The Five Stans of the Silk Road

Oversikt

5 countries, 3 weeks, 1 epic trip through Central Asia's Silk Road

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Day 1

Start Ashgabat

Arrive at Ashgabat at any time. The group flights usually arrive very late at night (i.e. around 2am on day 2). Please note that it is obligatory by Turkmen law for tourists to have an arrival transfer arranged by the inviting party (as per your LOI/visa) from Ashgabat 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. *Hotel Ak Altyn or similar*

Day 2

Explore Ashgabat

Ashgabat holds the world record for the most white marble buildings in the world. In the post-Soviet era successive Turkmen leaders have invested in these impressive buildings as a show of the country’s strength and grandeur and can make for quite a surreal experience. Ashgabat has been described as Pyongyang meets Las Vegas and you can see why. Following an initial briefing, we visit some of the city’s greatest monuments, buildings and fountains including Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Independence Park, the Neutrality Arch and the National Museum. *Hotel Ak Altyn or similar*

Day 3

The fortress of Nisa and the Door to Hell at Darvaza

Today is a long day trip out of the city. Our first stop, on the outskirts of Ashgabat, is the ancient Persian-era fortress of Nisa. A former capital of the Persian Parthian Empire which controlled much of the region from Iraq to Pakistan 2000 years ago, the ruins of Nisa were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. We later head north in jeep convoy into the Karakum Desert some 260kms (4 hours drive) away to one of the world’s more unusual sites, 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. Over 45 years later the crater is still burning. The sight of a big burning crater in the middle of the desert after the sun goes down is quite an experience and likely to be unlike anything else you’ve come across. We have dinner near the crater before returning to Ashgabat after dark, arriving back at the hotel after midnight. If you do not want to travel this distance to see the incredible burning crater at Darvaza it is possible to stay behind in Ashgabat. *Hotel Ak Altyn or similar*

Day 4

Anau Mosque, Abiverd and Mary

Leaving the Turkmen capital behind we start our journey east along one of the Silk Road routes of old. Our destination today is Mary, about 5hrs away (plus stops). A short distance outside Ashgabat we make our first stop at the 15th century Anau Mosque which is located 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 completely abandoned for about three centuries, was once a vibrant and important centre. The 12th century city is about 130kms, two hours, from Ashgabat and makes for an interesting stop and an ideal opportunity to stretch our legs. As we continue on the way to Mary 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. *Hotel Mary or similar*

Day 5

Explore Merv before crossing into Uzbekistan and on to Bukhara.

Possibly the largest city in the world in its heyday, Merv was razed to the ground by Genghis Khan and his Mongolian hordes in 1221. It is believed 700,000 people lost their lives when the city was destroyed - It never recovered. Today, this UNESCO site is Turkmenistan’s most important historical site and we take the time to visit it before continuing to the border about 5.5hrs (245kms) away where we say goodbye to our Turkmen leader. We hope to arrive at the border around 4pm and then crossing the border from Turkmenistan into Uzbekistan can take about 1.5hrs. We meet our Uzbek leader on the other side and drive for approximately another 2 hours (100kms) to one of the great Silk Road cities, Bukhara.  *Hotel Kavsar or Similar*

Day 6

Full day exploring Bukhara

2000 year old Bukhara has an old centre which 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 Silk Road city including at its heart the historic Lyabi Khauz architectural complex with the oldest reflective pool in Central Asia. It is surrounded by medieval buildings including the Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah and Khanaka with a façade of intricate mosaics. We also visit the Poi Kalyan Complex which includes the 48m high Kalyan Minaret which has come to symbolise the city, the Kalyan Mosque with 288 domes covering galleries below, Samanids Mausoleum, the Ark Citadel and Chor-Minor. *Hotel Kavsar or similar*

Day 7

Discover more of Bukhara before continuing to Samarkand.

This morning we uncover more of Bukhara’s fascinating history and culture as we explore the Sitorai-Mohl-Hosa Palace, Bukhara’s Emirs’ Summer Palace. After lunch we have a 4-5hrs (300kms) drive 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. *Kavsar Dilshoda / Malika Prime or similiar*

Day 8

Full day sightseeing in Samarkand

Possibly the most famous of the Silk Road cities, Samarkand's blue tiled buildings dazzle in the bright sun. Most impressive is 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 that the square and its madrassah influenced other sites from the great square in Iran's Isfahan to 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, as well as the impressive Necropolis. *Hotel Dilshoda / Malika Prime or similar*

Day 9

Visit Shakhrisabz and Termez.

