Asiastan (Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan)
Central Asia, Caucasus & Mongolia - Group trip with driver
Itinerary idea: Khiva, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz, Samarkand, Dushanbe, Pamir Highway, Murghab, Osh, Song Kul, Issyk-Kul
Strengths: Three countries in one trip: Silk Road cities, the Pamir Highway and Kyrgyz nomad country; official fare with flight and transport included
Weaknesses: Group trip on fixed dates of 21 days (over the 20-day maximum), long transfers, heat in Uzbekistan in August, basic overnights, high price
Children and safety: Three weeks of long transfers and altitude above 4,000 m, strong heat in Uzbekistan; the trip needs adaptability
Weather: Very hot in Uzbekistan (36-42 C), cool and dry in the Pamir and Kyrgyzstan
Book ahead: 6-9 months
Key facts
- Best time to go: May and June, September
- Flight from Milan: about 6 hours
- Rain days in August: 1
- Daylight hours in August: 14
- Driving: on the right
- Malaria: none
- Visa (EU citizens): Uzbekistan no visa under 30 days, Tajikistan no visa, Kyrgyzstan visa on arrival
- International licence: Not needed (driver)
- Currency: Som (UZS), Somoni (TJS) and Som (KGS)
- Language: Uzbek, Tajik, Kyrgyz and Russian, little English
- Roads: Paved in Uzbekistan, gravel and high in the Pamir, coaches, minibuses or jeeps with driver
- Vaccinations: Typhoid suggested; malaria prophylaxis to evaluate
Ratings (1 to 5)
- Ease of getting around: 3
- Child friendly: 2
- Scenery and wildlife: 4
- August weather: 3
- Logistics ease: 3