Central Asia`s Silk Road

Some familiar brands help smooth the way for veteran travelers.

Published in Travel Agent magazine (USA), September 3, 2012

Although travel to Asia is still considered an exotic undertaking by many, there are travelers who are able to say, “been there, done that.” to most of the Far East. For your clients who fall into this category, we recommend looking into Central Asia.

Central Asia, made up of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, has been a cultural and intellectual crossroads. The region is bordered by the Russian steppe to the north, the Caspian Sea to the west, the Iranian and Afghan mountains to the south and China to the east, making it a true blend of East and West.

The Silk Road began as a trade route through the region, bringing travelers and traders that way for centuries. Palaces, trade domes and bazaars were constructed in major cities along the 4,500-mile route, turning destinations such as Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, Khiva, Merv, Kashgar, Penjikent, Khodgand, Karakol, Mary and Turkistan into international cities. Today travelers can revisit these sites; unleash their inner Marco Polo and discover ruins, classical architecture; shop in bazaars; listen to ancient music; and take in the scenes of the deserts and Tian Shan and Pamir Mountains.

Uzbekistan is one of the first stops on a tour of Central Asia. Travelers can tour the Kyzyl Kum desert, which connects the cities of Khiva and Bukhara. A must-see in Uzbekistan is Savitsky Collection (www.savitskycollection.org) in Nukus, which houses more than 40,000 pieces of local and Russian avant-garde art.

Kazakhstan has beautiful landscapes and ancient architecture. Recommended sites include Turkistan, the history of which dates back to the third millennium B.C., as well as the former capital, Almaty, which sits at the foot of the Zaili Alatau mountain range.

Adventure seekers will feel most at home in Kyrgyzstan, which is dominated by thcTian Shan mountains. This is a great destination for rafting, trekking and heli-skiing. A visit to Bishkek is a must. This city was once a caravan rest stop, and now it thrives with bazaars selling everything from food and clothing to wood carvings, as well as goods from China.

For a taste of Persian culture, there`s Tajikistan. This mountainous country is home to the Pamir Mountains, which are famous for glaciers and alpine lakes. Visit the capital Dushanbe, where your clients can roam the European-style streets.

Finally, Turkmenistan is rich with museums and bazaars. A must-see here is the rotating statue of former leader Turkmenbashi, or cross the walls into Merv, which was once known as the “Queen of Cities."

Things to Do

For a more complete cultural experience, suggest your clients to time their visit to Central Asia to coincide with one of the lively local events there. We have rounded up some of the most popular festivals.

The spring festival Navruz, which means new day, is celebrated on March 21 throughout all the countries of Central Asia.

Another popular event is the Shark Taronalari, or the international music festival. It falls every other year in August and is held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Also in Uzbekistan, the ancient cities celebrate Asrlar Sadosi (www.asrlarsadosi.com/en), a cultural affair that means “Echoes of the Centuries.”

The Silk and Spice Festival is held every May/June in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, as well.