Current as of: April 25, 2024 - 13:57
The Five Stans of the Silk Road Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
- Destination: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
- Programmes: Culture
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Activity Level:
2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate
- 23 Days: Flight Inclusive
- 23 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: AXK
- Carbon Footprint: 24kg CO2e
Trip Overview
Five countries, three weeks, one epic trip along the Silk Road through the heart of Central Asia
Vast deserts, rolling steppe, fertile valleys and majestic mountains form the backdrop to the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, which are commonly known as the five Stans. Among this changing and varied landscape are traditional villages, ancient towns and modern cities, which tell a tale of advancing Greek and Persian armies, marauding Mongolian hordes, traders selling wares along the Silk Road, philosophers, astronomers, Communist experiments and post-Soviet eccentrics. Journey past giant burning gas pits, intricately tiled mosques, alpine lakes bordered by yurt camps, grand monuments, rural villages and colourful markets on this epic trip through the heart of Central Asia.
Looking to travel in September 2024?
We have very limited space on this trip in September. We currently have some space remaining on these alternative Central Asia trips:
- The Silk Road (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan) – 18/19 September
- Uzbekistan Uncovered – 6/7 September and 27/28 September
At a Glance
- Travel by minibus
- 15 nights in hotels, three nights in home stays, two nights in yurts, one night in a cottage and one night in a guesthouse
- All breakfasts, three lunches and eight dinners included
- Single supplement available
Highlights
- Door to Hell giant burning gas pit in Turkmenistan
- Islamic architecture and ruins along the great Silk Road
- Villages and lakes of the Fann and Tien Shan mountains
- Post-Soviet grand monuments
- History of traders, preachers and invaders
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.
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 (especially during the section through Tajikistan and southern Kyrgyzstan).
While this is not an active trip, the pace and distance covered can be tiring. There are also some hikes, particularly in Kyrgyzstan. These are not challenging and can vary depending on the preferences and abilities of the group.
Drives: Most tend to be four to five hours’ long with the odd six-hour drive.
Comfort: Central Asia doesn’t always have great infrastructure and you shouldn’t expect the same comforts you would get at home.
- Most nights are in standard hotels, though we also stay in homestays, yurt camps and a guesthouse, which will be more basic
- Hot water is normally available, but is not always reliable
- Toilets might be squat toilets and showers may be outside the main building in the more basic accommodation
- Some nights you may have to share a room with more than one person; we make every effort to ensure men and women who are not travelling together don’t have to share a room, but this cannot be guaranteed. On these nights, single supplements do not apply. We stay in these places, however, as there are very limited options in some areas we visit
Smoking: Smoking in public is illegal in Turkmenistan (though smoking in private is fine, which means more people smoke indoors than outdoors) and you should not smoke outside the airport on arrival or in the street in Ashgabat. Also, you can only bring two packs of cigarettes into Turkmenistan.
Clothes: When visiting mosques and other religious buildings, women should wear long skirts and have their shoulders covered, we also advise bringing a scarf and covering your head on such occasions. Knee-length skirts/dresses, shorts and sleeveless tops are fine in other circumstances.
Itinerary changes: Given the bureaucracy in the region, particularly in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, we may be forced to change the route or activities due to government decisions beyond our control.
Border crossings: There will be a Western leader throughout, plus a different local leader in each country. Border crossings. These can be chaotic and require patience. In some cases, you need to walk through a neutral zone with your luggage. The Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan (Farab) border is the most complex and involves walking up to 1.5mi (2.5km); sometimes cars are available to drive us, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Climate: Temperatures can vary from extremely hot to close to freezing on any given departure as we visit both deserts and high mountains.
Group
The group will generally be between five and 16 people. There will be a Western leader for the duration of the tour who will be supported by a different local leader in each country. Due to legal restrictions, each local leader will say farewell to you at the border and you will meet the next local leader on the other side.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 6
Max group size: 16
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Ashgabat
- End City: Almaty
Land Only Itinerary
Fly to Ashgabat
Fly to Ashgabat. The group flights usually arrive very late at night (ie around 2am on Day 2). Please note, it is obligatory by Turkmen law for tourists to have an arrival transfer booked from the airport. For anyone not joining the group transfer, Exodus offers free arrival transfers for any flight, provided you have supplied your flight details in advance – please see the ‘joining’ section of the Trip Notes for more information.
Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)
Start Ashgabat
The adventure begins in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. As per Turkmen law, we arrange arrival transfers for all customers. See the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more details. There are no arranged activities today, as many flights arrive very late in the evening or early tomorrow morning.
Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)
Ashgabat to Darvaza Crater
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 experience. Ashgabat has been described as Pyongyang meets Las Vegas, and you can see why.
Around midday, following an initial briefing, we have an introductory tour of Ashgabat including a one hour visit to the National Museum.
Mid afternoon, we head north in a 4WD convoy into the Karakum Desert, some 4.5 hours’ drive (161mi/260km) away, to a massive burning gas crater in the middle of nowhere in the Darvaza region. In the 1970s, Soviet engineers looking for natural gas deposits came across this area. Attempting to assess the amount of gas present they set up a drill. The drill collapsed, exposing a big crater and seeping methane gas into the air. The engineers decided to set the gas alight in the belief that it would burn off within a few weeks. More than 45 years later, it is still burning. We have dinner near the crater and stay overnight in yurts very nearby. Seeing the burning crater by night is a unforgettable experience.
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Nisa and Ashgabat
After breakfast, we head back to Ashgabat and then to Nisa, an ancient Persian-era fortress, the former capital of the Persian Parthian Empire, which controlled much of the region from Iraq to Pakistan 2,000 years ago. The ruins here were declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 2007.
Back in Ashgabat, we visit the Russian Bazaar, Ertogrul Ghazi mosque, Independence Park, the Neutrality Arch and Turkmenbashi mosque-mausoleum.
Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)
To Mary
Leaving the Turkmen capital behind, we start our journey east along one of the old Silk Road routes. Our destination today is Mary, about five hours away (plus stops). A short distance outside Ashgabat, we make our first stop at the 15th-century Anau Mosque, on the edge of a Bronze Age site.
From here, we continue to the remains of the Silk Road-era town of Abiverd. The settlement, which was abandoned for about three centuries, was once a vibrant and important centre. The 12th-century city is about two hours (81mi/130km) from Ashgabat and makes for an interesting stop and an ideal opportunity to stretch our legs.
As we continue, look out for camels and small, dusty desert towns. Eventually reaching Mary, we have a late afternoon/early evening city tour taking in the Central Bazaar, Juma Mosque and Russian Orthodox Church.
Accommodation: Hotel Mary (or similar)
Merv and to Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Possibly the largest city in the world in its heyday, Merv was destroyed by Genghis Khan’s armies in 1221. It is estimated 700,000 people lost their lives and the city never recovered.
Today, this Unesco-badged attraction is the most important historical site in Turkmenistan and we take time to visit before continuing to the border about 5hr 30min (152mi/245km) away, where we say goodbye to our Turkmen leader. We hope to arrive at the border around 4pm; the crossing into Uzbekistan can take about 1hr 30min. We meet our Uzbek leader on the other side and drive for approximately two hours (62mi/100km) to Bukhara, one of the great Silk Road cities.
Accommodation: Hotel Kavsar (or similar)
Bukhara
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. It is surrounded by medieval buildings, including the Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah and Khanaka, which has a façade of intricate mosaics. We also visit the Poi Kalyan Complex, home to the 157ft (48m) high Kalyan Minaret, which has come to symbolise the city; the Kalyan Mosque with 288 domes covering galleries below; Samanids Mausoleum; Ark Citadel; and Chor-Minor.
Accommodation: Hotel Kavsar (or similar)
Bukhara to Samarkand
This morning, we uncover more Bukhara history and culture as we explore the Sitorai-Mohl-Hosa Palace, the summer palace of the Bukhara emirs. After lunch, we have a four to five hours’ drive (186mi/300km) to the other great Silk Road city, Samarkand. We break up the journey with a short stop at Rabat-i-Malik (a caravanserai ruin) and lunch in Navoi.
