redspokes Uzbekistan tour begins in Tashkent. You will be met on arrival and transferred to the group hotel. This afternoon you have time to explore the Uzbek capital on a guided walking and vehicle tour. Tashkent is Central Asia’s largest city, major sites of interest include: Kukeldash Madrassah, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Mosque on Khast Imam Square and Chor-Su – oriental market (handicraft bazaar). This evening we will have group introductions and a trip briefing.

Accommodation: Hotel (D)

We take the afternoon high speed train to Samarkand and after we’ve checked in to our hotel we have time for a wander around this city of ancient monuments. No visit to Samarkand would be complete without a stop at the Siab Bazaar. The oriental market buzzes with atmosphere. It was once a key strategic point on the Silk Road.

Accommodation: Hotel (B)

Today there will be a guided city tour of Samarkand’s key historic monuments including Registan Square, heart of the old city where you will find Tamerlane’s mausoleum, the Gur-e Amir. We take a late afternoon train to Tashkent, and stay the night here.

Accommodation: Hotel (B)

This morning marks the end of the tour, with a transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Accommodation: Hotel (B)

We take an afternoon flight back to Tashkent. After checking into our hotel, there will be free time to explore the city at your own pace – perhaps take a leisurely stroll, visit a local market, or pick up some last-minute souvenirs. In the evening, we come together to share a final farewell dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel (B,D)

Your journey concludes today. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Tashkent International Airport for your onward flight.

Accommodation: Hotel (B)

• Each tour requires a minimum number of participants to run
• Tour status updates automatically as bookings are received
• Do not book flights until the tour status is marked Guaranteed

Tour Status Definitions

• Guaranteed – Tour is confirmed and open for booking
• Guaranteed – Limited – Confirmed, with limited spaces remaining
• Available – 2 More to Guarantee – Needs two more bookings to confirm
• Available – Open for booking but not yet confirmed
• Contact – Please get in touch to discuss availability
• Fully Booked – No places remaining

Booking & Payments

• A £350 deposit confirms your place on the tour
• Deposits are refundable until the tour becomes Guaranteed
• Final balance is due 56 days before the tour start date
• By booking, you agree to our booking conditions (please read in full)

Small Group Note

For groups of fewer than four participants, the guide may lead from the support vehicle rather than cycling with the group, ensuring full logistical and guiding support.

Fully supported cycling holiday

• Support vehicle for luggage transport and rider assistance
• Accommodation throughout the tour (twin share unless stated)
• Sleeping tents, shower tent, toilet tent, sleeping mats, sleeping bags and camping/kitchen team for camping nights
• Train ticket from Bukhara to Samarkand
• Most meals (see itinerary using the BLD key below)
• Snacks and mineral water on cycling days
• Airport transfers on the first and last day of the tour
• English-speaking local guide(s)
• Mechanical assistance for minor bike repairs

Meal Key (used in the itinerary)

• B = Breakfast
• L = Lunch
• D = Dinner
• Example: B, L means breakfast and lunch are included that day.
• Special dietary requirements can usually be catered for with advance notice. Please advise us at the time of booking.

• International flights
• Travel insurance (mandatory)
• Visa fees (if applicable)
• Alcoholic drinks
• Meals not specified in the itinerary
• Tips for guides and support staff
• Bike hire
• Single room supplements
• Optional Khiva extension at the end of the tour

Tour Start

• Start location: Tashkent
• Airport transfers included on the tour start date, regardless of arrival time
• Early arrivals may need to wait for hotel check-in (subject to availability)

Tour End

• End location: Tashkent
• Airport transfers included if departing on the final tour day
• Extra nights and transfers can be arranged at additional cost

Flights

• International flights are not included
• We are happy to advise on suitable arrival and departure airports
• If you are considering independent travel before or after the tour, you should be aware of the following requirements:

