Latest Central Asia Headlines

The Kingdom of Bhutan has an index of happiness. What better way to experience it than on your own vintage motorcycle.

In the glory days of the overland trail Donal Conlon push-starts his way across Asia on a dodgy bus. Along the way they somehow heard that Elvis died, so probably 1977.

‘Victory Day’ is celebrated throughout Russia and the former Soviet satellite states. Ski Krieger explores the somewhat nuanced nationalism in Almaty, the Kazakh capital.

Jude Perera takes his family to see the wildlife in Yala, Sri Lanka’s prime game park. But though he finds a few animals he sees a lot more tourists. Yala is getting crowded.

It might seem niche, but Tom Herstad finds there’s plenty of sense structuring a tour of India around 1960’s pop icons.

Charlie Walker cycles far too far – though not fast – as he pedals across India on his way to Africa. Here there’s a river in the way.

Sara McMurry finds few Tibeta deities in Daramsala, so she heads off, more usefully, to Mcleodganj,

Sara McMurry takes a considered look at arranged marriages, as they happen in Asia, and wonders whether they might just work.

Bhupender Gupta heads from Mumbai to Rajasthan to see one of India’s most famous tiger reserves – and the very first day brings sightings.

Sara McMurray wrestles with one of India’s most intractable problems: the enduring issue of caste.

Kip Brook finds a visit to India a thoroughly transformative experience.

Will Ottley ventures into the Himalaya’s ‘Secret Kingdom’, where happiness is a social aim and tradition is perfectly preserved.

Sara McMurry goes shopping in Jaiselmer and learns how to identify a genuine Pashmina.

Adam Clapham’s portrait of small-village life in India includes a paen to the humble coconut – and it’s alcoholic potential.

When Sara McMurry stops working she doesn’t retire. She goes off on a series of volunteering stints teaching children in rural India, In this extract she’s teaching in a village near Shiv in the deserts of Rajasthan.

Adam Clapham’s new book portrays daily life in a small Karnataka village. In this extract a straggler strays into town.

Sjue Krieger discovers the vital importance, in the Caucasus, of not being a CIA spy. As this brings the risk of sudden death.

Turkey’s Cappadocia region is an iconic destination. Elizabeth von Pier tours the world’s most indiosyncratic desert destinations.

Elizabeth von Pier takes tea and time to explore the shopping opportunities in Turkey’s greatest city.

Lee Ruddin finds history hangs heavy as he finds while he’s getting selfies against Bombay’s famous Gateway to India, everyone else chooses their background as the Taj. And that’s the Taj Hotel, not the wonder-of-the-world in Agra.

Photographer Kyle Oberman talks to the Travelmag about his expedition into China in search of the elusive – and endangered – panda bears.

There are 18 icy, wolf-infested kilometres between these two countries. Yuri Drobkov has the choice between freezing and getting eaten in the wastes of Central Asia.

Everyone told Teja that English was widely spoken in India, and getting a SIM card would be easy. But when she flies into Varanasi she finds neither statement true.

Experienced gemologist Kim Rix outlines what to look for in sapphires and how to safely buy them abroad. In her new book she’s already outlined what to look for. Now she tells you how to buy.

Heading up into Nepal’s highlands by bus, Yuri Drobkov stumbles into a pretty exotic bit of authentic culture.

Most travellers to the Indian Sub-Continent steer clear during its seasonal rains. Jack Cage says this is the time to capture the real spirit of the country.

Expat life in India can be terrific, but there is plenty of red tape. Let Richard Michael be your guide to cut through the beaurocracy.

An early injury curbs Brian Fisher’s ambitious plans for travelling around Thailand. But not by much..

Kiwi traveller Mary Jane Walker revisits Turkey’s iconic Cappadocia region, and takes the trouble to put it in a historic perspective.

Charlie Walker’s continuing adventures have resulted in the launch of a new travel book. Here, for the first time, take the chance to read his prologue.

Ignoring the advice of friends, Bhupender Gupta visits the lakes of Kashmir, where he finds a warm welcome in a postcard-pretty land now starved of tourists.

Digestive problems don’t stop Cole Evanek appreciating the sense of hope sweeping through one of the world’s least visited destinations, the country once called Burma.

Bhutan, the tiny country half-crushed between China and India, is famed for it’s religious adherence and dedication to national happiness. Alex Jones has been there.

As tension mounts over North Korea, Jacob Laukaitis – who has visited both – has put together a timely video to illustrate what each country is actually like.

Lee Ruddin finds many of Sri Lanka’s famous highlights overrun with travellers and spoiled. The overlooked town of Matara is much more to his liking.

Back in the 70’s the surf scene in Sri Lanka is pretty much a paradise, according to Devika A Rosamund. It probably still is.

Charlie Walker tracks the border between Russia and Asia. It’s cold up there but Cally helps him travel a route with absolutely no transport infrastructure.

Adventurer par excellence Charlie Walker runs into legal problems as he fights his way through a forgotten corner of the Soviet Empire. Who knew tourism was so illegal.