Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are names of cities that sound like a legend for their position on the old Silk Road. But does this legendary status live up to its reputation? I was a bit disappointed, while the old forts scattered around the Uzbek desert made me dream. Alright, I’ll […]
Read moreCategory: Central Asia
Tajikistan: Last Adventure in Bartang Valley
A scary road, a great home-stay, and a lovely trek at Jizew village, where no car can go. After the high lands of the Pamir Highway and the emotions of the Wakhan Corridor, the last part of our road trip through the Pamir ended in Bartang Valley, a right turn […]
Read moreTajikistan: Powerful Wakhan Corridor
A splendid and breathtaking detour from the Pamir Highway along the border with Afghanistan. The Wakhan Corridor transpires power from every pore. Shortly after Alichur Village, we take a turn on the left, leave the Pamir Highway behind us, and enter the Wakhan Valley. From now on, and for a […]
Read moreTajikistan: The High Lands of the Pamir Highway
A stunning nature made of barren mountains, martian landscapes and beautiful high altitude turquoise rivers and lakes. The Pamir Highway in Tajikistan is an experience not to be missed. I have posted about the Pamir Highway border crossing between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in the previous post, where I thoroughly highlighted […]
Read moreFrom Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan through the Legendary Pamir Highway
The best way to cross the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan is through the Pamir Highway, legendary high passage on the old Silk Road. The passage between Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan is surprisingly stunning. Surprising, because I would have never imagined there would be such a striking difference from one side […]
Read moreThe Last Great Hike in Kyrgyzstan – Lenin Peak
Hiking at Lenin Peak could mean, for many itineraries, the last steps on Kyrgyzstan territory, and what a wonderful way to end a trip to this fantastic, jaw-dropping mountainous country. It’s called the easiest 7,000 m. summit in the world, right at the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, in the […]
Read moreSon-Kul’s Remedy to Travellers Apathy
The nomadic life experience and jaw-dropping beauty of the 3,000 m. high plateau in Kyrgyzstan, at lake Son-Kul, is the perfect cure to boost travellers wanderlust. When you travel for a long time, it might happen that everything starts to feel kind of already seen: just another church, just another […]
Read moreKyrgyzstan: Spectacular Ala-Kul Trek
One of the best short treks I have ever done, a great intro to Kyrgyzstan around the infinite trekking opportunities of the Karakol’s mountains. My first Kyrgyz adventure took place on the mountains just behind Karakol town, in the Eastern part of the country, and it did not disappoint. If […]
Read moreAlmaty: Central Asia’s Garden of Eden
Welcoming, culturally vibrant, and easy gateway for nature lovers. Almaty is one of those places where you will linger without really knowing why. The legend goes that Almaty is the place were all domestic apples originate, hence the name of the medieval settlement Almatu, which is a derivation of the […]
Read more… And Then You Get Invited in a Yurt for Dinner
Sometimes you end up in adventures that put your firm plans for the future, and life convictions to the test… and you lose 🙂 I arrived in Almaty after a bus odyssey of 24 straight hours through the burning Kazakh steppes without air conditioning nor sleeping seats. I finally got […]
Read moreFrom Russia to Kazakhstan
A long bus drive, a funny old lady providing food, and my eyes laid upon the immensely distant horizon of the Kazakh steppes: a border crossing and some thoughts. On my way to Rome from Vladivostok via land, I made a decisive move towards the south in Russia, as I […]
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