The mountains of Uzbekistan, the Tien Shan and the Pamir Alai ranges in the southeast, harbour a host of outdoor activities for the adventure seeker. The peaks of Pobeda (7439 metres), Korzhenevskaya (7105 metres) and Khan Tengri (6995 metres) are for serious mountaineers.

Trekkers can joyfully wear themselves out in the foothills above the Ferghana Valley. If you’re heading for the mountains the best time to plan your trip for is between March and November. Snow climbing, rock climbing, rafting, kayaking, skiing and caving are some of the other activities that attract adventure seekers to Uzbekistan. The caves here, Boi Bulok (1415 metres) and Kievskaya (990 metres) are deep and dangerous and only for those who have substantial experience in the sport.

Every year many travellers cycle through the Central Asian section tracing the Silk Road. But obviously this is only for the most seasoned of cyclists and intrepid of travellers. For those who are attempting this rather remarkable journey, carry lots of small change for the countless choikhanas that will punctuate the long haul from the Turkmen border through Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent; stack up on spare tyres and sally forth!

There are easier trails in the Ferghana Valley and near Tahskent. There are a few bike rental stores in Tashkent from where you can hire a bike and strike out into the surrounding countryside. 

Warning: All travellers are advised to avoid the remote parts of the country, especially the Afghan and Tajik borders where activities of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan have been targeted against tourists in the past. Trekkers should be aware that in 1999 and 2000 several incidents of hostage taking directed at foreigners have occurred. 4 American hikers were taken hostage as recently as August 2000.