Central Asia Travel Blog
Travel guides, itineraries, abandoned places, street art and off-the-beaten-path places in Central AsiaHello and welcome to our Central Asia travel blog. You will find all our Central Asia blog posts in this section of our website.
With Russia to the north, Central Asia reaches from China and Mongolia to its east, towards the Caspian Sea in the west and commonly comprises of five countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Often nicknamed ‘the ‘Stans’, these nations are part of the former Soviet Union.
Together we have explored Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan and these are the Central Asian countries we currently cover. Mark has also travelled around Uzbekistan. We were due to return to the region in 2020 but those plans were quashed.
Maybe you found our Central Asia travel blog because you are considering a visit to ‘Stans, or perhaps you are partway through planning a trip to Central Asia. Whatever the reason, we hope we can provide some useful resources and travel tips.
Our Central Asia blog posts are generally aimed at independent travellers and backpackers like us and have a strong focus on travelling around using public transport, staying in budget accommodation and exploring off-the-beaten-path and lesser-visited places.
Browse all of our Central Asia blog posts
Or head directly to a specific country: Kazakhstan | Kyrgyzstan | Tajikistan
2016 Travel Review in Photographs
2016 travel review: a roundup of the countries we travelled to in 2016, 2016 travel highlights and a lot of wanderlusty photographs with links to articles.
Staying at Peak Lenin Base Camp in Kyrgyzstan
Our destination was Peak Lenin Base Camp, the most eagerly anticipated spot on our Kyrgyzstan travels, and our reward was panoramic views of Lenin Peak.
Travelling in Central Asia – Questions & Answers
FAQs for Backpackers and Independent Travellers to Central Asia. All you need to know to plan a trip to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan.
Travelling the Pamir Highway and Wakhan Valley: A Photo Essay
Stunning photographs of the journey along the Pamir Highway and through the Wakhan Valley from Osh in Kyrgyzstan to Murgab in Tajikistan in Central Asia.
The Complete Guide to Transport on the Pamir Highway and in the Wakhan Valley
A Guide to Transport in the Pamir Highway & Wakhan Valley for Independent Travellers and Backpackers: How to book transport for the Osh to Khorog journey.
Travel Shot | The Khargush Pass, Tajikistan
Linking the Pamir Highway with the Wakhan Valley, the Khargush Pass (4344m) in Tajikistan provides a tantalising first glimpse of Afghanistan and beyond.
Five Years of Travel: Our Top 5
Today, 30 November, marks the 5 year anniversary of us leaving our life in the UK. Here are some of our favourite memories from five years of travel.
Kyrgyzstan: Hitch Hiking from Sary Tash in Kyrgyzstan to Kashgar in China
An adventure hitch hiking from Sary Tash to Kashgar in China travelling by freight truck across the in Kyrgyzstan border and experiencing local hospitality.
Kyrgyzstan: Bishkek & Beyond
We found ourselves in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Despite all the horror stories about Central Asian capitals, Bishkek is a pleasant city.