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I was torn on whether I wanted to do a tour or not, and decided to…that was the right decision! Islam was a great (and easy to understand) tour guide, giving in depth history, answering questions, and stopping to pick up local food for us. The places were also fabulous, and easier to visit with someone who can tell you about what you’re looking at and of course navigate the bazaar. It was just a small group of five, all solo travelers. 10/10.
Khiva is best visited with a guide to learn about the city and find hidden places that I’m sure I would have missed on my own. After other guests canceled, it ended up being a 1-on-1 tour with Farhod. He was great. It was like walking through the city with a knowledgable friend. He taught me about the city’s past and present and pointed out details that are easy to overlook. He also explained many facts about Uzbek life. Highly recommend!
Hamza was a great guide. For one, his English is impeccable making it easy to listen to him. For another, he has a sense of humor that he peppers in here and there really adding to the experience. Perhaps what I appreciated most was he also shared basics about Uzbekistan, architecture, and religion that some guides assume you might already know. These were incredibly insightful for those of us who come from a very different background. Would recommend to others!