Hiking in Kyrgyzstan – 7 days to Ala-kul Lake & Surrounding Valleys
Within thirty minutes, the blue sky had been taken over by ominous clouds. This being day 5 of our 7-day hike, it came as no surprise. This seemed to be … Read more
Overland Travel in Central Asia
The former Soviet Republics that makeup Central Asia today are:
- Kyrgyzstan
- Kazakhstan
- Tajikistan
- Uzbekistan
- Turkmenistan
Collectively they are often referred to as the ‘Stan’ Countries.
Increasingly popular on the world’s famous overlanding routes, you will find bicyclists, motorcycles and cars battling on the famous Pamir Highway in Tajikistan, wild camping in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, and cruising across the endless steppes of Kazakhstan.
Culturally speaking – from a traveler’s point of view – Uzbekistan beats the others with clear remnants of the Silk Road heydays with richly decorated mosques and other architectural buildings.
Turkmenistan remains the hardest to visit with providing you with either a 3-5 transit visa or a 30-day tourist visa with a mandatory guide.
Overlanding in Central Asia is often a part of a bigger loop that includes Russia, Mongolia, the Caucasian countries and/or Iran and Turkey.
An Overland Adventure in Tajikistan – Why Drive the Pamir Highway
Crossing high-altitude deserts with snow-capped mountains rising on the horizon, meandering through gorges along vertical rock walls. And that for 766 miles! How can that not be attractive to any overland traveler? … Read more
Exploring Uzbekistan’s Tien Shan Mountains
One Lada Niva or Uaz Hunter after another came bumping down the trail, the vehicles packed with people. What was going on? Weren’t we going to a super remote place … Read more
Overland Camping in Georgia
An overview of GPS Waypoints for overland camping in Kazakhstan, and additional camping/accommodation info on Kazakhstan.
Why Add Central Asia to your Overland Bucket List
As the word implies, Central Asia lies in the heart of Asia. The region is surrounded by big countries among which Russia, China, and Iran. Overlanding in Central Asia entails … Read more
Kazakhstan Travel Budget Report – Travel Expenditures on our Road Trip
In our Kazakhstan Travel Budget Report we detail our road-trip expenditures on documentation, fuel, the Land Cruiser, camping, and more.
Kazakhstan Overland Travel Guide
Travel information for your overland journey to Kazakhstan: roads, online navigation, gas stations, camping, and much more in our Kazakhstan Travel Guide.
Overland Camping in Kazakhstan
An overview of GPS Waypoints for overland camping in Kazakhstan, and additional camping/accommodation info on Kazakhstan.
Kyrgyzstan Overland Travel Guide – Travel Information for Your Road Trip
Our Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide details everything for an overland journey to Kyrgyzstan: roads, fuel, maps, navigation, sim cards, Wifi, & more.
Kyrgyzstan Travel Budget Report – Travel Expenditures on our Road Trip
Our Kyrgyzstan travel budget report, detailing travel expenditures during our road trip including documents, fuel, camping, car workshops.
Books about Central Asia, Mongolia and the Silk Road
An overview with books about Central Asia (Mongolia, Stan Countries) and the Silk Road: Non Fiction, Fiction, Travel Memoirs, Guidebooks.
Finding our Way to Lake Tengiz (Off-road Kazakhstan)
It took some time to figure out whether there would be a short cut to Lake Tengiz, in Central Kazakhstan. Thanks to our friend Bauerzhan from Zheshkargan, who is an … Read more
Books about Kazakhstan
An overview with books about Central Asia (Mongolia, Stan Countries) and the Silk Road: Non Fiction, Fiction, Travel Memoirs, Guidebooks.
The Ancient History of Kazakhstan at Otrar
To restore or not to restore, that’s the question… Well, I think it is at Otrar, a historical site in southern Kazakhstan. The oasis lay at the junction of important … Read more
Wild Camping in Kyrgyzstan – Overlanders Share Their Favorite Wild Camping Sites (Overland Expertise Pool)
With 90% of mountains, Kyrgyzstan offers ample opportunities for wild camping. Here, overlanders share their favorite wild camping sites.
