➜Kyrgyzstan – Citizens of the USA, EU countries, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are allowed to enter Kyrgyzstan without a visa for stays of less than 60 days. As a result, no preparations are needed and you don’t need to obtain a tourist visa for this country.
➜Uzbekistan – Citizens of EU countries, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand don’t require a tourist visa to enter Uzbekistan. Citizens of the USA require an “e-visa”, however, this only applies to travelers under the age of 55. Travelers over the age of 55 do not need a visa. Please follow the instructions sent to you by our Tour Manager, Liz, on how to obtain your visa. If you have any questions, please contact Liz at liz@wanderingearl.com
WhatsApp Group
We will set up a WhatsApp chat 2 weeks prior to the start of the tour that will include all of the participants as well as your tour leader. This will allow everyone to get to know each other in advance, ask questions and communicate with your tour leader both before and during the tour. It will be very useful for you to have WhatsApp available to you during the tour as this will be the main method of communication.
Airport Arrival & Pickup
Please follow the below instructions upon arrival at Bishkek’s Manas International Airport:
After exiting the plane, walk through the terminal building to the immigration inspection
Once through immigration, walk straight ahead into the luggage area. Collect your luggage from the correct carousel and then pass through the customs inspection
After you exit the baggage/customs area, you’ll enter the small Arrivals Hall where you’ll see drivers waiting with signs. Your driver will be waiting inside that area with a sign that says “Wandering Earl Tours”
If you are unable to find your driver, you can call your tour leader, Ulan, at +996 551 220275
Please note: When arriving into Kyrgyzstan, you are sometimes required to fill out a landing card or tell the immigration officer where you will be staying in Bishkek. Here are the details:
Madison Ave Hotel Bishkek, 210 Kiev St., Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Tour Leader
The tour leader for this trip will be the wonderful Ulan Ermekov. Ulan is from Kyrgyzstan and has a long history of leading trips around his country, and neighboring countries. He’s been our trusted partner in this region of the world since 2015 and he always plays a major role in all of our Central Asia tours. Ulan is the perfect tour leader for this Kyrgyzstan/Uzbekistan trip as his deep knowledge, local contacts and ability to communicate using local languages will enhance the experience to an incredible degree.
Local currency
➜ Kyrgyzstan: The local currency in Kyrgyzstan is the Kyrgystani Som (KGS) The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 88 KGS.
➜ Uzbekistan: The local currency in Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistani Som (UZS) The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 11,375 UZS.
In terms of spending money, you should estimate an average of $30 USD per day for all of your needs. This would be for meals that are not included in the tour, basic purchases (laundry service, snacks, etc) as well as any activities you choose to do on your own.
As for exchanging money, the best method is via ATM machines which are located throughout urban areas in both countries. However, check with your bank at home as many banks charge high foreign transaction fees every time you withdraw money overseas.
If using an ATM is not an option, or the fees are too high, simply bring USD, Euros or GBP to exchange at money exchange offices in the cities.
*US dollars are sometimes accepted in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, but in general, you would need crisp, clear bills to make any purchases. Overall, it is far better to use the local currency in order to avoid any issues.
*Credit cards are sometimes accepted in some businesses in the cities (nicer restaurants, cafes, some shops, etc…) However, cash will be the main method of payment outside of the cities.
Tipping
Tipping in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan is not as common as in the West but in some cases it is expected. Here’s a general guideline:
➜Restaurants – 10% – 15% for excellent service and only if a service charge is not already added to the bill ➜Hotel staff – $1 USD – $2 USD if someone helps you with luggage or anything else ➜Our drivers – We will collect tips for our local drivers before we say goodbye to each one as we will have separate drivers in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. We recommend that everyone gives a $25 USD tip for our drivers. ➜Airport Driver – There is no need to tip your driver upon arrival ➜Tour leader – If you wish to tip your tour leader, they will always be greatly appreciative
*Tips for local guides and waitstaff at included meals are already included.
Staying Connected
Although both countries are relatively modern, strong internet is not quite widespread. While almost all of the accommodations have Wi-Fi, the connection can be poor at times, so be prepared to be offline more than you’re probably used to back home. In general, the internet access will work and you’ll be able to do whatever you need to do online, but it might take longer than normal with the potentially spotty connection.
The easiest way to stay connected during the tour will be to purchase an E-SIM before the trip, as this will allow you to stay connected from the moment you land at the airport.
We can also set up local SIM cards upon arrival for those who wish. Just make sure you have a GSM-enabled unlocked phone in order to use a foreign SIM card.
Another option is to activate your home network’s ‘international plan’ which will allow you to continue using your phone as you would at home, with access to a data connection, for a fee that usually ranges from $5 – $10 per day.
IMPORTANT: COVID-19 Travel Information
As of now, neither country requires a vaccination certificate or a PCR test to travel. If this changes, we will keep you informed. Please note that you may need to present a vaccination certificate and/or PCR test when traveling on certain airlines and when transiting through certain countries so please make sure you are up-to-date with the rules according to your travel plans.
