Current as of: December 12, 2025 - 17:59
3 out of 7 - Moderate
Vast deserts, open steppe, fertile valleys and striking mountain ranges shape the landscapes of the Five Stans, the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia. Their towns and cities reveal the movement of armies, traders, and scholars over millennia: Greek and Persian campaigns, Mongol expansion, Silk Road exchange, ambitious astronomers, and Soviet-era experiments. Encounter traditional villages, intricately tiled madrassas, alpine lakes, lively markets and wide boulevards − a vivid portrait of a region where histories overlap and contemporary Central Asian culture continues to evolve in fascinating ways.
About this trip: We have two versions of this trip. One starts in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and ends in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and the other runs in reverse. Apart from the direction of travel, the two itineraries are similar – the main difference is the route taken through Kyrgyzstan and the accommodation there.
Highlights
This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Itinerary: Over a relatively short period, we visit a vast array of sites, both cultural and natural, and cover five fascinating countries, which share a common history but are now developing individually. It covers a lot of distance in three weeks and there are several places where we only spend one night. While this is not an active trip, the pace and distance covered can be tiring. There are also some hikes, particularly in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. These are not challenging and can vary depending on the preferences and abilities of the group.
Climate: Temperatures can be very high, especially in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and particularly in July and August but high temperatures are increasingly common in other months too. In contrast, in the mountains, particular at Son Kul, be prepared for lower temperatures, possibly even snow.
Drives: Most tend to be four to five hours. On Day 17, we have a particularly long drive of around nine hours. Timings are approximate and construction work can increase journey times, particularly in Kyrgyzstan. Some roads are in poor condition.
Trains: We take two train journeys in Uzbekistan. The train from Khiva to Bukhara is a Soviet-era train. The journey is made by day, but the train is a sleeper with four berths per compartment. Sometimes we share with people who are not part of our group. The train from Bukhara to Samarkand is a modern high-speed train. Timetable changes are a possibility and occasionally there are difficulties securing train tickets (for example, when there are large government events). In these cases, we may travel by road instead.
Comfort and service: Central Asia doesn’t always have great infrastructure, and you shouldn’t expect the same comforts or levels of service you would get at home.
Smoking: Smoking in public is illegal in Turkmenistan and you should not smoke outside the airport on arrival or in the street. You can only bring two packs of cigarettes into Turkmenistan.
Itinerary changes: Given the bureaucracy in the region, we may be forced to change the route or activities due to government decisions beyond our control.
Tour leaders and border crossings: As we travel through several countries, we have several different tour leaders over the trip. Border crossings can be chaotic and require patience. A tour leader will cross the borders with the group, except the Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan border. You need to carry all your own luggage through the border crossings and at train stations. We recommend you travel light.
Darvaza Gas Crater: We have removed a visit to the Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan from this trip as the flames are now dying down. Instead we visit the ruins of the ancient Silk Road cities of Merv and Kunya Urgench,
Water safety: This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
The group is generally between four and 16 people.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 4
Max group size: 16
The adventure begins in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. As per Turkmen law, we arrange arrival transfers for everyone in the group. See the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more details. There are no arranged activities today, as many flights arrive very late at night or early tomorrow morning.
Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)
Following what for many people will have been a late night or early morning arrival, we have our welcome briefing at 11am and then begin our exploration of Ashgabat.
Ashgabat holds the record for the most white-marble buildings in the world. In the post-Soviet era, successive Turkmen leaders built these impressive buildings as a show of the country’s strength, and they make for a surreal sight. Ashgabat has been described as Pyongyang meets Las Vegas, and you can see why.
We have a half-day tour of Ashgabat including Ertogrul Ghazi mosque, Independence Park, the Neutrality Arch, Constitution Monument, Alem Ferris Wheel, Constitution Monument, Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, and the Wedding Palace, which looks over the city from a hilltop. We also have a visit to the national museum and later a short tour of the city by night (40 minutes).
Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)
After an early breakfast, we transfer (up to four hours) to Mary, a contemporary city that serves as the gateway to ancient Merv.
In the early afternoon, we continue to this vast World Heritage site, once among the largest cities on Earth. We move between key surviving areas, including the windswept remains of crumbling towers and walls, to gain a sense of the scale that so impressed medieval travellers.
Later, we return to Mary to look around the modern town, including the Juma Mosque and the small Russian Orthodox Church.
Accommodation: Margush/Mary Hotel (or similar)
Returning to Ashgabat, we arrive early afternoon with time to visit the Magtymguly Monument, dedicated to the 18th-century poet whose work shaped Turkmen literary identity. From here, we continue to the archeological site of Nissa, once a capital of the Parthian Empire, which ruled a vast stretch of territory from present-day Iraq to Pakistan more than 2,000 years ago.
Our final visit is a local farm known for breeding Akhal-Teke horses. Celebrated for their distinctive metallic sheen and long-distance stamina, they remain an enduring emblem of Turkmen national heritage.
Later, we transfer to Ashgabat airport for our evening flight to Dashoguz.
Accommodation: Hotel Dashoguz (or similar)
After breakfast, we drive for two hours to Kunya Urgench. Once the capital of the Khorezm region under the Achaemenid Empire, this World Heritage site preserves a remarkable collection of monuments dating from the 11th to 16th centuries. Our tour leader guides us between the remains of mosques, caravanserai gates, fortresses and mausoleums, culminating at the 195ft (60m) Gutlug Timur Minaret. The craftsmanship seen here influenced architectural traditions across Iran and Afghanistan, and later shaped elements of 16th-century Mughal design in India.
We then make the two-hour return drive to Dashoguz, followed by a further 20 minutes to the Shavat border post. Here, we say goodbye to our Turkmen tour leader and complete border formalities before meeting our Uzbek leader on the other side. Procedures often take a couple of hours and include a short shuttle bus across no-man’s-land (have US$1 ready in cash). We continue to Khiva, aiming to arrive around 6pm.
Accommodation: Malika Khorezm (or similar)
The walled Itchan Kala is Khiva’s meticulously preserved old city. Here, our tour leader takes us to: the tiled base of the never-completed Kalta Minar; the Kunya-Ark, the 12th-century fortress that once housed the Khiva khans; and the serene mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud, Khiva’s patron poet-saint.
We continue to the Islam Khoja minaret and madrasah and the atmospheric Juma Mosque, whose roof is carried by 218 carved wooden columns. Further highlights include the richly decorated Tash Khauli palace complex and Allakuli Khan Madrassah.
Along the way, we step into artisan workshops to see how Khiva’s crafts endure today, learning about the techniques behind wool and silk carpets, embroidery, ceramics and intricate wood inlay.
Accommodation: Malika Khorezm (or similar)
After breakfast, we drive for about two hours into the arid plains of Khorezm. Now sparsely settled, these lands were once marshy and densely inhabited by the Massagetae Scythians, horseback archers known for resisting successive empires – including defeating Cyrus the Great in 529 BCE. Our main stop is Ayaz-Qala, a sixth-century hilltop fortress with wide views across the steppe. Depending on timing, we may also visit other nearby castles before continuing to Urgench, about 1hr 30min away.
In the afternoon, we board a train from Urgench to Bukhara, travelling 6hr 30min across the Kyzyl-Kum desert. The service typically uses Soviet-era carriages with four-berth compartments, so it’s worth bringing snacks and water for the journey.
We arrive late into Bukhara and head straight to our hotel.
Please note: timings and itinerary may vary depending on train schedules.
Accommodation: Sultan Hotel (or similar)
The 2,000-year-old city of Bukhara has an old centre that evokes the many centuries of traders and travellers who’ve passed through here on their way between the Mediterranean and China. We spend the day exploring this fascinating city, including a visit to the historic Lyabi Khauz architectural complex, which has the oldest reflective pool in Central Asia.
