So with the COVID19 pandemic now having a chance of being under control sometime in the next 12 months, and assuming a working vaccine, I’ve started considering future trip ideas.

I was thinking of going ‘off the beaten path’ somewhat, already iconically on a former major trading route – The Silk Road. This would also allow me to experience and see some of the impact the old Soviet era have in these areas.

Gorges of Chong-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan

The countries I’m looking at visiting are:

1. Kyrgyzstan;
2. Kazakhstan;
3. Tajikistan;
4. Uzbekistan;
5. Turkmenistan;
6. Turkey; and
7. Singapore.

All but Singapore would be new countries for me and I’d travel for around 6 weeks in May and June 2022.

The tours that I’m strongly considering, using G Adventures, are:

• The Five Stans of the Silk Road

• The Best of Turkey

Some of the highlights should include: Sleeping in traditional yurts, visiting Fortress of Alexander the Great, exploring Khiva Ancient City, visiting Darvaza Gas Crater (Gates of Hell), visiting Ashgabat Hippodrome (traditional horse track), exploring Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, and Turkish bazaars.

Khiva Ancient City, Uzbekistan

Traditional Yurt, Kyrgyzstan

Darvaza Gas Crater (Gates of Hell), Turkmenistan

Ephesus, Turkey

Ashgabat Hippodrome