Accommodation: Kavsar Dilshoda/Malika Prime (or similar)
Full day sightseeing in Samarkand
Possibly the most famous of the Silk Road cities, Samarkand has blue-tiled buildings that dazzle in the bright sun. It is also 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. It is said the square and madrassah influenced other sites, including the great square in Isfahan, Iran, and the Taj Mahal in India. The city was the capital of the great Tamerlane and we spend the day visiting a number of Tamerlane-era sites, including the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Ulugh Beg’s observatory, the huge cathedral-mosque Bibi Khanum, and the impressive Necropolis.
Accommodation: Hotel Dilshoda / Malika Prime (or similar)
Shakhrisabz and Boysun.
We start early for the long day ahead, combining driving with sightseeing.
The day starts with a three-hour transfer to the town of Shakhrisabz. The city of Timurin (from the reign of Tamerlane) has several historic monuments, including the ruins of the Ak Saray Palace, the Doruttilyavat Ensemble, the Kok Gumbaz Mosque and others mostly dating to the 14th and 15th centuries. Sadly, the historic centre is on the Unesco list of World Heritage in Danger.
After exploring the Shakhrisabz sites, we continue south heading towards Boysun arriving in the late afternoon or evening.
Accommodation: Baysun Grand Hotel (or similar)
Boysun and Sangardak Waterfall
The district of Boysun holds Unesco World Heritage status for its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is an isolated area with traditions and customs that date back centuries. We’ll visit the local bazaar and artisan centre where we can see weavers of the Janda fabric which is made in this area. We’ll see embroidery and skull cap making. We can also take a short walk in Kyzyl Canyon and visit Omonkhon spring, known for its healing properties.
We drive 6 mi (100km) onwards to Denau, then a further 30mi (50km) Sangardak waterfall, Uzbekistan’s tallest. The falls are 150 metres in length and it is possible to walk in the area. We return to Denau for the night.
Accommodation: Gulistan Grand Hotel (or similar)
Cross into Tajikistan; on to Dushanbe.
It’s another early start to head to Tajikistan, country number three. Upon arrival at the Saryosiyo border, we bid farewell to our Uzbek leader and upon crossing are greeted by our Tajik leader. The drive from Denau to Dushanbe is 68mi (110km) on a good road and we stop for lunch en route.
The origins of Dushanbe probably stretch back 3,000 years, though the city grew under Soviet rule as the capital for the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, a part of the Uzbek USSR. Upon arrival in the Tajik capital, we have a city tour taking in Independence Square, the Samany Monument (dedicated to the founder of the Tajik Government), Rudaki Ave, and a historical museum.
Accommodation: The Rumi Hotel & Residences (or similar)
Into the Fann Mountains and Iskanderkul Lake.
The Fann Mountains are one of two great ranges in Tajikistan (along with the Pamirs) and have peaks towering up to 18,008ft (5,489m). Our destination is Iskanderkul Lake (named after Alexander the Great and is thought to be the final resting place of the conqueror’s beloved horse, Bucephalus) situated at 7,218ft (2,200m). We travel through a beautiful valley; the drive takes about four to five hours (78mi/125km); please note, the road conditions deteriorate on the last 16mi (25km).
This afternoon, we explore the area around the lake, including visiting the biggest waterfall in Tajikistan, a 131ft (40m) cascade affectionately called Tajikistan Niagara. The glacial lake itself is often claimed to be the jewel of the Fann Mountains and one of the most beautiful in the former Soviet Union.
Tonight, we stay in cottages with fantastic views overlooking Iskanderkul Lake. There are shared bathrooms and toilets (some indoor and some outdoor).
Accommodation: Cottage
Istravashan and Khujand
Istravashan and Khujand
Leaving the Fann Mountains behind, we head into the industrial and agricultural heartland around the city of Khujand (about four hours’ drive). En route, we visit the town of Istravashan founded by the Persian king Kier in the sixth century, where we visit the old city, home to a bazaar and the Kok-Gumbaz Mosque and madrassah.