We start early for the long day ahead, combining driving (approx. 8 hours) with sightseeing. The day starts with a 3hr transfer to the town of Shakhrisabz. Timurin (from the reign of Tamerlane) city boasts a number of important historic monuments including the ruins of the Ak Saray Palace, the Doruttilyavat Ensemble, the Kok Gumbaz Mosque and others mostly dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Sadly, the city’s historic centre is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage in Danger. After exploring Shakhrisabz’s sites we continue south heading towards the Silk Road city of Termez, about 5hrs away. We arrive at Termez in the evening. *Hotel Meredian Termez or similar*

Day 10

Termez city tour.

The region around Termez is unusual for the Stans in that it is home to Buddhist ancestry and relics as well as some more traditional Silk Road sites and interesting museums. We spend the day exploring this city often overlooked by visitors (due to its remote location) including the 1st century Fayaz-tepe Buddhism Complex and the 9th and 10th century Samanid Sultan Saodat Mausoleum. Out of town (about 40kms) is the oldest site in Uzbekistan, dating back to the 4th century BC: Kampyr-Tepe. We visit the ruins of this ancient settlement before returning to Termez in order to visit the historical museum. **Hotel Meredian Termez or similar**

Day 11

Cross into Tajikistan; on to Dushanbe.

Another early start to head to country number three, Tajikistan. On the way we hope to visit the village of Jarkurgan, famed for its mediaeval minaret. 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 Termez to Dushanbe is 205km on a good road and takes about 5 or 6 hours (depending on border crossing time) and we will stop for lunch en route. Dushanbe's origins 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. *Hilton Dushanbe or similar*

Day 12

Into the Fann Mountains and Iskanderkul Lake.

The Fann Mountains are one of two of Tajikistan's great ranges (along with the Pamirs) and have peaks towering up to 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 2,200m. The scenery is stunning as we travel through a beautiful vallley; the drive takes about 4-5hrs/125km - please note that for the last 25km os so the road conditions deteriorate.  This afternoon we explore the area around the lake including visiting Tajikistan’s biggest waterfall, affectionately called ‘Tajikistan Niagara’ and is 40m high. 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 spend the night in a cottages with fantastic views overlooking Isanderkul Lake. There are shared bathrooms and toilets (some indoor and some outdoor). *Cottage*

Day 13

Istravashan and Khujand

Leaving the Fann Mountains behind we make our way into Tajikistan's industrial and agricultural heartland around the city of Khujand (about 4hrs drive). En route we visit the town of Istravashan founded by the Persian king Kier in the 6th century, where we visit the old city with its bazaar and the Kok-Gumbaz mosque and madrassah. Whilst 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, over the centuries, attacked by successive armies of Alexander the Great, Arab invaders and the marauding hordes of Genghis Khan as well as being an important stop along the Silk Road. There are still traces of the city’s glory days and we take in a tour of the sites including the Sheikh Maslikhiddin Mausoleum, the Payshhambe bazaar and Urumkhodjaev family country estate, a copy of the Russian tsarist palace of Petergof. *Khudjand Delux Hotel or similar*

Day 14

To the Ferghana 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 5hrs from Khujand but we make a number of 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 on to the small village of Rishtan which is famous for potter dynasties and ceramics masters. We visit a local ceramics studio and witness a demonstration of the craft before having the opportunity to buy some of the iconic earthenware. Our final stop is at Marghilan where we visit a local silk factory and learn about the material which has given its name to the greatest trade route in history. Eventually we arrive in Ferghana town where we spend the night. *Hotel Club 777 or similar*

Day 15

To Osh and Arslan Bob in Kyrgyzstan.

A short drive gets us to our next border crossing and country number 4. After meeting our Kyrgyz leader we head into nearby Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second city and begin our exploration. The order in which we visit places is flexible but we'll visit Osh Bazaar (Central Asia’s largest market), as well as 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. Later, this afternoon, we leave the city behind and head for Arslanbob Nature Reserve (about 3.5-4hrs away including stops), arriving in the evening. The village of Arslanbob is located in the mountains at around 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). *Homestay*

Day 16

Full day in Arslan Bob

After quite a few days of moving on every day and covering a lot of ground, today is for relaxing in the picturesque village of Arslan Bob surorunded by walnut forests. We take it easy and at around mid-morning we will go for a walk and picnic lunch in the surrounding countryside. The walk takes around 4 hours (including lunch and stops) and requires walking shoes/boots. The pace is leisurely but if anyone prefers not to walk, you are free to opt out. *Homestay*

