u/DiOzone

Hello, I’ll be traveling to Morocco for a week in June, landing directly in Ouarzazate, where I’ll pick up a Dacia Logan.

My itinerary, as shown in the picture, is to connect the following points of interest: • Ouarzazate → Skoura • Skoura → Kelaat M’Gouna • Kelaat M’Gouna → Dades • Dades → Tinghir • Tinghir → Erfoud / Rissani • Rissani → Merzouga

Then return to Ouarzazate by making a loop through Tazarine, and then either Nkob or Zagora.

I have a few questions: • Looking at Google Earth, most of the roads seem paved and in good condition — can you confirm that? Is the route easy enough with a Dacia Logan? My only concern is the N17 section between Tazarine and Zagora, which looks a bit like a dirt track. • The route seems fairly classic and touristy, so I assume I’ll meet quite a few tourists and locals along the way, which reassures me a bit about traveling alone. I also don’t plan to drive at night. In your opinion, is there any security concern doing all this solo? • I haven’t decided yet where I’ll stay. Probably two nights in Merzouga, and for the rest I’d like to stop more spontaneously wherever I feel like, without planning everything in advance. If you have recommendations for ideal stopover towns, I’m interested. • Finally, I know June is very hot, but nothing unbearable, right? I’ll have air conditioning in the car.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Hello, I’ll be spending one week in Armenia soon. I would like to rent a car from Yerevan in order to travel freely from the south to the north of the country over 7 days, and possibly cross the Georgian border as well.

However, I’ve read quite a lot online saying that renting a car in Armenia can be complicated, that there are many scams, and also that European debit cards are often not accepted for security deposits. As a result, many travelers apparently ended up stuck…

What has your experience been like regarding this? Thank you!

Hello, I’m considering booking a flight from Paris to Madrid (operated by Air Nostrum), then Madrid to Dakar with Iberia.

I have important commitments and I can hardly afford a flight cancellation, and it’s difficult to find reliable opinions online since, as with all airlines, there are mostly thousands of negative reviews.

What has your experience been with intercontinental flights to Africa via Madrid?

Thank you!

Hello, I heard that access to the Big Almaty Lake is now closed. Is that really the case? Have you been there recently? Is this trip still worth it from Almaty? Thank you.

——-

Сәлеметсіз бе, Мен Үлкен Алматы көліне бару қазір жабық деп естідім. Бұл рас па? Сіз жақында барып көрдіңіз бе? Алматыдан бұл сапар әлі де баруға тұрарлық па? Рахмет.

Hello, I’m traveling between July 4th and July 17th. On the official website, it seems that slow train tickets are available up until July 10th, but all the high-speed trains appear to be completely sold out forever, since none are available on the site—whether in May, June, July, or later.

I read online that tickets are released 60 days in advance, so why can we already see those for July 10th?

Overall, it’s quite puzzling. Do you know if resellers like 12GO are 100% reliable?

Thank you.

Сәлеметсіз бе, мен Франциядан келетін туристпін. Келесі шілде айында Kazakhstan-ға шамамен 8 күнге барамын. Мен Astana қаласында 2 немесе 3 күн, ал қалған уақытты Almaty қаласында өткізуді жоспарлап отырмын.

Астанада көруге болатын қызықты орындар туралы көп ақпарат таба алмадым. Ұсынатын жерлеріңіз бар ма? Әсіресе, міндетті түрде көру керек жерлер, дәмін татып көру керек тағамдар және жасап көру керек іс-шаралар туралы кеңес берсеңіз.

Алматы бойынша мен негізгі экскурсияларды белгілеп қойдым, бірақ қала ішінде көруге немесе жасауға болатын қосымша ұсыныстарыңыз болса, қуана қабылдаймын.

Рақмет!

—————

Hello, I am a French traveler coming to Kazakhstan next July for about 8 days. I plan to stay 2 or 3 days in Astana, and the rest of the time in Almaty.

I haven’t found much information about what is worth visiting in Astana. Do you have any recommendations? Especially regarding must-try food and activities?

As for Almaty, I have already noted the classic excursions, but if you have suggestions for things to see or do in the city itself, I would be happy to hear them.

Thank you!

