Sandwiched between Russia, China and India, the Stans are a wild world of white mountains, ochre desert and green plains. The former Soviet Republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikstan and Uzbekistan also lie at the crossroads of cultures and at the heart of the ancient Silk Road. This part of the world has always been close to our hearts and is the stuff of adventure travel legend. The romance of the past, the friendliness of the people, the unspoiled wilderness and the opportunity for adventure ensure we will always return.

Situated at the heart of Central Asia and the Great Game, Uzbekistan has a rich and mixed culture dating back thousands of years. Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane have all left their mark here. With a depth of history that is matched by few places on Earth, it is not surprising that this relatively undiscovered country won the Wanderlust award for Most Desirable Emerging Destination.

On our Samarkand and the Silk Road holiday, you'll discover blue-domed mosques in Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva and explore the fabled Silk Road cities. Our walks on this trip aren't just about seeing the sights, but are intended to give a fuller understanding of this fascinating corner of the world. This includes walks in the Nurata and Zarafshan mountains, a beautiful place rarely visited by outsiders. Travellers will meet Uzbek shepherds and fishermen and be welcomed into their rural villages.

Did you know that Kazakhstan translates as 'Land of the Wanderers'? It's also the 9th largest country in the world and as big as Western Europe. Much of Kazakhstan is dry 'steppe' or grassland, with 'Siberian' forest in the north and Central Asian desert and oases in the south.

On our adventure holidays in Kazakhstan, traveller's will experience the south-eastern corner, close to the borders with China and Kirghizstan. From the icy Tien Shan Mountains to the red stone Charyn Canyon with it's famous 'Singing Sand-Dune', and from the bustling cafe culture of old-town Almaty to the yurt dwelling nomads of the Assy Plateau, these adventures are truly like discovering a new world.

Serene, endless mountains landscapes are what awaits in Kyrgyzstan, a landlocked country that shares borders with Kazakhstan, Chine, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It is particularly mountainous, with the main ranges and foothills of the Tien Shan covering fully three-quarters of the land area. Sometimes known as the 'Swizterland of Central Asia', its high valleys are home to shepherds who make their living from herds of sheep, goats and horses.

Our Mountains and Lakes of Kyrgyzstan adventure holiday is an immersion into the best of Kyrgyzstan culture and nature. Trek through the Tian Shan 'Mountains of Heaven' and meet local noadic tribes who've preserved their way of life for centuries. Travellers will also marvel at the incredible landscapes of Issyk-Kul lake or 'Colourful Lake' and the fabled 'Fairytale Canyon of Skazka.' It is a country that remains untouched by the outside world and is Central Asia's stunning hidden gem.

The smallest Central Asian country, it's rough and rugged, landlocked, covered by mountains and more than half of the country is above 3000 metres. The Fann Mountains, lying to the north of the capital Dushanbe, is one of the most impressive ranges. Its dramatic landscapes are now ultimate playgrounds for climbers, trekkers and adventure travellers and there are more than 100 beautiful peaks in this range. On our Ultimate Fann Mountains Trek, travellers will climb to awe-inspiring viewpoints, enjoy camping lakeside and meet the nomadic Tajik shepherds on their remote pastures. This itinerary helps travellers access and discover the parts of Central Asia and the Fann Mountains that other tours just don't reach!

Mongolia may not be a 'Stan' but it's a unique gem of Central Asia. Ulaanbaatar is the capital and the only town of any size and has a thriving Naraantul market that gives an authentic taste to Mongolian life. Most of the Mongolian people are herders who live in tents known as 'gers', moving their flocks seasonally in search of the best grazing.

In Mongolia, the winter is relentless and the Lake Khuvsgul freezes thick enough to be travelled on by dog sled. This is exactly what our Lake Khuvsgul Dog Sled Adventure attempts – to make a complete circuit of the lake known as ‘the blue pearl of Mongolia’ with your own team of 5-6 Alaskan huskies. Camp on the lake-shore and catch your own fish for dinner, and become familiar with the ethnic groups that live here. Throughout the expedition you will be at the mercy of the whims of the lake, making it a truly unique and unusual experience!