Bishkek to Ashgabat

27 days
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Small Group Tour
Be entranced by the beauty and the wonder of Central Asia on this overland journey from the capital of Kyrgyzstan through the heartland of Uzbekistan to the forgotten yet futuristic Ashgabat. Take in the tranquil landscape of Son-Kol Lake, watch for wild boar and deer around Chychkan Gorge, hike up the sacred Sulumain-too Mountain in historic Osh, and get you...
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$8,340
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Explore Central Asia – a fascinating and unique mix of ancient Silk Road culture, post-soviet culture and redefined nations living in post-independence.
    • Discover the history of the Silk Road – see the much-photographed Registan in Samarkand (one of the true pinnacles of Islamic architecture), spend time in World Heritage-listed Bukhara (a 6th-century city), visit the UNESCO-protected town of Khiva and explore the sprawling ruins of Mary.
    • Be treated to traditional hospitality and get a unique insight into the daily life of locals during a Kyrgyz homestay, a night in a guesthouse in Uzbekistan and the rare chance to stay with a local family in Turkmenistan.
    • Marvel at the beautiful natural landscapes in this ever-changing land – see Son-Kol Lake’s flocks of sheep, goats and horses, witness the majesty of the Kyrgyzstans Mountains, visit Issy-Kul Lake, watch the ever-burning flames of ‘The Gates of Hell’ and take in the vast desert of Turkenistan.
    • Rub shoulders with locals, bargain in the bazzars and sit down for a homemade plov meal – with your expert leader by the side, you’ll really get into the local insight and learn what’s common and what’s different between these three stans.

What's this trip about?

    Be entranced by the beauty and the wonder of Central Asia on this overland journey from the capital of Kyrgyzstan through the heartland of Uzbekistan to the forgotten yet futuristic Ashgabat. Take in the tranquil landscape of Son-Kol Lake, watch for wild boar and deer around Chychkan Gorge, hike up the sacred Sulumain-too Mountain in historic Osh, and get your fill of mosques and museums in Samarkand. Venture into the mysterious Turkmenistan, watch the eternal fire from the 'Gates of Hell', and explore Ashgabat with architecture from a sci-fi movie. Abounding with ancient culture, divine natural beauty, intriguing relics and welcoming people, this is a journey that will leave you eager to discover more of Central Asia.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age range15 to 17 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityBishkek
End CityAshgabat

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • High Adventure

Destinations

Attractions

  • Bishkek
  • Bukhara
  • Khiva
  • Samarkand
  • Tashkent

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 12

Trip includes

    • Bishkek - City walking tour
    • Shamsy Valley - Burana tower
    • Don Aryk - Kyrgyz family visit and home-cooked lunch
    • Issyk-Kul Lake - Yurt workshop
    • Kochkor - Market
    • Kochkor - Women's Felt Co-op
    • Kyzyl-Oi - Boorsok Cooking Demonstration
    • Uzgen - Uzgen Minaret & Complex
    • Osh - Sulaiman-Too Mountain
    • Osh - National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex
    • Tashkent - Chorsu Bazaar
    • Tashkent - Amir Timur Square
    • Bukhara - Sitorai Mohi Hosa Palace
    • Bukhara - Ismail Samani Mausoleum
    • Bukhara - Ark Fortress
    • Samarkand - Leader-led orientation walk
    • Samarkand - Bibi-Khanym Mosque
    • Samarkand - Registan Square
    • Samarkand - Shakh-I-Zinda
    • Samarkand - Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
    • Samarkand - Plov cooking demonstration & family visit
    • Tashkent - Chorsu Bazaar
    • Tashkent - Khast Imom Complex & Moyie Mubarek Library Museum
    • Tashkent - Amir Timur Square
    • Tashkent - City tour
    • Tashkent - Metro tour
    • Khiva - Islom Hoja Minaret & Medressa
    • Khiva - Juma Mosque
    • Khiva - Tosh-Hovli Palace
    • Khiva - Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum
    • Khiva - Kuhna Ark
    • Darvaza - "Door to Hell" Crater
    • Yerbent - Village visit
    • Nohur - Village walking tour
    • Geokdepe - Horse breeder visit with bread & snack cooking demostration
    • Ashgabat - Anau ruins
    • Ashgabat - Neutrality Arch
    • Ashgabat - Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
    • Ashgabat - City tour
    • Ashgabat - Nisa ruins
    • Ashgabat - Russian Bazaar
    • Merv - Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum
    • Merv - Erk Kala & Gayur Kala
    • Merv - Big & Small Kizkala
    • Mary - City tour