Registering with the authorities

• You must register with the local district OVIR (Department of Foreign Travel and Exit) within 3 days of your arrival. Saturdays and Sundays count as part of the 3-day period. If you travel to another city and plan to stay for longer than 3 days there, you’ll need to register again.
• If you’re staying at a hotel, the staff will register you. If you’re staying in a private house, your host should register you with their local district OVIR or on the electronic registration system, Emehmon. Tourist tax is usually included in the hotel bill, and private hosts pay the tourist tax on behalf of the guest.
• If you’re travelling in Uzbekistan in a camper van or staying in tents and camping, you must register yourself. Register online through the electronic registration system, Emehmon, within 3 days of arrival. When registering online, you’ll have to pay a tourist tax charge for each day of your stay. At the moment you can only pay the tourist tax online with an Uzbek debit card in local currency.
• The authorities will require a full record of where you’ve been in Uzbekistan upon departure. If you are unable to account for your whereabouts, or fail to get registered, you could get a fine for each day that is missing or late and possibly be deported.

Optional Khiva Extension

• If you’re joining the Khiva extension, we recommend booking a multi-destination flight as follows:
• Inbound: Tashkent
• Outbound: Urgench (the closest airport to Khiva)
• Please note: International flights and the internal flight to Khiva are not included in the tour price.

• This is one of redspokes’ most adventurous tours, combining simple hotels, rural guesthouses and multiple nights of wild camping in remote mountain regions.
• The journey begins and ends in comfortable city hotels in Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand, but the heart of the tour lies in the Nuratau and Aktau mountain ranges, where options are rustic and chosen for their spectacular locations rather than facilities.
• Across the 12-day itinerary you will stay in:
• 5 nights in hotels (Tashkent ×2, Bukhara ×2, Samarkand ×1)
• 1 night in a simple village homestay (Uhum Village)
• 5 nights camping in remote mountain valleys (Ortacheku Rocks, Aktash, Chuya, Maidan, Chinar)
• 1 night in simple cottages (Chash-Tapa / Bukhara outskirts)
• Camping nights are set in beautiful, secluded landscapes with full support — tents, mattresses and meals provided.
• Facilities are basic (no permanent bathrooms) but the settings are unforgettable.
• The homestay night in Uhum offers simple but clean shared facilities and warm Uzbek hospitality, with traditional mattresses and home-cooked food.
• Hotels in the historic Silk Road cities offer a welcome contrast, providing private bathrooms, comfortable beds and modern amenities after the remote cycling stages.

• Most meals are included in your trip price, except on non-cycling days or as specified otherwise.
  Please check the itinerary for exact details.
• Have dietary requirements? Let us know at the time of booking.
  Most diets can be accommodated with advance notice.

Uzbek Cuisine
Uzbekistan’s cuisine is hearty and flavourful — with noodles, breads, and mutton as common staples.

Typical Dishes

• Plov – The national dish made with rice, meat, carrots, onions — often with chickpeas or sultanas.
• Shurpa – A soup with large pieces of fatty meat and vegetables.
• Lagman & Noirin – Noodle-based dishes served as soup or main.
• Samsa – Pastry pockets filled with meat.
• Dimlama – A rich meat and vegetable stew.
• Shaslik Kebabs – Skewered meat often served as a main.

Desserts & Drinks
Desserts are rare; meals often end with:

• Fresh fruit
• Compot (fruit drink)
• Nuts & halvah

Popular drinks:

• Green tea – The national drink, served without milk or sugar
• Black tea – Favoured in Tashkent
• Ayran – Chilled yoghurt drink, especially in summer
• Wine – More common here than in many Muslim countries due to Uzbekistan’s secular nature

Uzbek Hospitality & Table Traditions

• Meals begin with tea — the less tea you’re served, the more honoured you are as a guest
• Food is served on a dastarkhan (decorated tablecloth)
• Patyr bread is highly symbolic: the eldest family member breaks it first
• Professional male chefs, known as Oshpaz, are respected for preparing plov

Support Vehicle

• Two or three support vehicles (depending on participant numbers) accompanies the group throughout the tour
• Transports main luggage between overnight stops
• Available for rest breaks or if you need a lift
• Typically stops every 20 km / 12 miles

On-Ride Support

• Guides carry tools for minor repairs
• You only need a small daypack while riding

Helmet Policy

• Helmets are mandatory while cycling
• Helmet hire cannot be guaranteed locally
• You must bring your own helmet

The local currency in Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistani Som (UZS). All purchases must be made in som—foreign currencies are not accepted in shops, restaurants, or hotels.

