hiking info

hi there I’m heading to Uzbekistan for three weeks from mid-September to mid-October 2026—a country I haven’t visited yet. I’d love to do a few multi-day hikes in the mountains without going through a tour operator or hiring a guide. Has anyone here done this? It doesn’t have to be all trekking; day hikes are great too. I’m open to any tips!

Also, I see there are lots of train options if you book well in advance—does that only apply to the "fast" trains? Are there buses as well?

Thanks, community! 🙂