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Bishkek

Welcome to Bishkek! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Tomorrow you’ll take a tour of the city, so don’t stress too much if you don’t have time to see much today. Bishkek is tree-lined town of parks and gardens, handsome houses and wide stre...

Day 2 Bishkek

Embark on city tour that showcases the various stages of Bishkek’s history. Visit the severe Ala-Too Square, once known as Lenin Square, and learn about the towering statue depicting folkloric hero Manas. Continue to Dubovy Park, and wander among the open-air gallerie...

Day 3 Issyk-Kul Lake

This morning, up and on the road through the beautiful landscaps of Kyrgyzstan. You'll be travelling with our vehicle for the next few days so get ready for a road trip through some pretty stunning mountains and lakes. Firstly stop at Burana Tower, a minaret that is t...

Day 4 Issyk-Kul Lake

With relaxed plans for today, you'll head out to Kyzyl Tuu - known for yurt making. Almost every family here is a yurt making and the village is known far beyond Kyrgyzstan. You'll visit an artisan family who’ll teach you more about their traditional yurts. With a spe...

Day 5 Song-Kol Lake (3016 metres)

Back on the road and travel to Song-Kol Lake, another alpine stunner that is considered a sacred place to many Kyrgyz people, as well as one of the best summer pastures for nomadic herders. On the way, stop at Kochkor to visit the local market and a women's felt co-op...

Day 6 Kyzyl-Oi

Travel along gravel roads to the tiny village of Kyzyl-Oi, which is squeezed between mountains. On the way, pass large coal deposits and travel along the Kokomeren River, which feeds into the Syr Darya. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the river in the shade of th...

Day 7 Suusamyr Valley/Chychkan River/Toktogul

Get ready for a full-day of driving though big, beautiful landscapes. As the roads in Kyrgyzstan see little regular maintenance, even short distances on a map can take hours. The road crosses the Suusamyr Valley – a high steppe plateau situated at around 2200 metres a...

Day 8 Osh

After breakfast, get ready for another all-day journey to Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgystan. Stop en route at Uzgen, an ancient trading town and handicrafts centre along the Silk Road. Although much of the ancient city has been destroyed, a minaret and three m...

Day 9 Osh

Rise and shine for a visit to the only World Heritage site in Kyrgystan, the Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain, also known as Solomon's Throne. For centuries Silk Road travellers have sought out the mountain's caves and their petroglyphs in the belief that they would be bl...

Day 10 Border Crossing/Andijan/Tashkent

This morning, drive to Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, which is just outside of the city. Transfer to Andijan and board a local train to Tashkent (approximately 5.5 hours). The train is a great place to meet locals, so don’t be surprised if people want to chat to the chet ellik (foreigner). Arrive in the evening and check into the hotel.

Day 11 Tashkent

Begin your introduction to Uzbekistan by exploring the capital today. Follow your leader on a city walking tour - explore Amir Timur square at the city center, then hop on the metro and lose yourself in the exciting Chorsu Bazaar, browsing traditional wooden cradles, ...

Day 12 Bukhara

Travel to Bukhara by train this morning. Located on the ancient Silk Road, Bukhara was an important regional and world hub for many, many years and has a long, fascinating history featuring invasions by both Genghis Khan and the Soviet Red Army. Explore this fascinati...

Day 13 Bukhara

Enjoy a day of sightseeing in beautiful Bukhara. First visit the Sitorai Mohi Khosa, once the summer residence of the last Emir. Designed by Russian architects, it has interiors decorated with traditional filigree plaster, mirrored surfaces and delicate floral wall pa...

