Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Plan Your Trip
Activities
The soaring peaks, rolling pasturelands and desert tracts of Central
Asia ofer some of Asia's inest active adventures. Make like the
Kazakh hordes on a horse trek across the Tian Shan, explore the
Pamirs on foot like the irst Russian Imperial explorers, or cycle the
Silk Road along some of the world's most scenic roads.
Best Places in
Central Asia for...
Trekking
Tian Shan, Kyrgyzstan (p272)
Pamirs, Tajikistan (p338)
Fan Mountains, Tajikistan (p326)
Trekking & Hiking
Central Asia is not only one of the
world's great trekking destinations but
also one of its best-kept secrets.
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and southeastern
Kazakhstan hold the cream of the moun-
tain scenery, thanks to the outrageously
scenic spurs of the Tian Shan and Pamir
ranges.
With many established routes and
excellent trekking companies to offer
support, Kyrgyzstan is probably the best
republic for budget trekking. Treks here
have the added bonus of adding on a
visit to an eagle hunter or a night or two
in a yurt en route.
Tajikistan packs a double whammy,
with the Fan Mountains in the west and
high Pamirs in the east. The former of-
fers a wide range of route options and
difficulties, passing dozens of turquoise
lakes. Treks in the Pamirs are more
hardcore and anyone but the most expe-
rienced trekkers will really need some
kind of professional support for these
remote, demanding routes.
In Kazakhstan, the mountains south
of Almaty conceal some great mountain
scenery just an hour's drive from the
city, though sadly the transborder treks
to Lake Issyk-Köl in Kyrgyzstan are now
off limits due to border restrictions.
Other less-visited regions in Kazakhstan
include the Altay Mountains in the far
northeast.
Horse Trekking
Kochkor, central Kyrgyzstan (p276)
Geok-Dere, Turkmenistan (p377)
Biking
Pamir Highway, Tajikistan (p351)
Camel Trekking
Uzbekistan (p137)
Eastern Pamirs, Tajikistan (p338)
Bird Watching
Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve, Kazakhstan (p107)
Winter Sports
Chimbulak & Medeu, outside Almaty,
Kazakhstan (p71)
Mountaineering
Ala-Archa National Park, Kyrgyzstan (p250)
Peak Lenin, Kyrgyzstan (p297)
