For next May-June we are planning a month-long trip around central Asia and astern China. Currently we're just browsing through various airfare and accommodation deals as well as checking visa requirements. Still if anyone went there, please share some tips
Reply to this We are almost set - already bought tickets at <snip>. Do hope that visas will be opened. Guess now we'll have just to read more about customs and etiquette in central Asia
[Edited: 2019 Dec 26 08:20 - traveltalesofawoollymammoth:258356 - No URL's allowed]
Reply to this Hi there!
We have been to Central Asia several times. We are in Russia right now on an extended ski trip and heading over to the Kazakhstan Altai in a few weeks. A few thoughts: Don't be intimidated by the whole visa regimen, just pay what you need to, get those invitation letters when you need them, and you will likely get your visas. If you are thinking of picking up a language for the trip, focus on Russian basics. In most areas at least someone will speak Russian.
Kyrgyzstan is usually the most foreigner friendly and also packs a lot of beauty and diversity into a smallish country. The south is our favorite and Arslanbob is a unique village. Uzbekistan has a lot of beautiful sights that are famous for a reason. If you make it out to Nukus, be sure to see the museum of Soviet dissident art there. It is really a nice collection of oils in the middle of the desert!
Western (Uygher) China is incredibly similar to Uzbekistan and also worth the trip to see it before it vanishes... I would say more about that but I hold a ten year visa to China and I want to keep it. Kazakhstan is huge and mostly steppe. It is also visa free for many nationalities and quite Russified. Most importantly, check out the excellent website of Carivanistan. You will likely find more guidance than you need there.
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