Central Asia is also known as ‘The Stans’ and is becoming very popular amongst Australian tourists to visit these interesting countries.
Our tours begin in Kyrgyzstan and range from short single country itineraries, to much longer itineraries covering all ‘The Stans’, including Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Travel to Central Asia will open you up to warm and welcoming cultures, wide open steppes, impressive mosques, arid deserts, green rolling hills, plunging ravines and turbulent rivers, cascading waterfalls off sheer mountain faces and beautiful pine forests. Not to mention some of the most endangered wildlife species in the world. There’s staggeringly beautiful snow-covered mountain peaks and alpine meadows that put Switzerland’s landscapes to shame.
Join us on tour in Central Asia and make it your next bucket list adventure.
Our travel facts in this section focus on Kyrgyzstan. Although this section covers all of ‘The Stans’ our tours all start in Kyrgyzstan. Read on below as we expand on our travel bites…
Best Time To Travel – Travel to Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia is fine all year round but it can get as cold as minus 10 in mountainous regions during December and January. The very best months to visit Kyrgyzstan is June to August when the weather is pleasant, warm and sunny.
Capital City – The capital of Kyrgyzstan is Bishkek. It is a modern city with a large young population that like to hang out in cafes and bars. Flights from Australia will arrive into Bishkek and this is where our Central Asia tours start.
Currency – The national currency in Kyrgyzstan is the Kyrgyzstani Som. The approximate exchange rate is AUD $1 = 55 Som.Â
Approximate Travel Time – Average travel time to Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia is approximately 15 hours. There are no direct flights and you will transit elsewhere in Asia.Â
Religion – Over 90% of people living in Kyrgyzstan practice Islam. However, the constitution does grant freedom of religion.Â
Famous Dish – The national dish of Kyrgyzstan is Beshbarmak. It is a meaty dish usually made with horse meat but beef or mutton is also a popular choice. The meat is boiled in its own broth for several hours and then served over homemade noodles with a sprinkle of fresh parsley – yum! This dish is also popular in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan so you will be sure to try in our our Central Asia tours.
Visa Required – Yes and No. While a visa is not required for Australian citizens to enter Kyrgyzstan. Australian citizens do need a visa to travel to Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. They can be obtained online prior to travel. Â
Fitness Level – We rate our Central Asia tours as requiring a moderate/high level of fitness. Travellers must be fully mobile and able to walk around monuments and take short treks/hikes of a couple of hours. Our Central Asia tours also include some activities like horse back and camel riding – however, you are always welcome to sit things out.Â