We also visit: Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum, a sarcophagus over an ancient sacred spring; the Mausoleum of the Samanids, the family tomb of the rulers of Bukhara; Ark Citadel, the residence of Bukhara’s rulers since the first century CE; the Poi Kalyan Complex, home to the 157ft (48m) high Kalyan Minaret; the Kalyan Mosque, which has 288 domes covering galleries below; Nodir Divanbegi Madrasah; and Chor-Minor, a small mosque of an original form.
Accommodation: Sultan Hotel (or similar)
This morning, we delve further into Bukharan history at the Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa Palace, the summer residence of the emirs. Our tour leader walks us through its blend of local design and Russian influence, pointing out the intricate ganch plasterwork, carved wood panels and richly painted reception rooms that once hosted courtly gatherings.
In the afternoon, we board the train to the great Silk Road city of Samarkand. When schedules allow, we use the high-speed Afrosiyob service, which covers the journey in just under two hours.
Accommodation: Malika Prime (or similar)
Possibly the most famous of the Silk Road cities, Samarkand has blue-tiled buildings that dazzle in the bright sun. Dating 2,500 years old and impacted by such figures as Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, it is home to one of the world’s great squares, Registan Square, surrounded on three sides by the madrassahs of Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor and Tilya-Kori.
The city was the capital of the Tamerlane, and we spend the day visiting a number of Tamerlane-era sites, including the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, burial place of Tamerlane, his sons and his grandson, Ulughbek. The Ulugbek Observatory was built in 1420 by Tamerlane’s grandson who was not just a ruler but also a well-known astronomer.
We move to the oversized Bibi Khanum Mosque and Shakhi Zinda (the ‘Living King’ necropolis) where the mausoleums date to the 14th and 15th centuries. Our final visit is to the Siab Bazaar with its fresh and dried fruit and nuts and other local food produce, plus a paper factory. The exact order of visits may vary.
Accommodation: Malika Prime (or similar)
Drive to the Tajik border early this morning. We cross into Tajikistan, meet our local guide and transfer (20 minutes) to the town of Penjikent.
Our first stop is the World Heritage site of Sarazm, which dates back 5,500 years. In Penjikent, we enjoy a tour (three to four hours) that takes us to the Museum of Rudaki (Rudaki is considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry and he was born in Penjikent) and ancient Penjikent, ruins of a fifth-century Sogdian town founded, which was abandoned in the eighth century. We also explore the remains of houses, a citadel with Zoroastrian fire temples and a bazaar in the excavated ruins.
Accommodation: Panjakent Plaza Hotel (or similar)
Take a trip into the heart of the Fann Mountains. We drive (50mi/80km) to Seven Lakes (Haf Kul in Tajik) in the Shing Valley, taking a sometimes bumpy and narrow road. The high mineral content in the water gives the lakes an unusual colour. We have time to enjoy the mountains, with a walk to Hazorchashma Lake and a picnic lunch in the village of Nofin before we return to Penjikent.
Accommodation: Panjakent Plaza Hotel (or similar)
Leaving the Fann Mountains, head into the industrial and agricultural heartland around the city of Khujand (about four hours’ drive). En route, visit the town of Istravashan founded by the Persian king Kier in the sixth century, and visit the bazaar.
While Khujand, today, is not the most attractive of cities it has a complex history. Believed to be one of the oldest in Central Asia, it was attacked by Alexander the Great, Arab invaders and Genghis Khan, as well as being an important Silk Road stop. There are still traces of the glory days and we take a tour of the sites, including the Musuem of Archeology, Sheikh Maslikhiddin Mosque, the Payshanba bazaar and, if time, Arbob Palace, the Urumkhodjaev family country estate, a copy of the Russian tsarist palace of Peterhof.
Accommodation: Khudjand Delux Hotel (or similar)
Return to Uzbekistan via the border crossing at Andurkhan, where we say goodbye to our Tajik crew and re-join the Uzbeks.
