The Helpful Stranger

Providing an authentic and honest opinion on travel destinations

Tag: Kyrgyzstan

  • Public transport in Central Asia – a complete guide

    Some of the best experiences we had in Central Asia were on public transport. It brings you into direct contact with locals who are often as curious about you and your life as you are of them. From in-depth conversations with the Turkistan football team on the train between Turkistan and Shymkent at 4am, to… Read more

  • An introduction to travel in Central Asia

    Central Asia is a vast region nestled between Afghanistan and the powerhouse nations of Russia, China and Iran. The region consists of five countries, the ‘five stans’; Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Formerly part of the Russian Empire, all of the Central Asian countries became independent in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet… Read more

  • Pamir Highway Road Trip – an honest review and survival guide

    The Pamir Highway, otherwise known as M41, is the ultimate road trip in Central Asia. The stretch between Dushanbe and Osh is 1,200km and passes through the Pamir Mountain range, making it one of the highest altitude highways in the world. Because of its remoteness, there is no public transportation. The only ways to travel… Read more