"A Ride to Khiva" recounts Captain Burnaby's strictly unofficial mission in 1875 to investigate the motives behind Russia's exclusion of foreigners from Central Asia. Forced to travel in winter, he journeyed through blizzards and snowdrifts to reach the mysterious caravan city of Khiva, his adventures extending from surviving the Cossack's treatment for frostbite to taking tea with the Khan. This reissue with a new introduction by the acclaimed author, Peter Hopkirk, is intended for wide popular appeal as an "adventure story", for lovers of travel writing, and those interested in Asian history and the threat posed to British interests by Russia.