The Stans Travel Advice

Jim O’Brien, from our specialist Native Eye, explains the difference between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and gives an overview of the food and the visa requirements:

“The mountain scenery in Tajikistan tends to be more austere, more harsh than in Kyrgyzstan. The Pamirs are the ‘roof of the world’, and traveling through them in Tajikistan is more dramatic than what you would get in Kyrgyzstan. In Kyrgyzstan, there are better opportunities to interact with local people; a more accessible nomadic culture. The Pamirs in Tajikistan don’t lend themselves well to nomadic cultures because there’s no grazing. There’s more grazing in Kyrgyzstan.”

Daniel Waters, from our supplier, Wild Frontiers Travel, shares his Kyrgyzstan travel advice:

“Kyrgyzstan offers so much to those that travel there from hiking in the strikingly beautiful Mountains of Heaven, watching frantic games of buzkashi played by impossibly agile horseman, drinking glasses of kumis in toasty yurts overlooking crystal clear lakes, beguiling walks in dense walnut forests, marvelling at the history of the ancient but perfectly preserved caravanserai you’re standing in. You can create an amazing trip in Kyrgyzstan based around whatever your interest is: hiking, riding, family trips, the Silk Road. The warmth of the people and diversity of scenery will humble and awe in equal measure.”

Daniel Steeger, from Wild Frontiers Travel, on the political climate in Turkmenistan and chatting to local people:

“If you think about Ashgabat, you would think it’s almost a Dubai or Las Vegas type place. It’s exceptional, especially the buildings – one in the shape of a lighter, one a book, another in the shape of a star. It’s almost Dr Seuss like. What really gives it a sense of difference from the West, though, is that there are so many restrictions in Turkmenistan. This is the second most controlled nation in the world after North Korea. When passing into the country you will sometimes have four officers looking at you, from front and back. I wouldn’t call it intimidating, unless you have something you shouldn’t have in your suitcase! Then you’re in trouble, as they will absolutely comb through everything. But there is a friendly side to the security guards, it’s just extremely controlled.

Andrew Appleyard, from our supplier Exodus, with his thoughts on Uzbek food:

“I actually think that the food is the worst I have tasted in the world. I think I lost five kilos during my stay. And if you’re vegetarian, they really have no concept of it. If you are presented a meal with sausage in it and you say, no thanks I am vegetarian, they will take the sausage out and put it in the dish of the person sitting next to you. That sort of thing.”