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About Central Asia: An Overview
Extending from the Caspian Sea in the west to the border of central
China in the east, southern Russia in the north to northern India in the
south, Central Asia comprises of the central region of
Asia. Occasionally it’s known as Middle Asia or Inner Asia, and is
within the scope of the wider Eurasian continent.
Often it’s stated that Central Asia is historically close to its nomadic peoples and The Silk Road.
Consequently, it has acted as a junction for the movement of people,
goods and ideas between Europe, West Asia, South Asia, and East Asia.
Before and early Islamic times, Central Asia was primarily Iranian
region that included sedentary Sogdians, Chorasmians and semi-nomadic
Scythians, Alans, Tajiks, Pashtuns, Pamiris and other Iranian groups are
still present in the region. In present perspective, the region
consists of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Characterized by continental climate, extreme dryness and lesser
atmospheric precipitation, exist the desert areas and steppes of Central
Asia. Their remoteness from oceans and high summer temperatures created
prolonged droughts; hence the vast desert regions are formed.
Central Asia Countries:
Uzbekistan is the pivotal attraction located at the very heart of Central Asia, the country of historical and cultural tourism. Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Shakhrisabz that contains the country, contain most beautiful masterpieces of Central Asia.
Kazakhstan is
the largest and economically developed country in Central Asia.
Interestingly, modern Kazakhstan is the result of interaction of Russian
and Islamic influence, oriental mentality and modern trends of
globalization.
Kyrgyzstan is
full of picturesque natural places. Over three-quarter is occupied by
mountains, green plains, gorges and caves. Formed for centuries,
Kyrgyzstan is still strong with its national traditions and nomadic
customs.
The only Iranian-speaking state in Central Asia, modern Tajikistan has been formed under the influence of ancient customs of the Persians, Islam, neighboring Uzbekistan and Soviet Russia as well.
A special pride of the Turkmen is the country’s
capital - Ashgabat, with unique architecture, sparkling day and night in
the middle of desert as a symbol of Modern Turkmenistan.
History of Central Asia
Each country in Central Asia has maintained a strong
national identity, bearing its own historical significance on the
continued development of the region. Central Asia as a region was
introduced by Prussian geographer, Alexander von Humboldt, in 1843. Due
to geographical connections and cultural interrelations, his definition
included Afghanistan and Western China. But the conflict throughout the
1800s between England and Tsarist Russia over control of the region,
called The Great Game, resulted in the 1895 division of the territory of
the Pamir mountain area.
The definition used by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is much broader than the political
boundaries of the five post-Soviet Central Asian states. In June 22,
2014, thirty-three Silk Road sites from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China were inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Central Asia Climate and Weather
Central Asia is home to multiple types of climates.
Ranging from vast plains to rugged mountains influence its weather
patterns. Mountains block moisture-laden winds, hence dry climate. The
southern third of Kazakhstan, western two-thirds of Uzbekistan and
Turkmenistan and both the eastern and western thirds of Kyrgyzstan fall
into the mid-latitude desert climate classification. Annual temperatures average below 64 degrees Fahrenheit and the mercury drops below freezing in winter.
The middle third of Kazakhstan, the western third of Turkmenistan and
most of the western third of Uzbekistan are considered a steppe climate.
Central and northern Kazakhstan, eastern Uzbekistan, central Kyrgyzstan
and nearly all of Tajikistan has the humid continental climate. This
area receives more precipitation than the rest of central Asia. Summer
temperatures can be humid in the southern belt of this climate zone, but
tend to remain cooler farther north with bitter winds and abundant
snowfall. Of late disappearing glaciers to extreme weather events,
climate change has many faces in Central Asia.
Central Asia Culture and Tradition
Over thousands of years of history, representing a wide mix of ethnicities and traditions, the countries of Central Asia have emerged from Soviet rule as autonomous nations.
Beyond the ancient archaeological treasures, there are gems of medieval
Islamic architecture and wealth of UNESCO World Heritage sites, modern
cities put together with traditional nomadic villages, camps and
landscapes. The regions’ mountain ranges, mountain lakes and steppe and
desert are home to snow leopards and nomadic herdsmen. Enhanced with
traditional artefacts, music, dance, costume and handicrafts, silks,
carpets, embroidery and jewellery, there exists a vivid understanding of
the history, geography, language, culture and traditions of this centre of civilization.
Central Asia Food and Cuisine
Central Asia has a variety of spices, but its food and cuisine are
not spicy, usually mild and uses fresh produce. A meal without bread
is considered incomplete in the region. A variety of bread is found, but
the most common and popular one is a round shaped flat white bread.
Many local salads, soups, and meals include a portion of additional
herbs. Other herbs like basil, oregano, and rosemary are used less often
in Central Asia. In Central Asia’s major bazaars a
variety of Korean salads are found. Soups are very popular, even on the
hottest of summer days. They are very popular in mountainous regions of
Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. There are around 200 varieties of plov. Besh
Barmak is the national dish of Kyrgyzstan but can be
found also in neighbouring countries. Shashlyk is a very popular meal in
a region stretching from Central Asia to Eastern Europe and the
Mediterranean. Fast food is widespread in Central Asia. It’s popular as
tea-drinking and meat-eating destination. Kyrgyz and Kazakh people drink
fermented horse milk.
Central Asia Tourism
Cultural highlights and natural beauty of five countries in one journey combines best of Central Asia Tour.
Samarkand, Uzbekistan: Few cities sum up the allure of
Samarkand. Mesmerising tile work, soaring blue domes and a huge sense
of scale are found, including Tamerlane’s own resting place, the Gur
Amir.
Bukhara, Uzbekistan: With its skyline of mosques, madrasahs and minarets, Bukhara is the Central Asian trading town.
