Central Asia has emerged as a new travel destination after the collapse of the Soviet Union, with five newly independent Republics: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

Four countries belong to the Turkik culture and speak Turkik languages which relatively resemble the Turkish language. The fifth Republic, Tajikistan, speaks Tajik which is similar to Persian, and, is therefore, a bit different in its cultural appearance and tradition.

While visiting the so-called Stan countries, it is appropriate to make an attempt to see several countries in one tour, instead of just one. Travelers arriving from USA, Japan or Western Europe can save significant money on international air fare, by arriving to a capital, for example, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and then making short flights or drive to the neighbouring countries.

A classic recommended tour would include, of course, Uzbekistan with its magnificent ancient cities Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Then, you are invited go to see the alpine Republic of Kyrgyzstan, with unique nature, gorgeous mountains, fresh air and original culture of nomadic tribes who have lived centuries on the Great Silk Road. The third destination you could fit in one tour is Turkmenistan, the country of deserts and a very peculiar political system, with splendid cities of marble and gold right amidst the dunes.

The three countries feature rich cultural background, with immense Islamic heritage and monuments, as well as remnants of Buddhism, Zoroastrinism, Judaism and Christianity. This area was a key part of the famous Silk Road, through which camel caravans were carrying merchandise from China and India to Europe.

In order to make your tour a smooth and pleasurable one, you will probably need to contact one of local travel agenies in the region. Because of pretty rigid political system and visa requirements, especially for Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, you may need assistance in order to get visa support or LOI, the letter of invitation. The local specialists are best suited to tell you all you need to know about local procedures, customs, police registration.

Also, you will learn about the preferred dress code, local traditions and habits, what you should see and where you should go to get best experiences and memories. They will warn you against possible risks and dangers. With the right choice of a tour operator, you can save up to 50% on your travel.

You may also be interested in related topics, such as for example, how to purchase airline tickets to Uzbekistan and Central Asia, or how to choose hotels in Uzbekistan.

Three primary caravan routes ran through Tajikistan’s Tien-Shan and Pamir mountain ranges. Only around 7% of the land is arable, nearly all of in the fertile Fergana Valley in the north, which produces the major agricultural crop, cotton, which, along with aluminum, are country’s major exports. Tajikistan’s capital and largest city is Dushanbe, modern and European styled, with broad tree-lined boulevards and a spectacular backdrop of snow capped mountain peaks. The city features numerous squares and monuments commemorating the Persian influences of the past and its surroundings contain many recreational areas, mountain parks and gorges, one with a 100 foot waterfall. The National Museum of Archaeology contains the 1600 year old ‘Tajik Buddha,’ now thought to be the largest statue of its kind in Central Asia.

The museum also houses displays of Zoroastrian and Buddhist artifacts. Khujand is the country’s second largest city and an ancient Silk Road trade center. Located at the entrance to the fertile Fergana Valley, Khujand is cited as the easternmost city established by Alexander the Great. As such, it has a rich history and many preserved architectural and cultural sites. It also happens to be a popular mountaineering center in a country where half the land lies higher than 9,000 feet above sea level and which has a number of peaks taller than 20,000 feet. Near to the border with Uzbekistan is Penjikent, which lay on the only route from the East to Samarkand and flourished from the 5th Century. Arabs destroyed the city in the 8th Century and the ruins were discovered in the last hundred years.

Today, the excavation site has been turned into a memorial reserve where tourists can visit a medieval citadel, palace, public buildings, dwellings and a necropolis. Midway between Penjikent and Dushanbe lies the emerald gem Iskander Kul (lake). The lake is at an elevation of 7,000 among the 4,000 plus peaks of the Fan mountains, which contain many other hiking, fishing or skiing spots for Dushanbe’s residents. To the east is the larger Kara Kul situated amongst high, barren highlands that, with their errie atmosphere and yak herds, are reminiscent of Tibet. The lake is often accessed from Kyrgyzstan, heading west from Osh.