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Asia - Central Asia

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Jul 8, 2008 7:47 PM
Irene_Adler

last reply
Jun 5, 2009 12:33 PM
Irene_Adler

0 replies
12,901 views


Topic Locked 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 »

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Mar 24, 2004 2:14 AM
everbrite

last reply
Mar 17, 2013 3:57 AM
lynnekeys

103 replies
30,649 views


Pages 1 2 3 4 ... 7

Central Asia FAQ thread

The countries covered by this FAQ are: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

It also de facto covers Xinjiang (China), Pakistan (being that it is a 'stan), and Northern Iran which are historically and technically part of Central Asia. In addition there are often questions asked here about Mongolia and Russia and occasionally the three Caucasus countries, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

For Pakistan consider cross posting on the Indian subcontinent branch; for Xinjiang (China) and Mongolia, the North East Asia branch; for Iran, the Middle East branch; and for the others, the Eastern Europe & the Caucasus branch.

Here's some tips to make life easier:

1. Do your homework
The web is filled with basic information on Central Asia. Google is your best friend. Get your basic info first, then you can ask intelligent questions on the Thorn... more »

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Jan 18, 2010 10:22 PM
Yakkalot

last reply
May 16, 2013 2:17 PM
loswiaheros

153 replies
39,642 views
location: Afghanistan

Pages 1 2 3 4 ... 11

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 »

May 25, 2013 1:23 PM
skinke

last reply
May 25, 2013 2:45 PM
BeccaS7

2 replies
59 views
location: Kyrgyzstan

Recommendations for spectacular nature

Hi y'all!

I recently stumblede upon the great nature of Kyrgyzstan and also some exeptional cheep airline tickets and am seriously considering a trip this summer with my boyfriend. We are looking in to going mid august to mid september for 4-5 weeks but are a little bewildered about what to do and choose in what seem to be a magnificent country of natural beauty...

We are absolutely budget travellers, and we prefer to travel independently (i.e. without tour operators, prebooking and stuff). We love couch surfing, dorms and our tent :) And public transport. And meeting the locals.

Questions:

1)
We dont speek any russian - would a couple of days in a language class in Bishkek make any sense? How many days at least?

2)
Where should we go for the most stunning nature? We have a passion for high altitudes/rough mountains - so preferably we would be doing several treks (f... more »

May 25, 2013 11:03 AM
alova_k

last reply
May 25, 2013 11:03 AM
alova_k

0 replies
23 views


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 »

May 25, 2013 10:46 AM
worldcycler

last reply
May 25, 2013 10:46 AM
worldcycler

0 replies
21 views
location: Tajikistan

Somon Air / Bicycle costs

Hi, I'm going to cycle the Pamir Highway in July.
I found a flight with Somon Air from Frankfurt to Dunshabe.
But it's impossible to find any information about taking a bicycle.
They don't respond to mails or telephone and their booking website also looks a bit fuzzy.

Has anyone experience with Somon Air and information if it's possible to take a bicycle and what they charge for this?

Thanks!

May 25, 2013 5:24 AM
addiscape

last reply
May 25, 2013 5:24 AM
addiscape

0 replies
30 views
location: Kyrgyzstan

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
-safety
  • etc. etc.

Thanks!!

May 25, 2013 3:47 AM
NixWieWeg

last reply
May 25, 2013 3:47 AM
NixWieWeg

0 replies
22 views
location: Tajikistan

Recommendation for a Horse Back Guide / Travel Agency

Hi,

we want to run a Horse Back Treck inTadijiksitan.
Anybody has got a recommendation for a guide or a travel agency ?

ThanXs

nixwieweg, Marti, Munich

May 25, 2013 3:45 AM
NixWieWeg

last reply
May 25, 2013 3:45 AM
NixWieWeg

0 replies
24 views
location: Kyrgyzstan

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

May 24, 2013 2:47 PM
Lorzoa

last reply
May 24, 2013 2:47 PM
Lorzoa

0 replies
37 views


Pamir Highway August 2013

Good morning,
Next August I'm going to travel from Tajikistan (Dushanbe) to Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek) along the Pamir Highway; I'll travel alone and I'm interested in independent travel. I'll travel across the border of Tajikistan/Kyrgyztan (from Mourgab to Sary-Tach/Osh).
If someone want to join write me an e-mail or post a message, then we can speak about the plan!

May 24, 2013 9:49 AM
SjoerdRaaijmakers

last reply
May 24, 2013 9:49 AM
SjoerdRaaijmakers

0 replies
33 views


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

May 24, 2013 6:52 AM
riotersbloc

last reply
May 24, 2013 6:52 AM
riotersbloc

0 replies
35 views


Tashkent to Dushanbe, via Iskanderkul

Hi guys! I was wondering if anyone had done the border crossing up north between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan lately, and if any of you went via Iskanderkul in the process. After seeing photos I am so keen to go, but it seems it might be difficult without hiring a car as the shared taxis are usually full by the time they get there from Khujand.

If anyone has any advice/tips/suggestions or would like to come with my husband and I (roughly 7-9th July) please respond here or email me at oishee.alam@gmail.com

Peace!

May 23, 2013 10:12 PM
sarahjoz

last reply
May 24, 2013 9:09 AM
btdt53

2 replies
90 views
location: Kyrgyzstan

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

May 23, 2013 8:36 AM
taylor79

last reply
May 24, 2013 1:19 PM
Fiedorczuk

1 replies
81 views
location: Uzbekistan

Accommodation in Samrakand

Can someone please suggest the best area to stay in Samarkand tourists? I want to be close to all the attractions, bazaars and eateries.

May 23, 2013 8:33 AM
taylor79

last reply
May 23, 2013 8:33 AM
taylor79

0 replies
51 views
location: Uzbekistan

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?

May 23, 2013 5:19 AM
Circumnavigators

last reply
May 23, 2013 7:43 AM
fluffy_bunny

1 replies
88 views
location: Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan transit visa

We are hoping to get a transit visa for Turkmenistan from their embassy in Tashkent, so that we can cross from Turkmenbat to Turkmenbashi. Has anyone had any recent experience of getting one? Any hints or tips?

Thanks for your help.

May 22, 2013 9:45 PM
PocketMagnetic

last reply
May 24, 2013 10:37 PM
Giora

2 replies
100 views
location: Kazakhstan

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

May 22, 2013 8:45 PM
jjl1990

last reply
May 24, 2013 12:18 PM
bee001

3 replies
149 views
location: Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan in july trekking buddy?

Hello, i arrive in bishkek on the 1st of july, and was wondering if anyone else was keen to get a trek together. I have emailed a few companies but most wanted a group. i was interested in around 11 days.
jack

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