The total driving time to Ferghana town is about five hours from Khujand, but we make several stops along the way. The first is at Kokand, which was the capital of the 19th-century Kokand Khanate. We visit the Khudoyar-Khan Palace (1871) home to a museum, the Norbuta-Biy Madrassah and the Modarikhon Mausoleum.
From here, continue to the small village of Rishtan, home to potter dynasties and ceramics masters. We visit a ceramics studio and witness a demonstration of the craft before the opportunity to buy earthenware.
Our final stop is at Margilan, where we visit a silk factory and learn about the material that gave its name to the greatest trade route in history. Eventually, we arrive in Fergana town where we spend the night.
Accommodation: Hotel Asia Fergana (or similar)
Transfer to the Kyrgyz border this morning and say goodbye to our Uzbek leader. After border formalities at the Dustlik crossing, we meet our Kyrgyz leader and head into nearby Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan. We visit the sacred Sulayman Mountain, a holy Muslim site (and burial place of the prophet Sulayman (Solomon) and the central point on the Silk Road. The walk to the top of Sulayman Mountain is paved with some steps and can be tiring in the heat but the views over the city and valley below, small museum and 15th-century church are worth the effort.
On the way to Jalal-Abad, we make a sightseeing stop at Uzgen. We take an excursion to an old minaret and mausoleums nearby and visit a rice bazaar. Uzgen has a history of over 2,000 years — it is claimed to be a site of numerous citadels built at various times since the first century BCE. It was an important centre of trade routes between the Fergana Valley and northern territories of Central Asia. Uzgen became a highly developed town in the Karakhanid’s epoch and developed into a large trading and handicrafts centre.
Accommodation: Guesthouse Goodnight (or similar)
Leave Jalal-Abad and transfer (approximately 1hr 30min) to Arslanbob Nature Reserve. The village of Arslanbob is in the mountains at around 5,250ft (1,600m) – though the top and bottom of the village vary considerably in altitude – and is surrounded by an ancient walnut forest believed to be the largest in the world.
We go for a walk and picnic lunch in the surrounding countryside. The walk takes around four hours (including lunch and stops) and requires walking shoes/boots. The pace is leisurely but if anyone prefers not to join, you are free to opt out.
After, we return (approximately 1hr 30min drive) to our guesthouse in Jalal-Abad.
Accommodation: Guesthouse Goodnight (or similar)
Leaving the gorges behind, we make the long journey towards the upland pastures surrounding Son Kul Lake, set at 9,895ft (3,016m). The drive takes around nine hours and includes stretches of rough road; a new route is under construction, though its opening date remains uncertain.
Son Kul is one of Kyrgyzstan’s most celebrated mountain landscapes, where herding families still bring their sheep and cattle to the jailoo (high summer pastures). Yurt camps have increased in recent years, but many are still run by the same families who tend the animals, giving us a window into a seasonal way of life that continues today.
We spend the night in a yurt camp, experiencing a comfortable, modernised version of nomadic living. Facilities now include Western-style toilets and a dedicated ‘shower yurt’ with proper showers and basins. Hot water is available when the generator is running (usually morning and evening), though it can be intermittent.
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Spend today soaking up the beauty of the landscape around Son Kul. There is the option to go on a 2hr to 2hr 30min walk to the nearby hills – the slopes are quite steep, and this may not be for everyone, but at the top are a few petroglyphs to admire.
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Our journey today first takes us to Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan’s most important centre for felt handicrafts. We visit a workshop and can participate in the manufacturing of national carpets.
From Kochkor, we travel through the central Tien Shan mountains, driving through picturesque canyons and gorges along the southern shores of Issyk-Kul, the second-largest salt lake in the world, measuring 43mi by 112mi (70km by 180km) and almost 2,300ft (700m) deep. Its name means Hot Lake and was given as it never freezes, even in the depths of winter. The surrounding area is a mixture of forest and meadow with a backdrop of towering mountains and glaciers.
