We always loved Uzbekistan. Our stay in Uzbekistan is always one of the highlights on the Central Asia Rally. It’s a hub of Silk Road history, but there’s far more to the country than that. We’ve loved Uzbekistan for years, and it’s nice to hear that others agree: Lonely Planet have named the country the second […]
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Soviet Relics of Central Asia
Soviet memories can be found all over Central Asia. Photo via Creative Commons On the Central Asia Rally, we travel all across the region, from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan. Everywhere we go we see reminders of history, and not just silk road cities: there are also noticeably traces of decades of Soviet […]
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The Largest Cities of Central Asia
The biggest cities of the Central Asian Region. In Central Asia, sites of spectacular nature vastly outnumber urban centers, but that doesn’t mean there are no cities of note. In fact, we visit several of the largest cities in Central Asia on the Central Asia Rally. Here are the major cities of Central Asia:
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Ala Archa National Park, Kyrgyzstan
A taste of why you should visit Kyrgyzstan’s Ala Archa National Park. Photo via Flickr As you relax in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, after completing the Central Asia Rally, you may feel like you’ve experienced enough adventure to last a lifetime. However, if you would like to add to the catalog of […]
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Bukhara’s Beautiful Lyab-i Hauz
In Bukhara, a Hauz is outside… Photo Allan Grey In Persian culture, a Hauz is a pond. In Bukhara, which we visit on the Central Asia Rally, the Lyab-i Hauz is the area around the one of these ponds, famed for its tranquility and architecture. It reveals a taste of Silk Road life from many […]
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Kyrgyzstan: The Furthest Country From Any Ocean
Kyrgyzstan is far from everywhere, it seems, including the ocean. When you picture the country furthest from any ocean, you might well imagine somewhere dry and uninteresting, comprised of arid desert and not much else. You’d be wrong. The country furthest from any ocean is actually Kyrgyzstan, famous for its scenery: dramatic mountains, rich […]
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Why We Love Markets in Central Asia
Be prepared to bargain hard at markets in Central Asia. On the Central Asia Rally, you will travel in the footsteps on the ancient Silk Road. You’ll drive on the route’s scenic mountain passes, and stay in historic cities which grew rich from trade. The most authentic Silk Road memory, though, are the markets and bazaars, […]
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The Pamir Highway: Everything You Need To Know
The Pamir Highway is an adventure traveler’s dream, if you have a head for heights! Driving the Pamir highway is one of the highlights of the Central Asia Rally. In fact, it’s one of the highlights of travelling anywhere. It’s the second highest international road in the world, with epic scenery and an almost spiritual remoteness. It’s […]
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Guest Post: Tony’s Central Asia Rally Story
A guest post by Tony Thorndike, Central Asia Rally veteran. Tony Thorndike is a Travel Scientists regular, who completed the Central Asia Rally in 2014. He drove all the way from Britain to Bishkek and, even more impressively, back again! He recently wrote about his experiences on the Caucasian Challenge. He can’t resist the charms of […]
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Silk Road Cities Visited by the Central Asia Rally
The essential guide to the ancient cities visited by the Central Asia Rally. The Central Asia Rally provides an incredible driving experience, with teams following a route over breathtaking mountain passes, through vast deserts, stopping at picturesque lakes and glorious valleys. Participants see at first hand the many vibrant cultures of the region, and stay […]
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Reasons You Should Visit Central Asia
There are so many reasons you should visit Central Asia Mountains, lakes, and valleys as picturesque as anywhere on earth. Seeing once magnificent ancient cities. Driving the Pamir Highway. The knowledge that most people won’t have heard of half the places you’ve been. These are just some of the reasons you should visit Central Asia. […]
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Astrakhan: Where Russia Meets the East
Astrakhan is where Europe ends, and the Central Asia Rally begins. Astrakhan is best known as a departure point: this is the closest major city to the Volga Delta, and as such is an increasingly popular destination for nature tourism. Its position on the Caspian Sea has ensured a long history as an important […]
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