Travel across Uzbekistan with Toyota: Toward the mountains, history, and legends of Namangan

Traveling around Uzbekistan with Toyota: Towards the mountains, history, and legends of Namangan

When thinking about traveling, many people picture foreign countries, famous resorts, or distant lands. In reality, however, you do not have to go abroad for unforgettable impressions. Uzbekistan itself has unique places that many have not yet managed to discover.

The website "Daryo.uz", in cooperation with Toyota Central Asia, has launched the project "Around Uzbekistan with Toyota". As part of the project, the creative team set off from Tashkent and discovered the mountainous, historical, and modern sites of the Namangan region in a Toyota vehicle.

Which Toyota is suitable for the trip?

Before starting the journey, we raised the question of which vehicle to take on long and uneven roads. This is because the success of a trip largely depends on the comfort, safety, and fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

While the Toyota Camry Hybrid stands out for its efficiency in city driving, the Corolla Cross Hybrid is a convenient option for family use. The RAV4 Hybrid is suitable for driving on asphalt and uneven roads, and is more fuel-efficient compared to the Prado.

But Namangan was not just a simple city trip. The route included mountain roads, ups and downs, and challenging paths. For this reason, experts recommended the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 250.

The Prado is a model with a unique position among Toyota's off-road vehicles. Its 2.4-liter turbo gasoline engine produces 267 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque. The 8-speed automatic transmission and 4WD full-time all-wheel-drive system allow the vehicle to move confidently in various road conditions.

Another feature is the vehicle's 110-liter fuel tank. On long-distance trips, this provides additional convenience for the driver. However, the capabilities of a vehicle cannot be assessed solely through technical specifications. It must be tested on the road.

From Tashkent towards the Kamchik Pass

The first stage of the journey began in Tashkent. Ahead lay the Kamchik Pass and the mountainous areas of the Fergana Valley.

Kamchik is one of the most important mountain passes connecting the central part of Uzbekistan with the Fergana Valley. The altitude of the pass is approximately 2.2–2.3 thousand meters.

The roadside stalls in Kamchik became one of the unique parts of the trip. Along with local products, qurt (dried yogurt balls), and other foodstuffs, the sincere hospitality characteristic of the Valley also caught the travelers' attention.

The hosts ate the pass's qurt, which stands out for its unique taste, and competed in tongue twisters.

Chodak: an ancient village in the embrace of the mountains

Chodak, whose history dates back many centuries, is one of the ancient sites of the Namangan region. The mountains, streams, and ancient shrines surrounding the village give this area a unique atmosphere. Here, nature and ancient traditions blend harmoniously.

Parda Tursun: for those seeking silence

The next part of the journey led to the village of Parda Tursun in the embrace of the mountains. The houses located on the mountain slopes are situated far from one another. This offers a completely different atmosphere for a person accustomed to the noise and bustle of the city.

Akhsikent: history deep in the earth

It is difficult to imagine a trip to Namangan without Akhsikent. Today, the ancient city of Akhsikent has become one of the important sites attracting history enthusiasts. As a result of archaeological research, the ruins of the ancient city and many proofs related to its history have been identified. Akhsikent served as a unique bridge to transition from the nature-rich part of the trip to the historical part.

Imom Ota: the most sincere moments of the trip

Along the way, the team also visited the tourism village of Imom Ota. During the visit, it turned out that a circumcision wedding (sunnat to'yi) was taking place in the village. This unexpected encounter for the guests became one of the most sincere moments of the trip.

The hospitality of the local population and their welcoming of strangers just like close relatives once again demonstrated the uniqueness of human relations in the villages of Uzbekistan.

The final destination of the trip was the Valley of Legends. After the villages in the bosom of nature, mountain roads, and ancient history, the modern landscape of Namangan leaves a completely different impression. The Valley of Legends showcases the new face of Namangan city as one of the modern venues designed for family recreation and entertainment.

Thus, in a single trip, one can see several faces of Namangan: quiet villages in the embrace of the mountains, extreme roads, ancient shrines, handicraft traditions, a thousand-year history, and modern entertainment venues.

You do not always have to go abroad to travel. Sometimes the most interesting adventures begin in the region we think we know well.

The important thing is to hit the road, search for new destinations, and find time to see the undiscovered beauties of our country.

The journey around Uzbekistan with Toyota continues. New destinations and adventures await us all ahead.