We have an excursion at Bokonbaev village to observe a traditional form of falconry found throughout Central Asia – hunting with eagles. Eagle hunting plays a key role in the nomadic lifestyle here and can also be seen during national competitions.
Accommodation: Nomad Camp Hotel (or similar)
This morning, we continue our journey to Karakol. We head first to Barskoon Gorge, known for high waterfalls and dense spruce forests and visited by Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space. We hike to a waterfall called Bowl of Manas (named after the Kyrgyz national hero). Next is Djety Oguz Gorge where the Seven Bulls and Broken Heart rocks formations can be seen. From Djety Oguz, we continue to Karakol. There are about 2hr 30min of driving in total today.
The atmosphere of Karakol town takes you a hundred years back and gives you an impression of Tsarist Russia. We enjoy a sightseeing tour of Karakol, taking in old Russian-style houses, a Russian Orthodox church dating to 1886, a wooden Dungan mosque (1899) made without the use of nails, and Karakol bazaar.
This evening, we enjoy a home-cooked meal at a Uygur or Dungan family home.
Accommodation: Amir Hotel (or similar)
Today we cross the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border and, after border procedures (which may take one to two hours), travel along the picturesque Karkara valley, where mountain flowers attract many beekeepers. We head towards Charyn River, where the dramatic erosion caused by the river has created an impressive landscape. We have some time to observe the beginning of Charyn and Moon Canyons from different viewpoints. After a short walk and some time for photographs, we continue towards the Black Canyon. There is time for a picnic lunch in the canyon (you can buy your picnic from a supermarket earlier in the day). After our visit we continue to Almaty with an expected arrival time of around 5pm. There are about six hours of driving today.
Accommodation: Kazzhol Hotel (or similar)
Almaty is a beautiful city with its backdrop of the Tien Shan mountains, and we have the whole day to explore. With leafy streets and a cafe culture, the former Kazakh capital has a distinctly European feel. We set off on a city tour after breakfast, visiting a number of sites, including Zhenkov Cathedral (Ascension Cathedral), made entirely of wood and without the use of nails, Panfilovs Park, home to the Piously-Voznesenskiy Orthodox Cathedral (1907), which was built without any nails, the Great Patriotic and Civil War monuments and eternal flame, and the Museum of National Instruments.
Accommodation: Kazzhol Hotel (or similar)
Our adventure comes to an end in Almaty after breakfast.
On this adventure through the Silk Road, we spend 20 nights in hotels and guest houses, and two nights in traditional yurt camps. The accommodations typically used can be found on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a selection used on this trip.
Ashgabat: Sport Hotel
A four-star hotel in the heart of Ashgabat, close to the city’s major attractions. It has spacious and well-appointed rooms, plus several amenities, including a swimming pool, fitness center, sauna, and restaurant.
Son Kul: Yurt camp
Yurts are the traditional homes of nomadic communities in Central Asia and usually feel snug inside. We spend two nights in individual yurts at Son Kul Lake. Facilities include shared Western-style toilets, showers and wash basins, though hot water can be unpredictable.
Almaty: Uyut Hotel
In the centre of Kazakhstan’s largest city, this modern hotel is a 25-minute drive from Almaty International Airport. It has a heated indoor pool, sauna, laundry service, bar and restaurant serving Asian, European and Eastern cuisine.
Worth knowing
Single supplement from USD 435
Common dishes in the region include shish-kebabs and plov (rice usually with mutton, onions, carrots, spices, raisins and peas). The kebabs can be from different meats, including lamb and beef, while plov is a rice-based dish (variants elsewhere are known as pilaf or pilau rice).
