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// Central Asia & Caucasus

Central Asia
& the Caucasus

Samarkand, Tbilisi, the Pamir Highway — the most underrated travel region in the world.

Central Asia and the Caucasus sit at the crossroads of every civilisation that has ever mattered. Samarkand's Registan is as architecturally overwhelming as the Taj Mahal with a fraction of the visitors. Georgia's food and wine culture is among the best in Europe. Kyrgyzstan's Tian Shan mountains offer trekking that rivals Nepal at a fraction of the cost and crowds. These are the destinations serious travellers go to when they've run out of obvious places — and they are usually the ones people talk about most on the way home.

// Where to Go

Destination Guides

Georgia
Caucasus
Georgia
Ancient wine culture, Tbilisi old town and the dramatic Greater Caucasus.
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Turkey
Cappadocia
Surreal volcanic landscape — fairy chimneys, cave hotels and dawn balloon flights.
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Uzbekistan — Samarkand & Bukhara
The Silk Road's greatest cities — guide coming soon
🏔️
Kyrgyzstan
Nomadic culture, Ala-Kol lake & the Tian Shan — guide coming soon
🌾
Kazakhstan
Almaty, the steppe and Shymbulak skiing — guide coming soon
🌏
Azerbaijan — Baku
The City of Winds between Europe and Asia — guide coming soon
🍷
Armenia
Ancient monasteries, Mount Ararat and superb wine — guide coming soon
// Budget Routes

Backpacker Guides

🕌£18–£30/day
Uzbekistan
Backpacker Guide

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// Ski the Caucasus

Hidden Ski Gems

⛷️
Gudauri, Georgia
Caucasus off-piste secret — lift passes from £28/day
Explore → ⛷️
Shymbulak, Kazakhstan
Ski above Almaty — the world's most unusual resort setting
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// Book Activities

Experiences Worth Booking

🎟️
Samarkand Registan & Silk Road Tour

The three blue-tiled madrasahs of the Registan — more overwhelming than any photograph.

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🎟️
Kakheti Wine Region Day Tour, Georgia

8,000 years of winemaking in qvevri — the oldest wine culture on earth, 2 hours from Tbilisi.

Book →
🎟️
Kazbegi Mountain Day Tour, Georgia

The mountain drive north, the clifftop church and the Greater Caucasus ridge.

Book →
🎟️
Pamir Highway Road Trip

One of the great road trips — the Wakhan Corridor and the roof of the world.

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// When to Go

Season guide

Georgia and the Caucasus: May–June and September–October are ideal. Winter is ski season (Gudauri, December–March). Uzbekistan and Central Asia: April–June and September–October — summer heat in the desert cities reaches 42°C. Kyrgyzstan: June–September for mountain trekking — snow blocks the high passes until late May.

// Need to Know

Before you go

🇬🇪

Georgia requires no visa for most Western nationalities — you get 365 days on arrival. One of the world's most generous entry policies.

📱

Download offline maps for Central Asia before arriving — connectivity is patchy outside major cities, especially in Kyrgyzstan.

💵

US dollars in small denominations are the preferred foreign currency across Central Asia. Carry plenty of small bills.

🏔️

Kyrgyzstan's CBT (Community-Based Tourism) network offers yurt stays organised through local communities — highly recommended.

🍷

Georgia's amber wine (skin-contact white fermented in clay qvevri underground) is extraordinary — try it before you leave Tbilisi.

// Bespoke Planning

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