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Questions tagged [central-asia]

Questions regarding traveling to countries in the region of Central Asia.

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5 votes
1 answer
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Renting a car in central Asia as an inexperienced driver

I just got my driving licence last month, and am looking forward to exploring parts of the world that have seemed hard to access without a car. On the top of my list is central Asia, in particular ...
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3 votes
1 answer
80 views

Is it possible for a Hungarian national to obtain a Chinese visa in The 'Stans / Central Asia?

I have a well-travelled Hungarian friend currently in Kyrgyzstan in his travels around Central Asia. He says he can't go to Mongolia overland on this trip because he can't get a visa for China unless ...
hippietrail's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
255 views

Is it possible to do Naryn - Song Kul - Kochkor route independently?

I'm planning a trip around Kyrgyzstan. Trying to fit Issyk-kul and Song-kul in my itinerary. I see the distance from Song-kul to Kochkor and to Naryn is pretty much the same, so instead of doing a day ...
Joythewanderer's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
346 views

Where can I get personalised designs on Turkmen carpets in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan?

If possible, I'd like to get my own designs incorporated in to a Turkmen carpet while I am visiting Ashgabat this summer. I'm not sure if it is a service directly offered or not - and if not, if it ...
Lamar Latrell's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
557 views

Is it allowed to take Som out of Uzbekistan?

I always take some money home as a souvenir. Uzbekistan seems to have very strict laws regarding cash export. Am I allowed to take some of their local currency out of the country?
Apfelsaft's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
50 views

Is there a village in the mountains of central Asia that isn't very hot in August from where daytrips can be made without long drives? [closed]

My wife, myself and our baby want to go somewhere in the mountains of central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan or similar) in August. We're looking for a village or two where we can settle for a couple of ...
user61380's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
95 views

Can I travel between Central Asian cities without flying? [closed]

I want to travel between capitals of a few countries in Central Asia. I have assumed, prior to some initial research, that rail would work for this. I also assumed that flying wouldn't be worth it ...
turc's user avatar
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19 votes
5 answers
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What is the safest route for women to travel overland between Europe and India in 2016? [closed]

I am a mid 30's woman from the UK wanting to travel to India without flying. I have been given warnings from friends about traveling alone through Iran and Pakistan, therefore I am willing to try a ...
L J's user avatar
  • 542
27 votes
1 answer
3k views

How can one visit the Door To Hell?

I have stumbled across this photo while surfing the net: Turkmenistan's Door To Hell in Wikipedia does not say much about the how to visit it, it only says that there were 50,000 visitors in the past ...
Nean Der Thal's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
4k views

Buying a pre-paid SIM card in Kazakhstan (Almaty or Astana) with data

Where in Almaty or Astana can I buy a pre-paid SIM card with data? Will I have to show the seller my passport when I buy one? A place with English speakers, if possible, would be preferable. I ...
Jimmy S's user avatar
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13 votes
1 answer
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Is it easier for a westerner to obtain a Chinese tourist visa in Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan?

The procedures, restrictions, prerequisites, etc of getting a visa for the same country can vary a lot depending on which embassy or consulate in which country you apply from. This is most certainly ...
hippietrail's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
180 views

Costs of tour in Kyrgyzstan [closed]

Though I have some experience with travelling/backpacking through Asia (India, Nepal, East-Asia) this year will be the first time I visit a country like Kyrgyzstan and will also be the first time I ...
Sebass van Boxel's user avatar
10 votes
5 answers
3k views

What type of tea is used in Central Asia, especially Uzbekistan?

When travelling throughout Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and to a lesser extent, Kazakhstan last year as a guest I was always offered tea, or chai. It was typically black, sometimes green, in a ...
Mark Mayo's user avatar
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14 votes
1 answer
3k views

Central Asia in 2012: Tajikistan or Kyrgyzstan?

The other day, Lonely Planet published an article on the Top 10 best value destinations for 2012. One of the destinations which lured my attention is Tajikistan. According to LP, one of Tajikistan's ...
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37 votes
1 answer
6k views

What is a safe overland route from Europe to India using public transport?

The traditional Hippie trail included Afghanistan and Pakistan which most people now consider unsafe to travel through. Even if one would decide to go through Pakistan, is it possible to get to the ...
Peter Hahndorf's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
824 views

Overland route from the Caucasus to Mongolia without entering Russia?

I plan to base myself in the Replubic of Georgia for a while and I'm thinking of a trip from there to Mongolia but I have some restrictions: No flying (overland is more of an adventure) I can't enter ...
hippietrail's user avatar
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9 votes
2 answers
680 views

Is the Pamir highway passable in early October?

A friend of mine is planning a trip through "the 'Stans" including the Pamir Highway but given its extreme altitude he is worried about whether it will be open or passable or safe at the beginning of ...
hippietrail's user avatar
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