16-Days Central Asia 2026 Day 6 : Tashkent to Fergana

Sunday, July 12, 2026

16-Days Central Asia 2026 Day 6 : Tashkent to Fergana

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AhPek Biker - Riding Adventures

Central Asia 2026
Day 6 : Tashkent to Fergana

Central Asia 2026 Day 6: 20th May (Wednesday)

Medium-size Group (Non-cycling) Tour of Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan)Day 6 - Tashkent to Fergana:

Tashkent (Reikartz Amirun)>Angren>Kamchik Pass>Kokand>Palace of Khudáyár Khán>Kokand Jome Mosque>Rishton>Mingboshi Ceramic>Margilan>Margilan Silk Factory>Fergana (Reikartz Fergana).

This is page 6 of a 16-page blog. Click Here To Go To Title Page.
< D5: Ard Tashkent | Go to Other Days | D7: Osh >

Route recommendations, here are some tips on travelling to and around Uzbekistan, Central Asia:

1. Traffic Directions!

Central Asian countries are left-hand drive, and vehicles drive on the right side of the road. So do bear this in mind when crossing the road OR when sitting at the front passenger seat. I made this mistake several times and boarded the car at the driver's side with the driver giving me a surprised look 😂.

2. Getting to and from Central Asia.

Several airlines fly direct to Central Asia from their originating country. We were fortunate that AirAsia X flew direct from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) to Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
We flew return via AirAsia X, starting from KLIA Terminal 2 to Tashkent International Airport, and returning from Almaty International Airport to KLIA Terminal 2, buying tickets earlier to get cheaper fares. We also packed light (20kg checked-in luggage for two people plus an additional 7kg of cabin luggage), totalling 41kg of luggage.

3. Getting around Central Asia.
We were on a private guided tour and had 16-seater vans, with local guides taking us between the cities/towns.
Within Uzbekistan we took the Sharq Train from Tashkent to Bukhara, and from Samarkand to Tashkent.
Note: Traders in bazaars, markets, and small local shops only accept cash. The "sum" (ISO code: UZS) is the official currency of Uzbekistan. The "som" (ISO code: KGS) is the currency of Kyrgyzstan. The tenge (ten-gay, code: KZT) is the currency of Kazakhstan. It is divided into 100 tiyn.
Touch 'n Go e-Wallet can be used in Kazakhstan, just make sure the e-wallet is set to Kazakhstan.

4. Immigration & Customs Requirements

Malaysian passport holders do not need a visa to enter most Central Asian countries for short-term stays and can visit Uzbekistan visa-free for up to 30 days. There is no need to fill in immigration forms.

Note: Malaysian passport holders can install the MyBorderPass app for fast immigration clearance to get in and out of Malaysia; use the app to generate a QR code just before passing through the 40 dedicated MyBorderPass gates (only at KLIA & KLIA2, 20 gates each), and getting through will be a breeze!

5. Places & Things of Interests

There were many scenic and interesting places of interest along the route, but one should not miss the following places (Note: click on the GPS coordinates below for a directional map to the respective places):
- Kamchik Pass Viewpoint (GPS: 41.11155, 70.50344) for a scenic view of the Kamchik Pass (Qamchiq Dovoni) (GPS: 41.10694, 70.51833).

- Sardor Qoʻqon Patir Bakery (GPS: 40.79377, 70.80633) adjacent to a rest stop within the Namangan Region, to see the baking of traditional Uzbek Bread (Obi Non).
- Palace of Khudáyár Khán (Xudoyorxon oʻrdasi) (GPS: 40.54089, 70.94866) in Kokand, this was the palace of Khudayar Khan, the last ruler of the Kokand Khanate.

- Kokand Jome Mosque (Qoʻqon Jome Masjidi) (GPS: 40.53264, 70.94908).
- Mingboshi Ceramic (GPS: 40.35516, 71.29176) in Rishton.
- Margilan Silk Factory („Yodgorlik“ ipakchilik fabrikasi) (GPS: 40.47474, 71.72183) in Margilan.

6. Food

a. Breakfast

Inclusive Uzbek & Western Fare at the Reikartz Amirun Tashkent (GPS: 41.27066, 69.26475) in Tashkent.
b. Lunch

Uzbek lunch at Cafe Orda (GPS: 40.54108, 70.94110) in Kokand:
Uzbek Bread (Obi Non), Lavlagi Salat (Beetroot salad), Beef Meatball Soup, Cream Chicken Soup, Chicken & Lamb Kebabs.
c. Dinner

Uzbek & Russian fare at Lag'mon Dungan (GPS: 40.37618, 71.7948) in Fergana:

Pelmeni & Manti Dumplings, Rivioli Soup, Russian Olivier Salad, Greek Salad, Stir-fried Eggplant with tomato, Chicken Shashlik Dry, and Chocolate Stick Desserts.