Khiva, Uzbekistan: Khiva is the third of Uzbekistan’s great caravan cities that requires a long desert journey.
Pamir Highway, Tajikistan: Pamir Highway is one of the
world’s great mountain road trips that goes back over the routes of
Marco Polo and 19th-century explorers by day, before overnight in remote
Kyrgyz yurt camps.
Tian Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan: A chunk of
Switzerland magically transplanted into Central Asia, the Tian Shan are
the de facto base camp for Central Asia’s inspiring trekking sight.
Almaty, Kazakhstan: Central Asia’s most interesting city, Almaty is a leafy and cosmopolitan blend of Russian and Kazakh influences.
Merv, Turkmenistan: The ‘Queen of the World’ once ranked as one of the world’s largest cities TashRabat, Kyrgyzstan.
High in the Tian Shan Mountains near the border with China lies this
lovely caravanserai, as if one can almost hear the caravans unloading
their bales of silk as they bed down their camels for the night.
Lake Song-Köl, Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyzstan is all about
yurts, horses and summer pastures, which makes it the perfect place to
realize latent Genghis Khan Fantasies.
Yasaui Mausoleum, Turkistan, Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan’s most impressive architectural legacy and a major Central Asian Sufism centre as well.
Central Asia Tours and Travel
Great experience to explore the modern and historic capitals of five
Central Asian states, discovering the cultural treasures and traditions
of the nomadic people, crossed the region throughout centuries and
settled in its cities. Travel the sprawling Soviet-styled cities of Almaty, Bishkek, and Dushanbe.
Dook International offers best of Central Asia Tours
covering all the popular attractions of every country, providing Group
Tours, Luxury Private Tours, Family Tours, Religious Tours and City
Tours.
Explore the most famous sights of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
Taste local cuisine at the best restaurants, learn about history and
culture from the best guides, and relax at the best hotels. Private
tours are a great way to make a trip that fits ones needs, interests,
and schedules, while scheduled Central Asia small group tours are the best value for money and introduction to fellow travelers from around the world.
Combine cultural highlights and natural beauty of Central Asia in one tour by visiting diverse capitals of all Central Asian countries. Enjoy the view at turquoise lakes of Tajikistan and alpine lakes of Kyrgyzstan.
Marvel at Registan Square and other wonders of the ancient Samarkand.
Camp beside the burning gas crater the “Gate of Hell” at Darvaza.
Central Asia is a lively region, with master craftsmen, world-class
scholars and a diverse population.
Book Central Asia Tour Packages
A visit to this part of the world is a journey of a life time. Central
Asia has been beckoning travellers, traders, conquerors and scholars for
over one millennia. From the beautiful Caspian Sea in the west to the
steppes of Russia in the east, from mountains of Afghanistan to the
oriental splendour of China in the east, the countries of Central Asia
are laden with contrasting landscapes, diverse cultures and a treasure
trove of fables and fantasies, evoking images of ancient trade routes.
Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan are
jewels in the crown of Central Asia with their stunning monuments and
luxurious mosques. The trio of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are
unexplored yet stunning.
Dook International provides Luxury Tour Packages, Corporate and MICE Tour Packages, family group tour packages, religious group tour packages, escorted tour packages at lowest price in the market. Special discount are provided to B2B Travel Agents.
Dook - Leading Tour Operator for Central Asian Countries
Dook International, as leading tour operator for Central Asian Countries, is best in terms of services, costs and other facilities. Dook proved to be the best DMC for Central Asian Countries. It provides lowest cost packages. Our packages include: Return Airfare, Visa Support and LOI, Meals, Hotels (4* & 5*), sightseeing and city tour, all transfers so on and so forth.
Wherever you choose to travel with Dook International you can travel with confidence. The expertise of Dook International tour consultants
and the knowledge and enthusiasm of the guides and local
representatives enable you to be fully informed before you book travel.
Dook believes that expert knowledge and excellent service should come as
standard. It is also our policy to keep our prices as low as possible,
to make high quality travel accessible to the largest number of people.
Central Asia Travel Guide and Tips
- Patience is extremely important when travelling!
- About a week or so before each trip, I make a mental list of items
- Learn Common Phrases of the Local Language
- Don’t Forget an Extra Camera Battery (or Two)
- Always Buy Travel Insurance
- Make Photocopies of Important Documents
- Pre-plan Your Outfits
- Put Electronics, Medications, Toothbrush in Your Carry-on
- Enquire about the price BEFORE You Take Public Transportation
- Bring Lotion in Your Carry-on
- Put Your Room Number & Hotel Address in Your Phone
- Beware of Free Public WIFI
- Alert Your Bank and Credit Card Company of Your Travel Plans
- Wear Sunscreen
- Book Early for Cheap Flights
- Let Someone at Home Know Your Plans
- Separate Your Personal Items
- Separate Your Sources of Money
- Travel First Aid Kit
Best Time to Visit Central Asia
Central Asia has a continental climate, which means that the countries have cold winters and hot summers. Best time to travel Central Asia,
greatly depends on your exact plans. If you would like to visit all
five Stans, the end of summer and the beginning of autumn is the best
time to go.
- Best Time to Travel to Kazakhstan - June, September
- Best Time to Travel to Kyrgyzstan - July, August
- Best Time to Travel to Tajikistan - July, August
- Best Time to Travel to Turkmenistan - April, May & September, October
- Best Time to Travel to Uzbekistan - April, May & September, October
More About Central Asia:
1. Central Asia Tourist Places
2. Interesting Facts about Central Asia
3. Festivals of Central Asia
4. Black & Red Sand – Two Deserts of Central Asia
5. LTC Facility For Central Asian Countries (Proposal)