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 stop along the Silk Road. There are still traces of the glory days and we take in a tour of the sites, including the Sheikh Maslikhiddin Mausoleum, the Payshhambe bazaar and, if time Urumkhodjaev family country estate, a copy of the Russian tsarist palace of Peterhof.
Accommodation: Khudjand Delux Hotel (or similar)
Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan
We 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 of these 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, we continue to the small village of Rishtan, home to potter dynasties and ceramics masters. We visit a local ceramics studio and witness a demonstration of the craft before the opportunity to buy earthenware.
Our final stop is at Marghilan, 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 Ferghana town where we spend the night.
Accommodation: Hotel Club 777 (or similar)
To Osh and Arslan Bob in Kyrgyzstan
A short drive gets us to our next border crossing and country number four. After meeting our Kyrgyz leader, we head into nearby Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second city, and begin our exploration. 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.
This afternoon, we leave the city and head for Arslanbob Nature Reserve (about 3hr 30min to four hours’ away including stops), arriving in the evening. 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 spend the next two nights in a basic homestay with outside drop toilets and outside showers (normally with hot water).
Accommodation: Homestay
Full day in Arslanbob
After a few busy days, today is for relaxing in Arslanbob. Around mid-morning, 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.
Accommodation: Homestay
Chychkn Gorge
Our journey today takes us through the central Tien Shan mountains as we drive through picturesque canyons and gorges and around Toktogul Reservoir. The drive takes approximately eight to nine hours (217mi/350km) including lunch and rest/photo stops. Eventually, we reach Chychkan Gorge, home to fir and juniper trees. We spend the night in a simple guesthouse with en suite rooms on the banks of a rushing river.
Accommodation: Oson Guest House
Kyzyl Oi Village
This morning, there’s a chance for another walk to a nearby gorge before continuing our crossing of central Kyrgyzstan. In the late morning, we drive to the village of Kyzyl Oi (4hr 30min to five hours including lunch and rest/photo stops).
Kyzyl Oi translates to Red Bowl, named for the red cliffs surrounding the village, and the red-brown mountains here are particularly attractive in the late afternoon and early morning sun. The village dates from before the Great October Soviet Socialist Revolution and has kept a distinctive Central Asian character. While the valley opens out, the village is in a narrow gorge on the banks of the powerful Kekermeren River.
Upon arrival, there is free time to explore the village and surrounding area or interact with the families in whose homestays we will spend the night. We will usually be spread across a few houses, but we all have dinner together in one of the houses.
Accommodation: Homestay
To Son Kul Lake
Leaving the gorges behind, we head towards the high pastures surrounding Son Kul Lake (9,895ft/3,016m above sea level). The journey takes approximately four hours, including some rough roads, and we arrive in time for lunch.
A land of nomadic shepherds, this is the jewel in the Kyrygz crown for natural beauty. Today, yurt camps have multiplied around the lake, but the people who look after them still tend their flocks, while men on horseback care for cattle on the jailoo (high mountain pastures).
Activities change depending on the time of year, but we have the whole of the next day to take in the beauty of the landscape. There is the option to go on a 2hr-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. After lunch, we may visit one of the Kyrgyz shepherd families close to camp to learn about their lifestyle and perhaps taste kumis (a natural drink made from fermented mare’s milk) or similar. There may be the option to go horse-riding (extra cost).
We experience the nomad life with a stay in a yurt camp. There are now Western-style toilets and a ‘shower yurt’ with proper showers and wash basins. There is hot water when the generator is running (usually morning and evening) but it is not wholly reliable.
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Bishkek
Leaving the high mountains that characterise Kyrgyzstan behind, we head to the capital city, Bishkek (about seven hours’ drive), stopping for lunch en route. The former Soviet city is undergoing a transformation with cafes and trendy bars opening. Upon arrival, we have a short tour of the sites around the main square, Alatoo Square. We visit the Museum of History and have time for souvenir shopping or relaxing (if the Museum of History is closed for renovation or any other reason, we may substitute it for the Fine Arts Museum).
