The biggest cities of the Central Asian Region. In Central Asia, sites of spectacular nature vastly outnumber urban centers, but that doesn’t mean there are no cities of note. In fact, we visit several of the largest cities in Central Asia on the Central Asia Rally. Here are the major cities of Central Asia:
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Ala Archa National Park, Kyrgyzstan
A taste of why you should visit Kyrgyzstan’s Ala Archa National Park. Photo via Flickr As you relax in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, after completing the Central Asia Rally, you may feel like you’ve experienced enough adventure to last a lifetime. However, if you would like to add to the catalog of […]
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Bukhara’s Beautiful Lyab-i Hauz
In Bukhara, a Hauz is outside… Photo Allan Grey In Persian culture, a Hauz is a pond. In Bukhara, which we visit on the Central Asia Rally, the Lyab-i Hauz is the area around the one of these ponds, famed for its tranquility and architecture. It reveals a taste of Silk Road life from many […]
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What Counts as Central Asia?
It’s Central, and its Asia, but what exactly does that mean? Asia is a vast continent, and so identifying whats counts as its “center” is not as easy as it might seem. For the Central Asia Rally, we stick with the consensus (whereby Central Asia more or less is exactly equal to the “Stans”), but […]
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Samarkand’s Registan: The Original Public Square
Could Samarkand’s Registan be Central Asia’s most important historical sight? The Central Asia Rally travels all over Central Asia, through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. While Kyrgyzstan, home to glorious mountains, lakes, and of course mountain lakes, is a worthy final destination, the heart of the Silk Road is Uzbekistan. And at the heart of […]
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Central Asia Rally 2017: The Best Photographs
Our favourite photos from the Central Asia Rally. The Central Asia Rally 2017 is now long gone, but we thought we’d take one final look back at the best photographs from the event. If you were are a participant and you think you took better, you are welcome to send the best photographs of […]
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The Highlights of the Central Asia Rally 2017
The Highlights of the Central Asia Rally: from camping on a sea to lunch among the mountains. The Central Asia Rally 2017 was a great success, and we have already brought you recaps from the early days to final stages. Now it’s time to judge the best moments and stories from the entire event. Here are […]
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Central Asia Rally 2017: Sary Mogol to Bishkek
The final recap from the Central Asia Rally 2017. On Days 12, 13, 14 of the Central Asia Rally, participants saw some of the most stunning scenery of the trip. In particular, they had the chance to camp by the beautiful, remote Lake Song Kul. Then of course, came the final celebrations in Bishkek. […]
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The Central Asia Rally: Dushanbe to Khorog
Our favourite photos from Days 8 and 9. The Central Asia Rally 2017 is over, but we still have some incredible stories to tell and brilliant photos to show. Here are our favourite images from Day 8, when teams drove from Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, to Tavildara and then Day 9, when participants travelled onwards […]
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The Central Asia Rally So Far!
The Central Asia Rally is almost over, so here’s our first batch of highlights from another incredible event. The Central Asia Rally 2017 set off on June 1st, from Astrakhan in Russia. Teams then passed through Kazakhstan, before exploring the many amazing sights of Uzbekistan. Through the wonders of (very slow) internet, we can now share some […]
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Kyrgyzstan: The Furthest Country From Any Ocean
Kyrgyzstan is far from everywhere, it seems, including the ocean. When you picture the country furthest from any ocean, you might well imagine somewhere dry and uninteresting, comprised of arid desert and not much else. You’d be wrong. The country furthest from any ocean is actually Kyrgyzstan, famous for its scenery: dramatic mountains, rich […]
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Why We Love Markets in Central Asia
Be prepared to bargain hard at markets in Central Asia. On the Central Asia Rally, you will travel in the footsteps on the ancient Silk Road. You’ll drive on the route’s scenic mountain passes, and stay in historic cities which grew rich from trade. The most authentic Silk Road memory, though, are the markets and bazaars, […]
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