When to go
The best time to visit Central Asia
Spring and autumn for the Silk Road cities, summer for the mountains: a month-by-month guide.
The rule of thumb
Central Asia has a dry continental climate: hot summers, cold winters and long, beautiful shoulder seasons. April–May and September–October are ideal for the Silk Road cities and the deserts. June–September is the season for the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and south-east Kazakhstan.
Spring (March–May)
Blossom in the oases, green steppe and wild tulips. Navruz, the Persian new year on 21 March, is celebrated everywhere. High mountain passes are still closed in early spring.
Summer (June–August)
Very hot in Bukhara, Khiva and the Karakum, often above 40 °C in July. Perfect for Song-Kul, the Pamir Highway, the Fann Mountains and the Kolsai lakes. Yurt camps on the high pastures open from mid-June.
Autumn (September–November)
Harvest season, golden light and comfortable temperatures. September is arguably the best month to combine cities and mountains. Yurt camps close in mid to late September; by November the mountains are cold.
Winter (December–February)
Cold but quiet. The old towns are almost empty, hotel prices drop and you may see snow on the domes. Ski resorts open above Almaty, Karakol and Tashkent. Mountain roads and the Pamirs are closed.
Combining cities and mountains
If you want both, aim for late May–early June or September: warm enough at altitude, not too hot in the lowlands. Visit the cities first in spring and the mountains first in autumn.
Rules, timetables and prices change. We check this page regularly, but always confirm entry requirements with official sources before you travel.
