Your exciting trip to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan 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.
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 private 17-day adventure through Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Although both countries are so close together, each one brings its own spice to the mix.
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 precious architecture in the world, ancient mosques, local crafts and rewarding interactions everywhere you visit.
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.
For those who venture to this region, you’ll soon see why these countries end up as favorites!
You will need a passport to travel to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Your passport should be valid until at least November 2025 and it needs to have 2 full empty pages.
Please note that the arrival airport for this tour is the Tashkent International Airport (TAS) in Uzbekistan and your departure flight Kyrgyzstan should be from the Manas International Airport (FRU) in Bishkek. Please make sure that you are flying into Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and departing from Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan).
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.
Neither Uzbekistan nor Kyrgyzstan 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.
In terms of spending money, you should estimate an average of $40 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.
As for tipping, is not a big part of the culture, but it is always appreciated. Here’s a general guideline:
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.
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.
You may bring your camera bodies and lenses into both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan 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.
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.
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. 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.
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:
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.
We recommend packing the following items:
For the internal flight between Tashkent and Bishkek, the maximum weight for checked luggage is capped at 23kg (50 lbs). For your carry-on, make sure that it’s no heavier than 6kg (13 lbs), and that it measures no more than 21.6″ long x 13.7″ width x 7.8″ high. You can also bring along an extra personal item that fits under the seat.
