Central Asia
A Guide’s Life in a Changing Uzbekistan Bekhruz Kurbanov is a leading guide for our Uzbekistan tours – and then some. He’s also head of the Bukhara branch of the Samarkand Institute of Archaeology, a PhD candidate in Islamic Art and Archaeology at the University of Bamberg, and father to two children. Over twenty years […]
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Central Asia
Alexander the Great in Central Asia As I waited for my train on the platform of Tashkent’s Alisher Navoi metro station, my eyes wandered to the four disc-like medallions illustrating episodes from the poet’s magnum opus, the Khamsa. Named after the fifteenth-century poet and intellectual, who is celebrated as a national hero in modern Uzbekistan, […]
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Central Asia
Suzani Embroidery: What it is, where to see it, and how to purchase souvenirs In the markets and alleyways of cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Dushanbe, and Khujand, visitors quickly notice the colorful explosion of embroidered textiles. Pillows, bags, jackets, and table runners fill shop displays, each stitched with vibrant floral patterns. While they may […]
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Central Asia
What to Wear in Central Asia: A Practical Guide for Travelers One of the most common questions travelers ask before visiting Central Asia is: I have the packing list, but what do people actually wear? And what do tourists wear on the ground? Comfort, cultural awareness, and dressing for the climate are important for anyone […]
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Central Asia
Mosques & Mausolea – Architecture in Central Asia Central Asia, and Uzbekistan in particular, boasts some of the most beautiful and dramatic Islamic architecture you’ll find anywhere. Travel around the region and you’ll see towering brick minarets, stunningly decorated mosques, madrassas and mausoleums, and mesmerisingly ornate tile work at every turn. The main draws of […]
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Central Asia
The Best Souvenirs to Buy in Central Asia Central Asia, with its rich tapestry of cultures and millennia of artistic tradition, offers some of the most distinctive and meaningful souvenirs a traveler can bring home. From ancient cities of the Silk Road to remote highland pastures, the region’s artisans continue to create treasures that reflect […]
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Central Asia
Top 10 Places to See in Central Asia Central Asia is a region of breathtaking diversity, where dramatic landscapes, ancient cities, and rich cultures come together to offer unforgettable experiences. From the bustling Silk Road cities to the towering peaks and pristine lakes, each of the five Central Asian “Stans” offers something unique for travelers. […]
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Central Asia
What is the Silk Road? We’ve probably all heard of the Silk Road, but how many of us really know what it is? The Silk Road consists of an extensive network of trade routes that has been around for over 2000 years, connecting the West with the East. The Ancient Silk Road conjures up many […]
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Central Asia
Central Asia in World Museums The cultural and historical heritage of Central Asia is displayed in different museums around the world. Here we list some of the museums that provide online access to the Central Asian objects, as well as a list of museums in Central Asia. The State Hermitage Museum The Hermitage in St. […]
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Central Asia
Central Asia Trekking – Packing List First, the general advice is to pack light and layer your clothes. The weather in the mountains is always unpredictable; there can be bright sunshine in the mornings, clouds, and light wind in the afternoon and rain in the evening. It can get hot or cold very quickly; therefore, […]
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Central Asia
What is Central Asia? At the core of the Asian continent lies Central Asia, a region rich in history and steeped in culture. This region benefits from a blend of national identities that have been carefully cultivated over many centuries. Central Asia, as it is defined today, is comprised of five former Soviet republics: Kazakhstan, […]
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Central Asia
What visas do I need for Central Asia and how do I get them? Generally, citizens of developed countries do not need visas to travel to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. There is only one notable exception: Citizens of the United Kingdom need an electronic visa for Tajikistan. For Turkmenistan, everybody needs a visa and […]
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Central Asia
Introduction to Central Asian Cuisine Food plays a pivotal role in any travel experience, prompting a mix of excitement and curiosity about the diverse flavors one might encounter. As you gear up for a journey through Central Asia, our compiled food guide aims to provide a clear picture of what awaits you. Delving into Central […]
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Central Asia
