Welcome to the Central Asia branch!

Welcome to the Thorn Tree's Central Asia branch.

We hope you find plenty of useful information about travelling to Central Asia here. It is highly recommended that new users check out the Central Asia FAQ thread before posting a new thread as you may find many of the answers you seek there. It also contains helpful information about how to search the forum, advice for how to post your questions, and obsolete information was deleted as recently as July 2008! If you are a returning user or know the 'stans like the back of your hand, please help us keep the FAQ thread up-to-date by adding important information which is absent, or pointing out information which is no longer being represented accurately.

Choosing a country to post to:

When you make a post and choose a country from the drop down menu, your pos... more »

Afghanistan FAQ & Security Thread

Since the demise of the old security thread, and the number of frequently asked I thought it might be a good idea to start a new 'Afghan FAQ' thread attempting to cover the most frequently asked questions and provide up to date information in one thread on not only security, but the most frequently asked questions about flights, travelling the Khyber pass and the classic 'is it safe?', since so many gems of information get lost in individual threads.

Hopefully everyone here, both our regulars and recently present tourists and workers will contribute here with areas they know best, experience, and handy tips and we'll try compile a great resource on the amazing country that is Afghanistan.

Can we try and keep politics and personal issues out of this thread too, as much as possible.

Intro: Afghanistan is Awesome. There, you heard it here first folks. It is a truly amazing desti... more »

Looking for Hiking/Climbing buddy in Tajikistan

Hi folks,
I am Alovaddin, from Tajikistan. So for the past 4 years I have been living in Stockholm and now moved back to Khujand, Tajikistan. Before i start my career here, i decided to trekking in Tajikistan. But all my friends are busy with their main objective i.e. bringing up kids :D and can't bring their asses out of the city. So....
I am looking for climbing/hiking partners in Fann mountains (Pamir-Alay, Tajikistan). It is very popular place among climbers in Tajikistan, especially for Russian climbers. The height of peaks above 5000m, and it is not only mountains but also many beautiful lakes.
http://www.summitpost.org/fan-mountains/456611
http://www.fany.ru/index.php?mod=gallery&page=lakes

There are two nice climbing camps and according to them the best period for climbing and hiking will be from the end of June.
If we will be able to gather a team (4 persons) then we... more »

Traveling independently in Kyrgyzstan

Hi everyone,
my friend and I are planning a trip in the region this summer. We have about 6 weeks and we're planning to hit Kyrgyzstan and possibly one other country in the region.
We are traveling on a budget.
We're in the planning stage now so any information will be highly appreciated:

• places to visit.
• trekking
• places to stay
• public transport/ hitchhiking

• etc. etc.

Recommendation for a Horse Back Guide / Travel Agency

Hi,

we want to run a horse back treck in July in Kygistan.

Anybody has got a recommendation for a Horse Back Guide / Travel Agency ?

Thank You

Best Wishes

Nixwieweg / Martin, Munich

URGENT Crossing the Torugart on Friday 31 May

Hi fellow travellers in Kyrgyzstan or China,

I know it's on very short notice, but I'm looking for 3 other travellers to share a taxi with me from Naryn to Kashgar.
The date is Friday 31 May, the cost $80.
$360 is the total amount for the car from Naryn to the border and the car from the border to Kashgar.

I really hope someone can help me out here.

All the best,

Sjoerd

Kyrgyz tel. nr: (+996) 77 3815893

Torugart pass crossing China to Kyrg July 2013

Hi Silk Road travellers,
I am hoping to cross the Torugart Pass from Kashgar to Bishkek, at this stage around 22 July 2013, and am looking for travel companions to share the cost.
I am making enquiries with Celestial Mountain tours (though if anyone has any other recommendations it would be much appreciated).
Would like to hear from anyone interested in joining up for the tour.
Cheers,
Sarah

Train Reservations

I'll be in Uzbekistan in late August and hoping to use the train Tashkent - Samarkand and Samarkand - Bukhara. Do these trains fill up? Is it necessary to make a reservation beforehand?

What's Shymkent like for living in?

Hello

My wife and I have an opportunity to live and work in Shymkent (for a year or 2). What's it like to live in? We've been to Kazakhstan and know the score to an extent, but how about being in Shymkent long term?

We like cultures and exploring and particularly like the outdoors. We hear it doesn't get so cold there as in Almaty or Astana.

Thanks in advance

Ian