Accommodation: B Hotel (or similar)
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Four to five hours from the Kyrgyz capital city (depending on border crossing times) is Almaty, the former Kazakh capital and the biggest city in the fifth country on our trip. We spend the morning driving to what is considered the most European city in Central Asia and set off on a city tour after lunch. We take in Panfilovs Park, home to the Piously-Voznesenskiy Orthodox Cathedral (1907), which was built without any nails; a memorial to victims of the Second World War and the Republic Square.
Accommodation: Hotel Kazzhol Almaty (or similar)
End Almaty
Our adventure comes to an end in Almaty after breakfast. If you’re continuing to the Astana extension, you will be taken to the airport in time for the internal flight to the Kazakh capital. Alternatively, begin your return journey home.
Extend Your Trip
Nur-Sultan (Astana) Extension
Extend your adventure in Kazakhstan and explore the relatively new capital city.
Rising from the Central Asian steppe, this glitzy city is unlike any other. Built from scratch by President Nazarbayev, and paid for by gas and oil money, it is a surreal modernist dream. Skyscrapers vie for your attention and the bright coloured lights are reminiscent of a futuristic sci-fi movie. The detailed itinerary can be found here.
Please ask your sales representative for more details. Prices listed are starting prices.
Price per person
£ 635
Mandatory Single Supplement
£ 55
Accommodation
Hotel, Yurt, Cottage and Homestay
Most nights are in standard hotels, though we also stay in homestays, cottages, yurt camps, and a guesthouse which will be more basic. Hot water is normally available but is not always reliable; toilets may be squat toilets; and toilets and/or showers may be outside in the more basic accommodations.
At the homestays in Arslanbob and Kyzyl Oi (days 15, 16 and 18), you may have to share with three/four people in a room. Similarly, for the two nights in the yurt camp at Son Kul (days 19 and 20), you may have to share with three people to a yurt. Every effort is made to ensure that men and women who are not travelling together don’t have to share a room, but this cannot be guaranteed. We stay in these places, however, as there are very limited options in some of the areas we visit.
Additional Accommodation
In Turkmenistan, hotels charge a daily tourist tax of around US$2 per person per day – this is included in the holiday price for the main tour, so you needn’t worry about it. However, if you book extra nights’ accommodation in Ashgabat before the tour, you will need to pay directly to the hotel yourself. If you book pre-tour accommodation in Turkmenistan (and will be staying in the country for more than three days plus your arrival day), you will be required by law to register your passport with the State Service of Turkmenistan – our local partner will assist with this.
Single Supplement
If you prefer to have your own room, a limited number of single supplements are available on a ‘first-come, first-serve’ basis on some nights of the tour – please request this at the time of booking. Please note, a single supplement is not available at the homestays (three nights) or the yurt camp (two nights) and in these locations you may have to share with three/four people per room. Single supplements are also not available at the cottages by Iskanderkul Lake (one night), which are on a twin-share basis.
Single supplement from £ 580
Food & Drink
All breakfasts, three lunches and eight dinners included
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 will be provided in large containers for you to refill your bottle from – please bring a reusable bottle with you.
Transport
The transport we use varies depending on group size and we change vehicle every country. We normally use local ‘tourist class’ minibuses/coaches. Larger groups may be split across two vehicles or in a larger bus in some countries.
Some of the drives are long but they are mostly on sealed roads with just a few sections on dirt roads, including the desert road to the burning pit at Darvaza, and heading to Son Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan. We use SUV/4×4 vehicles for the journey to Darvaza as the last 6mi (10km) to the crater is off-road.
If you decide to do the Astana extension, you will travel by internal flight.
Weather & Seasonality
Covering a large area, from the deserts of Turkmenistan to the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, the climate can change 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.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Hotel Sport. 10-Yyl Abadanchylyk Street, 744000, Ashgabat.