Day 17

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 8-9 hours to cover the 350km (including lunch and rest/photo stops). Eventually we reach Chychkan Gorge with its fir and juniper trees. Here we spend the night in a simple guest house with en suite rooms on the banks of a rushing river.  *Oson Guest House*

Day 18

Kyzyl Oi Village

This morning there's a chance to go for another short walk to a nearby gorge before continuing our crossing of Central Kyrgyzstan. In the late morning, we set off on the drive to the village of Kyzyl Oi (4.5/5 hours including lunch and rest/photo stops), which translates as ‘Red Bowl’ and is so named because of the red cliffs surrounding the village like a bowl and who’s clay is used to construct its buildings. The mountains here are hues of red and brown and particularly attractive in the late afternoon and early morning sun. The village itself dates from before the Great October Soviet Socialist Revolution and has kept its distinctive Central Asia character. Whilst the valley opens out, the village itself is located in a narrow gorge on the banks of the powerful Kekermeren River. Upon arrival there is some 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 will all have dinner together in one of the houses. *Homestay*

Day 19-20

Son Kul Lake.

Leaving the gorges behind we head towards the high pastures surrounding Son Kul Lake (approx. 4 hours drive, including some rough roads), arriving in time for lunch. Considered by many to be the Jewel in the Kyrygz crown for natural beauty, this is a land of nomadic shepherds tending their flocks. Whilst today yurt camps have multiplied around the lake, the people who look after these camps still often tend their flocks and cattle dot the jailoo (high mountain pastures) cared for by men on horseback. The lake’s name means ‘the last lake’ and sat at 3,016m it’s easy to see how it got its name. We have the whole of the next day to take in the beauty of the landscape. There is the option to go on a 2-2.5 hour walk to the nearby hills - the hills are quite steep and this may not be for everyone but those who make it to the top will find a few petroglyphs. After lunch, we visit one of the Kyrgyz shepherd families close to camp to learn about their lifestyle and perhaps taste some kumis (a natural drink made from fermented mare’s milk) or similar. There is also the option to go horseriding (optional extra)  We experience a bit of the nomad life as we 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 runing (usually morning and evening) but it is not wholly reliable.  *Yurt Camp*

Day 21

Bishkek

Leaving the high mountains which characterise Kyrgyzstan behind we make our way to the Republic’s capital city, Bishkek (about 7hrs 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 for a couple of hours of some of the city’s main sites around the main square, Alatoo Square. We visit the Museum of History and have some time for souvenir shopping or relaxing. (please note that if the Museum of History is closed for renovation or any other reason, we may substitute it for the Fine Arts Museum). *Asia Mountains Hotel or similar*

Day 22

Almaty, Kazakhstan

A mere 4-5hrs from the Kyrgyz capital city (depending on border crossing times) is Almaty, the former Kazakh capital city and the biggest city in the fifth country on our trip. We spend the morning driving to what is considered Central Asia’s most European city and set off on a city tour after lunch. We take in the Panfilovs Park with the Piously-Voznesenskiy Orthodox Cathedral (1907) built without any nails; a memorial to victims of WWII, the Republic Square and the high mountain dam of Modeo on the outskirts of town. *Hotel Kazzhol Almaty or similar*

Day 23

End Almaty

Those on the group flights will be taken to the airport in time for their flight. If you’re continuing on to the Astana extension you will be taken to the airport in time for the internal flight to the Kazakh capital. For land only passengers, the tour ends after breakfast.  

Bilder

Viktig Informasjon Vis detaljert viktig informasjon

• The trip destination

  
  * 23 days land only / flight inclusive
  * Travel by minibus
  * 15 nights hotels, 3 nights home stays, 2 nights yurts, 1 night cottage and
  1 night guest house
  * All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 8 dinners included
  * Single supplement available
  
  

• Food

  
  All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 8 dinners included
  
  Common dishes in the region include shish-kebabs and /plov /(rice usually
  with mutton, onions, carrots, spices, raisins, peas) which you’ll probably
  see plenty of. The kebabs can be from different meats including lamb and beef
  whilst 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, and in Turkmenistan flat round bread
  baked in clay ovens is known as /churek/. 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 is drunk with most meals as well as throughout the day. 
  
  Please note that vegetarian food choices may be rather limited. If you are
  strictly 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, e.g. 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.
  
