Where to Eat on the Road Over Kamchik to the Fergana Valley

The road from Tashkent to the Fergana Valley crosses the Kamchik mountain pass, one of the most beautiful stretches in the country. Switchbacks, a reservoir, slopes with orchards and a tunnel under the ridge: all of this takes several hours, and it is easy to get hungry in that time. Here is how to organise food on the way.

What to know about the route

The way from Tashkent to the valley goes east through the city of Angren, then climbs to the Kamchik Pass. After the pass the road descends into the valley and runs through Pap and Kokand. From Tashkent to Fergana it is roughly 300 to 330 kilometres, and by car it usually takes 5 to 6 hours with stops. From Angren to Kokand it is about 200 kilometres, a section that is convenient to split into parts.

What affects the schedule:

• traffic on mountain sections is slower than on the plain;
• in summer it is cooler on the pass, and in winter there can be snow and ice;
• at weekends and holidays there are more cars on the road.

Where to stop to eat

Before the pass

At the foot of the mountains, around Angren, there are many small teahouses and cafes. It is a good place for breakfast or an early lunch: after the city you do not want to sit in the car for hours, and there is still time before the pass. They usually offer lagman, shurpa, manti, shashlik and samsa.

By the pass and the reservoir

On the mountain section, small cafes and teahouses with views of the slopes and the water turn up next to the highway. It is the most picturesque option: you can drink tea on an open terrace, breathe mountain air and stretch. Do not expect many venues: they stand as isolated points and the choice is limited.

What is popular here:

• charcoal shashlik;
• tea and flatbread;
• local snacks;
• fresh fruit and nuts from roadside sellers.

After the pass

When the road descends into the valley, there are more venues. The towns of Pap and Kokand suit a proper lunch. In Kokand you can also visit the market for sweets and fresh flatbread.

Roadside shashlik

Shashlik on the road is a classic, but it calls for caution.

1. Choose places where the meat is cooked in front of you and served hot.
2. See how raw meat is stored. It should not lie in the sun.
3. Avoid shashlik that has been sitting on the counter for a long time.
4. Order a moderate portion. Greasy food on the road can cause nausea, especially on switchbacks.

Fruit from the roadside

Fruit is sold along the highway: apricots, peaches and grapes in summer, apples and pomegranates in autumn. It is convenient to buy, but follow a few rules:

• wash fruit with bottled water or wet wipes;
• buy a little to avoid overeating;
• ask to taste;
• do not buy damaged fruit: it spoils quickly in the heat.

What to bring

Even with roadside points available, stock up on:

• bottled water;
• dried fruit and nuts;
• flatbread;
• wet wipes;
• light food that does not spoil: apples, pears, rusks.

Some people feel carsick on switchbacks. In that case, do not eat heavily before the pass and keep water and something sour such as a lemon at hand.

Winter route specifics

In winter the pass can have snow, ice and sometimes temporary traffic restrictions. At this time:

• allow more time;
• bring warm clothes and hot tea in a thermos;
• check road conditions before leaving;
• do not count on a night crossing.

Cafes by the pass do not always open in winter, so it is better to have lunch before the climb or after the descent.

How to avoid fatigue

The trip to the valley is long. A few tips:

• stop every 1.5 to 2 hours;
• do not skip drinking water;
• do not eat too heavily at the start;
• change position and stretch your legs.

Shared rides to the valley

If you do not want to drive on mountain sections, you can use shared rides. On the Tashkent — Fergana page drivers post trips with different departure times, and for those going to Kokand from Angren there is the Angren — Kokand route. An experienced driver knows where to stop for lunch and how to handle the pass. You book a seat in the Yo'ldosh app, drivers are verified, and the price is usually lower than a taxi. Other directions are collected on the all routes page.

A sample plan of stops

The takeaway

The road over Kamchik does not require special food preparation, but a little planning makes the trip more comfortable. Have breakfast before the climb, stock up on water and dried fruit, choose hot dishes in busy places and leave the main lunch for the descent into the valley. Then the mountain route will be remembered for its beauty, not for fatigue.

Cover photo: Behruznurullayevv, CC0, Wikimedia Commons.