Goat news for Central Asia

Whilst it’s good news for goats in DR Congo (a herd were recently released from jail – don’t ask!), the same cannot be said for their Central Asian cousins. For some, ‘Goat Polo’ probably won’t be on their spectator sport wish list, but it’s a sporting option offered by Dragoman Overland, during its mega 12 and a half week overland from Turkey to Kathmandu.

Leaving Istanbul, travel to the moon-like landscape and underground dwellings of Goreme Valley in Turkey’s Cappadocia. Entering the Caucasus, experience spectacular mountain scenery, orthodox churches and monasteries, traditional homestays, great feasts accompanied by copious local wines, amidst a region steeped in hundreds of years of history and culture.

In Azerbaijan, spend a night at a well-preserved ancient caravanserai, visit the remote metal-smith village of Lahij, the mud volcanoes of Gobustan, the fortress towers at Mardyakhan and, if time permits, a Zoroastrian Fire Temple at Surakhany. Moving east, crossing the Caspian Sea utilising a former Soviet ferry, the overland enters the vast Karakum Desert of Turkmenistan. Travel to the historic ruin of Nissa Fortress and then onto Ashgabat with its vast Tolkuchka Sunday market.

Tracing the path of ancient caravans along the world’s most evocative trade route, the Silk Route, visit the World Heritage sites of Khiva, historic Bukhara and Samarkand. Traverse some of the world’s remotest and harshest landscapes, including the ‘big mountain’ countries of Kyrgyzstan, Xinjiang and Tibet, where passes encountered are regularly in excess of 5,000m – you need to be fit and healthy for this particular trip… In Kyrgyzstan, stop and watch a game of Buzkashi or ‘goat polo’ – animal rights campaigners may want to sit this one out! The game is centuries old and the winners get the goat, literally!

Throughout the journey the route is packed with iconic Central Asian landmarks, from the high passes of Kyrgyzstan's Tien Shan, the fabled Karakoram Highway between Kashgar and Taxkorgan, the Tibetan Plateau, Mount Everest, the Friendship Highway to the hard won Torugart Pass and vast inhospitable Taklimakan Desert. The tour concludes in Asia’s newest republic,Kathmandu, with time for more cultural explorations.

The tour costs £3,550 plus kitty $1,910 (~£1,061) including hotels and camping accommodation (60%/40%), all camp meals, transport aboard Dragoman Overland’s customised truck and expert guidance from a two person crew and local guides.

International flights are not included but are available through Dragoman Overland. Book now for 2009 – departing Istanbul 27th May.

For more information, see Dragoman.com.