Overland Along the Silk Road

The historic Silk Road trading route linked Europe and Asia, running through the rarely visited nations of Central Asia.

This underappreciated part of the world is now getting more attention from intrepid travelers, with a number of tour companies offering overland trips. Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan offer amazing scenery, fascinating local culture and interesting cities, so it’s surprising so few people come here.

Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, is known for its unusual architecture, while Uzbekistan is home to the rusting fishing fleet of the disappearing Aral Sea. There are photo opportunities galore, and the same is true of Kyrgyzstan, especially in the mountains. Don’t miss out on seeing the famous Song Kol alpine lake.

Many tour operators offer long trips that take in the Silk Road from Istanbul to China, with the journey typically taking four months. Others offer shorter trips along specific sections of the route, including the Central Asian countries.

Most trips involve groups of travelers in specially built overlanding trucks, adapted to handle tough terrain while providing enough onboard comfort and living space for long journeys. Alternatively, you can organize your own trip along the Silk Road, although infrastructure is generally poor.

For those with no time limit on their trip and a bit of money to burn, independent travel is a great way to get to know the region and its people. However, for anyone who has to be home by a certain date, signing up to an organized tour is probably the best bet.