Though Uzbekistan’s neighbors largely steal the spotlight when it comes to hiking in Central Asia, the Little Chimgan Hike is a scenic and rewarding trek within easy reach of Tashkent. It’s a relatively
In recent years, Uzbekistan’s capital has undergone a transformation so rapid and comprehensive that many older travel books are already obsolete. Its Soviet-era neighborhoods have largely been bulldozed and replaced by highrises. And
Istaravshan in northern Tajikistan is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia, with a current population of around 275,000. But despite its ancient pedigree, you shouldn’t set your expectations
Exploring Khujand, a city of about 150,000 in northern Tajikistan, it can be easy to forget which century you’re in. The city’s history goes back thousands of years, and it’s known for being
When people talk about Central Asia’s most extravagant and quirky capitals, the spotlight usually falls on Ashgabat or Astana. Dushanbe, however, deserves just as much attention – though it still feels like a
Navruz Palace stands as one of Central Asia’s most ambitious modern pieces of architecture. Though it was originally conceived of in 2002 as a large teahouse, it was completed in 2014 as something
With a history going back thousands of years, Hisor Fortress is often touted as one of the essential day trips from the Tajik capital of Dushanbe. And it is indeed both historically significant
I decided to make a stop at Iskanderkul for two reasons: one, of course, was the natural beauty of the lake. And the other was its association with Alexander the Great. But as
Nestled in the western Fann Mountains of Tajikistan, the seven alpine lakes of Haft Kul – also known as the Marguzor Lakes – are one of the country’s most accessible yet gorgeous natural
A lot of visitors to Samarkand hop over the border for a brief trip to Haft Kul, one of Tajikistan’s most impressive natural attractions. But for history and archaeology lovers, the city of
Though the Bible and Quran place David firmly in the Middle East, here in the mountains near Samarkand, tradition holds that he once took refuge inside a local cave. Today, the Hazrat Daud
It’s one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia, and it’s probably the one place in Uzbekistan that nobody skips. Though largely destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century, the
Samarkand’s Registan Square stands as arguably the single most iconic landmark in all of Central Asia, and no visit to Uzbekistan is really complete without seeing it. In the following guide, we’ll be
Death was the theme of this long excursion from Khiva. The long journey took us to the mysterious Chilpik Kala, an ancient tower where the dead were laid – not for burial, but
If you’re looking for a break from the madrasas and minarets of central Khiva, the neighboring Kyzylkum Desert is home to ancient fortresses that have remained largely untouched for centuries. Over 50 fortresses, collectively referred
Khiva, along with Bukhara and Samarkand, is one of Uzbekistan’s three main tourist cities. But unlike its counterparts, you won’t have to travel far to see its historic attractions – they’re all densely
Located about 60 km southwest of Bukhara, Paykend is an overlooked archaeological site that few tourists venture to see. Admittedly, I hadn’t heard of it before arriving in Bukhara, but a photo in
Bukhara is one of Uzbekistan’s top tourist cities, and for good reason. While there’s plenty to do and see within the city center, consider dedicating a half-day to visiting these lesser-known sites on
Of Uzbekistan’s three major tourism hubs, Bukhara has what’s arguably the largest intact and authentic-feeling Old Town in the country. While it may lack a single attraction that can rival Samarkand’s Registan Square,
Termez, a dusty border city at the southern end of Uzbekistan, feels a world away from the colorful domes of Samarkand and Bukhara. Yet this remote outpost along the Amu Darya River –
Few who make the effort to travel to Afghanistan will regret it. While there are a lot of challenges involved and precautions to take when it comes to touring the country, this detailed
Though you wouldn’t know it from reading government travel advisories, Afghanistan is now safer to visit than it has been in generations. That said, various challenges – including culture, infrastructure, and a confusing
The Torkham Border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is one of the world’s most chaotic borders, with approximately 10,000 people crossing daily – at least when it’s open. The border closes frequently due to
The term ‘crossroads of civilizations’ gets thrown around a lot. But Afghanistan has genuinely earned it, as the region was once home to thriving Zoroastrian, Greek, and Buddhist kingdoms. And ever since the
Takht-e-Rostam is one of the world’s most unusual Buddhist sites. Instead of being constructed, the massive stupa was carved entirely from the top down. Why? Nobody quite knows. But, together with the beautiful
Northern Afghanistan’s main hub, Mazar-i-Sharif, is home to the stunning Blue Mosque, one of the country’s most beautiful and spiritually significant landmarks. But for centuries, the main city here was Balkh. Once among Central
Upon his visit in the early 16th century, Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, declared Herat the ‘world’s finest city.’ It was founded back in 330 BC by none other than Alexander
Afghanistan could be said to have two capitals: Kabul, the country’s largest city and where most administrative offices are located, and Kandahar, the spiritual heart of the country, where the Taliban’s supreme leader
Situated at the heart of a strategic crossroads, Ghazni was once the center of a mighty empire that stretched from Iran to India. But due to waves of invasions, little remains of its
Bamyan is one of Afghanistan’s most visually stunning and historically interesting provinces. From ancient Buddha niches carved into sandstone cliffs to ruined fortresses with mythical backstories, there’s no shortage of things to do
