In Search Of The Silk Road

This is a grade 4 sightseeing walking holiday including half and full days of walking at a moderate pace. This is primarily a sightseeing holiday where we will discover the cities and places of interest mainly on foot and with a local guide. The days where we will be mainly hiking, we will be walking between 1.5 – 5 miles. Our half day walks will be up to 3 hours of walking whereas our full days will be up to 5 hours of walking. We will be walking on generally good paths used by local shepherds. We will be taking paths through shrubbery areas and pine forests. We may also encounter small rivers to pass. The ascents and descents can be between 150-200m.

This is primarily a sightseeing holiday, we will discover the cities and places of interest mainly on foot and with a local guide. The majority of walking will take place in Kazakhstan; however, the maximum walking in any given day should not exceed four hours. This will be taken at a leisurely pace to take time to stop and appreciate the wildlife, flora and fauna and various points of interest.

All local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary.

A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.

When budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day.

The official currency in Uzbekistan is the Uzbek sum, but this currency cannot be obtained outside the country. We recommend that you take US dollars as currency. It is worth having a reasonable supply of small denominations bills if possible, as this is accepted everywhere. Exchange facilities are available in many of the hotels we will be staying in.  Major credit cards are widely accepted.

The official currency in Kazakhstan is the Tenge, which can only be obtained within Kazakhstan. Conversion of the Tenge back into hard currency may prove difficult. Foreign currency should only be exchanged at official bureaux and all transactions must be recorded on the currency declaration form that is issued on arrival. It is wise to retain all exchange receipts, although they are seldom inspected. We recommend that you take US Dollars cash and exchange when necessary.

Although entirely at your own discretion, tipping is an important aspect of tourism and hospitality life and expectations are fairly high.  In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff & to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by us together with, if you wish, a contribution from you, which he/she will collect during the holiday.

Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.

Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.

To enhance your experience, as well as your tour leader, each holiday will be accompanied by a well qualified and knowledgeable English-speaking local guide.

Flights are from London Heathrow to Almaty (Kazakhstan) via Nursultan (formerly Astana) and return Tashkent (Uzbekistan) via Nursultan with Air Astana.

• On day 6 of the holiday we fly from Almaty to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) with Air Astana.
• On day 8 of the holiday we fly from Urgench (Khiva) to Tashkent with Uzbekistan Airways. 
• On day 13 of the holiday we take a train from Tashkent to Samarkand.
• On day 15 we fly from Tashkent to London Heathrow, with an aircraft change at Nursultan.
• Other journeys will be taken by road.

If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details.

Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.

If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.

Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details. 

Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you.

For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.

To ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible.

It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country.

Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements.

General travel and destination advice for UK nationals is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel and at www.gov.uk/travelaware.

As of 1 February 2019, British Nationals can enter Uzbekistan without a visa for a maximum stay of 30 days. If you’re travelling on a different type of British passport, are travelling for a purpose other than tourism or business, or intending to stay longer than 30 days, you should check entry requirements with the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in London. 

For entry into Uzbekistan your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required.

All foreign visitors to Kazakhstan will need to obtain a Kazakh visa at the nearest embassy or consulate office prior to entering the country. Visitors from EU, UK, USA, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand (see The list of economically developed, politically and migration stable States - https://vmp.gov.kz/en/visa-service) may obtain a tourist visa “B12” without an additional letter of invitation issued by the MFA of Kazakhstan in accordance with Annex 4 to the “Rules for issuing invitations, coordinating invitations for the entry of foreigners and stateless persons into the Republic of Kazakhstan”. Your application should include the purpose and dates of travel, along with the place of residence. Please contact the nearest embassy or consulate office of Kazakhstan for further details and instructions.

Note that broadly advertised e-visa to Kazakhstan will not work as requires all holders of e-visa to enter and depart through the airports of Nur-Sultan and Almaty only. Visas on arrival are only available for citizens of countries without the appropriate embassy or consulate office of Kazakhstan. Due to the rapidly changing situation and introduction of new rules without any prior notice, the information above is only relevant for today. It is your responsibility to check prior to the trip departure date.

Breakfasts, dinners and five lunches are provided and included in the holiday charge. Some dinners and lunches will be provided by a local family, meals will be eaten in an area which is an extension of a ocal’s home and more of a private, intimate restaurant. The hospitality provided is one which you are likely to experience as a guest in someone’s home. They will have the necessary licenses and certificates to trade as a restaurant. Where lunches are not included, they will usually be taken in restaurants or as packed lunches. Please note that only a breakfast will be included on our day of departure. The meals are generally good, plentiful and interesting throughout the holiday. Some meals will consist of two or three courses, while some will be of the mezze variety and contain various courses (usually include various salads, or soups and bread). Green tea is provided with most meals for no extra charge.

Please note that vegetarian eating is not widespread in Central Asia and some tolerance or patience may be needed at mealtimes.

