Kyrgyzstan / Uzbekistan – Final Details

Wander Across Kyrgyzstan / Uzbekistan

May 14th – 29th, 2023

Important Details

Tourist Visas

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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