuous five and four-star chain hotels, such as Intercontinental
and Sheraton, to small scale family-run businesses which easily
compete with the luxurious giants by applying best traditions
of Uzbek hospitality and personal attention to client's needs.
The number of small-sized hotels, B&Bs and guest-houses is growing
fast, which offers picky travelers a good opportunity to choose
the best service vs. price combination.
Food
At first glance, Uzbek food is a serious challenge to people who
are used to dietary nutrition. Millennia of nomadic traditions
have resulted in the heavy presence of meat and fat in the meals.
Nevertheless, travelers with properly formulated food preferences
may find a rich variety of dietary products, including dairy and
fruit, which are delicious and contain no chemicals. Abundance
of fruit and vegetables and their incomparable taste has always
been the pride of Uzbeks. Those who are sick of tasteless supermarket
strawberries, apples, etc., should try them in Uzbekistan just
to know what the genuine taste should be.
Restaurants in Uzbekistan offer dishes of three main cuisines:
Uzbek traditional cuisine, Russian and European. Other national
cuisines are present as well, such as the Chinese, Turkish, Georgian,
Korean and Indian.
Security
Uzbekistan is one of few countries of the former Soviet Union
where low crime is an indisputable fact. The strong Government
has made the issue of security a top priority: effective law enforcement
and the general obedience to law by citizens have resulted in
safety and peace. Though neighboring Afghanistan is still suffering
consequences of war, Uzbekistan has been able to protect itself
from the terrorism threats at all times, even before terrorists'
strikes in America, when the Taliban Movement was on the peak
of its power. Our country has always been on alert. It is much
safer to travel in Uzbekistan these days than in many world's
famous tourist destinations.