More and more in the travel world we’re starting to hear about going to visit the ‘Stans. To many, the Central Asian region is a mysterious frontier with little known about the countries. If you fancy learning what the fuss is about, check out our guide to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Kazakhstan

What is this country?

Perhaps the most famous of the ‘Stans (Borat may have helped), this one is also the largest. In fact, Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the entire world – so there’s plenty to explore. As with many of the countries in the region, Kazakhstan emerged as a fully independent nation after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Kazakhs make up the majority of the population but around 20% of its population is Russian. So the official language is Kazakh but knowing a little Russian won’t go amiss!

Why should you be visiting?

We’re fans of Almaty, the nation’s capital. It’s got a blend of old and new: there’s brilliant historic architecture as well as an up and coming micro-brew scene. However, the best part about Kazakhstan is undoubtedly its sprawling outdoor space. Much of what makes Kazakhstan’s great-outdoors so impressive is the sheer scale of it. Take a hike along part of the Kolsai Lakes, spanning 1,619 km², and look across to the mountains behind them. Visiting the Charyn Canyon is a must, it stretches 80km in length and whilst it’s not as big as the Grand Canyon many think it’s equally impressive. On our tour, we like to hike through it and then pitch a tent up in the remote setting!

Kyrgyzstan

What is this country?

As with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan’s historic ties to Russia leave the nation with a significant Russian population, and influence, remaining (though not nearly as much). It’s largely a nation of the Kyrgyz people however it’s also home to a significant number of Uzbeks. Its people’s nomadic history is one of the defining parts of this country, which lives on until this day. Kyrgyz literally means ‘we are forty’ and refers to the 40 clans who united to form the country and the flag depicts the wooden crown of a yurt, the portable dwelling used by the nomadic clans.

So why should you be visiting?

Kyrgyzstan is a stunning mountainous nation filled with lakes, waterfalls, alpine forests, and beautiful meadows. Lake Isykk Kul is an absolute must visit. Needless to say, hiking in the region makes up part of our tour of the ‘Stans but our favourite part about visiting this nation is its cultural heritage.  We work with local, traditional nomadic tribes giving an incredible insight into the culture. You can spend time staying at a yurt camp, try the local cuisine, witness the talents of an eagle hunter, and take treks on horseback. Want to relax? Try out relaxing at a banya, a traditional Kyrgyz bath-house.

Uzbekistan

What is this country?

Uzbekistan is the least diverse in its ethnic make-up and Uzbeks make up around 90% of the population. Needless to say the national language is Uzbek. Its history as an area is turbulent and fascinating. It is placed on the historic Silk Road travelling from China to Europe. It has been ruled by the likes of Persia, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and the USSR. In its past, Timur the Great lead a conquest establishing a wide-spanning Uzbek empire but after this collapsed it was not until the end of Soviet rule in 1991 that Uzbekistan returned to being a fully independent nation.

So why should you be visiting?

Unlike the other ‘Stans what makes Uzbekistan such a great place to visit is its cities. Packed with history and culture they’re fascinating places to explore. The most impressive is Samarkand, with an array of magnificent architecture and plenty of history to learn along with it. Bukhara makes for another great travel spot with architecture to see and traditional tea-houses and markets to visit. If you like things a little more modern, the capital Tashkent can provide that. There you can climb the TV tower for a view of the city and visit the huge ‘Plov Centre’ to try some of the nation’s national dish. One more thing, going to see some traditional Uzbek wrestling while you’re there is an absolute must.

Ready for an adventure in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan? Take a look at our  tour here, or browse our other adventure travel tours. Drop us a message in the chat box below or send us an email at trips@thedragontrip.com to find out more!

Subscribe for tour updates, blogs, special offers and more! We won’t email you too often. View our privacy policy here.