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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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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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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How to Take Great Shots of Streets in Central Asia and Beyond
All great adventures, like the Central Asia Rally, deserve to be documented with equally magnificent photos; some of these will aim to capture city streets in all of their syncopated, iridescent glory – here are the seven golden rules of how to take great shots of urban settings. Photo by Francisco Anzola Understand where […]
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The Poi Kalyan of Bukhara: a masterpiece of architecture with a dark secret
Hot on the tails of our last post on the magnificent feats of architecture that the madrashas – ancient institutions of higher education – of the Middle East are, today we turn our gaze to a particularly splendid example, the Miri-Arab of Bukhara, together with two other iconic pieces that comprise the complex in […]
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Uzbekistan Highlights – The Madrasas of Bukhara
Now that we’ve toured the webby world of Uzbek texiles, it’s time to start a new thread (as it were), and take a peek into the world of Madrasas, centers of Muslim education and religion. They are very common in the Islamic world, and today we’ll have a look the ones in In Bukhara […]
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The Wonders of Uzbekistan
CA country that has played an important role through time, there are a lot of landmarks telling ancient stories scattered throughout the vast land. The wonders of Uzbekistan have a lot to offer for history fans all over the globe; architectural miracles and astonishing sites will sweep you off your feet and make you […]
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The Secrets of the Kyzylkum Desert
Amazing fairytale cities, rare species of animals, huge fresh oasis and large gold mines: despite all this richness and beauty, the Kyzylkum Desert in Central Asia has managed to stay away from the spotlight for a long time, which allows it to remain wild and pure. Few tourists venture here, but that might be a […]
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UNESCO Sites in Central Asia
Central Asia is the cross-roads of civilisation. Back in its heyday, it was the buzzing hub of the Silk Road, with the blue-tiled city of Samarkand as its trading and cultural centre. While many view Central Asia today as being in the middle of nowhere and as a cluster of former Soviet states, it’s […]
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The Best of Bukhara
A labyrinth dotted with medressas, minarets, and the remains of its once vast Silk Road market complex, Bukhara is a city that captures Uzbekistan’s spirit. While most of Central Asia still carries the echoes of its Soviet past, for those looking to see Uzbekistan’s Turkestan heritage should make a bee-line to Bukhara. Samarkand might […]
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