In a region known equally for its beautiful geological formations and its local legends, Bamyan’s Dragon Valley offers both. The narrow gorge is filled with white travertine formations, natural springs, and otherworldly rock
Before my visit to Band-e-Amir National Park, I suspected that a lot of the photos circulating online must have had their saturation heavily boosted. But now having seen the deep blue hue of
Today, the name Bamyan is most associated with the infamous destruction of the Buddhas of Bamyan at the hands of the Taliban in 2001. While we will be discussing that incident below, we
A lot of people are shocked to first learn that Kabul Province used to be a predominantly Buddhist region. And though much of that ancient heritage has largely been lost, visitors can still
Kabul doesn’t have the best day trip options compared with other Afghan cities like Mazar-i-Sharif. But if you’d like to escape the city without going too far, choose the place most locals go:
Kabul is a bustling city of around 5 million people with millennia of history. Most people around the world, however, only associate the city’s name with war and terror. But, at the time
Located in western Pakistan – not far from the Afghan border – Takht Bhai is one of the most important Buddhist archaeological sites in the ancient Gandhara region. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage
Peshawar, the largest city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with a population of nearly 2 million, sits at the edge of the Khyber Pass – the historic mountainous route connecting Pakistan with Afghanistan. The
Gilgit-Baltistan is Pakistan’s northernmost territory and is home to some of the world’s highest mountain ranges. Simply put, this is one of the most breathtaking places on the planet. And this Gilgit-Baltistan itinerary
Northern Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan territory is home to some of Asia’s most striking mountain scenery. And the Hunza Valley is one of the easiest places to experience its dramatic landscapes from up close. But
Passu may just be a small village, but it’s one of the most scenic sections of the Hunza Valley and of Gilgit-Baltistan as a whole. It’s known for its turquoise Hunza River and
There are a myriad of epic hikes in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. And the hike to the Rakaposhi Basecamp is gradually becoming considered a ‘must-do.’ With that said, given its remote location near the
Fairy Meadows is one of northern Pakistan’s most popular destinations. And as discussed in our ‘How to Get to Fairy Meadows’ guide, getting there is arguably the highlight of the whole experience. But
Fairy Meadows, located at around 3,500 m above sea level, is one of northern Pakistan’s most talked-about destinations. It’s the best place from which to view the Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest mountain
Nestled in the heart of Gilgit-Baltistan at around 2,500 meters above sea level, Skardu is one of the world’s most breathtaking places. The city is surrounded by towering mountains of the Karakoram range,
Skardu’s Mansur Rock (confusingly also known as Marsur Rock) is one of Gilgit-Baltistan’s most photogenic natural formations. The arrow-shaped boulder juts dramatically into the sky, overlooking the Hussainabad Valley and Indus River. In
Skardu is one of the major towns of the Gilgit-Baltistan territory, a region that’s fast becoming recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful. There’s quite a lot to do around the area,
Located in the Salt Range of Punjab, roughly midway between Lahore and Islamabad (but slightly closer to the capital), Katas Raj is Pakistan’s most important Hindu pilgrimage site. For a country that’s 96%
Islamabad is Pakistan’s capital, though it ranks only tenth in population with just over a million residents. Unlike most South Asian cities, it’s a planned city built from scratch in the 1960s. Foreign
Taxila – a major center of the ancient Gandhara region – was arguably the most cosmopolitan city of the ancient world. It wasn’t just a place where east met west, but a space
Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, is home to the largest concentration of Mughal architecture in the country. Long the most prominent city of the Punjab region, it’s also regarded as Pakistan’s cultural capital. Nevertheless,
The Lahore Museum is Pakistan’s flagship museum. Founded in 1865 and housed in its present building since 1894, it features around 14,000 artifacts (out of roughly 60,000) on display which span millennia. While
The stunning Golden Temple, the spiritual heart of Sikhism, is typically what draws visitors to Amritsar, a city of 1.1 million people situated at the edge of the country. But there are a
Amritsar’s glistening Golden Temple is the spiritual heart of Sikhism, a religion with nearly 30 million adherents. But visitors of all faiths and nationalities are more than welcome. In the following guide, we’ll
Chandigarh isn’t quite like anywhere in India – a country equally known for its chaotic traffic and its fascinating historical sites. Chandigarh, India’s first planned city, has little of either. While it may
It’s the location of the huge battle at the climax of one of India’s great epics, the Mahabharata. And it’s the setting of the Bhagavad Gita, one of India’s most important sacred texts.
From the early 16th century to the mid-19th century, the Mughal Empire ruled much of South Asia. But it was under the reign of Shah Jahan that Delhi took center stage, remaining the
The Lodhi Art District is considered India’s first art district, transforming what was once a British-era residential neighborhood into an open-air gallery. First established in 2015, it remains the best place in Delhi
The National Museum of India, also commonly known as the ‘National Museum, New Delhi’ is generally considered to be India’s flagship museum (though Mumbai’s CSMVS Museum is another top contender). It’s home to
Perhaps because it was built from scratch to serve as the empire’s capital and would only stay so for fourteen years, Fatehpur Sikri remains the purest example of a Mughal city. Unlike Agra,