Jetsettersblog

Overlands Adventure in Central Asia

June 18, 2008 on 7:08 am | In Adventure Travel, Armenia, Asia, China, India, Kazakhstan, London, Mongolia, Nepal, Outdoors, Scotland, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Wales |

For travellers with a thirst for off-the-beaten-track adventure, look no further – Dragoman Overland still has spaces left on Central Asia overlands following the legendary Silk Route.

Travel through Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, exploring remote areas, ancient cities, unique architectural and archaeological sites, or through the fertile plains of Uzbekistan’s Fergana Valley and the Altai Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan, staying in the yurt homes of Kyrgyz shepherds by Son Kul Lake – book NOW for an unforgettable summer expedition.

Mountain Kingdoms of Krgyzstan

15-nights, from Tashkent to Bishkek next departing 5th July 2008. (Code KYR38)

Dragoman rate this journey as ‘challenging’, exploring both the heartland of Uzbekistan, including historic Kokand and Fergana City, and its neighbour Kyrgyzstan, with much of the adventure spent traversing some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. The journey offers a real insight into the lives of rural Kyrgyz, a mountain people renowned for their hospitality, and includes time spent staying in traditional yurts amongst local shepherd families – and even having a go at traditional ‘ulak-Tartys’ (goat polo).

Chill out on one of the sandy beaches surrounding Lake Issyk-Kul (Hot Lake), aptly named, as despite its high altitude, the lake never freezes. Hike in Ala Archa Gorge, an area of outstanding natural beauty and explore the stunning mountains at Djety Oguz, before arriving in Kyrgyzstan’s capital city Bishkek, set in the foothills of the snow-capped Tien Shan (Celestial) Mountains, on the ancient Silk Route.

The tour costs from £695 p/p plus USD$290 (~£147) kitty including transport aboard Dragoman Overland’s Mercedes Benz vehicle, hotel, yurt homestay and wildcamp accommodation (55%/45%), all camp meals, Dragoman Overland’s two person crew and a local guide.

Caucasus & Trans Caspian

25-nights, from Ashgabat to Istanbul next departing 20th July 2008. (Code TCT38)

Begin in Ashgabat, an oasis of modernity in a desert sea of antiquity and home to perhaps the world’s most spectacular local market – the Tolkuchka Sunday Bazaar. From the vast Karakum Desert of Turkmenistan, cross the Caspian Sea aboard an ex-Soviet ferry.

In Azerbaijan, spend a night at a well-preserved ancient Caravanserai, visit the remote metal-smith village of Lahij, the Mud Volcanoes of Gobustan, the fortress towers at Mardyakhan and, if time permits, a Zoroastrian Fire Temple at Surakhany. Enter the Caucasus - spectacular mountain scenery, orthodox churches and monasteries, traditional homestays, great feasts, copious local wines, hundreds of years of history, culture and religion plus ancient sites, all characterise the wonderfully friendly destination of Georgia.

Travel to the moonlike landscape and underground dwellings of Goreme Valley in Turkey’s Cappadocia, before reaching Istanbul - the only city in the world that straddles two continents.

The tour costs from £955 p/p plus USD$700 (~£355) kitty including transport aboard Dragoman Overland’s Mercedes Benz vehicle and local ex Soviet Ferry, hotel, homestay and camp accommodation (55%/45%), all camp meals, Dragoman Overland’s two person crew and local guides.