IT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM BUT THE BANKOK COLSUL WAS INEPT AND INEXPERIENCED. AT THE TIME HE TOLD US THAT IT WAS HIS FIRST WEEK ON THE JOB! THE KYRGYZ VISA WAS NO PROBLEM (WE GOT OURS IN BEIJING).

Where to get it? (Russian consulates? Somewhere in Asia?)

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT CONSULATES IN PAKISTAN OR INDIA. THERE IS A KAZAK ONE IN URUMUCHI (CHINA), AND KYRGYZ, KAZAKH, AND UZBEK ONES IN CHINA. SURF THE WEB. I DONT KNOW WHERE YOUR HOME IS, BUT I KNOW THAT MANY TRAVELLERS HAVE FORUND IT EASIER TO COURIER OFF THER PASSPORTS TO PLACES LIKE LONDON WHERE IT IS 100% GAURANTEED AND RELIABLE.

How long is it valid?

I MONTH IS THE STANDARD, NO FUSS TOURIST VISA TIME IN ALL THE 3 COUNTRIES. EASILY EXTENDABLE ONE YOU ARE THERE

Do you need invitations etc..?

How long did you spent in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan? (I guessed about: 15 days and 30 days) is that correct/enough?

YES. (IE 16/28) i WOULD HAVE PREFFERED 25/20 BUT DUE TO THE UZBEK VISA WE COULDN'T DO WHAT WE WANTED

What will the weather be like in the region in around September/October do you think?

I guess that in September/October it will start to be cool (well for Poms anyways - if you were from Australia I'd call it freezing!). But really I don't know. There should be some info on the net somewhere with temperatures for Tashkent etc...

What has been you budget whilst in the two Stans so far?

$20-25/day (US) FOR TWO

 Did you have to prebook all of you accommodation/ travel prior to get the visas?

NO. IF SOMEONE TELLS YOU YOU HAVE TO, THEY ARE EITHER MISINFORMED, LYING, OR JUST WANT EXTRA MONEY.

 Are you travelling freely, or need to keep to the timetable as per the LOI?

WE PRETTY MUCH TRAVELLED FREELY. VISAS ARE EASILY EXTENDIBLE ONCE YOU ARE IN THE COUNTRY. OUR UZBEK VISA LIMITED THE TIME WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SPEND IN KYRGYSTAN. IF THE CONSULT HAD GIVEN US THE DATES ON THE LOI THEN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE! YOU CAN ALWAYS GET THE LOI AND VISA FOR NEXT COUNTRY YOU WANT TO VISIT IN THE COUNTRY YOU ARE IN.

You mentioned the roads where rough in Ky, sealed rough, or dirt?

SEALED, BUT VERY UNEVEN

What was the traffic like?

OK. I'D CONSIDER DRIVING ON THEM. BETTER THAN SE ASIA OR MOST DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Are you with guides all the time?

WE ONLY HAD A GUIDE FOR 2 DAYS TOTAL, AND HE WAS MORE OF A FRIEND

Have you noticed what grade the fuel is?

YES IT RANGES FROM ABOUT 73 TO 98! (DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT TRANSLATES TO)

Is petrol easy to obtain?

YES, BUT THERE ARE VERY FEW BIG STATIONS! - MOSTLY THE FUEL PLACES ARE NOT EVEN SIGNED SO YOU WOULD HAVE TO ASK A LOCAL

 Any pitfalls to be away of?

LOTS OF ROADBLOCKS IN UZBEKISTAN IN PARTICULAR. JUST BE PREPARED AND BUILD UP YOUR PATIENCE. WE NEVER HAD TO OFFER ANY MONEY (IE BRIBES) EVEN WHEN WE WERE TRAVELLING THROUGH TURMENISTAN ON A PHOTOCOPIED PASSPORT WITH NO TURKMEN VISA! I HAVE NEVER FOUND BRIBES TO BE NECESSARY - JUST PLEAD FRIENDLY STUPITDY  AND IGNORANCE (IE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN)- IT WORKS FOR ME!!!

Did you get visas here in OZ?

NONE. THE RUSSIAN ONE HATES INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS (THEY TOLD ME IN ALMOST AS MANY WORDS). THE KYRGYZ ONE (ACTUALLY HANDLED BY KAZAKHS) IS ALSO THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD THAT I KNOW OF WHERE A INVITIATION IS NECESSARY.

 If so any tips, recommended booking agencies?

DON'T USE GATEWAY TRAVEL, SYDNEY - EXPENSIVE AND BAD INFO.

 Apart from the places you have been, any suggested sights (I really like history and nature)

THERE ARE SOOOOOO MANY ARCHEOLOGICAL SIGHTS BUT MOSTLY ALL YOU SEE IS A FEW WALLS - GOOD IF YOU HAVE IMAGINATION AND KNOW THE CONTEXT OF THE RUINS (EG AROUND TURKISTAN, KAZAKSTAN). GENERALLY HEAD TO THE MUSEUM FIRST AND FIND A MAP WITH ALL THE LOCATIONS. IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN TRANSPORT AND KNOWN THE WORDS FOR "WHERE IS..." THEN YOU ARE 95% THERE!