Phone: (+993 12) 461956
Recommended arrival time: Any time on arrival day
Airport: Ashgabat Airport (ASB)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 15 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel for any flight landing on arrival day. All those taking advantage of the free airport transfers must provide full flight details for both arrival and departure in advance; unless specified otherwise, the transfer will be to the Exodus start (or pre-tour) hotel; transfers to other hotels in the same city may attract an extra charge; transfers may be shared with other Exodus customers on the same flight, or on a flight with similar arrival times. It is Turkmen law for the inviting party (as per your LOI or Turkmen visa) to organise an arrival transfer from Ashgabat Airport for tourists. Therefore, if you are not joining the group transfer, you will still need to pre-book an arrival transfer through Exodus.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to Almaty Airport (ALA) for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer at additional cost.
All arrival and departure 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
What To Take
Essential Equipment
Due to the amount of travelling and number of border crossings, we strongly recommend you pack as light as possible and use luggage with wheels as you will have to take your own luggage through the border crossings, some of which involves walking through a neutral zone.
Items you need include:
- A photocopy or two of your passport: Our local representative will collect your passport to complete the Turkmenistan registration process
- A printed copy of your Turkmenistan LOI: You will need to hand it over to the authorities to collect your visa on arrival in Turkmenistan
- Light casual cotton clothing: it is respectful to cover your legs and arms (to the elbow) in mosques. Women should also cover their hair with a scarf when visiting holy sites. Local men tend not to wear shorts.
- Sandals are useful as they are cooler and are easier to take off when visiting mosques
- Set of thermal underwear
- Fleece, hat and gloves for cold nights
- Travel towel
- Trainers (sneakers) or walking shoes/boots
- Reusable water bottle
- Anti-diarrhoea treatment and rehydration salts
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, 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.
Reading List
- In Search of Kazakhstan: The Land that Disappeared, by Christopher Robbins
- Uzbekistan: The Golden Road to Samarkand, Odyssey Guides
- Foreign Devils on the Silk Road: The Search for the Lost Treasures of Central Asia, by Peter Hopkirk
Practical Information
Passport
All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects.
Visa
Uzbekistan
All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for at least three months beyond your entry date into Uzbekistan. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects.
Anyone travelling on a British Citizen, Australian, New Zealand, or Canadian passport can enter Uzbekistan as a visitor (for tourism or business purposes) for stays of up to 30 days without a visa. For a full list of nationalities that are eligible for a visa-free visit of up to 30-days, please visit https://www.uzembassy.uk/page/319?language=en
Many other nationalities are eligible for a simplified visa in advance (without the need for an authorisation letter of invitation), including USA. If you are eligible for a visa in advance then you should apply for one as for visas upon arrival, a letter of invitation is still required. Should you need an authorisation letter, please contact Exodus at least 8 weeks before departure as we can arrange this for you through our local operator.
It is no longer necessary for you to complete a currency declaration form upon arrival (unless you are carrying over US2000 with you). However, as this has only recently been implemented (summer 2018), you will still need to keep your receipts given by each hotel that you stay in – please hold on to these as they may be checked when you leave.
There have also been greater restrictions on bringing medicine into Uzbekistan. If you have any special medicine we recommend you check with the Uzbekistan Embassy about allowed quantities. You should also bring copies of your prescriptions and declare them upon arrival. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.
Kazakhstan
A number of countries including the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand Germany, Belgium and France can enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days without a visa.
Kyrgyzstan
British, most European and most other nationalities, including Australians, New Zealanders, Americans and Canadians do not require visas for visits of under 60 days. All other nationalities should contact the nearest Kyrgyzstan Embassy if in doubt.
IMPORTANT: You can be arrested if you are not carrying ID in Kyrgyzstan. You should carry your passport or a copy of it with you at all times.
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.
Most nationalities can complete an online Tajikistan evisa application: https://www.evisa.tj. The evisa costs around US$50 and usually takes about 10-14 working days for the application to come through – please allow more that this in case there is a delay or the initial application is rejected (this commonly happens if the image uploaded is not of the required quality).
