➜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 are allowed to enter Uzbekistan without a visa for stays of less than 30 days. United States citizens age 55 or older are also exempt from visa requirements. United States Citizens age 54 or younger require an ‘E-Visa.’ Please follow the below process to obtain your visa if you have not yet done so:
Visit this government website: https://e-visa.gov.uz/main *DO NOT USE ANY OTHER WEBSITE TO OBTAIN YOUR E-VISA
Click on the blue button that says “Application for e-visa”.
Follow the quick instructions.
You will be able to pay for the visa with a credit card.
In most cases, you will receive confirmation within 48 hours.
Once you have confirmation that your visa has been approved, please send us an email and let us know.
*When entering your date of arrival, it’s best to enter a date that is a few days before your actual arrival date just in case your flight changes.
*If the application asks for the hotel where you will stay, enter Regal Stay Hotel, Tashkent (Address: 100022, Tashkent, Toshkent Shahri, Uzbekistan).
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
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.
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 = 89 KGS.
➜ Uzbekistan: The local currency in Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistani Som (UZS) The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 12,490 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 – Before flying to Uzbekistan, we recommend that everyone gives a $25 USD tip for our drivers. We will collect this on Day 8 and give it to our drivers before we say goodbye to them. We’ll also collect a $15 USD tip on the last day for our drivers in Uzbekistan. ➜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, the infrastructure is not as you’d expect back home. Wi-fi will be available in all of the major urban areas and it will be okay, although most likely slower than what you’re used to. There may not be WiFi or a signal in some places in the countryside. If you want a stronger connection throughout the trip, we recommend that you either activate the international plan from your network at home or buy an online E-Sim for both countries (there are packages available that offer both countries together). These two options will ensure you have a good 4G connection throughout the tour.
Packing / Luggage Restrictions
Packing lightly will make it easier to load up the van when needed and also easier for the flight that we’ll be taking. There may be times when you’ll need to walk with your luggage for a short while to reach our accommodation.
*Important: For the internal flights, you can take a maximum of 1 check-in luggage (max 23kg/50lbs with a size of no more than 158cm/62″ by the sum of its three dimensions), 1 carry-on luggage (max 8kg/17 lbs), as well as 1 small personal item that fits under the seat in front of you.
Itinerary
May 14th: Bishkek / Arrival day
Meet our representative upon arrival at the airport
Transfer to the hotel
Group orientation at 5:30pm in the hotel lobby
Welcome dinner
➜ Accommodation: Madison Ave Hotel ➜ Included meals: Breakfast (for the participants that booked the pre-trip accommodation with us), Dinner
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 Asangulova 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
➜ Accommodation: Madison Ave Hotel ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
May 16th: Bishkek➜Tamga
8-hour drive to Tamga with multiple stops through the majestic Ala-Too Mountain Range, containing 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
➜ Accommodation: Anyutaika-Sergei Guesthouse ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
May 17th: Tamga
Walk around the friendly village and visit the Soviet Sanatorium
Optional horseback riding alongside the Silk Road
Group lunch at our homestay
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
Drive to Yrdyk, a unique village nestled in the mountains
Stop for a scenic view of the impressive rock formations sculpted by nature’s forces over millennia
Continue to the village of Yrdyk, home to the Dungan people (Muslim Chinese people of Hui origin)
Traditional lunch of Dungan dishes at a local’s home
Reach Karakol, a town famous for its rich history and gateway to some of Kyrgyzstan’s most stunning landscapes
Group dinner
➜ Accommodation: 78 Hotel ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
May 19th: Karakol
Full-walking tour through Karakol’s picturesque neighborhoods, exploring its charming streets and visiting local craft markets where artisans showcase their work
Food tasting at the markets, where you can sample a variety of local delicacies and gain insight into Kyrgyz culinary traditions
Free time in Karakol, with the option to visit the nearby hot springs for a relaxing soak in their therapeutic waters, known for their natural healing properties
➜ Accommodation: 78 Hotel ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
May 20th: Karakol➜ Chon-Kyzylsuu Valley ➜ Karakol