Central Asia – Useful Travel Apps Which Apps to download for your travel in Central Asia? Currency Converter – XE If you will travel to several countries in Central Asia it is very useful to have an XE – currency converter since each country in Central Asia have their own currencies. Maps The most popular is […]
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Central Asia
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Central Asia Central Asia has amazing places of important cultural value that was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Here we present the list of the UNESCO World Heritage sites located in one or several Central Asian countries, with its date of inscription. Kazakhstan Mausoleum […]
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Central Asia
When to visit the Five Stans? In our experience, the best time to visit all the Five Stans of Central Asia in one trip is during spring and autumn. Central Asia has a continental climate, which means that the countries have cold winters and very hot, dry summers. April and May is a great time […]
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Central Asia
Central Asia – plugs & sockets Nowadays, an important part of any trip or even any casual day became our electronic devices. Therefore it is good to know about plugs and sockets in Central Asia and what kind of adaptor to bring to charge your electronics during your tour. Generally, the whole of Central Asia […]
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Central Asia
5 Central Asian Capitals: The capital of Kazakhstan – Astana The capital of Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek The capital of Tajikistan – Dushanbe The capital of Turkmenistan – Ashgabat The capital of Uzbekistan – Tashkent The capitals of Central Asia Five countries with one common past – that’s how to describe the five nations that comprise […]
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Central Asia
Best Central Asia Books To Read Our book recommendations on Central Asia are curated for people visiting Central Asia with little to no prior knowledge about this region. This list might also help those who have already embarked on a journey to this region and found themselves pleasantly surprised by the immense variety of cultures, […]
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Central Asia
Kalpak is not just a hat, it’s a symbol of Kyrgyzstan and a revealing representation of the long history of the region.
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Central Asia
Central Asia Travel Bucket List Central Asia is a region comprising Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These countries have striking similarities, but each has distinct differences in terms of tourist sights. What to include on your Central Asia travel bucket list? Kazakhstan is characterized by modern cities and vast steppe. You’ll encounter international hotels […]
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Central Asia
Kalpak Travel in Media Kalpak Travel is a young company specialized on tours to Central Asia. The company was honored to be featured in various media outlets, so here we share with what others have to say about Kalpak Travel & Central Asia. The Independent “Eight Reasons to Go to Uzbekistan” is explained by Clare who […]
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Central Asia
Central Asia – Nowruz Central Asia is an amazing region of the world where travelers can experience the fusion of different cultures and traditions. Each Central Asian country has distinct national celebrations as well as common festivals. One of such important festivals or spring celebration holidays is called Nowruz/Nooruz/Nauruz. so What is Nowruz? Nowruz is an […]
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Nukus is the capital of the autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan. It lies hidden in the remote western reaches of Uzbekistan. While it might not capture your attention at first glance and rarely tops the usual travel itineraries, the city offers unique experiences beyond the medieval monuments of the famed Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan. From […]
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A Guide’s Life in a Changing Uzbekistan Bekhruz Kurbanov is a leading guide for our Uzbekistan tours – and then some. He’s also head of the Bukhara branch of the Samarkand Institute of Archaeology, a PhD candidate in Islamic Art and Archaeology at the University of Bamberg, and father to two children. Over twenty years […]
Read moreCentral Asia
Alexander the Great in Central Asia As I waited for my train on the platform of Tashkent’s Alisher Navoi metro station, my eyes wandered to the four disc-like medallions illustrating episodes from the poet’s magnum opus, the Khamsa. Named after the fifteenth-century poet and intellectual, who is celebrated as a national hero in modern Uzbekistan, […]
Read moreKyrgyzstan
World Nomad Games Date: August 31 – September 6, 2026 What Are the World Nomad Games? The World Nomad Games are a global event dedicated to celebrating the cultural and sporting legacy of nomadic communities, especially those from Central Asia. They feature a wide range of traditional sport competitions, alongside vibrant displays of nomadic music, […]
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