I met some of the nicest and most wonderful people in the country of Uzbekistan. The most memorable ones were in the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan. This mysterious region is home to a rich culture and a unique history. It also bears the burden of a tragic ecological disaster that still affects it to this day.
This article focuses on providing you with the top things to do in Karakalpakstan.
Where to stay in Karakalpakstan?
Karkalpakstan is located in the North Western part of Uzbekistan. Although it represents around 40% of Uzbekistan’s area, desert cover most of Karakalpakstan’s area. Thus, there are 2 main interests in there, either visit natural sites or cultural ones.
Natural sites are mostly located around Moynaq. Cultural ones are located in Nukus and its surroundings.
Nukus is located at around 1150km away from the capital Tashkent. Therefore, the easiest way to reach is by flying (1h40m long). There are 2 flights per day with Uzbekistan Airlines costing around 780,000 UZS / 72 USD.
Indeed, Nukus is the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan. Therefore, you may use it as your base to visit this region.
- If you looking for a cheap stay you can try Nukus Guest House.
- Perfect Intermediate options would be Hotel Aral or Tashkent Hotel
- If you want a more comfortable stay, Hotel Jipek Joli would probably be a better fit for you.
A taxi from the airport to the city center should cost around 10,000 soms / 0.9 USD
Local Hospitality
For my part, I was extremely lucky to be spontaneously invited by the wonderful Khurliman and Anwar to stay in their house.
Khurliman is basically THE person to know in Karakalpakstan. Indeed, on top of being the owner of Tourism agency called Iskander Tours, she is an English teacher. In addition, she organizes concerts, local events and even manages a theatre troupe.
I have to say that I always love staying with locals when I travel. Indeed, you get a much better sense of the culture and reality of the country.
In Uzbekistan, Khurliman and her family made my overall stay in the country extremely special. Indeed, on top of staying at their house for 2 days in Nukus house, they took on some of their precious time to show me around their city and country.
In addition, Khurliman helped me arrange activities for the rest of my trip. As if it was not enough, she even arranged for me to stay at her mom’s house while in Samarkand.
I am forever grateful for their legendary hospitality.
You can contact Khurliman directly on Iskander Tours Instagram Page
Where to eat in Karakalpakstan?
Eat fresh fish
In a country where meat is central at every meal, Karkalpakstan helps you vary your diet. Indeed, it is one of the only places in Uzbekistan where you can eat fresh fish. Therefore, you should make sure not to miss eating some fried fish, fish soup or even fish Karma at the Cafe Fish House.
Opening times: (Every day from 8 AM to 1 AM)
Try local dish at Nukus’ main market
As everywhere else in Uzbekistan, you can eat in the market and around it. In there, you can try dishes such as Plov, Dolma or even camel milk.
Wonder at contemporary art in the world renown Savitsky Museum
Often referred to as the Louvre of Uzbekistan, this museum in unique in the world. Created in 1966, it possesses the world’s 2nd largest collection of Russian Avant-garde artworks. Thus, in total, the museum has more than 80,000 items in its collection.
On top of collecting art work and archeological artifacts from all over Central Asia, Igor Savitsky also secretly collected what was at the time considered subversive art under the Soviet Rule. Thus, it is only after the collapse of the USSR and his death that the world discovered the full scale of his collection.
Check out the Karakalpakstan White House with 2 Flags
Not far from the museum, you can make a quick stop to the surroundings of the Karakalpakstan’s White House. The president if the republic resides there. In addition, there is also a square where you can see some of the tallest flags of the country. There is one for the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan and another one for Uzbekistan.
Mizdarkhan Necropolis
Mizdarkhan used to be the second largest city of the region. A necropolis and archeological site lay there. It was founded in the 4th century BC as a zoroastrian burial sacred place. In the 14th century, Amir Temur multiple military campaigns ended up destroying the city. Today, you can see a mix between zoroastrian archeological pieces, islamic mausoleums and soviet style tomb stales.
It is located 23km away and takes 30 minutes to reach by car/taxi.
Aral Sea
Environmental disaster in Karakalpakstan
The Aral Sea is probably the main reason to visit the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan.
Indeed, it used to be the fourth largest lake in the world. Only the Caspian Sea, Lake Superior (North America) and Lake Nyanza/Victoria (East Africa) were larger.
In the 1960’s, the Soviet Union decided to turn Uzbekistan into the largest cotton producer in the world. They succeeded in making out of the country one of the world’s top producers. They did so by diverting tremendous amounts of water from the Aral Sea.
Thus, the consequence has been what the United Nations themselves called “one of the planet’s worst environmental disasters”. More specifically, the lake went from having a total area of 68,000 km2 an 69m at its deepest point to 12.1 km2 and 24m at its current deepest point.
Socio-economic disaster in Karakalpakstan
On top of being an ecological disaster, the disappearance of the Aral Sea was also an economic and social tragedy for the populations of Karakalpakstan. Indeed, the sea used to be of the utmost importance to the region. Thus, a thriving fishing industry employing more than 10,000 people disappeared along with the Aral Sea. At its peak, there was a production of more than 25,000 tons of fresh fish and 20 million tons of canned fish. There is now a Museum depicting the history of the Aral Sea in the fishing village of Moynaq.
At the same place, you can visit the former docks to witness for yourself the extent of the tragedy. Indeed, today there are only ship wrecks there, while the water completely disappeared.
With more time on your hands, you could push the journey all the way to the Ustyurt plateau. It requires a 4×4. You would also need more time and budget to explore the area. However, the landscape should be worth it. You may even spot the remaining of the sea shore.
From Nukus, you can then go explore the beautiful city of Khiva. It takes 2h and 70,000 soms/6.4 USD by shared taxis to reach Urgench and another 30min by shared taxi to Khiva.
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