Start the day with an adventurous ride in a Russian Military Truck, heading to the tranquil Chon Kyzylsuu valley, where the journey itself offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes
Upon arrival, engage in an exploration hike, delving into the valley’s untouched beauty
Take a dip in the quaint outdoor hot spring
Picnic lunch set against the backdrop of the valley’s picturesque scenery
Return to Karakol in the evening
➜ Accommodation: 78 Hotel ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
May 21st: Karakol ➜ Chon-Kemin Valley
Morning 5-hour scenic drive to Chon-Kemin, a journey through picturesque landscapes and the heart of Kyrgyzstan’s natural beauty
Visit a local farm village in Chon-Kemin, where you’ll enjoy a short hike through the surrounding countryside, offering a glimpse into rural life and the area’s splendor
Group dinner at our local family-run guesthouse, a warm and welcoming place to share stories and savor home-cooked Kyrgyz dishes
➜ Accommodation: Ashu Guesthouse ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
May 22nd: Chon-Kemin Valley ➜ Bishkek ➜ Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
Begin our journey back to Bishkek
Stop at the Burana Tower, a striking ancient minaret that stands in the Chuy Valley, offering insights into the architectural heritage and history of the region
Group lunch
Transfer to the airport for our afternoon flight to Tashkent
Overnight in Tashkent
➜ Accommodation: Regal Stay Hotel ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
May 23rd: Tashkent
Comprehensive tour of Tashkent, featuring visits to the Museum of Stalin’s Repressions for a poignant look into the past, the vibrant Chorsu Bazaar for a taste of local life, and an ancient madrassa and mosque that showcase Uzbekistan’s rich Islamic heritage, along with a stroll through diverse neighborhoods
Lunch at a local restaurant where you can enjoy traditional Uzbek cuisine
Free afternoon to explore Tashkent at your own pace, whether it’s further sightseeing, shopping, or simply relaxing in one of the city’s many parks
Group dinner
➜ Accommodation: Regal Stay Hotel ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
May 24th: Tashkent ➜Samarkand
4-hour drive to Samarkand
Stop at a traditional mulberry paper-making workshop to witness the age-old craft and enjoy a lunch break at a restaurant serving local specialties
Local group dinner
Cap off the day with a unique evening light show in the heart of the ancient city, illuminating its majestic buildings and bringing the rich history of Samarkand to life under the stars
➜ Accommodation: Silk Road Empire Hotel ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
May 25th: Samarkand
Full-day tour of Samarkand, marveling at its famous landmarks including the majestic Registan, the awe-inspiring Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the solemn Necropolis, and the historically significant Ulugh Bek Observatory
Enjoy lunch at a local family restaurant
Visit a local Uzbek winery for an exclusive wine tasting experience, delving into the region’s burgeoning wine culture and sampling a variety of locally produced wines
Free evening
Group dinner
➜ Accommodation: Silk Road Empire Hotel ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
May 26th: Samarkand➜Bukhara
Morning drive to Bukhara, an ancient city rich in historical sites and architectural treasures, featuring multiple stops along the way
Make a stop in the small town of Gijduvan, renowned for its ceramic workshops, where you can observe the skilled artisans crafting traditional Uzbek pottery
Group lunch
Arrival in Bukhara
Group dinner
➜ Accommodation: As-Salam Hotel ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
May 27th: Bukhara
Walking tour of Bukhara, exploring its heart and soul through visits to the Kalyan Minaret, the architecturally significant Samanid Mausoleum, a unique water museum illustrating the city’s ingenious ancient water systems, the serene Bolo Hauz Mosque, a traditional bazaar buzzing with local life, and a jewelry market market showcasing exquisite craftsmanship.
Enjoy a free evening to immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of Bukhara, taking the opportunity to wander its historic streets, relax in one of the city’s tea houses, or further explore its rich cultural tapestry
Group dinner
➜ Accommodation: As-Salam Hotel ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
May 28th: Bukhara➜Tashkent
Trip to the Ark Fortress, delving into the history of this ancient citadel that has stood as a symbol of power and resilience at the heart of Bukhara for centuries
Local lunch
4-hour high-speed train back to Tashkent
Farewell dinner
➜ Accommodation: Regal Stay Hotel ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
May 29th:Tashkent / Departure day
Transfers to the airport based on your departure flight
➜ Included meals: Breakfast
What’s Included?
➜ Wandering Earl Tours leader throughout ➜ Small group (maximum 13 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
That’s all for now! If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at team@wanderingearl.com.
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