Central Asia. The 5 -Stans. A region of wild mountains, hospitable nomads, and endless bumpy marthrutka rides. It’s one of the best hiking regions in Asia, or even the world for that matter, but don’t expect much in the way of infrastructure or signage – prepare to be self-reliant and sort out all the logistics yourself.
Pick up most recent Lonely Planet: Central Asia guidebook to start planning your trip.
Uzbekistan: Kadvan Valley Ruins Ўзбекистон: Долина Кадван The Kadvan Valley Ruins walk offers an easy half-day walk in Uzbekistan from the popular tourism village of Sentob in Uzbekistan’s Nuratau mountains. The ruins of old Sentob, combined with a few other historical buildings and pleasant natural setting along the Kadvan river, […]
Tajikistan: Artuch Alplager to Chukurak Pass Таджикистан: Альплагер Артуча до перевала Чукурак This short dayhike from the popular tourist base at the Artuch Alplager climbs to the Chukurak Lakes and Chukurak Pass, from where there are excellent views of the Kulikalon Lakes below. Although it can easily combined with the […]
Kyrgyzstan: Boz Uchuk Lakes Trek Кыргызстан: Озера Боз Учук The Boz Uchuk Lakes trek starts in one of trekking in Kyrgyzstan‘s most picturesque hubs at Jyrgalan village, takes in three delightful open valleys and two relatively easy passes, and finishes with a campsite near a pair of pristine alpine lakes […]
Kyrgyzstan: Ak Suu Transverse Trek Кыргызстан: Ак Суу Трансверсе The Ak Suu Transverse trek is the peak hiking experience in Kyrgyzstan’s Ak-Suu region, starting from the small ecotourism village of Jyrgalan and crossing the whole of Ak-Suu to end at the Soviet-era health resort at Jeti-Oguz, crossing along the way […]
Kyrgyzstan: Shatyly Panorama Кыргызстан: Панорама Шатылы Shatyly Panorama is a short but rewarding viewpoint hike from the Boz-Salkyn Valley (near the town of Bokonbaevo) to an overlook with incredible views of the South Shore of Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kol Lake. Barely even long enough to call it a hike in Kyrgyzstan, we […]
Tajikistan: Kulikalon Lakes Hike Таджикистан: Куликалонские озера The straightforward Kulikalon Lakes Hike, a three-day route in the Fann Mountains, is among the most popular treks in Tajikistan (particularly those outside of the Pamirs). Starting and ending at trailhead alplagers (mountain huts) and taking in several beautiful strings of mountain lakes, […]