After the bustling city of Tashkent, we wanted a few quiet days. We decide to take a short detour into the Nuratau Mountains and relax for two nights at a yurt camp. It’s clear that Uzbekistan is very different from the other Central Asian countries we’ve visited so far because it’s much more densely populated. Wherever there isn’t a desert, there are villages, farms, and cars. So. Many. Cars… The driving “etiquette” is atrocious. Driving two hours out of Tashkent is ten times more mentally draining than driving eight hours on Kazakh highways.
After spending time in the Nuratau Mountains, we feel somewhat refreshed and drive further to Bukhara. This ancient Silk Road city was definitely a highlight of our journey. We’re taken aback by the magnificent madrasas, mosques, and towers. We wander through the city’s wide boulevards, narrow alleys, vaulted bazaars, and spacious squares. Of course, there are also the occasional café or restaurant where we can enjoy tasty, traditional Uzbek cuisine. One of the dishes we tried was the best plov we’ve had so far.
It’s probably the city where I’ve taken the most pictures per day. The shots below are just a few of my favorites from that city…