Another main staple is bread, especially in Uzbekistan where it is freshly baked and sold everywhere; in Turkmenistan, churek is a flat, round bread baked in clay ovens. Other traditional dishes include chorba, a meat and vegetable soup; manty, steamed dumplings filled with lamb; qu’urma, a lamb dish; ichlekli, a meat and onion pie; and gutap, a pie filled with meat, potatoes, spinach and pumpkin. There are normally a couple of opportunities to try home-cooked meals. Tea is also plentiful, both black and green, and drunk with most meals and throughout the day.
Please note, vegetarian food choices are limited. If you are vegetarian or have any special dietary requirements, please notify us well in advance. In this region, the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, eg gluten-free or dairy-free, is minimal or non-existent and we strongly recommend you bring such specialised dietary items from home.
Drinking water is included and where possible will be provided in large containers for you to refill your bottle from – please bring a reusable bottle with you.
We mostly use a mixture of buses and minibuses depending on group size and country. Some of the drives are long. They are mostly on sealed roads but the condition of the roads can be poor. In Kyrgyzstan, a minibus is used for most departures as larger vehicles are not suited to the roads. There are two train journeys in this trip. See Is This Trip for You for more information.
Covering a large area, from the deserts of Turkmenistan to the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, the climate varies a lot. Summer (July and August) can be very hot in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan but pleasant in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, while spring and autumn (May/June and September/October) can be cooler in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan but more pleasant in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
As we visit regions ranging from deserts to high mountains, you can expect temperatures exceeding 30C (86F) as well as close to freezing and need to be prepared for both. Winters are very cold and some areas are impassable (especially to Son Kul in Kyrgyzstan) for most of the year, which is why the season for this trip is relatively short, lasting only from June to mid-October. Later dates (ie September into October) can be particularly cold at Son Kul.
Start hotel: Hotel Sport, 10-Yyl Abadanchylyk Street, 744000, Ashgabat.
Phone: (+993 12) 461956
Recommended arrival time: Between mid-afternoon on Day 1 to early morning on Day 2.
Airport: Ashgabat Airport (ASB)
The start hotel is approximately 15 minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for everyone. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
We provide free departure transfers for everyone to Almaty Airport (ALA) from the end hotel.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Ashgabat
Location end: Almaty
Due to the amount of travelling, the number of border crossings, train journeys and a domestic flight in Turkmenistan, we strongly recommend you pack as lightly as possible and use robust luggage which you can carry yourself. Please limit your main piece of luggage to a maximum of 44lb (20kg) − less is better.
Items you need include:
Please note, some medicines are banned in both Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan unless you are carrying a doctor’s prescription. These include medicines that contain tramadol, morphine, opiates, codeine or similar components often found in painkillers.
Water included: Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill or get burned. Both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. For your trip, where possible, we provide an alternative to single-use plastic bottles to reduce the plastic used. This means that safe drinking water will be available throughout; all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. Please add this to your packing list.
This trip has some specific visa and entry requirements, please read this section carefully. We strongly recommend you apply for visas at least eight weeks before the start of the trip, this includes e-visas. Visa requirements vary by nationality and are subject to change. You should reconfirm the information provided below with the relevant consulates.
PASSPORT VALIDITY
You will require at least six months validity on your passport beyond the end date of this trip.
TURKMENISTAN
We organise a letter of invitation via the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, which you will receive from us around two weeks before the start of your tour. With this letter, a visa can be obtained on arrival at Ashgabat Airport. The State Migration Service usually issue a group letter of invitation with all participant’s personal details on. We need the following information and documents to obtain the letter of invitation:
Colour scan of the photo page of your passport showing all four edges of the passport. This scan must be sharp and clear and be in either JPEG or PDF format and between 250KB and 1MB.
A digital passport photo – minimum 3×4 cm. This needs to be a proper passport photo as would be used for a passport application.
Once our Turkmen partners have applied for the invitation letter it typically takes about month to be issued. We’ll usually send the letter to you shortly before the start of your tour. You need to print the letter. You will likely need to show it to board your flight to Turkmenistan and may not be able to check-in online for your flights. On arrival at Ashgabat Airport, you show the letter and pay the visa and administration fees.