  

• at a glance

  
  * 23 days land only / flight inclusive
  * Travel by minibus
  * 15 nights hotels, 3 nights home stays, 2 nights yurts, 1 night cottage and
  1 night guest house
  * All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 8 dinners included
  * Single supplement available
  
  

• trip for you

  
  This trip covers a lot of distance in three weeks and there are a number of
  places where we only spend one night (especially during the section through
  Tajikistan and southern Kyrgyzstan).  Most drives tend to be 4-5 hrs with
  the odd drive taking 6hrs and there is a particularly long day from Samarkand
  to Termez which involves around 8hrs driving, though this is broken up with a
  stop at Shakhrisabz.
  
  The countries visited don’t necessarily have a great infrastructure and you
  shouldn’t expect the same comforts you would get at home. Most nights are
  in standard hotels, though we do also stay in homestays, yurt camps and a
  guest house which will be more basic. Hot water is normally available but may
  not always be reliable; toilets might be squat toilets and toilets and/or
  showers may be outside the main building on some of the more basic nights.
  Some nights you may end up having to share a room with more than one other
  person and whilst every effort is made to ensure that on such nights men and
  women who are not travelling together don’t have to share a room 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 of
  the areas we visit.
  
  Whilst this is not an active trip, the pace and distance covered can be
  tiring. There are also some occasions where we go on hikes, in particular in
  Kyrgyzstan. These hikes are not challenging and can vary depending on the
  preferences and abilities of the group, however.
  
  Over a relatively short period, three weeks, this trip takes in a vast array
  of sites both cultural and natural and covers five fascinating countries
  which once shared a common history but which now are each developing in their
  own way.
  
  Please note that smoking in public is illegal in Turkmenistan (though smoking
  in private is fine resulting with the situation where 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 2 packs of
  cigarettes into Turkmenistan.
  
  When visiting mosques and other religious buildings women should wear long
  skirts and have their shoulders covered, it is also advisable to bring a
  scarf and cover your head on such occasions. Knee-length skirts/dresses and
  shorts, as well as sleeveless tops, are fine in other circumstances.  
  
  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 which are beyond our control. 
  
  There will be a Western leader throughout, plus a different local leader in
  each country. Border crossings can be chaotic and will require patience. In
  some cases, you will need to walk through a neutral zone between the two
  countries’ immigration posts with your luggage. The Turkmenistan -
  Uzbekistan (Farab border) is the most complex and involves walking 2-2.5km;
  sometimes cars are available to drive us but this cannot be guaranteed. 
  
  Temperatures can vary from extremely hot to close to freezing on any given
  departure as we visit both deserts and high mountains.
  
  

• accommodation

  Hotel, Yurt, Cottage and Homestay
  Most nights are in standard hotels, though we do also stay in local
  homestays, cottages, yurt camps, and a guest house which will be more basic.
  Hot water is normally available but may not always be reliable; toilets may
  be squat toilets at times and toilets and/or showers may be outside on some
  of the more basic nights.
  
  At the homestays in Arslan Bob and Kyzyl Oi (days 15, 16 and 18) you may
  have to share with 3-4 people to a room. Similarly, for the two nights in the
  yurt camp at Son Kul (days 19 and 20), you may sometimes have to share with 3
  people to a yurt. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that on such nights
  men and women who are not travelling together don’t have to share a room,
  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 USD2 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 this 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 partmer 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
  only - please request this at the time of booking. Please note that a single
  supplement is not available at the homestays (3 nights) or the yurt camp (2
  nights) and in these locations you may have to share with 3-4 people per
  room. Single supplements are also not available at the cottages by
  Iskanderkul Lake (1 night) which are on a twin-share basis.
  
  

• group description

  
  The group will generally be between 5 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 of the countries visited. Due to the legal restrictions,
  each local leader will say farewell to you at the border post and you will
  meet the next local leader on the other side.
  
   
  
  

• eating drinking

  
  All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 8 dinners included
  
  Common dishes in the region include shish-kebabs and /plov /(rice usually
  with mutton, onions, carrots, spices, raisins, peas) which you’ll probably
  see plenty of. The kebabs can be from different meats including lamb and beef
  whilst 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, and in Turkmenistan flat round bread
  baked in clay ovens is known as /churek/. 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 is drunk with most meals as well as throughout the day. 
  
  Please note that vegetarian food choices may be rather limited. If you are
  strictly 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, e.g. 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.
  
  

• transportation

  
  The transport used 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 heading into the desert to see the
  burning pit at the door to hell, Darvaza as well as heading to Sonkul Lake in
  Kyrgyzstan. We use SUV/4x4 vehicles for the journey to Darvaza as the last
  10km to the crater is off-road.
  
  If you decide to do the Astana extension you will travel by internal flight.
  
  

• joining instructions

  
  *Travelling flight inclusive from London: 23 Days*
  
  The group flight from London is a day flight departing on Day 1 of the
  itinerary.
  