Bonjour Je prépare un voyage seul en Asie central en juillet. Je compte atterrir à Astana, depuis Paris, pour visiter la capitale sur 1 ou 2 journée et faire une excursion autour. Je compte ensuite prendre un vol intérieur vers Almaty pour environs 6-7 jours, pour voir la ville et faire des excursions comme le canyon de Charyn, les petroglyphes ou le grand lac. Ensuite, je reprends un vol cette fois ci vers l’Ouzbekistan, où je compte rester une semaine pour visiter en train Tachkent, Boukhara et Samarcande. Puis je rentrerai à Paris depuis Tachkent.

Si je résume, cela donne : Khazakstan : -> 2j à Astana + une excursion -> 7-8j à Almaty + excursion Ouzbékistan 7-8 jours à répartir entre Tachkent, Boukhara et Samarcande.

Je précise que je ferai ce voyage exclusivement seul. J’ai pas mal de question car je connais pas du tout cette région du monde. Ma seule expérience en Asie ce jour est la Corée du Sud qui n’a donc absolument rien à voir. Voici mes questions pour ceux qui connaissent bien la région :

• Est ce intéressant de prendre un bus depuis Almaty pour rejoindre Bichkek et voir un peu du Kirghizistan où vous pensez que ça alourdit trop le voyage ?
• Concernant les excursions autour d’Astana et d’Almaty, quelles sont les plus intéressantes selon vous ? Comment vous vous êtes organisé ? Vous avez fait appel à des agences ? Est ce sécurisé et bon marché ?

Je prends tout conseil pour m’aider à préparer ce voyage Merci !

Hello,

I’m planning a solo trip to Central Asia in July.

I’m thinking of flying from Paris to Astana, where I’ll spend 1–2 days exploring the capital and doing an excursion nearby.

Then I plan to take a domestic flight to Almaty for about 6–7 days, to see the city and go on trips such as Charyn Canyon, the petroglyphs, or Big Almaty Lake.

After that, I’ll take another flight to Ouzbékistan, where I plan to stay for about a week, traveling by train between Tachkent, Boukhara, and Samarcande. Then I’ll fly back to Paris from Tashkent.

So in summary:

Kazakhstan: → 2 days in Astana + one excursion → 7–8 days in Almaty + excursions

Uzbekistan: → 7–8 days split between Tashkent, Bukhara, and Samarkand

I should mention that I’ll be traveling entirely solo.

I have quite a few questions since I don’t know this region at all. My only experience in Asia so far is Corée du Sud, which is obviously very different.

Here are my questions for those who know the region well: • Would it be worth taking a bus from Almaty to Bichkek to see a bit of Kirghizistan, or do you think it would make the trip too heavy? • Regarding excursions around Astana and Almaty, which ones do you find the most interesting? How did you organize them? Did you go through agencies? Is it safe and affordable?

I’m open to any advice to help me plan this trip.

Thanks!

Hello,

I’m planning a solo trip to Central Asia in July.

I’m thinking of flying from Paris to Astana, where I’ll spend 1–2 days exploring the capital and doing an excursion nearby.

Then I plan to take a domestic flight to Almaty for about 6–7 days, to see the city and go on trips such as Charyn Canyon, the petroglyphs, or Big Almaty Lake.

After that, I’ll take another flight to Ouzbékistan, where I plan to stay for about a week, traveling by train between Tachkent, Boukhara, and Samarcande. Then I’ll fly back to Paris from Tashkent.

So in summary:

Kazakhstan: → 2 days in Astana + one excursion → 7–8 days in Almaty + excursions

Uzbekistan: → 7–8 days split between Tashkent, Bukhara, and Samarkand

I should mention that I’ll be traveling entirely solo.

I have quite a few questions since I don’t know this region at all. My only experience in Asia so far is Corée du Sud, which is obviously very different.

Here are my questions for those who know the region well: • Would it be worth taking a bus from Almaty to Bichkek to see a bit of Kirghizistan, or do you think it would make the trip too heavy? • Regarding excursions around Astana and Almaty, which ones do you find the most interesting? How did you organize them? Did you go through agencies? Is it safe and affordable?

I’m open to any advice to help me plan this trip.

Thanks!