For UK citizens, visa on arrival and other entry fees total around US$130 per person. This includes a covid test, which you may or may not be required to take but are likely to be required to pay for! For other nationalities fees may be slightly different. Payments should be made in US dollars cash, do not rely on being able to pay by card or in other currencies. Ensure you have plenty of cash in US dollars, fees may vary without notice.
Please note that Turkmenistan has a higher visa rejection rate than most countries. This is out of our control.
Usually, hotels in Turkmenistan retain your passport at check-in to carry out registration procedures and return it to you later in the day or the following morning.
Flights into Ashgabat airport often arrive in the middle of the night. The visa on arrival process can be very slow. You may wish to consider arriving a day before the tour starts to have a day to rest from the flight and arrival process.
UZBEKISTAN
Travellers with a full British, Australian, or Canadian passports can enter Uzbekistan as a visitor for stays of up to 30 days without a visa. US passport holders under the age of 55 require an e-visa in advance.
If you require a visa (or e-visa) for Uzbekistan, you need a double-entry visa as we enter Uzbekistan twice.
KAZAKHSTAN
Nationals of countries including the UK, USA, Australia and Canada can enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days without a visa.
KYRGYZSTAN
Nationals of countries including the UK, USA, Australia and Canada can enter Kazakhstan for up to 60 days without a visa.
TAJIKISTAN
Some nationalities require a visa for Tajikistan, including UK passport holders. If unsure whether you need a visa or not, check with your nearest Tajik consulate. We enter Tajikistan by land, and it is not possible to obtain a visa at land borders. Nationals of the USA, Australia and Canada do not require visas at present.
If you require a visa, we highly recommend our local operator arranges the visa on your behalf.
For UK passport holders, this has a cost of £105 which is more expensive than arranging it yourself; however, it is usually an easier and more reliable option and minimises the risk of errors. The information you need to supply us with for the Turkmenistan letter of invitation is also sufficient for the Tajikistan visa application.
If you decide to arrange your own Tajik visa
Most nationalities that require a visa can complete an online Tajikistan e-visa application: https://www.evisa.tj. The e-visa costs around US$30. Processing time varies and the process is not always straightforward. Requests are often made for extra documentation and sometimes the visa is refused without clear reason.
The e-visa type you require is ‘individual’; to the question regarding GBAO Permit, please answer ‘NO’ (this is a permit to visit a semi-autonomous region, which this trip does not visit).
There is no need to enter a Group Identifier on the e-visa application.
A letter of invitation is required during e-visa applications. We will provide you with one on request.
Hotel details: Panjakent Plaza Hotel. 17 Prospekt Rudaki, Penjikent. 735500.
Please ensure that you take a printed copy of the e-visa with you.
Take care when calculating the date of entry to Tajikistan.
On this departure, you enter Tajikistan on the 11th day of the trip counting from the date of Day 1 of the itinerary (note that most flights arrive very early in the morning of Day 2 of the itinerary).
It is possible to enter Tajikistan after the valid from date of the visa but not before, so if in doubt, pick a date a couple of days earlier than your trip enters Tajikistan.
If in any doubt, please doublecheck the date of entry with our customer operations team.
If you have difficulty with the application process, the Tajik consulate in London may be able to assist: https://mfa.tj/en/london
Uzbekistan
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Kazakhstan
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, tuberculosis and typhoid. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
You will also require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from (or transiting through) a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Kyrgyzstan
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Tajikistan
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Turkmenistan
Proof of vaccination against Covid-19 is required for the visa application. Additionally, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.
Prohibited medicines: Some medicines are banned in countries this trip visits. This includes medicines that contain tramadol, morphine, opiates, codeine or similar components often found in painkillers. If taking medicines with you, we recommend taking a copy of your prescription with you.
