We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Turkmenistan |
Uzbekistan |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$0.30 |
$0.30 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$0.80 |
$0.80 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$1.20 |
$1.00 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
$2.20 |
$2.20 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$6.00 |
$6.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$6.00 |
$10.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
|
|
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
Back to top
Visa Requirements
Uzbekistan A single entry visa is required for all nationalities before arrival into Uzbekistan.
Some nationalities (not UK citizens) may be required to provide an authorisation letter from the Uzbek authorities in support of their visa application. Please contact your nearest embassy to check the requirements. If you require an authorisation letter please contact Explore immediately.
Turkmenistan: A single entry visa is required for Turkmenistan. Prior authorisation from the Turkmen authorities is required for UK citizens. Explore will obtain this on your behalf. Overseas passengers must check with the relevant consulate and if you require an authorisation letter please contact Explore immediately.
It can take up to 8 weeks to obtain both the visas required for the tour; so you may be without your passport for this period of time. Allow approximately £200 for visas and visa service charges if applying in the UK. Costs in other countries may vary.
For your own convenience and peace of mind we would strongly recommend that all visas applied for in the UK are processed through Explore’s recommended visa service, Visa Swift.
Important documentation: On entering Turkmenistan at the Uzbek/Turkmen border you will need to register and 2 passport photos are required with the application. Please bring these with you on tour.
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
PLEASE NOTE: it is not possible to obtain the Turkmenistan authorisation any earlier than 8 weeks prior to the tour departure date and it takes 3 weeks to process. Given these time constraints we do not recommend prior travel during this time beforre the tour starts.
Back to top
Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on the need for and different prophylaxis available against malaria.
Back to top
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
Back to top
Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to top
Preparing for your tour
Climate
Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan: Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, when the temperatures are mild and there is the chance of occasional rains. April can bring colourful blooms to the normally barren desert landscapes, whilst summer days in the cities and desert can be very hot, when the temperatures can reach as high as 50° in Ashgabat.
Back to top
Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
Back to top
Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
Back to top
Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
Back to top
One main piece and a daysac. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Remember, you are expected to carry your own luggage – so don’t overload yourself. We recommend either a suitcase or holdall on wheels, or else a backpack, as you may be expected to carry your own luggage up to 1.5km across the border.
Back to top
Clothing
Lightweight raingear may be needed, with some warmer clothes for the cooler evenings, when temperatures can drop considerably. It gets very hot in the summer so long sleeves and a hat may be useful to help keep cool. Casual clothes are the most practical: tight fitting garments, brief shorts and skirts should be avoided, since they attract unwelcome attention and these regions follow the strict tenets of the Muslim faith.
Back to top
Footwear
Light walking boots/comfortable walking shoes, trainers and sandals.
Back to top
Equipment
Torch, water bottle, insect repellent, high factor sun cream (at least factor 15), good quality sunglasses and a lip salve with sun protection.
Back to top
Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
Back to top
General Information
Country info
Area: Uzbekistan: 447,400 sq km. Turkmenistan: 488,100 sq km.
Population: Uzbekistan: 27.3 million. Turkmenistan: 5.1 million.
Language: Uzbekistan: Uzbek (74%), Russian (14%), Tajik (5%), others (7%). Turkmenistan: Turkmen (72%), Russian (12%), Uzbek (9%).
Religion: Uzbekistan: Muslim, predominantly Sunni, (88%), Eastern Orthodox (9%). Turkmenistan: Muslim (85%), Eastern Orthodox (9%).
Local Time: GMT +5.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 220v 50Hz. European two pin round plugs.
Back to top
Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to top
Maps & Books
Recommended Maps: Nelles: Central Asia (1:750,000).
Recommended Books: Insight guide to the Silk Road, Colin Thubron: The Lost Heart of Asia, Robert Marshall: Storm from the East, Lonely Planet Guide to Central Asia, Georgina Hermann: Monuments of Merv, Robert Byron: The Road to Oxiana.
Back to top
Toll Free USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