Day 14 Samarkand

Have a free morning to yourself for some further exploration of Bukhara. In the late afternoon,transfer to the station for train to fabled Samarkand. This city is located at the very centre of the ancient Silk Road. Arrival early evening and follow your leader on a short city orientation walk and maybe an optional dinner together.

Day 15 Samarkand

Enjoy a tour of Samarkand. First up is the central square called the Registan, which features mosques and mausoleums that are true pinnacles of Islamic architecture. Continue to Guri-Amir, where Tamerlane is buried, and then the enormous Bibi-Khanum Mosque. Visit Shak...

Day 16 Tashkent

This morning, take the train back to Tashkent. Enjoy a free afternoon and why not celebrate this great adventure with an optional farewell dinner tonight?

Day 17 Tashkent

Xush kelibsiz! Welcome to the largest city in Central Asia. Tashkent blends Russian and Uzbek style, with extravagant mosques that sit alongside modern highways and Soviet monuments. Your adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm today. If you arrive ...

Day 18 Tashkent/ Overnight Train

This morning, embark on a city tour to explore Tashkent. Visit the Amir Timur Square in the city’s centre and wander the bustling Chorsu Bazaar. An impressive dome tops the main building here and the market sells everything you could imagine. Explore the decorated met...

Day 19 Khiva

Arrive in Khivathis morning – many global powers have laid claim to this city over the centuries, from Khans to Silk Road traders and the Soviet Union. Get acquainted with Khiva on a city tour with your leader. See the incredible blue-tiled Kalta Minor Minaret and the...

Day 20 Khiva

After breakfast today, you’ll have a free day to explore Khiva at your own pace. Home to more than 60 cultural sites, medieval mosques and opulent palaces, there is plenty to see and do in this fascinatingly ancient city. Maybe head to one of the many museums, check o...

Day 21 Border crossing/ Darvaza

A long travel day today. This morning, say goodbye to Uzbekistan and cross the border into Turkmenistan. After border formalities, you’ll meet your new leader and head on to Dashoguz. When you arrive, visit a local bazaar and stretch your legs. Then, switch into 4WDs ...

Day 22 Ashgabat/ Nohur

Drive to Nohur Village via Ashgabat today, through the desert and into the Kopet Dag Mountains that separate Turkmenistan from Iran. On the way, you’ll stop to stretch your legs and take photos with visits to a mud crater, a water crater and the Yerbent Nomad Village....

Day 23 Ashgabat

Enjoy a traditional breakfast in the guesthouse this morning, then head out to learn more about the village lifestyle of local Turkmen tribes. You’ll meet with the residents here who are a part of the Nohur ethnic group, who consider themselves to be descendants of Al...

Day 24 Ashgabat

Take a full day to wrap your head around this desert city on an immersive guided tour. First, visit the ancient settlement of Nisa, built in the 3rd century BC. See the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, built to honour those killed in the Battle of Geok Tepe in 1881, in...

Day 25 Merv/ Mary

Rise and shine for the drive to Mary (pronounced ‘Mah-rih’) – the somewhat ostentatious displays of wealth in this city can be traced to the long-running gas and cotton industries. When you arrive, settle into your hotel, then head out to wander through the lively baz...

Day 26 Ashgabat

This morning after breakfast, head out to see the local Orthodox Church and take some more time wandering around Mary’s city center, before returning to Ashgabat – the City of White Marble. Arrive late afternoon and head out again as the sun goes down to walk along the promenade with your group. Maybe find somewhere for dinner and celebrate your final night on this incredible adventure.

Day 27 Ashgabat

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. If you need help with organising a transfer to the airport, just speak to your leader.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,178
Price per day$229
Last Updated: 6/4/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
04 Apr 2025
30 Apr 2025
$6,489
11 Apr 2025
07 May 2025
$6,178
18 Apr 2025
14 May 2025
$6,178
02 May 2025
28 May 2025
$6,178
09 May 2025
04 Jun 2025
$6,453
16 May 2025
11 Jun 2025
$6,516
23 May 2025
18 Jun 2025
$6,453
10 Jun 2025
06 Jul 2025
$6,453
08 Aug 2025
03 Sep 2025
$6,453
12 Aug 2025
07 Sep 2025
$6,453

