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Almaty, Kazakhstan
Almaty has direct flights to London and is a great gateway city. Explore the colourful Green Bazaar and take the cable car up to Kok-Tobe hill for panoramic views of the city against the Tian Shan mountains. Grab a bowl of beshbarmak and stock up on supplies before heading into Kyrgyzstan.
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Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek is the ideal base to organise your 4x4 rental and permits for the Kyrgyz wilderness. Visit Ala-Too Square and the excellent State History Museum to get a feel for the country's nomadic heritage. Stock up on snacks at Osh Bazaar before hitting the mountain roads.
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Chong-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan
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Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan
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Song-Köl, Kyrgyzstan
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Tamga, Kyrgyzstan
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Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Drive east from Bishkek along the stunning southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul to reach Karakol, a key adventure hub. The Sunday animal market is one of Central Asia's most authentic experiences, and Ala Kul lake trek is world-class. Use this as your base for 4x4 exploration into the Tian Shan high passes.
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Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan
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Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Tashkent is Central Asia's largest city and a surprisingly cosmopolitan finish point for your Uzbekistan leg. Ride the famously ornate Soviet-era metro, visit the Chorsu Bazaar, and spend an evening in the lively Yunusabad district. Tashkent has good direct or one-stop connections back to London, making it a practical final hub.
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Bukhara, Uzbekistan
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Samarkand, Uzbekistan
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Tashkent, Uzbekistan