Where to Travel in Central Asia: Race Across The World Locations & More

Ready for a wild card adventure? Welcome to Central Asia, also known as the Stans. Sure, it’s not the easiest to find on a map. Telling people that you’re going there is likely to get a response of, “Wait, where now?” But, as Race Across the World followers already know, that’s how the best stories start.

Even if you haven’t been following Series 6, Central Asia needs to be on your travel bucket list. Picture yourself horseback riding into the sunset, camping under the stars in traditional yurt tents, uncovering Silk Road ruins, and discovering the wildest scenery…

Read on to find out how you can go your own race across Central Asia, no FOMO necessary. 👀

Uzbekistan

If you’ve ever felt inspired by tales of the ancient Silk Road, Uzbekistan will have you stepping into living and breathing history. From mosaic-tiled desert cities to traditional arts and the richest foods, Uzbekistan just has this electric energy. Most journeys start here, and after experiencing it for yourself, it can feel pretty impossible to leave.

Fun fact: Uzbekistan is one of only two double-landlocked countries in the world. (The other is Liechtenstein - so if that question ever comes up in a pub quiz, you’re welcome!)

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

The city that inspired the Arabian Nights. And one glance at Registan Square (which also inspired India’s world wonder, the Taj Mahal) says everything. Famed for its ornate pillars, towering gates illuminated by golden light, and blue domed rooftops, it’s a view that never gets old - despite being very, very old.

What’s more astonishing than its daytime views, or the nightly laser-light show (it’s a whole thing), is the history. I don’t want to spoil it, so I’ll just end on this: expect big plot twists.

Khiva, Uzbekistan

Picture a giant sandcastle. Now add in ancient fortress walls, pops of turquoise mosaic, and earthen rooftops that transform from ambers to rosy hazes under the sunset glow. As far as first impressions go, Khiva is like an Uzbek fairytale.

And if the architectural kaleidoscope and maze of backstreets are any indication, yep, Khiva has lots of stories to share. This is Central Asia’s first-ever UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll soon discover why.

Bukhara, Uzbekistan

If Samarkand is the face of Uzbekistan, then Bukhara is the soul. It’s the ‘Heart of the Silk Road’ and the ‘Holiest City in Central Asia.’ Still, despite all that prestige, Bukhara is the one that nobody sees coming.

From architecture that stops you in your tracks (as it’s rumoured to have done for Genghis Khan centuries ago) to rich cultural traditions like bathhouses and live music, Bukhara is sensory. Get lost in the colourful arrays of artisan stalls, breathe in the sweet fragrances at local markets… If you haven’t booked that Uzbek cooking class already, this is the place to do it.

Tajikistan

Tajikistan technically wasn’t featured on Series 6, because it’s not a place you can really ‘race’ in. It’s Central Asia’s smallest country, and mostly mountains. Is getting around without a guide a bit of a logistical nightmare? Sure. Does Tajikistan also reward travellers with the most unspoilt scenery on the planet? Without question.

Fun fact: Over 90% of Tajikistan’s terrain is uphill. Hikers, you’re in luck.

Seven Lakes, Tajikistan

Ordinary name, ethereal setting. Shimmering pools, each a unique shade of blue, are intertwined with the rugged Fan Mountains. Climb from one to the next for a day of picnics and lakeside swimming, or take in each viewpoint on a scenic drive. It’s purely nature talking.

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is the classic picture of Central Asia. The iconic steppes: stretching out onto endless, emerald-rich plains. Mountains everywhere you turn. Riding horseback through the meadows, winding past glacial rivers, soaked in untamed beauty.

Fun fact: Kyrgyzstan invented the World Nomad Games, which brings nearly 90 countries together every few years. For the eagle-eyed traveller: the opening ceremony is August 31st, 2026. Sooo, spontaneous Kyrgyzstan trip? Yeah, go on.

Yurts, Kyrgyzstan

There’s no better way to get immersed in Kyrgyzstan’s nomadic culture than by spending a night camping under the stars in yurts: circular tents that look simple on the outside, woven with vibrant colours inside.

You’ll find yurts throughout Central Asia (and Mongolia), but Kyrgyzstan is especially famous for this tradition, thanks to its vast landscapes. From stargazing to cosy campfires, lakeside dips to just experiencing some everyday life, it’s easily one of Central Asia’s most magical highlights.

Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

Half fairytale, half rustic charm. Hardly any travellers hear about Karakol, but after coming here, it’s all you’ll be talking about. This pastel collage town sits at the tip of the giant Issyk-Kul Lake, at the foothills of the sky-piercing Tian Shan Mountains. 

More than a gateway for outdoorsy adventures, it’s also home to Kyrgyzstan’s diverse local heritage. A traditional Orthodox church and a Dungan mosque sit close together: glimpses into history.

Kazakhstan

Think you’ve seen it all? Oh no, in Kazakhstan, you’re just getting started. From towering dunes to sunset-coloured canyons, an underwater forest, and the most stunning national parks. It’s like a universe waiting to be explored. You can hardly believe that it’s all Kazakhstan.

Fun fact: Kazakhstan is roughly the same size as Western Europe. It’s kind of like going from Paris to Istanbul, except all inside one country.

Kaindy Lake, Kazakhstan

There are forests, and then there’s Kaindy Lake. Nothing seems out of the ordinary as you wander through the woods, until reaching the water… Picture skeletal trees, plunged into a pool of bright aqua. Get past the haunted kind of vibe, and it’s really quite beautiful.

Singing Dunes (Altyn-Emel National Park), Kazakhstan

You’ve discovered golden stretches before, but do they sing? When the skies are blue, listen closely to the natural rumbling as the sand shifts in the wind. Standing on the edge of each dune will make you feel on top of the world. Make sure you’re wearing a flowy layer as you gaze out onto the clouds (for dramatic effect, of course).

Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan

Every traveller’s first impression of Charyn Canyon is how similar it looks to the USA’s most iconic national park. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll unearth all the specifics. Scorched rock formations resembling ancient fortresses, trails almost entirely to yourself, and golden eagles circling the sky.

If you’ve made it this far, you must be pretty serious about The Stans. Understandably so. Our 26-day journey here ticks Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan off your bucket list in the best way possible, with new friends and featuring all the highlights above.

Want more? That’s just the beginning of all the travel memories you can make with us. Racers, it’s time.

How You Can Race Across The World… Sort Of

Want a journey that’s just as epic as the contestants’, except with less chaos, extreme racing, and sleeper bus marathons? Travel Around The World… with us!

Discover over 50 countries and choose adventures in every single continent, whether that’s the frozen stretches of Antarctica, the Amazon Rainforest, the Sahara Desert, the Great Barrier Reef and more.

You can even build your own customised itinerary if you want to replicate a Race Across the World route from this series or the past. Get in touch with one of our friendly travel experts today, and they’ll make it happen. Go, go, go! ✈️