Travel Tribe Uzbekistan (Apr) – What to Expect

It’s time to get excited!

Your exciting trip to 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. Soon you’ll be exploring the rich textile heritage of the Silk Road. Imagine strolling through ancient cities, interacting with local artisans, marveling at the vibrant fabrics and traditional craftsmanship, and experiencing the unique blend of nature and culture.

Entry Requirements

Passport Information

You will need a passport to travel to Uzbekistan. Your passport should be valid until at least December 2024 and it should 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

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.’ The process of obtaining an E-Visa is straightforward and can be completed online. As the tour approaches, we will provide specific instructions for obtaining your visa, keeping in mind that applications cannot be submitted more than 90 days before the trip starts. The E-Visa process is simple and costs approximately $20 USD.

Arrival / Departure Airport

Please note that both the arrival and departure airport for this tour is the Tashkent International Airport (TAS).

Immunizations

Uzbekistan doesn’t 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?

Embarking on this 14-day journey through Uzbekistan, you’ll step into a lesser-known realm, rich with textile artistry and cultural depth. While the region might not be familiar to many, its hidden wonders are sure to captivate and inspire.

Your adventure begins in Tashkent, a city where ancient traditions meet modern vibrancy. Here, you’ll encounter the delicate art of woodblock printing and the skill of local embroidery designers. As you travel to Margilan and beyond, each stop brings new experiences – from silk weaving in bustling bazaars to the hands-on creation of felt and suzani textiles.

Your journey will then culminate in exploring the historic Silk Road cities of Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand. Here you’ll delve into the heart of Uzbek craftsmanship, witnessing the intricate processes of gold embroidery and traditional ceramics. This tour isn’t just about sightseeing, but about engaging with a rich, enduring heritage, offering a tapestry of experiences that weave together the essence of Uzbekistan.

Accommodation

On this trip, we’ll stay in a variety of 4* hotels and great family-run guesthouses. All accommodations will be comfortable and include a private bathroom.

Transportation

We’ll use private vans to travel around the country. The vans will ensure flexibility during the trip, giving us access to areas that larger vehicles simply can’t go. We’ll also have one flight from Tashkent to Urgench and two train journeys.

Food and Water

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

The local currency in Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistani Som (UZS) The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 12,406 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 around the country. 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 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 – At the end of the trip, we recommend that everyone gives a $50 USD tip for our driver. We will collect this on the last day and give it to our driver before we say goodbye.
➜ 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.

Safety

Uzbekistan is a very safe country. 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 Uzbekistan. 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, we can expect a variety of temperatures. April is an ideal time to visit Uzbekistan, with pleasant temperatures and very little rain. Here are the average temperatures of each destination we will visit:

➜ Tashkent: 72F/22C high – 50F/10C low
➜ Margilan: 73F/23C high – 52F/11C low
➜ Khiva: 72F/22C high – 55F/13C low
➜ Bukhara: 75F/24C high – 50F/10C low
➜ Samarkand: 70F/21C high – 48F/9C 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 the country 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 Uzbekistan as a tourist. Please note that drones of any brand and size are illegal in Uzbekistan and will be confiscated upon entry.

Outlet Adapters

Uzbekistan uses 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 the country. 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 Uzbekistan is relatively modern, the infrastructure is not as you’d expect back home. WiFi 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 Uzbekistan. These two options will ensure you have a good 4G connection throughout the tour.

Is There Any Free Time?

Yes! Most days will include time together as well as free time for you to enjoy a destination at your own pace. With that said, your tour leader will always be available to offer personal recommendations and suggestions as to things you might want to do or see, places to eat and other interesting activities that you might want to check out when there is free time.

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.

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