The 10 backpackers (L-R): Ching Neng
Bin, Chia Kok Bin, Chew Leng Soon, Chan Hew Ley, Nancy Ho Siew Cheng, Law Chew Siah, Clara Leong Sook Wah, Ng Yoke Ping, Joanne Tan Pheck San, and Ronnie Chin
Keng Kok.
Day 1 (18 May 2026) KLIA @13.50 → Tashkent Airport @18.15 (7h:40m)
Every great journey begins with a departure. For our group of ten Malaysian backpackers, the departure point was Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2. The excitement of a new adventure is always something special.
Before every major journey, there is preparation—checking passports, confirming tickets, packing clothes, arranging travel documents and making sure that nothing important has been forgotten.
But once we arrive at the airport, the planning is finally over. The adventure begins. Our destination was Central Asia. For many travellers from Malaysia, Central Asia remains a mysterious part of the world. It is not as frequently visited as Europe, Japan, Australia or neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. Yet Central Asia has always fascinated me.
- It is a land of ancient civilizations.
- It is the land of the legendary Silk Road.
- It is a place where East and West once met.
For centuries, merchants travelled across these lands carrying silk, spices, gold and other valuable goods. Along with trade came ideas, religions, cultures and knowledge. Now, centuries later, we were travelling towards the same part of the world.
Our first flight took us from Kuala Lumpur towards Tashkent, Uzbekistan. As the aircraft left Malaysia behind, I looked forward to the next twenty days. Ahead of us were three countries.
Kyrgyzstan. Uzbekistan. Tajikistan.
We did not yet know every detail of what we would experience. But perhaps that is one of the greatest attractions of travel. The unknown. A journey becomes an adventure when we leave our familiar world behind and step into something new. The Silk Road II Adventure had officially begun.
The adventure began in the early hours of the morning at KLIA2. Arriving at 2.25am, I found a quiet corner in the terminal and caught a few hours of sleep. As dawn broke, I had breakfast at Family Mart and later met up with the other travelers.
In the other corner, some people were sleeping on the floor.
One by one, the other members of our group arrived. Soon, all ten Malaysian backpackers had gathered, excited and eager for the journey ahead. With our backpacks loaded and spirits high, we were ready to embark on our 20-day Silk Road II adventure.
AirAsia boarding pass for flight No. D7 122 on 18h May 2026.
KLIA Terminal 2.
AirAsia flight No. D7 122 on 18h May 2026 to Tashkent Airport @18:15 (7h: 40m).
AirAsia flight No. D7 122 on 18h May 2026 to Tashkent Airport @18:15 (7h: 40m).
AirAsia flight No. D7 122 on 18h May 2026 to Tashkent Airport @18:15 (7h: 40m).
AirAsia flight No. D7 122 on 18h May 2026 to Tashkent Airport @18:15 (7h: 40m).
Flying over the snow-covered mountains in Uzbekistan.
AirAsia flight No. D7 122 on 18h May 2026 to Tashkent Airport.
AirAsia flies into Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport (TAS).
At Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport (TAS).
At Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport (TAS).
Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport is the main international airport in Uzbekistan, the second-busiest airport in Central Asia, and the 7th-busiest airport in the former Soviet Union. It is located 12 km from the center of Tashkent.
1st night accommodation: Revel Hotel, Tashkent. 
First night at Revel Hotel, Tashkent. The hotel is clean and well-maintained, which adds to the comfort of the stay. A great advantage is its proximity to the airport.
Dinner was the takeaway Kebab footer at Doner House beside the Revel Hotel in Tashkent.
Dinner was the takeaway Kebab footer at Doner House beside the Revel Hotel in Tashkent. Goodnight!
2026 Central Asia (Silk Road II) Adventure
Kyrgyzstan • Uzbekistan • Tajikistan (18 May – 6 June 2026)
The 10 backpackers: Chan Hew Ley, Chew Leng Soon, Chia Kok Bin,
Ching Neng Bin, Clara Leong Sook Wah, Joanne Tan Pheck San, Law Chew
Siah, Nancy Ho Siew Cheng, Ng Yoke Ping, Ronnie Chin Keng Kok.
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