Serene Tented Dream

3,200 metres (10,500 feet), altitude of Tash Rabat yurt camp in southern Kyrgyzstan

Take a moment to look upwards, seduced by nothing else but sheer sublimity of the sky above. The almost silent sound of nature whispering through the plains, valleys and lakes, as the night draws in. We pull shut the heavy door layered with thick felt, shake off our embroidered slippers and slip between cosy layers of blankets (and the occasional sleeping bag). Tonight’s sleep will drift by with blissful contentment under the peaked roof of a traditional yurt.

These wondrous dwellings have been a key part of nomadic living for centuries and in our opinion a night’s stay - at least - is an essential encounter during your Central Asia travels. Miles from urban architecture and city life, it’s an opportunity to become fully enthralled in the wilderness beauty, whether that’s deep within luscious valleys, desolate desert landscapes or alongside grand alpine lakes.

On occasion we are fond of the comforts offered by a luxury hotel and it’s certainly the best way to end a trip before an onward flight, yet experiencing the abundant kindness and calming hospitality of staying at a family-owned yurt camp is unrivalled. Here at The Central Collective, we have a handful of favourite yurt stays to inspire any future trip.

Sleeping over in the Kyzylkum Desert of Uzbekistan, where local musicians often stop by to liven up post-dinner moments. Deep in the Naryn Province of southern Kyrgyzstan, a stone’s throw away from a 15th century caravanserai, lies a set of spectacularly located yurt camps. Some include Russian-style saunas, where a medley of hot steam room, natural river swim and a ‘massage’ with bunches of dried birch awaits you. For a breathtaking lake and mountain duo, Son Kul presents a remoteness like no other in western Kyrgyzstan. Expect a day of carpet making workshops, horse riding, and endless glasses of fermented milk. A yurt camp experience will undoubtedly stay with you long after you’ve arrived home.