It’s time to get excited!

Your exciting trip to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan is just around the corner, promising to be a truly memorable experience! Please read the next document carefully as it has important information to help you get ready for the journey ahead. Before you know it, you’ll be walking along the heart of the Silk Road, wandering through unbelievable ancient cities, soaking up the incredible nature and interacting with nomadic communities.

Entry Requirements

Passport Information

You will need a passport to travel to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Your passport should be valid until at least December 2024 and it needs to have 2 full empty pages.

If you don’t have empty pages, please contact us and we will send you instructions for getting a new passport in time for the tour.

Visa Information

➜ Kyrgyzstan – Citizens of the USA 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 – United States citizens age 55 or older are exempt from the Uzbekistan visa requirements. As a result, no preparations are needed and you don’t need to obtain a tourist visa for this country.

Arrival / Departure Airport

Please note that the arrival airport for this tour is the Manas International Airport (FRU) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and your departure flight from Tashkent, Uzbekistan should be from the Tashkent International Airport (TAS). Please make sure that you are flying into Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) and departing from Tashkent (Uzbekistan).

Immunizations

Neither Kyrgyzstan nor Uzbekistan require any immunizations to enter the country. However, as is the case when traveling to any country, it is always good to speak with a medical professional about what immunizations might be right for you and to ensure you are up-to-date with standard immunizations such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus.

Country Information

What Should You Expect?

Being two of the most underrated countries in the world, we understand that you may not know much about the region. However, rest assured that you’re going to have a blast on your 16-day adventure through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Although both countries are so close together, each one brings its own spice to the mix.

Kyrgyzstan’s nature is some of the world’s most dramatic, with a nomadic culture that calls the mountains, valleys and lakeshores home. The warmth of the Kyrgyz people is always on full display and will instantly become a highlight of this experience.

Uzbekistan, in the heart of the Silk Road, offers 10,000 years of deep history and traditional culture. You’ll find some of the most iconic architecture in the world, ancient mosques, local crafts and rewarding interactions everywhere you visit.

For those who venture to this region, you’ll soon see why these countries end up as favorites!

Accommodation

You’ll be staying at a variety of accommodation that ranges form great guesthouses to mid-range hotels. All accommodations will be comfortable and include a private bathroom.

Transportation

Traveling around both countries, you’ll use private air-conditioned vehicles. You’ll also have one flight from Bishkek to Tashkent and one high-speed train journey in Uzbekistan.

Food and Water

➜ Kyrgyzstan: Tap water is safe for consumption in urban areas, but many travelers prefer to drink bottled water due to the taste. However, tap water is not safe to consume in rural areas. Brushing your teeth with tap water is okay throughout the country.

➜ Uzbekistan: Tap water in Uzbekistan is not ideal for drinking and you should always drink bottled water. Brushing your teeth with tap water is okay but many travelers choose to brush with bottle water instead.

All of the food provided during the tour will be completely safe to consume. Fruits and vegetables are always washed in filtered water. Street food at popular markets and food stalls is also safe to eat. We would only suggest avoiding street food from vendors where the food appears to have been sitting out for a long time. Most street food is cooked fresh though, so this should rarely be an issue.

Money

➜ 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 = 12,350 UZS.

In terms of spending money, you should estimate an average of $30 USD per person 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.

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.
➜ Your drivers – Before flying to Uzbekistan, we recommend that you give a $50 USD tip per person for your driver. We also recommend that you give a $50 USD tip per person on the last day for your driver in Uzbekistan.
➜ Local Guides – Before flying to Uzbekistan, we recommend that you give a $100 USD tip per person for your local guide. We also recommend that you give a $100 USD tip per person on the last day for your local guide in Uzbekistan.

Safety

Both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are very safe countries. The chances of anything happening are very slim as long as you use the same common sense you would use at home.

➜ Watch your stuff – Always keep an eye on your stuff and avoid putting a wallet or phone in your back pocket. Keep your purse or shoulder bag on your front hip and make sure the zippers are zipped on your backpack. Simple as that! You can also leave valuables in your room while out and about each day as the hotels we use are all very safe.

➜ Scams – Scams are rare in both countries. As with any travel though, it’s always good to be aware and if something doesn’t seem right, politely refuse and walk away.

Weather

During this trip, you can expect a variety of temperatures. May is an ideal time to visit both countries as it’s not too cold in Kyrgyzstan, not too hot in Uzbekistan and there is usually very little rain throughout the region. Here are the average temperatures of each destination you will visit:

➜ Bishkek: 77F/25C high – 54F/12C low
➜ Tamga: 54F/12C high – 37F/3C low
➜ Karakol: 54F/12C high – 41F/5C low
➜ Chon-Kemin Valley: 82F/27C high – 58F/14C low
➜ Tashkent: 73F/23C high – 65F/18C low
➜ Samarkand: 82F/27C high – 55F/13C low
➜ Bukhara: 88F/31C high – 61F/16C low

Clothing and Packing

As with most Muslim countries, wearing shorts is not common for men or women and it is more normal to wear pants/long skirts that go below the knees and shirts that have at least short sleeves. Apart from that, you’ll find both countries to be quite relaxed in terms of clothes. We recommend bringing some warm clothes for cool weather.

➜ Laundry – Laundry service will be available in most major urban areas. When available, it costs approximately $10 USD per load.

We recommend packing the following items:

Additional Information

Cameras/Drones

You may bring your camera bodies and lenses into both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan as a tourist.

Please note that drones of any brand and size are illegal in Uzbekistan and highly regulated in Kyrgyzstan, so they could be confiscated upon entry.

Outlet Adapters

Both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan use the same type of plug as in Europe. You will need Type C and/or Type F plug adapters as these are both used throughout both countries. It is highly recommended to purchase these adapters in advance.

As for electricity, check your chargers to see if they say 110 – 230V If they do, you will not have any problems charging your device while on the tour.

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.

That’s it for now and we hope you are continuing to get more and more excited about this incredible adventure, just as we are!

If you have any questions about anything, please reach out to team@wanderingearl.com