Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan

As there is no crossing from Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan we have to return to Uzbekistan via the border crossing at Andurkhan where our whistle stop tour of the Fergana Valley starts. Our first stop was at Kokand, which was the capital of the 19th century Kokand Khanate. We visited the 1871 Khudoyar-Khan Palace home to a museum, the Norbuta-Biy Madrassah and the Modarikhon Mausoleum. Next stop was the small village of Rishtan, home to potter dynasties and ceramics masters. We visited a local ceramics studio where a craftsman demonstrated his skills by creating a pot whilst blindfolded. I'm still not clear why he had to be blindfolded but it was impressive. Our final stop was at Marghilan, where we visited a silk factory and learned about the material that gave its name to this great trade route. We eventually arrived in Ferghana town for the night.