7. Accommodations and Tour Costs

This was a recce-guided tour that included all ground arrangements, food, entry tickets to parks, and accommodations, but excluded return airfare to and from Central Asia. We booked Air Asia flight tickets online through their website at a return fare of around RM2,000 per pax. Co-travellers who booked later paid more. Our two pax airfare included 20kg of checked-in luggage and an extra 7kg of cabin luggage, giving us a total of 41kg of luggage..

The ground arrangements included 16-seater van transportation between and around cities; Sharq Express Train fare from Tashkent to Bukhara, and from Samarkhand to Tashkent, and domestic Tez Jet airfare from Osh to Bishkek. The 4x4 Russian truck ride to and from Karakol to the Altyn-Arashan Valley was optional and cost USD40 per pax. So was the 4x4 van ride from Saty to Kaindy Lake and Kolsay Lakes National Park, which cost USD20 per pax.

Accommodations were in three-star hotels, homestays, and a yurt camp. For those interested in this tour, contact Eddie at +6012-6122600 for more details and ground arrangement costs.
One night at the Reikartz Fergana (GPS: 40.38227, 71.78895) in Fergana.

8. Communicating with Each Other

When travelling in a group, it's important to be able to communicate with each other, especially if one gets lost from the rest.
I pre-purchased the Maxis 15-day Multi-Country Roaming Pass at MYR99 and had it activated on the first day of our tour. This pass included a complimentary Maxis Travel Care insurance for the pass validity period - i.e. MYR50,000 hospitalisation, and MYR2,000 lost baggage, T&C applies.
Alternatively, an almost similar GOGO physical sim card for 15-day 20gB can be bought on Lazada at (excluding delivery) for MYR120.

9. Communicating with Locals

Our local guides spoke excellent English, and those in the travel industry or bazaar traders spoke passable English. Other locals speak their local language (Uzbek, Kyrgyz, or Kazakh) or Russian (as they were former Soviet republics). Or one can use Google Translate on one's mobile.

10. Weather

June is the beginning of summer, and the weather in Uzbekistan is dry, sunny, and hot across the board. In Tashkent, daytime temperatures average 31°C, and in Fergana, daytime temperatures average 32°C, while nighttime averaged 17°C.
A useful weather forecast site for Tashkent and Fergana is AccuWeather. For more detailed weather, including cloud cover and wind speed, use Weatherspark and Ventusky.

11. Navigation

Geo-tagging of places of interest was via FaceBook, Google Maps or Yandex Maps and Yandex Navigator.

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PRELUDE

The previous day, we spent a full day in Tashkent, visited various places in the city, and took a ride on its intracity metro, renowned for its beautiful stations.

Today, we bid goodbye to Tashkent and head to Fergana, to explore Uzbekistan beyond the bigger cities; along the way we will make stops to visit some of the cottage industries for which the country is renowned.

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DAY 6: TASHKENT TO FERGANA

Medium-size Group (Non-cycling) Tour of Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan)

Day 6 - Tashkent to Fergana:
Tashkent (Reikartz Amirun)>Angren>Kamchik Pass>Kokand>Palace of Khudáyár Khán>Kokand Jome Mosque>Rishton>Mingboshi Ceramic>Margilan>Margilan Silk Factory>Fergana (Reikartz Fergana).

(Click here for the Central Asia 2026 Day 6: Tashkent to Fergana Route Map)

Most of the posts below are linked to my Facebook postings during the trip and are embedded here with some comments. (NOTE: Click on respective posts to link to the FB post to read more details. If you can't see the posts, please log out of your Facebook first.)

Simple inclusive Uzbek/Western breakfast at Reikartz Amirun Tashkent.

Leaving the hotel and all set to go to Fergana. Instead of on big van, we are going in two Hyundai Starex minivans, each seating 5-6 of us. Apparently, the journey ahead would involve steep and winding roads, hence the smaller vans.
Goodbye Tashkent!

First rest stop at the Metan gas station at Nurabad, Tashkent Region.
Often the shop is in a separate building, set at a distance from the gas filling area - probably a safety feature. Methane gas is used in most vehicles in Uzbezkistan.

Some scenery en route from Tashkent to Fergana - along Route A373, near Kurgan. The road is sloping but not unduly steep. On both sides are undulating meadows, and far away to one side are green hills, and on the other side, snow-capped mountains.
I felt transported to the past, galloping on a war-horse like a Mongol through these undulating steppes.