  *Flights from London*
  
  We normally use the scheduled services of Turkish Airlines (depending on
  availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend
  you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm
  up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and
  cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.
  
  *Travelling land only: 23 days starting in Ashgabat and ending in Almaty*
  
  Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Ashgabat in the evening of
  Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided
  in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before
  departure.
  
  

• transfer details

  
  Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. 
  
  *Please Note: *It is obligatory by Turkmen law for the inviting party (as
  per yout LOI or Turkmen visa) to organise an arrival transfer from Ashgabat
  airport for tourists. If you are not joining the group transfer you will
  therefore still need to pre-book an arrival transfer through Exodus.
  
  *Free Transfers*
  
  Exodus offers FREE airport /arrival/ transfers for any flight for this trip
  (free departure transfer are not available for any flight), for both Land
  Only and Flight Inclusive clients, so no matter which flight you choose to
  arrive on you will be met and transferred to your hotel. 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. 
  
  If you require an airport departure transfer and are not on the group
  flights, you will need to pre-book a private transfer.
  
  

• weather info

  
  Covering a large area varying from the deserts of Turkmenistan to the
  mountains of Kyrgyzstan the climate can change a lot. The summers (July and
  August) can be very hot in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan but fairly pleasant in
  Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, whilst the 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 in the 30s as well
  as close to freezing on the same trip and need to be prepared for both
  eventualities. Winters are very cold and harsh and some areas are impassable
  (especially to Sonkul in Kyrgyzstan) for most of the year which is why the
  season for this trip is relatively short lasting only from June to September.
  
  

• essential equipment

  
  Please bring a photocopy or two of your passport with you as our local
  representative will collect your passport in order to complete the
  Turkmenistan registration processs. Please also bring a printed copy of your
  Turkmenistan LOI with you, which you will need to hand over to the
  authorities to collect your visa on arrival in Turkmenistan.
  
  Due to the amount of travelling and the number of border crossings, for your
  own convenience, we strongly recommend that 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 involve walking through a neutral zone. 
  
  Light casual cotton clothing is recommended. Please remember that you will be
  expected to cover your legs and arms (to the elbow) during visits to mosques.
  Women should also cover their hair with a scarf when visiting holy sites.
  Whilst this is not a requirement it is expected.
  
  Local men tend not to wear shorts but it is acceptable to wear shorts except
  when visiting a mosque or madrasas.
  Sandals are useful as they are cooler and are easier to take off when
  visiting mosques.
  
  A set of thermal underwear (as a lightweight solution) and a fleece, hat and
  gloves are highly recommended for cold nights.
  
  You will also need a travel towel and trainers or walking shoes/boots.
  
  Please bring a reusable water bottle with you.
  
  Please note that some medicines are banned in both Turkmenistan and
  Uzbekistan unless you are carrying a doctor's prescription. These include
  medicines which contain tramadol, morphin, opiates, codeine or similar
  components often found in painkillers.
  
  At the time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the
  recommended international carrier for this trip is 23kg. We recommend packing
  only one piece of checked baggage.
  
  As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject
  to change, we suggest you check the airline's website for the latest
  information prior to your departure.
  
  

• spending money

  
  The amount of spending money required can vary depending on how much you
  spend on drinks and souvenirs, but 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 the sites in Uzbekistan ‐ they vary
  from 5000 to 10000 Som. There are also photo fees in some sites in
  Turkmenistan, this 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$8-10 per meal with a
  drink, or US$15-20 per person per day.
  
  *Optional Activities*
  
  There are a number of optional activities, which if you wish, your leader can
  help arrange for you. 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 setting up show at Son Kul Lake – USD70 per group (1-2 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 – USD150
  per group. Chance to watch various kinds of traditional Kyrgyz horseback
  riding games.
  * Horse riding at Son Kul Lake - USD12 per horse for approx. 2 hours.
  
  * Folklore musical show during dinner in Bishkek city – USD100 per group
  for (20 mins); USD150 per group (30 mins). Professional musicians will
  demonstrate the traditional musical instruments and play Kyrgyz melodies.
  
  

• tipping

  
  Given the nature of this trip, visiting five different countries, working
  with a tipping kitty may not really be practical, however, your leader will
  advise on whether it is possible to tip as a group. Tipping has become
  customary in these countries, especially with respect to 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 as well -
  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.
  
  

• not included

  
  * Travel Insurance
  * Single accommodation (available on request)
  * Visas or vaccinations
  
  

Priser / Datoer

Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.