For several years now, the countries of Central Asia have been topping lists of the world’s best emerging destinations. Well deserved media coverage has flooded in for the Silk Road cities, but there are still plenty of off the beaten track locations to pique the interest of imaginary travellers. In this blog we’ve rounded up of favourite hidden destinations in Central Asia, places which are little known and under visited, but which we know you’ll love.
Yagnob Valley, Tajikistan
The Yagnobis are the descendants of the ancient Sogdians. Many of their traditions date back 2,000 years or more, and their language has hardly changed. This is particularly remarkable given that the population was forcibly resettled during the Soviet prior: it’s only since the 1980s that families have been allowed to return to their ancestral homes and their traditional ways of life.
The Yagnob Valley is about 100km from Dushanbe, found between the Zarafshan and Gissar Ranges of northwest Tajikistan. The best way to see this striking, mountainous terrain is on foot or by mountain bike, as there are no roads in the upper valley. Here, the terrain is tough, the paths uneven, but the hospitality of the people is warm and the views make the hardships worthwhile. Yagnob is one of the least visited but culturally most intriguing destinations in Tajikistan.
Yagnob Valley. ©Martin Lenk
Song Kol, Kyrgyzstan
If you need to get away from fast paced city life, high altitude Song Kol is the sorbet your brain is seeking. This alpine lake is in the northern province of Naryn is the less busy alternative to the more famous Issyk Kul.
Song Kol is surrounded by yurt camps where Kyrgyz nomads live whilst grazing their flocks on the lush high pastures during the summer months. Paramount Journey will arrange for you to stay with a local family, learning how to milk horses, care for sheep and goats, and to make colourful felt shyrdak (rugs). There are often games of kok boru (dead goat polo) at Ak Tala on Song Kol’s southern shore, and it’s quite a spectacle to see two adrenaline fuelled teams fighting on horseback for control of a decapitated goat carcass.
Song Kol. ©Maximum Exposure
Butakovka Waterfalls, Kazakhstan
Fans of outdoor swimming need to move Butakovka Waterfalls to the top of their Central Asia bucket list. The waterfalls are in Butakovka Valley, and though the lower one is popular with picnickers from nearby Almaty, you don’t have to hike far along the gorge to get beyond the crowds.
Unlike the Yagnob Valley, Butakovka is a year round destination. In summertime there are wild raspberries to munch on, and after your swim you can sun yourself on the rocks. In winter, the falls freeze, and with a sprinkling of snow around it feels quite the Winter Wonderland. Combine this experience with ice skating at Medeu, the world’s largest high altitude rink.
Butakovka Waterfalls. ©Pecherskiy Konstantin
Elliq Qala, Uzbekistan
In the Kyzylkum Desert of Karakalpakstan you will find the ruins of more than 50 fortresses. 2,000 years ago, this region was of great strategic importance, hence the huge number of fortifications. Known as Elliq (50) Qala, these mighty structures rise up from the sand, and though only a small fraction of them have ever been excavated, there’s no doubt about their size and impenetrable nature.
Two of the most stunning fortresses to visit are Toprak Qala and Ayaz Qala. At Toprak Qala, the full layout of the citadel is clearly visible: you can still walk between the mud brick walls, popping into rooms and exiting through original doorways. At Ayaz Qala, there are three archaeological sites dating from different periods in the same location. The views from the highest fortress across the steppe are quite remarkable, especially at dusk when the sky turns pink.
Elliq Qala. ©Maximum Exposure
Yangykala Canyon, Turkmenistan
The most famous canyon in Central Asia is Charyn Canyon. But ever since it featured as a location in Ewan MaxGregor’s travel documentary Long Way Round, it can hardly be described as “hidden”.
Instead, we advocate visiting Yangykala Canyon in Turkmenistan. This natural wonder is created from bands of pink, yellow, and red rock, and the steep sides rising up to the plateau are visible from miles away. Yangykala is far from any tourist trail. Indeed, if you hike in the canyon and camp over night, the chances are you’ll wake up in the morning and be the only person around.
Yangykala Canyon. ©ANJCI ALL OVER
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There are hundreds of hidden gems in Central Asia: we’ve written about only five of them here. If you are keen to get off the beaten path in the ‘Stans and discover them for yourself, get in touch with the Paramount Journey team and we’ll create you a bespoke itinerary.
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