This chapter contains the welcome to central asia, central asia's top 15, need to know, first time central asia, if you like..., month by month, itineraries, visas permits, border crossings, activities, community based tourism, and countries at a glance chapters from lonely planet's central asia guidebook. Your journey to central asia starts here. You'll find the tools to plan your adventure where to go and when, how much to budget, plus in depth info on visas, permits and border cross ings. Tailor made itineraries, arranged by region, themes and events list of highlights and best experiences everything you need to know about outdoor activities user friendly country overview ensures you won't miss a thing coverage includes welcome to central asia, central asia's top 15, need to know, first time central asia if you like sile road architecture, hiking, nomadic life, com munity based tourism, archaeological sites, off the beaten track, the weird the downright odd, cultural immersion, month by month, itineraries, visas permits, border crossings, activi ties, community based tourism, and countries at a glance.