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

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On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

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Logistics

Accommodation

Guesthouse/Homestay (3 night),Hotel (18 nights),Yurt (4 nights),Overnight train (1 night)

Transportation & Flights

Private Bus,Metro,Train,Overnight Train,

Transportation & flights

Private Bus,Metro,Train,Overnight Train
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements KYRGYZSTAN Most nationalities do not require a visa to travel to Kyrgyzstan for up to 60 days, including Australia, Belgium, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, USA and Switzerland. Other nationalities can check this website first about applying for an E-visa: https://www.evisa.e-gov.kg Otherwise, please check with your nearest embassy and obtain a visa in advance if required. Please contact us should you need any supporting documents for your visa application. UZBEKISTAN VISAS Many nationalities no longer require a visa for stays of up to 90 days, including most European countries, Great Britain, Australia & Canada.You can check if you are eligible for the visa free scheme here: https://e-visa.gov.uz/main E-VISAS For nationalities not included in the visa exemption list, including US citizens, an e-visa is available. The e-visa is issued for a period of stay in the territory of Uzbekistan up to 30 days with a single entry and is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Travellers must submit an online application for a visa at least three working days before the planned date of travel to Uzbekistan. The consular fee for processing and issuing an e-visa is US$20 to be paid online. Please check if you are eligible for an e-visa and apply here: https://e-visa.gov.uz/main INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR E-VISA APPLICATION - Address of your joining point hotel (or if visiting Uzbekistan mid-trip, use: Central Palace Halal Hotel 2 Afrosiyob ko'chasi, Tashkent) - You will need to have a scanned PDF copy of your passport to upload for your application - You will need to upload a passport photo within the required parameters - Your passport will need to be valid for at least three months after you’ve entered Uzbekistan to obtain a visa. South African passport holders: A paper visa is required for Uzbekistan. Intrepid may be able to provide supporting documents at an extra expense depending on what's required. Please inquire with your booking agent for getting such supporting documents.We advise South African passport holders to start applying at least 3 months in advance. You may need to arrive early in Bishkek to apply in the Uzbekistan embassy in Bishkek. REGISTRATION IN UZBEKISTAN All visitors to Uzbekistan must register with the local department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs within 3 working days after arrival. When staying at a hotel, you will be registered automatically. Please ensure you keep any registration documents issued by the hotel until you exit the country. TURKMENISTAN All travellers to Turkmenistan require a visa. A Letter of Invitation (LOI) issued by Turkmenistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also required before you can apply for the visa. Foreign tourists can apply for the visa with the official LOI at the nearest embassy or apply for Visa on arrival at either the Ashgabat airport or the land borders. Our local operator can apply for the LOI on your behalf. The following documents are required: - clear, colour scan of the photo page of your passport - digital copy of a colour passport photo (not a scan of a printed photo) - Turkmen LOI Application form (please contact your booking agent to request the form. The form needs to be completed electronically. No handwritten form will be accepted) After submitting these documents to your booking agent our local partner will apply for your LOI. This service is included in your trip cost. The LOI can only be applied within 3 months prior to your travel and it will be processed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Turkmenistan and usually take around 6-8 weeks to be processed. We strongly suggest submitting all documents no later than 3 months before arrival in order to allow sufficient time for processing. Please note that you'll only know about your LOI status about 1 month before the trip. Please keep this in mind when booking your flights. Please note that it may be difficult for some professions to get LOI for Turkmenistan, like police, public servants, journalists and those who work in media. NOTES: - Independent travel in Turkmenistan is not permitted and your visa will only be valid for as long as tour services (including accommodation, guides, transport etc) are provided. - Make sure you have a print out of your LOI before boarding your flight or leaving for your trip. - USD is the only acceptable cash for immigration for Turkmenistan, no cards accepted. - Having an LOI doesn't mean you have a visa. You'll be able to get a visa on arrival at the border into Turkmenistan including Ashgabat airport. You will need to pay visa fee which is about 55 USD. You will also need to complete a migration card and pay a US$18 