Kazakhstan's time zone: Asia/Almaty (UTC +05:00)
Kyrgyzstan's time zone: Asia/Bishkek (UTC +06:00)
Tajikistan's time zone: Asia/Dushanbe (UTC +05:00)
Turkmenistan's time zone: Asia/Ashgabat (UTC +05:00)
Uzbekistan's time zone: Asia/Tashkent (UTC +05:00)
Kazakhstan's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and F (two round pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Kyrgyzstan's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and F (two round pins) – 220V, 50Hz
Tajikistan's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and F (two round pins) – 220V, 50Hz
Turkmenistan's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and F (two round pins) – 220V, 50Hz
Uzbekistan's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and F (two round pins) – 220V, 50Hz
Uzbekistan’s currency: Uzbekistani som (UZS)
Kazakhstan’s currency: Kazakhstani tenge (KZT)
Kyrgyzstan’s currency: Kyrgyzstani som (KGS)
Tajikistan’s currency: Tajikistani somoni (TJS)
Turkmenistan’s currency: Turkmenistani manat (TMT).
It is essential you bring plenty of US dollars in cash to cover your entire stay in Turkmenistan and to pay the visa on arrival fees. Do not rely on cards or exchange currencies other than US dollars in Turkmenistan. The official US dollar to Turkmenistani manat exchange rate is very poor. We recommend exchanging money with the help of your tour leader. You are unlikely to be able to exchange manat back into US dollars so just change what you need.
Assume you will not be able to use ATMs or pay by card in Turkmenistan. Elsewhere, there are ATMs readily available in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan dispensing local currency. In these countries, you may be able to use a credit card in some restaurants and shops. In Tajikistan, it is best not to rely entirely on ATMs or card payments.
We recommend you bring at least US$500 in cash to ensure you have enough for Turkmenistan, plus some spare, then use a combination of ATMs and card payments for the rest of the trip. Bring new US dollar notes in perfect condition and a mix of high and low denominations.
Photo fees are payable at some sites in Turkmenistan, these are typically in the region of 50 manat.
As a rough guideline, you should allow approximately US$8-US$10 per meal with a drink, or US$15-US$20 per person per day.
Optional Activities
There are several optional activities, which your tour leader can help arrange. They are subject to schedules, weather and availability; your leader will let you know what is available and the local costs. Payment should be made locally in US dollars. Below is an indication of the optional activities and their approximate costs and duration but these may vary throughout the season or depending on the number of participants and are given in good faith as a guideline only.
SIM card availability:
Tipping has become customary in these countries, especially for tour leaders and drivers, though this is at your discretion.
For the tour leaders, we suggest around US$5 per day from each group member as a reasonable amount.
Your tour leader can suggest appropriate amounts to tip drivers if asked and you may wish to do this together as a group. You could budget in the region of US$3-US$4 per day.
If a hotel porter takes your bags to your room, a tip equivalent to approximately US$1 is about right.
Many restaurants add a service charge to your bill and a tip would not be expected on top of this.
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
This trip goes near an area deemed unsafe to visit by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whose advice we follow when operating our trips. While our itinerary doesn’t go to these areas, you should familiarise yourself with your local government’s advice if you are planning any pre- or post-trip travel. Any independent travel to areas currently against your local government advice is entirely at your own risk and unlikely to be covered by your travel insurance.
Your Safe Participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
Travel Safety
For additional information please have a look at the travel safety advice page on our website.
Speak to our friendly team of experts to plan your adventure:
After booking
You will receive a confirmation document and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements. Our dedicated Customer Operations team will help you with any pre-travel questions or arrangements and can easily add extensions or extra accommodation to your booking. Final Joining Instructions will usually be sent out two to three weeks prior to departure.
Adding transfers to your booking
If you have arranged your own flights and would like to add transfers to your booking, please provide your arrival and departure details to our Customer Operations team around four to six weeks before departure.
Trip Note validity
Trip notes may be updated after booking; if any updates significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary you will be advised in writing. A link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes will be sent out with your Final Joining Instructions before departure.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes, and occasionally it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