Near Angren, snow-capped view of Kuraminskiy Khrebet (Qurama Mountains) (it is a mountain range in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and continues into Kyrgyzstan).

Second rest stop with Sardor Qo'qon Patir traditional bakery at the Namangan Viloyati Region.
The lady bakers were very friendly, eager to show their skills in baking Uzbek Bread (Obi Non) using their traditional brick/clay kilns.

12:45pm - At the Palace of Khudáyár Khán in Kokand, this was the palace of Khudayar Khan, the last ruler of the Kokand Khanate. In 1868, Khudayar formally accepted the sovereignty of the Russian Empire over the Khanate.
Originally, the palace had seven courtyards and 114 (or, by some accounts, 119) rooms. Of these original spaces, 5 courtyards and 19 rooms survive. Many of the interiors have been restored, and there are particularly fine examples of wood carving, panelled and painted ceilings, and wall paintings. The restored throne room has a replica throne, which visitors can sit on. Khudayar Khan's original throne is now in the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia.

An hour and a half later, we're having an Uzbek lunch at Cafe Orda, consisting of:
Uzbek Bread (Obi Non), Lavlagi Salat (Beetroot salad), Beef Meatball Soup, Cream Chicken Soup, Chicken & Lamb Kebabs. The Lavlagi Salat was an interesting change from the usual salads, with the slices of beet root tasting very good in the house dressing.

After lunch, a visit to the at Kokand Jome Mosque. The roof of which is supported by ninety-eight sandalwood columns. The columns of the veranda are a work of art; they are finely painted with colors with the addition of gold-colored trimmings.

The Kokand Jome Mosque is more than a place of prayers, one outer section is a craft centre, with craftsman and craftswomen displaying their skills and selling their beautiful wares. These included a lady making Milliy Taqinchoqlar, i.e. Uzbekistan jewelry. In another room, a smith was showing off his making of Shakhrikhan Pichoks (traditional Uzbek knives), a third room had miniature models of camel men, horsemen, and tradesmen. And a fourth had a lady working a loom to make colourful Uzberk robes.

Milliy Taqinchoqlar head-dress and tiara. This in an Uzbek artform of assembling precious or semiprecious stones into attractive jewelry.

5:00pm - Arrived at Rishton and headed straight for Mingboshi Ceramic factory, to admire the pottery there. Rishton in the Fargana region is renowned for it's ceramic and pottery.

The Mingboshi Ceramic factory engages its own potters to make, bake, and paint its ceramic pieces, like this lady seen above.
Hmmm.... please admire the pottery, not the lady 😇.

Mingboshi Ceramic factory, its Exclusive Section showing their top of the range ceramic that include beautifully finished teapots, cups, vases, platters, etc.

Another part of the Exclusive Section displays scenes & murals made from clay. Some are a mosaic of many pieces to make the mural, while others are a single-piece mural. Also in this part are bright collages of colourful flowers.

The displays are often creatively arranged to bring out the colours and patterns of the ceramics.

Teapots alnd teacups of intricate design and attractive colours.

Mini vases with floral design.

This happy farmer was there to welcome us and also say adieu to us.

At the Margilan Silk Factory in Margilan, the town renown for silk weaving in this region.
According to legend, Margilan was founded by Alexander the Great. While stopping for lunch there, he was given chicken (murgh; in Persian) and bread (nan; in Persian), from which the town took its name.

At the Margilan Silk shop, just near the factory.
Margilan has been a center for the production of silk fabrics since antiquity. Uzbekistan largest traditional silk factory, the Yodgorlik Silk Factory, is based in here. It employs more than 2,000 workers and produces an annual output of 250,000 square meters of silk cloth. The neighboring Margilan Silk Factory employs 15,000 workers using modern machinery and produces some 22 million square meters per year. Many craftsmen work at home.

7:45pm - Uzbek & Russian fare at Lag'mon Dungan in Fergana:

Pelmeni & Manti Dumplings, Rivioli Soup, Russian Olivier Salad, Greek Salad, Stir-fried Eggplant with tomato, Chicken Shashlik Dry, and Chocolate Stick Desserts.

9:00pm - Checked into Reikartz Fergana, our stay in Fergana.
Our room #218 was huge, with a large foyer/sitting room adjacent to the bedroom.

Hayrli tun!

(That's "Good Night!" in Uzbek)

(For more photos of Day 6, Click Here)
(On mobile, for more photos of the day: Go to AhPek Biker Page>Photos and click on the respective album)

This is page 6 of a 16-page blog. Click Here To Go To Title Page.
< D5: Ard Tashkent | Go to Other Days | D7: Osh >

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