In true fashion, I couldn’t just go relax in one place, I had to visit many! It had been on my list for a while to see Central Asia and the ‘5 Stans of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.
This part of the world can get a bad rap. “Police State” “locked down” “corruption”….. but it also contains some of the most majestic stops from the silk road. So many travelers ask themselves… is – it- worth it? My answer is: ABSOLUTELY YES!
Would I say it’s dangerous or unsafe, especially for solo female travelers? Absolutely not.
Do I think it warrants a little extra care, planning, and hiring drivers/guides? Probably. Depending on your comfort level.
I did the speed version of the trip. Most places on line offer the trip in 20+ days. I didn’t have that much time to take off work, and so I reached out to Indy Guides and asked for a 14 day version. As is common in this part of the world, if you’re willing to pay, they are willing to provide just about whatever you’d like 😉
I visited all 5 of the Central Asian countries: ‘the 5 ‘stans’ as they are sometimes known. I spent 30 hours in cars, 2 hours on a train, and 2 hours on a plane to traverse Central Asia. It was supposed to be even more but about half way through I switched up plans because I couldn’t sit in cars anymore! This is clearly why the trip usually takes 20+ days, it gives people more time in each place. I, however, was in a rush.
I took the more cautious route – hiring guides and drivers instead of tackling the trip on my own. For solo travelers, I recommend that method unless you really love driving. I hate driving, and so that method would have been draining. Additionally, it makes border crossing much easier if you don’t have a car.
Top tips and tricks for traveling through Central Asia
- You’re going to have to pay for everything (EV-ER-Y-THING) in cash. Prep by counting out exact amounts in unmarked, uncrinkled, American USD. Separate it out in your luggage so you aren’t fumbling and counting in real time. Additionally, get some $1 and $5 clean bills to keep on hand for tipping.
- Get yourself a passport holder/wallet so you can have money, passport, visa, bording passes all in one place. You’re going to be asked over and over for documents and it was so easy to have everything in one place. When crossing the border you will be lugging your suitcases and belongings over one mile outside on dirt roads, being asked to show your documentation 5-10 times through the process.
- Pack luggage that is easy for you to personally drag through border crossings. I crossed borders 5 times. Each time it was one mile ( i tracked it with my garmin watch) outside, up and down stairs, in and outside, dirt roads, pot holes, with 100 others crammed and pushing around you. Make it easier on yourself. ONE suitcase, one backpack, passport wallet that ideally goes around your neck.
- Battery packs. You’re going to spend a lot of time in cars, so you will absolutely drain your battery.
- VPN on your phone. This is the post-soviet, but still strict – part of the world. My VPN and Defender Apps were LIT UP blocking sites or attacks on my iPhone. You do not want to trust the internet here. Protect yourself! Even if you’re just a wannabe influencer slash IT nerd like me – you don’t want the government in your business!
- Focus on Russian Terms, that’s the common amongst all the countries
- Take the train over cars between cities where possible. It sounds alluring to take a car so you can stop along the way for more sights, but there aren’t really sights to stop and see — and the train will be EXPONENTIALLY more comfortable than the back seat of a bumpy car for 6 hours 🙂
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Tajikistan
Kyrgyzstan
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