Itinerary
May 14th: Kyrgyzstan / Arrival day
Meet our representative upon arrival at the airport
Transfer to the hotel
Group orientation at 17:30pm in the hotel lobby
Welcome dinner
➜ Included meals: Breakfast (for the participants that booked the pre-trip accommodation with us), Dinner ➜ Accommodation: Madison Ave Hotel
May 15th: Bishkek
Full-walking tour of Bishkek to see the highlights of this charming city
Drive to the outskirts of the city to the Aidai Asngulova Center to learn about the local felt-silk fashion and make your own small scarf
Group lunch with a wonderful local craftswoman who will share her knowledge and efforts to save the traditional Kyrgyz costume industry
Free evening at leisure
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch ➜ Accommodation: Madison Ave Hotel
May 16th: Bishkek➜Tamga
8-hour drive to Tamga with multiple stops through the majestic Ala-Too Mountain Range, the second largest mountain lake in the world
Group lunch in the house of a local yurt-maker to learn all about the art of yurts
Stop for a walk through the gorgeous Sazka Canyon
Arrival in Tamga
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
➜ Accommodation: Anyutaika-Sergei Guesthouse
May 17th: Tamga
Walk around the friendly village and visit the Soviet Sanatorium
Optional horseback riding alongside the Silk Road
Group lunch
Drive to the Barskoon Valley to visit the waterfalls and the monument to Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space
Free time in Tamga, with options such as: taking a swim in the waters of the Issy-kul Lake, relaxing at our guest house or visiting a local sauna
Group dinner
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
➜ Accommodation: Anyutaika-Sergei Guesthouse
May 18th: Tamga ➜ Djeti Oguz ➜ Yrdyk ➜ Karakol
Drive to Yrdyk
Stop for a scenic view of the impressive rock formations
Continue to the village of Yrdyk, home to the Dungan people (Muslim Chinese people of Hui origin)
Traditional lunch of Dungas dishes at a local’s home
Arrival to Karakol
Group dinner
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ➜ Accommodation: Green Yard
May 19th: Karakol
Full-walking tour of Karakol’s picturesque neighborhoods and local craft markets
Food tasting at the markets
Free time in Karakol with an optional visit to the nearby hot springs
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ➜ Accommodation: Green Yard
May 20th: Karakol➜ Jyrgalan Valley ➜ Karakol
Full day trip among nature to the amazing Jyrgalan Valley, where you’ll be surrounded by towering mountains, crystal-clear streams, and lush alpine meadows
Return to Karakol
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch ➜ Accommodation: Green Yard
May 21st: Karakol ➜ Chon-Kemin Valley
Visit to the traditional Sunday morning Animal Market on the outskirts of Karakol
5-hour drive to Chon-Kemin
Visit to a local farm village to enjoy a short hike
Group dinner at our local family-run guesthouse
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ➜ Accommodation: Ashu Guesthouse
May 22nd: Chon-Kemin Valley ➜ Bishkek ➜ Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
Head back to Bishkek
Stop at the Burana Tower, an impressive and ancient minaret located in the Chuy Valley
Group lunch
Transfer to the airport for our afternoon flight to Tashkent
Overnight in Tashkent
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch ➜ Accommodation: Hotel Inspira-S
May 23rd: Tashkent
Tour of Tashkent, including the Museum of Stalin’s Repressions, Chorsu Bazaar, an ancient madrassa and mosque, and a variety of neighborhoods
Lunch at a local restaurant
Free afternoon
Group dinner
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ➜ Accommodation: Hotel Inspira-S
May 24th: Tashkent ➜Samarkand
4-hour drive to Samarkand
Stop at a traditional mulberry paper-making workshop, an ancient observatory, and at a restaurant for lunch
Free afternoon after arrival
Local dinner
Unique evening light show in the heart of the ancient city
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ➜ Accommodation: Wellfort Hotel
May 25th: Samarkand
Full-tour of beautiful Samarkand, including Registan, the Bibi-Khaum mosque, the Necropolis, and the Ulugh Bek observatory
Lunch at a local family restaurant
Visit to a local Uzbek winery for a wine tasting experience
Free evening
Group dinner
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ➜ Accommodation: Wellfort Hotel
May 26th: Samarkand➜Bukhara
Morning drive to Bukhara with multiple stops
Stop in the small town of Gijouvan, famous for its ceramic workshops
Group lunch
Arrival in Bukhara
Group dinner
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ➜ Accommodation: As-Salam Hotel
May 27th: Bukhara
Walking tour of Bukhara, including the Kalyan minaret, the Samanid Mausoleum, a unique water museum, the Bolo Haus mosque, a traditional bazaar, and a jewellery market
Free evening to enjoy Bukhara
Group dinner
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner ➜ Accommodation: As-Salam Hotel
May 28th: Bukhara➜Tashkent
Trip to the Ark Fortress for a guided tour of the historical site
Local lunch
4-hour high-speed train back to Tashkent
Farewell dinner
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner ➜ Accommodation: Hotel Inspira-S
May 29th:Tashkent / Departure day
Transfers to the airport
➜ Included meals: Breakfast
What’s Included?
➜ Wandering Earl Tours expert tour leader ➜ Small group (maximum 12 participants) ➜ Accommodation (15 nights – 3* hotels and guesthouses) ➜ Transportation within Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan (flight, private vans, train) ➜ Local guides in each destination ➜ All mentioned activities and entrance fees ➜ Breakfast every day, 12 lunches and 12 dinners ➜ Water throughout the trip ➜ Gratuities at hotels/included meals ➜ All airport transfers (Bishkek arrival / Tashkent departure)
What’s Not Included?
➜ Flights to/from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan ➜ Passport/visa fees ➜ Meals and activities not mentioned ➜ Travel insurance (mandatory) ➜ Other gratuities
Covid-19 Disclaimer
Please note that in the event of any interruption to your tour experience as a result of your testing positive for Covid-19, our staff will be on hand to assist with making any arrangements that need to be made. This could include accommodation booking, transportation, scheduling additional Covid-19 tests, etc. However, it is important to understand that you would be fully responsible for all expenses incurred related to interruptions to the trip and/or medical treatment needed as a result of a positive Covid-19 test before, during or after the trip. We highly recommend having a travel/health insurance policy that covers Covid-19 related situations. By participating in the tour, you are confirming your understanding of the above
That’s all for now! If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at liz@wanderingearl.com.
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