Wow, I can’t believe it’s over! Nearly 5 months of overland travel from China, through Mongolia, Russia, The Stans, and Iran. What a journey! We knew it would be adventurous, but we could never have imagined just how much. We faced highs and lows, but our Central Asia Trip stands out as our most epic adventure yet.
We started in Beijing and took the Trans-Mongolian train through the Gobi Desert, across the rolling green hills of the Steppe, and into Ulan-Bator, Mongolia’s peculiar capital. We had always dreamed of taking that train and visiting Mongolia since our first trip ended in 2009. Traveling through Mongolia exceeded our expectations.
In Ulan-Bator, we hired a 4×4 and driver, and along with four new friends, we ventured into the vast Mongolian Desert. We rode camels, watched sunsets over the dunes, drank fermented mare’s milk, and searched for dinosaur bones. After six days, we returned to Ulan-Bator, only to head out again on the most adventurous journey of our lives. With just a map, fishing supplies, food, and backpacks, we trekked along a river for eight days and over 200 km without a guide or external help. We met local nomadic families who had never seen foreigners before, and despite rain, blisters, and sore muscles, it was one of the best and most rewarding experiences we’ve ever had.
From Mongolia, we hopped on the Trans-Siberian railway to Lake Baikal, where we swam, explored Olkhon Island, and camped on the lake’s shores. We then crossed Siberia and went into Kazakhstan, the first of many Stans. We explored Astana and Almaty, enjoying the modern buildings and the refreshing outdoors. We met wonderful people in Kazakhstan with whom we still keep in touch.
From Kazakhstan, we took a minibus to Kyrgyzstan, probably our favorite Stan. In Kyrgyzstan, we hired a guide and horses for a three-day trek to Song-Kol lake. Later, we trekked to Altyn Arashan on foot, which was one of the toughest high-altitude treks we’ve ever done. We slept in yurts, ate lots of mutton, and learned so much about Kyrgyz culture and customs – an unforgettable adventure.
We then went to the city of Osh in southern Kyrgyzstan, where we met Jason and Jessica, and the four of us hired a land cruiser for a road trip on the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan. We spent two weeks on this unforgettable journey, ending with a helicopter ride over the mountains back to Dushanbe, the nation’s capital.
After some downtime and delicious Indian food in Dushanbe, we took a shared taxi to Uzbekistan. The old cities and ancient architecture of this Stan were mesmerizing. Cities like Bukhara, Khiva, and Samarkhand transported us to another era with their magnificent mosques and mausoleums. We absolutely loved Uzbekistan.
When we were done exploring massive buildings, we transited through Turkmenistan for four days and finally visited Iran, a country we had long anticipated. Iran’s reputation in the media was proven false, and the travelers’ accounts were spot on. Iran became one of the most fascinating countries we’ve ever explored. The people were friendly, the streets were incredibly safe, and the sites were breathtaking.
One of our best experiences in Iran, and indeed of all our travels, was meeting our Iranian friends, Soroush and Mehsa. Their generosity and kindness were humbling and enduring, and we hope to stay in touch with them always. They showed us the hospitality of Iranian people and gave us a real insight into Iranian family life.
This trip celebrated the great outdoors and the people we met along the way. We’ve never felt so welcomed anywhere before. The locals were genuinely interested in us and expected nothing in return. However, the trip wasn’t without its challenges. The first six weeks had heavy rains, complicating transportation and visa procedures. We also had $1,500 stolen from us in the Pamir Mountains.
Looking back, this trip was a life-changing adventure that encapsulated everything we love about travel. The challenges we faced kept the journey interesting, and we are grateful for the incredible experiences and wonderful people we met along the way.
For anyone planning to visit Mongolia, The Stans, or Iran, get ready for an expedition that will test your limits and remind you why you love to travel. Our planet is full of wonder, just waiting to be explored. Central Asia revealed a world of unparalleled beauty and re-ignited our passion for discovery.
Thank you, Central Asia.