A few hours from Tashkent and you’re a few hours into an adventure! Seekers of thrill, those who seek out the spills can get out of Tashkent and into the thick of the action rafting, trekking, cycling and skiing. The Syr Darya and the Angren rivers are placid and good for beginners while the fast flowing Chatkal, Ugan and Pskem, also a few hours by road from Tashkent, can challenge even the experienced. The rafting season peaks in the months of September and October.

Chimghan, a three hour bus ride form Tashkent, is a designated ‘recreation zone’, somewhat like a theme park in the great outdoors; it’s a centre for winter sports and has facilities for skiing.

You can also go hiking through the woods on the slopes around the Angren River Valley, and at the Pamir Alay Range just south of the Fergana Valley.

Warning: All travellers are advised to avoid the remote parts of the country, especially the Afghan and Tajik borders where activities of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan have been targeted against tourists in the past. Trekkers should be aware that in 1999 and 2000 several incidents of hostage taking directed at foreigners have occurred. 4 American hikers were taken hostage as recently as August 2000.