CENTRAL ASIA. PERSONALLY EXPLORED
Central Asia: A long way from ordinary.
The great Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan. Kyrgyzstan's mountains and alpine lakes. Vast landscapes, lively bazaars and places that feel very different from anywhere you've been before.
I'm Kathryn. I've travelled extensively through Central Asia, getting to know the places, the people and what it takes to travel well here.
Through Travel Further, I bring that experience to small, personally hosted journeys and independent trips designed around you.
WHY CENTRAL ASIA?
Silk Road cities, mountain adventures and plenty of surprises.
There are the places you've probably heard of. Samarkand's extraordinary tiled buildings, the old trading streets of Bukhara and the walled city of Khiva.
Then there's Kyrgyzstan, with horses grazing beneath snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes and valleys where you can walk for hours. Kazakhstan brings enormous landscapes and lively cities, while Tajikistan has mountain roads, beautiful valleys and villages that make you want to stay longer.
But there's much more to travelling here than the famous sights.
You can travel comfortably between cities on modern high-speed trains, stay in lovely hotels and eat very well. Or, if you're travelling independently and fancy something less predictable, take a shared taxi and see where the conversation leads.
I tend to smile and say salaam alaykum to just about everyone I meet. People smile back, and sometimes we get talking, even when we don't share a language.
I've been invited into people's homes to eat plov, welcomed into family celebrations and spent wonderful afternoons with people I'd only just met. None of it was planned, and those are some of my favourite memories.
You don't have to choose between comfort and adventure. There's room for both, and you can decide how much of each suits you.
That's one of the things I love about Central Asia.
WHERE TO GO
Different countries. Different reasons to go.
Extraordinary Silk Road cities, intricate architecture, lively bazaars and good food. There's plenty to enjoy beyond the famous monuments, too.
Mountains, alpine lakes, horses, village life and nights in yurts. A wonderful place for walking, riding and getting out into the countryside.
Almaty's lively streets and mountain backdrop, the vast steppe and the extraordinary desert landscapes of Mangystau. A country of remarkable contrasts.
Dramatic mountain roads, the Seven Lakes, welcoming villages and the Pamirs. A country that rewards people who enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
Ashgabat's unusual architecture, ancient cities and the Karakum Desert. A fascinating country with its own particular way of doing things.
An extraordinary country with a rich history and remarkable people. Specialist journeys require careful consideration of current conditions and are arranged through experienced Afghan operators.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL?
Three ways to go further.
Hosted Journeys
Come with me
Very small groups, personally hosted by me, with experienced local guides and hosts alongside us.
I'll look after the arrangements. We'll see the important places properly, but leave time to wander, explore and enjoy being there.
Journey Design
Travel your own way
Have a journey designed around your interests, dates, budget and preferred way of travelling.
I'll work out the route, recommend places to stay and experiences worth including, and help with the practicalities. You choose how much you'd like me to organise
Stopovers
Make a few days count
If your flights take you through Central Asia, why not spend a little time exploring?
I can help you work out whether a stopover in Tashkent, Samarkand or Almaty makes sense, and plan something enjoyable around the time you have.
FEATURED HOSTED JOURNEY
Uzbekistan: Silk Road & Beyond.
The great Silk Road cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, with enough time to enjoy them properly.
Along the way, we'll spend a night with a family in the Nurota Mountains, meet interesting local people and discover a different side of Uzbekistan.
Expect remarkable architecture, good food, carefully chosen places to stay and time to do more than move from one sight to the next.
I'll host the journey throughout, working with local guides and hosts where their knowledge adds something.
12 days | Maximum 8 travellers
NZ$10,950 per person, twin share
2027 departures
27 April – 8 May | 11 – 22 May
14 – 25 September | 28 September – 9 October
All departures guaranteed.
FOR FAMILIES WHO LIKE AN ADVENTURE
Kyrgyzstan. An adventure to share.
Horse riding through mountain country, swimming in lakes, walking among the peaks and meeting the people who live here.
This is a journey for families with teenagers who want to do something memorable together. There are yurts, local food, new experiences and plenty of fresh air.
Some days are active, others leave time to relax. With a maximum of eight guests, we can take account of the families travelling rather than follow a rigid timetable.
12 days / 11 nights · maximum 8 travellers
4 - 15 July 2027 · NZ winter school holidays
NZ$24,000 per family of four
Includes accommodation, local transport, guides and planned activities. Full inclusions on the journey page.
NEW JOURNEY IN DEVELOPMENT
Uzbekistan. By classic Lada.
Imagine taking the wheel of your own classic Soviet Lada and travelling through Uzbekistan in a small convoy.
We'll take the scenic roads, explore the Silk Road cities, stop in interesting places and stay in carefully chosen accommodation along the way.
It's a journey for people who enjoy driving and discovering somewhere new, not just car enthusiasts.
The route is designed to be enjoyable rather than punishing, with time to explore properly and plenty of support along the way.
I'm heading back to Uzbekistan shortly to test the route myself. Once that's done, I'll open bookings for the inaugural journey.
First departure planned for April 2027.
FROM THE ROAD
I went to a museum. I ended up dancing by the river.
I was walking back into Samarkand after visiting a museum when I heard music coming from down by the river.
A group of young women were having a picnic with their children. I wandered over to ask if I could take a photograph.
Before long, I was dancing with them, cuddling babies and being sent on my way with samsas and cherries.
It wasn't something I'd planned. I'd simply heard the music and gone to see what was happening.
I spend plenty of time working out routes, taking trains, finding good places to stay and sorting through the practicalities of travel.
But I also like leaving room for afternoons like that one.
READY TO GO FURTHER?
Start with a conversation
Perhaps you've been thinking about Uzbekistan for years. Maybe you're drawn to Kyrgyzstan's mountains, or you're simply curious about a region you don't know much about yet.
Tell me what interests you, who you're travelling with and how you like to travel.
We can work out where to start.