migration fee. This fee could change without notice. There maybe an additional 10 USD processing fee charged. - If you cross land boarder into Turkmenistan, you'll need to prepare some small denominations in case immigration may not have the right change. You will also need to pay for the coach transfer if you are crossing border between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, which cost 1USD on each side. You'll need change for this. CUSTOMS: - A number of medications containing tramadol, morphine, opiates or any other similar constituent component are banned in Turkmenistan and are considered narcotic drugs. Do not bring any medications containing these drugs into the country. Covid related Entry Requirements: Turkmenistan still have some Covid related entry requirements in place. This includes: - a copy of your vaccination certificate or a certificate confirming the presence of antibodies to COVID-19 (IgM, IgG). The vaccination document should confirm that the last vaccination dose was provided at least 42 days prior to arrival in Turkmenistan. This will be checked on entry into the country, ie Ashgabat airport or border crossing checkpoints. - PCR test is charged at the border at about 35 USD, although the test may not be taken. The Covid related entry requirement may change. So please make sure you monitor your government’s travel advice and consult with your nearest Turkmenistan embassy on possible changes prior to your travel.
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines KYRGYZSTAN Few travellers will experience any safety issues in Kyrgyzstan if general precautions are followed. Take care if you go out after dark. Keep large amounts of money hidden at all times and be wary of strangers offering help or being over-friendly. Be particularly aware of your surroundings when using currency exchange offices. Thieves posing as off duty police, uniformed police or unsolicited 'meet and greet' drivers at airports are known to target travellers. Avoid walking alone at night and don’t travel in unofficial taxis. Carry your passport or a copy of it, at all times. UZBEKISTAN Uzbekistan is generally a very safe place to travel. Petty crime targeting foreigners and tourists sometimes occurs in Uzbekistan. A regulation has been introduced allowing only licensed taxis (with certain colour and signs and card payment equipment) to operate in Uzbekistan. However, unlicensed taxis continue to operate. You should use official taxis where possible. There have been reports of robberies by individuals posing as police officers. Avoid obvious displays of wealth, particularly in rural areas. Crime levels are higher at night. Avoid walking alone. It is illegal to photograph government and military buildings. This may result in confiscation of equipment or detention. Check before taking photographs of government or security infrastructure. There is a ban on the sale of alcohol and tobacco to those under 20.  Homosexuality is illegal under Uzbek law and is still very much frowned upon socially. You should take care over public displays of affection. TURKMENISTAN Turkmenistan has a high risk of exposure to rabid dogs and other mammals in the country. Access to post safe post-exposure prophylaxis can be rather limited. Please consult with your doctor regarding taking pre-exposure vaccination. Incidents of mugging, theft and pick pocketing are rare, but take sensible precautions and keep valuables out of sight. Women should avoid going out alone late at night. Please note the Government of Turkmenistan is intending to make the country free from smoking and drug taking. As a result, smoking has been prohibited in ALL public places, including streets, parks, airports, practically everywhere except specially equipped areas. If spotted smoking, you will be taken to the nearest police station and be told about their laws and the harmful nature of smoking. You will be required to sign some related forms, and as a result will have to pay a formal fine of approximately 300 manat. Those who refuse to go to the police station, pay the fine, or quarrel with police officers (swear or shout) may even end up in a temporary detention for up to 15 days. Attempts to import cigarettes into Turkmenistan or transit across the country territory of the amounts exceeding the permitted (no more than 40 cigarettes/2 packs per person for private use only) will also result in some unpleasant procedures at the arrival border port and issuance of a formal fine – 500 manat. Driving standards are poor. Road travel at night outside cities is particularly dangerous because of the condition of the roads. Seat belts, if fitted, should be worn at all times. Licensed taxis are clearly identified and yellow in colour. Although taxis have meters, drivers will usually ask foreign nationals for a set fee of around 5 to 10 Manat. Taxis from the airport cost more and drivers usually ask for US$. Most taxi drivers do not speak much, if any, English. Using unlicensed taxis is not recommended.
Age Requirements
15 to 17 years
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Sport hotel
  • 10 yil Abdanchylyk str Olympic complex Ashgabat Turkmenistan
  • Ashgabat
  • TURKMENISTAN
Trip ID
intrepid-KFSRC

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