What’s the Charm of Almaty? (Kazakhstan)
We were not sure what to think of Kazakhstan’s former capital. But then, we hadn’t seen much of it. We simply hadn’t had the time for some sightseeing in Almaty. … Read more
Uzbekistan Travel Budget Report – Travel Expenditures on our Road Trip
In our Uzbekistan Budget Report we detail our road-trip expenditures on documentation, fuel, the Land Cruiser, camping, and more.
Overland Camping in Uzbekistan
An overview of GPS Waypoints for overland camping in Kazakhstan, and additional camping/accommodation info on Kazakhstan.
Uzbekistan Overland Travel Guide – Travel Information for Your Road Trip
Overland travel information for Kazakhstan: roads, navigation, gas stations, camping, and more in our Kazakhstan Travel Guide.
Back on the Road after Covid (Where are We – Uzbekistan 3)
After more than a year in the Netherlands due to covid, we are back on the road. Here’s a short update on what we’ve been doing and what we are … Read more
Overland Camping in Tajikistan – Overlanders Share their Favorite Camp Sites
An overview of GPS Waypoints for overland camping in Tajikistan, including favorites from overlanding, and additional camping info on Tajikistan.
Tajikistan Travel Budget Report – Travel Expenditures on our Road Trip
Our Tajikistan travel budget report, detailing travel expenditures during our road trip including documents, fuel, camping, car workshops.
Why we Travel Overland – The Tuzbair Salt Lake in Kazakhstan
The freedom to drive into the wilderness and free camp amidst the Tuzbair limestone cliffs in Kazakhstan – that’s why we travel overland.
Chores when Overlanding in Uzbekistan (Where are We – Uzbekistan 2)
Overlanding in Uzbekistan brings specific challenges: finding diesel, understanding SIM Card logics, and registering on the app.
Tajikistan Overland Travel Guide – Travel Information for Your Road Trip
Travel information for your overland journey to Tajikistan: budget, roads, gas stations, camping, and more in our Tajikistan Travel Guide.
A Rainy Day in Aralsk; a Random Day in Overlanding – (Where are We – Kazakhstan 1)
Aralsk in Kazakhstan: once a flourishing fishing town, reduced to a non-descript place when the Aral Sea shrunk. Rain made us stay for a day.
Where to Visit Silk Road History In Termez, Uzbekistan
The Silk Road history in Uzbekistan’s southern city of Termez isn’t well known but rich in ancient cities, mosques, monasteries, mausoleums.
38 Years and New to Camping – Meet Mijke & Dennis on Their First Overland Adventure
38 Years and new to camping when setting out on a 6-month overland journey from Europe to Central Asia. How to deal with fears of camping?
The Quest for Batteries in Tashkent (Where are We – Uzbekistan 1)
To buy new AGM or Gel batteries we drove to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where we also found a place to weld a new battery box on the chassis.
Driving the Pamir Highway – (Where Are We – Tajikistan 1)
Among the world’s legendary overland route is the Pamir Highway, our intro into Tajikistan’s remote landscapes such as the Wakhan Corridor.
Ready to Explore Kyrgyzstan, A Little Bit, For Now – (Where are We – Kyrgyzstan 4)
After weeks of hard work to get the Land Cruiser in shape we are more than ready to explore Kyrgyzstan, and after a 12-day trip we want more!
Busy in Bishkek! – Overhaul & Overlanders (Where are We – Kyrgyzstan 3)
Two months in a city, it’s unusual for us. We have things to do in Bishkek! The Land Cruiser needs an overhaul and we’ll meet overlanders.
Back on the Road, or Not? (Where are We – Kyrgyzstan 2)
After 5 months without our Land Cruiser, it was good to see our home on wheels back in Kyrgyzstan. Yet to travel with her takes more time…
The End of an Adventure (Where are We – Kyrgyzstan 1)
What do you do when in Bishkek and not having time for sightseeing? It’s a hub for getting projects done and preparing for a new phase.
Schedules, Maps, and Guidebooks for Central Asia, Russia and Mongolia
Prepare your overland journey to Northern Asia: schedules, roadmaps, and guidebooks for Central Asia (Stan countries), Russia, and Mongolia.