The evisa type you require is ‘individual’ and 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).
You will then have to upload a copy of your passport in the document section. A Letter of Invitation (LOI) is no longer required for most applicants.
Hotel details: The Rumi Hotel & Residences, Mirzo Tursunzoda Street 10, Dushanbe, 734000, Tajikistan
Please ensure that you take a printed copy of the e-visa with you.
Take care when calculating the date of entry to Tajikistan. It is 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). If you incorrectly calculate the entry date, it is possible to enter Tajikistan after the valid from date of the visa, but not before.
Example:
If the Dates & Prices section of our website shows the start date of your trip as 29 July:
The entry date to Tajikistan is 8 August.
Your visa needs to be valid from 8 August or a few days earlier.
If you would like to double check the date of entry, please call our Customer Operations team. If you have difficult with the application process, the Tajik consulate in London may be able to assist: https://mfa.tj/en/london
Turkmenistan
Everyone needs a passport with 6 months validity on it as well as a visa to enter Turkmenistan. A letter of invitation organised by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan is necessary in order to obtain the visa and we can organise this through our partners. This allows you to obtain a visa on arrival at Ashgabat Airport. Please note that the State Migration Service usually issue a group letter of invitation with all participant’s personal details on. We will need the following information and documents to obtain the letter of invitation:
Last name
First and middle name(s) on your passport
Any other name(s) used before (e.g. before marriage)
Name of highest educational institution completed
City and country of that institution
Field of study
Qualification
Occupation (if retired just put ‘Retired’)
Place of work (if retired just put ‘Not Applicable’)
Previous visits to Turkmenistan (dates, purposes)
Marital Status
Full name, date of birth and citizenship of spouse
Full name(s), date(s) of birth and citizenship of child(ren)
E-mail Address
Home address
– Full colour scan of the photo page of your passport showing all 4 edges of the passport making sure no part of the passport has been cut by the scan. This scan must be sharp and clear, not checkered, glossy or blurry and must be in either JPEG or PDF format and between 250KB and 1MB.
– A passport photo – minimum 3x4cms and not a photoshop version of the photo from the passport. If necessary it is possible to send a photo taken with a digital camera or phone as long as it meets the above requirements and does not use flash or have any glass reflections making any part of the scan/photo unclear.
Once our partners have applied for the invitation letter it can take about month to get it. Once you have the invitation letter you just need to present it upon arrival at Ashgabat Airport and pay the visa and administration fees. For UK citizens the visa fee for a visa up to 10 days is USD115 and the administration fee is USD4. For all other nationalities the visa fee for a visa up to 10 days is USD85 and the administration fee is USD4. Payment should be made in US Dollars cash (although credit/debit card payments are reportedly now accepted, it is better not to rely on this in case your bank blocks your cards or your card is not accepted).
Please note that Turkmenistan has a higher visa rejection rate than most countries. This is out of our control but we are able to reapply for the visa invitation letter, though only with the same information provided.
Please note that some medicines are banned in both Turkmenistan unless you are carrying a doctor’s prescription. These include medicines which contain tramadol, morphin, opiates, codeine or similar components often found in pain killers.
Please Note: soon after your arrival (usually the morning after your arrival), a local representative will collect your passport in order to register your visit with the Turkmenistan State Tourist Registration Office (STRO). You will be issued with a stamp in your passport and your passport will be returned to you when the process is complete. This process can sometimes be delayed so we recommend that you carry a copy of your passport with you.
Vaccinations and Health
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.
Local Time
Uzbekistan's time zone: Asia/Tashkent (UTC +05:00)
Kazakhstan's time zone: Asia/Almaty (UTC +06:00)
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)
Electricity
Uzbekistan's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and F (two round pins) – 220V, 50Hz
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
Money
Uzbekistan's currency: Uzbekistani som (UZS). Please note, the som can fluctuate significantly. Prices are correct at time of writing.
