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Almaty, Kazakhstan
Almaty has direct flights to London and is a great gateway city. Explore the colourful Green Bazaar and take the cable car up to Kok-Tobe hill for panoramic views of the city against the Tian Shan mountains. Grab a bowl of beshbarmak and stock up on supplies before heading into Kyrgyzstan.
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Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek is the ideal base to organise your 4x4 rental and permits for the Kyrgyz wilderness. Visit Ala-Too Square and the excellent State History Museum to get a feel for the country's nomadic heritage. Stock up on snacks at Osh Bazaar before hitting the mountain roads.
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Chong-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan
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Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan
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Song-Köl, Kyrgyzstan
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Tamga, Kyrgyzstan
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Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Drive east from Bishkek along the stunning southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul to reach Karakol, a key adventure hub. The Sunday animal market is one of Central Asia's most authentic experiences, and Ala Kul lake trek is world-class. Use this as your base for 4x4 exploration into the Tian Shan high passes.
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Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan
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Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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Sary-Chelek, Kyrgyzstan
Drive south-west through dramatic mountain terrain to the turquoise Sary-Chelek biosphere reserve, one of Kyrgyzstan's most beautiful and remote lakes. The 4x4 track through the Jalal-Abad region is spectacular with walnut forests and high passes. Stay in a yurt camp for a genuine nomadic night under the stars.
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Osh, Kyrgyzstan
Osh is Kyrgyzstan's second city and a gateway to both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Climb Sulayman Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage site sacred to Muslims for centuries, for sweeping views over the city. The Jayma Bazaar along the river is one of the oldest markets in Central Asia — try samsa and lagman noodles.
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Khujand, Tajikistan
Cross the border into northern Tajikistan to visit Khujand, one of Central Asia's oldest cities founded by Alexander the Great. The Panjshanbe Bazaar is a sensory feast and the fortress ruins offer great historical context. This is a quick but rewarding detour before crossing into Uzbekistan via the Fergana Valley.
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Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Samarkand is the crown jewel of the Silk Road and utterly unmissable — the Registan square at sunset will take your breath away. Explore the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis and the Gur-e-Amir mausoleum of Tamerlane. Catch the high-speed Afrosiyob train onwards to Bukhara, a journey of under two hours through the Uzbek steppe.
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Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Bukhara's old town is one of the best-preserved medieval Islamic cities in the world, with over 140 architectural monuments. Wander the Lyabi-Hauz plaza at night, sip green tea, and browse the silk and spice stalls around the trading domes. Don't miss the Kalon Minaret and the ancient Ark fortress, and take the train to Tashkent when leaving.
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Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Tashkent is Central Asia's largest city and a surprisingly cosmopolitan finish point for your Uzbekistan leg. Ride the famously ornate Soviet-era metro, visit the Chorsu Bazaar, and spend an evening in the lively Yunusabad district. Tashkent has good direct or one-stop connections back to London, making it a practical final hub.