The essential guide to the ancient cities visited by the Central Asia Rally. The Central Asia Rally provides an incredible driving experience, with teams following a route over breathtaking mountain passes, through vast deserts, stopping at picturesque lakes and glorious valleys. Participants see at first hand the many vibrant cultures of the region, and stay […]
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Reasons You Should Visit Central Asia
There are so many reasons you should visit Central Asia Mountains, lakes, and valleys as picturesque as anywhere on earth. Seeing once magnificent ancient cities. Driving the Pamir Highway. The knowledge that most people won’t have heard of half the places you’ve been. These are just some of the reasons you should visit Central Asia. […]
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What to do in Dushanbe
Here’s what to do in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. Not many people have heard of Tajikistan, and even fewer know its capital, Dushanbe. The city, located in the West of the Central Asian country, isn’t exactly crammed with must-see sights. However, surrounded by mountains, the city’s wide boulevards and relaxed atmosphere make it a […]
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The Pamir Highway- a Link in the Ancient Silk Road
The Pamir Highway, the world’s second highest roadway, and a part of the ancient Silk Road, is a section of the M41 going from Osh in Kyrgyzstan, to Termez in Uzbekistan via Tajikistan through the Pamir mountains. Central Asia Rally’s path joins it for some of the most breathtaking views to be had anywhere. […]
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Central Asian Foods You Too Can Make: Sauces for Anything
Okay, almost anything. And anything in my plus-sauce book means exactly two kinds of carb (from here on: something), so if you’re not into rice either, now might be a good time to check on your organically sourced, free range, yak blood marinated leg of rainforest tarantula and let us get on with the business […]
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Central Asian Naans You Can Make
Oh, naans. Delicious, round flatbreads stuffed with perfectly seasoned and matched fillings to be had with a curry…The only kind there is, right? Well, no. Indian naans and chapattis’ nearest, lesser known Central Asian cousins differ from them in several ways but one: one’s taste buds, upon first contact, will be asking for their […]
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Central Asian Dishes You Too Can Make: Tajik Qurutob
Tajikistan has two national dishes: plov (or osh), and qurutob. While plov is better known and is also the national dish of Uzbekistan, qurutob, a mix of onions and bread in a yogurt sauce (with a bit of optional extra meat and vegetables), is specifically Tajik. Photo by wikipedia Doesn’t sound at all hard […]
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Fergana Valley, Kyrgyzstan: the Core of Central Asia
As you approach the destination of your Central Asia Rally on day 11, your path will take you past the very core of Central Asia – the Fergana Valley. We don’t just mean this in terms of geography: the valley, enclosed by the the Gissar-Alai range to the south and Tian Shan Mountains to […]
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Anzob Tunnel, Tajikistan: Not For the Fainthearted
The purpose of any tunnel is to get you from one place to another, preferably still breathing. But this perilous, dark, damp one is making no promises in that regard. Photo by Julian-G. Albert Can’t wait to go already. How long is it? Five kilometers. This stretch of hollowed-out asphalt, dubbed The Tunnel of […]
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Tomb of Rudaki, Father of Persian Poetry, Tajikistan
Hidden in the Fan mountains in the northwest of Tajikistan is the resting place Rudaki, the father of Persian poetry. Born around 860, he is one of the foremost historical figures of post-Soviet Tajikistan, strongly shaping the national identity as an icon of not just artistic achievement but also as a cultural touchstone for […]
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Sarez Lake, Tajikistan: Created by the Largest Dam in the World
And now something only for the Indy-grade dauntless amongst you, who’ll leave no nook of land uncharted when they hear of it, however remote it may be. Adventurer, meet the extra challenge of your Central Asia Rally, The Sarez Lake, created by the largest dam in the world. Photo by Tim Griffin It must […]
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Dushanbe Flagpole, Tajikistan: a Symbol of a Fledgling Nation’s Lofty Ambitions
Central Asia. Cradle of high culture, higher mountains and, as of the early 2010s, of the world’s tallest dic flagpoles, the runner up of which, Dushanbe Flagpole, stands proud in Tajikistan’s capital, right in front of the Kohi Millat, a.k.a. the president’s exorbitant Palace of Nations complex in downtown Dushanbe. Photo by Chris Price […]
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