Kazakhstan's currency: Kazakhstani tenge (KZT)
Kyrgyzstan's currency: Kyrgyzstani som (KGS). There are money exchange facilities in the main cities, including Bishkek and Osh. Bring US dollars or euros in cash as these are easy to change; pounds can be exchanged in a few places but most will not accept them. Please bring new notes as most money exchangers will not accept old notes. Larger denominations (US$50 or US$100 notes or €50 or €100 notes) attract a marginally better exchange rate, but bring a mixture of denominations so you can change a small amount at a time. In Kyrgyzstan, smaller denominations of som are useful.
Tajikistan's currency: Tajikistani somoni (TJS)
Turkmenistan's currency: Turkmenistani manat (TMT). It is possible to exchange US dollars (clean, unmarked, undamaged, and printed on or after 1996) at banks and exchange offices; you'll find the latter at Ashgabat Airport. However, it is strictly prohibited to exchange money on the black market with individuals in bazaars, hotels etc. Please note, it is impossible to change manat back into foreign currency, so do not change too much money as you may be stuck with manat upon leaving Turkmenistan.
ATM Availability
While there are ATMs across the region, they do not always accept foreign cards in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. There are ATMs in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, which normally work with foreign cards, but this is not always the case. You may be able to use a credit card in some gift shops, money exchange desks at large hotels, and larger shops. It is safer, however, to take most of your money in cash, especially US dollars.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
The amount of spending money required can vary depending on how much you spend on drinks and souvenirs; as an indication, we recommend you bring at least US$300 for meals not included and a further US$150 for souvenirs, drinks and other incidentals.
Photo fees are payable at nearly all Uzbekistan sites – they vary from 5,000 to 10,000 soum (US$0.45 to US$0.90). There are also photo fees in some Turkmenistan sites, these can be up to US$14 per photo, your tour leader can advise on when this may be the case.
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 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.
- Yurt construction show at Son Kul Lake: US$70 per group (one to two hours). Watch, or take part in, a demonstration of setting up a yurt with Kyrgyz nomads and learn about these dwellings.
- National horseback riding games on the shore of Son Kul Lake: US$150 per group. Chance to watch various kinds of traditional Kyrgyz horse-riding games.
- Horse-riding at Son Kul Lake: US$12 per horse for approximately two hours.
- Folklore musical show during dinner in Bishkek city: US$100 per group (20 minutes); US$150 per group (30 minutes). Professional musicians will demonstrate the traditional musical instruments and play Kyrgyz melodies.
Tipping
Given the nature of this trip, visiting five countries, a tipping kitty is not practical; however, your leader will advise on whether it is possible to tip as a group. Tipping has become customary in these countries, especially for tourist activities, though this is, of course, completely at your own discretion.
As a guideline, we’d suggest planning on roughly US$5 a day for tipping. Of this, a reasonable amount would be US$2 to US$2.50 a day for each local leader and the rest split between other staff. Most of the tips would go to the local leaders and drivers but you may wish to leave a tip for hotel staff too – a tip equivalent to US$1 for a hotel porter would be a nice gesture but it is entirely up to you. Tipping of your Western leader would be appreciated but, again, is at your discretion – we suggest tipping as a group at the end of the holiday.
People, Places & Planet
We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
- Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
- This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible. At Arslanbob and Kyzyl Oi we stay in family owned guest houses and at Son Kul we stay at a family owned Yurt camp. This provides great opportunities to learn about local cultures.
- Staying in small villages and visiting them contributes to the local economies.
- In Kochkor village on the way from Son Kul to Bishkek we always stop at local women’s cooperation where souvenirs made locally are for sale.
- Read more about our other initiatives here.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
- By travelling in a small group we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
- We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for re–usable bottles.
- The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves and archaeological sites generates income which is used for upkeep and development of these important sites. We visit a number of national and UNESCO Heritage sites on this trip. In Kazakhstan we visit Tanbaly which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- We rewild 100 square metres per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
- Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
- Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
- Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
- Leave no trace: we do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
- Plastic waste reduction: please bring a re–usable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.
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.
Important Information
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 the Exodus office 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.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.