The hotel(s) listed within this document are examples of standard only. Whilst we strive to deliver the hotel(s) listed within this Holiday Information Sheet, there will be times throughout the year when they change. If this occurs, we will advise you as such. From time to time hotels will change near to departure and you will not be advised until after arriving into the destination. We always aim to provide a replacement of similar standard and location, although we cannot guarantee similar facilities such as pool or bar.

Lightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread and which provide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks. 

Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.

If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:

• Waterproof jacket (Goretex or similar) and trousers
• Lightweight quick-drying trousers
• Walking T-shirt/shirts
• Walking socks
• Fleece or jumper
• Sun hat, sunglasses, lip salve and sun block
• Warm hat and gloves (if appropriate)
• Swimwear (if appropriate)
• Day sack (this should be able to carry all you would need for the day's activity)
• Day sack liner
• Water bottle - at least 1 litre capacity (more than 1 bottle may be required)
• Basic first aid kit
• Lunchbox
• Walking poles (should you find them useful)
• Sit mat

This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.

Wildlife and scenery viewing experiences are always improved with binoculars. For seeing a bird in the treetops or picking out some detail on the horizon they are invaluable. If you have a pair, please bring them with you on your holiday. On some holidays it will be appropriate to have them with you all the time. Sometimes you might prefer to avoid carrying the extra weight. Your tour leader will always be happy to advise which days it will be particularly useful to take them.

Documents and Information to take with you:

• Passport (make sure it's yours and valid)
• Your travel tickets or e-ticket itinerary
• Any visa or electronic travel authorisation (if required)
• Holiday money
• Credit or debit cards (and separate details of who to call if lost)
• Car parking ticket and car park directions (if prebooked)
• Coach or rail travel tickets (if prebooked)
• Your holiday Booking Confirmation document
• Your travel insurance details
• Alternative form of identification (such as a driving licence)
• Photocopy of the personal details pages of your passport
• A valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if relevant
• Details of any medical condition or allergy your holiday leader should know about

Electricity in Uzbekistan is supplied at 220 Volts. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a either a European two pin adaptor with round pins, or the Schuko smaller two pin adaptor. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/

Electricity in Kazakhstan is supplied at 220-240 Volts. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a either a European two pin adaptor with round pins, or the Schuko smaller two pin adaptor. More information can be found at  https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/

An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.

We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.

Most libraries stock a selection of travel guides/books which may offer you information regarding Central Asia.  Some suggestions are:

Central Asia King, Noble and Humphreys (Lonely Planet Publications)
The Great Game Peter Hopkirk Oxford University Press
Foreign Devils on the Silk Road Peter Hopkirk Oxford University Press
The Silk Roads. A New History of the World Peter Frankopan
The New Silk Roads. The Present and Future of the World Peter Frankopan

Maps and guidebooks relating to the areas you will be walking in may be bought before your holiday from The Map Shop at www.themapshop.co.uk

Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:

• Weather2 - www.myweather2.com
• BBC Weather - www.bbc.co.uk/weather

Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP.

No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Uzbekistan and travellers should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK.

Tetanus and Hepatitis A immunisations are recommended.

You may also wish to consider immunisations against Rabies and Hepatitis B.

There is low to no risk of Malaria in Uzbekistan.

No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Kazakhstan and travellers should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK.

While there is not a risk of yellow fever in Kazakhstan, if you are arriving from a yellow fever endemic country you will require a yellow fever vaccination and a certificate as proof. 

Tetanus and Hepatitis A and immunisations are recommended.

You may also wish to consider immunisations against Rabies, Typhoid, Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Hepatitis B.

Don’t forget to exercise caution with what you eat to avoid upset stomachs and stay away from unpeeled fruit and vegetables, salad and do not have ice in your drinks. Hot, fresh cooked food, where possible, is best. 

Hand washing facilities may be poor or unavailable when travelling, we therefore strongly advise you to carry antibacterial sanitizing gel and / or hand wipes at all times and use to them regularly.

Drinking or cleaning teeth in un-boiled water is not recommended.  Bottled pure water is inexpensive and widely available in shops, at hotels, and on the coach. Make sure you only buy sealed bottles.

For further advice please visit:

• The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) travel health website at www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
• The NHS 'Fit for travel' website at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
• The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
• Or a local travel health clinic

You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.

You must be adequately insured to join our holidays. You will be unable to participate in our local walking and other activity programmes without being able to demonstrate that you have valid travel insurance.

Please ensure that as a minimum your travel insurance policy covers you for travel to your holiday destinations (country and geographical region) and for medical expenses, mountain rescue (including helicopter rescue) and emergency repatriation to your home country in the event of illness or injury. Your policy should also provide adequate cover for the activities, included and optional, you are likely to participate in during your holiday.

Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers.

Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started.

The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination.

Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.

We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.

Unlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public. In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.

We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.

Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements. 

Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.  

As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.