Day 36, 05 July 2012 Bukhara to Nukus

Bukhara to Nukus 520km

Kyzylkum desert

We were heading into the Republic of Karakalpakstan today. Karakalpakstan (Uzbek: Қоракалпоғистон Республикаси) is an autonomous republic of Uzbekistan.

 Sunrise over the Lyabi- Hauz

Nothing much happened today except the long drive passing the Kyzylkum desert. The Kyzylkum is the 11th largest desert in the world. Its name means Red Sand in Turkic languages. It is located between the rivers Amu Darya and Syr Darya, and is divided between Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and (partly) Turkmenistan. It covers about 298,000 km² (approximately 115,000 sq mi).

Again, we were travelling on the original Silk Road from the 14th century towards Nukus. The temperature was hard to bear and it was truly amazing how this was done 600years ago on camels.

The isolated Karakalpak capital of Nukus is the gateway to the fast disappearing Aral Sea. This is one place which is well beyond the reach of most tourist buses except private excursion to the Aral Sea.

Our hotel for the night was Jipek Joli, a warm and friendly B&B with broadband WIFI internet.

Hello Mr Stranger, we are happy to see you here in Nukus!