Central Asia has emerged as a new travel destination after the collapse of the Soviet Union, with five newly independent Republics: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

Four countries belong to the Turkik culture and speak Turkik languages which relatively resemble the Turkish language. The fifth Republic, Tajikistan, speaks Tajik which is similar to Persian, and, is therefore, a bit different in its cultural appearance and tradition.

While visiting the so-called Stan countries, it is appropriate to make an attempt to see several countries in one tour, instead of just one. Travelers arriving from USA, Japan or Western Europe can save significant money on international air fare, by arriving to a capital, for example, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and then making short flights or drive to the neighbouring countries.

A classic recommended tour would include, of course, Uzbekistan with its magnificent ancient cities Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Then, you are invited go to see the alpine Republic of Kyrgyzstan, with unique nature, gorgeous mountains, fresh air and original culture of nomadic tribes who have lived centuries on the Great Silk Road. The third destination you could fit in one tour is Turkmenistan, the country of deserts and a very peculiar political system, with splendid cities of marble and gold right amidst the dunes.

The three countries feature rich cultural background, with immense Islamic heritage and monuments, as well as remnants of Buddhism, Zoroastrinism, Judaism and Christianity. This area was a key part of the famous Silk Road, through which camel caravans were carrying merchandise from China and India to Europe.

In order to make your tour a smooth and pleasurable one, you will probably need to contact one of local travel agenies in the region. Because of pretty rigid political system and visa requirements, especially for Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, you may need assistance in order to get visa support or LOI, the letter of invitation. The local specialists are best suited to tell you all you need to know about local procedures, customs, police registration.

Also, you will learn about the preferred dress code, local traditions and habits, what you should see and where you should go to get best experiences and memories. They will warn you against possible risks and dangers. With the right choice of a tour operator, you can save up to 50% on your travel.

You may also be interested in related topics, such as for example, how to purchase airline tickets to Uzbekistan and Central Asia, or how to choose hotels in Uzbekistan.