Traveling to Central Asia? Don't miss the World Nomad Games, a celebration of nomadic culture through traditional sports, music and dance. On the shores of Lake Issy Kol in South Kyrgyzstan, flaming horsemen gallop alongside women dressed in multi-colored traditional costumes, while men wearing tall[...]
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, was one of the highlights of my Silk Road trip. Here's a look at why this bizarre city is worth a visit! When it comes to peculiar sights, Turkmenistan is off the charts. First it’s the Darvaza gas craters, burning gas craters that resemble the gates to hell, that[...]
Trekking in Kyrgyzstan is the highlight for many of those traveling in Central Asia. My friend Stephen Lioy, Central Asia expert, shares his expertise on trekking in Kyrgyzstan. Trekking in Kyrgyzstan is becoming increasingly popular among independent tourists looking for an offbeat trav[...]
One of the people who inspired me to organize a tour to Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor and Tajikistan is my friend and fellow travel blogger Jonny Duncan, founder of Backpacking Man. He has traveled extensively in Central Asia and still claims the Wakhan Corridor to be his favorite part of the[...]
The Wakhan Corridor is one of Afghanistan's most remote regions, but also the only region that is safe for travel. My friend and Central Asia expert, Stephen Lioy, shares his experience traveling this stunning region. If you're interested to travel Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor, join me on this Pam[...]
Traveling South Kyrgyzstan — Highlights of the Region Kyrgyzstan is known for its dramatic mountainous landscapes and rolling summer pastures (jailoos). It has been dubbed the Switzerland of Central Asia for good reasons. But most of these alpine landscapes are found in North Kyrgyzstan, and[...]
Wispy clouds hang low over the choppy dark indigo waters as the howling winds create ripples on the water surface. Backdropped by tall and mighty Tien Shan mountains, the water stretches into the horizon, far beyond where the eye can see. If I didn't know better, I would have thought this was a sea.[...]
A story about my experience meeting nomadic Mongolians and how they lead a nomadic life in Mongolia. “Tolooo!” Cheers! We clink glasses, and gulp down yet another round of airag, local Mongolian firewater prepared by our host. It’s barely 10am and we’re downing alcohol strong enough to knock[...]
A photo essay of the Gobi Desert Mongolia and its tumultuous sand dunes dotted with yurts and camels. As the wind blows, I hear faint music in the air. The whistling tune is a hypnotic and eerie one, and it seems to echo out of nowhere. I’m standing on the top of the highest sand dune in the[...]
Here's a comprehensive, detailed Silk Road Travel Guide I wrote, based on my overland journey through Central Asia. The Silk Road is the greatest travel route of all time, spanning 8,000km across continents, weaving through deserts, mountains and grasslands and bringing traders from East to W[...]
I traveled Central Asia overland for two months and it turned out to be an epic once-in-a-lifetime journey. Here's all you need to know about overland travel in Central Asia. If you'd like to join me on the road, check out my new Tajikistan Pamir Mountains tour. Overland Travel in Central Asia T[...]
[box] While in Kyrgyzstan, I met up with a writer friend of mine, Stephen Lioy, who's an expert in all things Central Asian having traveled and lived in the region for several years now. Recently, he had the grand opportunity of photographing the first ever World Nomad Games, also known as the nomad[...]
From my own personal experience traveling Iran, here are my tips on solo female travel in Iran, including how to dress and keep safe. As a curious traveler, I believe traveling is the best way to learn on-the-ground knowledge and to see a place beyond the headlines. My solo trip to Iran �[...]
Ever heard of the Darvaza gas craters in Turkmenistan? I visited as part of a Silk Road overland trip. Here's my experience. In the middle of the Karakum Desert, a roaring fire burns from deep beneath us, its flames dancing in the darkness taunting and teasing us. The walls of the oval crater drop[...]
Samarkand, Uzbekistan, was one of the highlights of my 3-month Silk Road journey. This is my recommended list of the best things to do in Samarkand. We travel not for trafficking alone, by hotter winds our fiery hearts are fanned. For lust of knowing what should not be known. We take the[...]
Prior to this Silk Road trip, I had seen photos of Uzbekistan’s monuments and I knew they were beautiful — but I had no idea of the extent and the sheer scale of it all. As my trip unveiled, Uzbekistan is home to some of the Muslim world’s best display of architecture, featuring grandiose[...]
Traditional gers dot the vast steppes while sand dunes rise from empty deserts and snowcapped mountains loom over lush green grasslands: Mongolia is packed with so much pristine natural beauty that few other countries can rival. Every turn on the road reveals a different landscape, be it a hill of c[...]