What to Bring

We recommend bringing:

• Around £200 / $270 in your local currency for exchange
• A Visa or Mastercard debit/credit card for ATM access and backup
• Travelers from the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand should bring USD or Euros, as these are widely accepted and offer the best exchange options in Uzbekistan.

Where to Exchange

• You can exchange money or withdraw cash on arrival at Tashkent International Airport.
• Exchange a small amount at the airport for immediate expenses
• Better rates can be found at licensed exchange offices and ATMs in the city
• Your redspokes guide will assist you with locating trustworthy exchange services and ATMs throughout the tour.

Staff Tipping

• Tipping is an accepted part of everyday life, and although it is always at your discretion, you will be expected to tip to reward service.  4USD per day per person for the guide and team at the end of the tour is recommended.
• It is customary for this to be collected up and given to your guide who will distribute it amongst the team. Unfortunately, there is usually a hierarchy for the division between guides, helpers and drivers.

• Bike hire
• Single room/tent supplement
• Extra nights before or after the tour
• Additional airport transfers
• Optional excursions such as Khiva extension
• Rest-day activities

This tour is best suited for mountain bikes with knobbly or semi-slick tyres to handle mixed terrain comfortably.

Pre-trip bike servicing
We strongly recommend having your bike fully serviced before travelling. Please make sure:

• All bearings are properly greased
• Wheel spokes are correctly tensioned
• Gear and brake cables are functioning well
• All nuts and bolts are tightened securely
• Chain, tyres and quick-release clamps are checked
• New inner tubes are installed
• Wheel rims are not excessively worn
• If you are unsure, ask your local bike shop to carry out a pre-tour inspection.

What to bring
We recommend packing the following essential items:

• Multi-tool
• Tyre levers
• Pump
• Spare inner tubes
• Spare spokes
• Chain links or quick links
• Spare brake pads (ensure compatibility with disc or rim brakes)
• Any specialist tools, fluids or parts specific to your bike, such as a bleed kit.

Travelling with your bike

• Your bike will need to be packed within your luggage allowance. A bike packed in a cardboard box typically weighs between 15–20 kg, and some airlines may charge excess baggage fees.
• If you would prefer not to travel with your own bike, bike hire is available — simply request this when booking.

• Solo travellers are very welcome
• Prices are based on twin-share accommodation
• We will pair solo travellers with someone of the same gender where possible
• Single rooms/tents are usually available for an additional charge

• You must hold a valid passport in order to travel.  Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your return from any overseas destination.
• Visa and entry requirements for most countries can and do change from time to time and so we strongly recommend that you consult the government travel website for where your passport was issued.
• For UK nationals, please visit the gov.uk website for up to date information about entry requirements for Uzbekistan.  The website also provides vaccination advice as well as the option to sign up for Alerts so that you are aware if requirements have changed.
• Uzbekistan E-Visa Information: For most of our international customers, Uzbekistan offers a convenient e-visa system, making the visa application process straightforward and accessible.
• ✅ Who needs a visa?
  You can check whether you need a visa on the official Uzbekistan e-visa portal.
• Please travel with the same passport that you used for your e-visa application and also carry a printed copy of your e-visa with you.
• On our tour dates, our local team will register you with the local authorities for all hotel, camping and ger stays.
• For those considering independent travel before or after the tour, please be aware of the following:
• Registering with the authorities
• You must register with the local district OVIR (Department of Foreign Travel and Exit) within 3 days of your arrival. Saturdays and Sundays count as part of the 3-day period. If you travel to another city and plan to stay for longer than 3 days there, you’ll need to register again.
• If you’re staying at a hotel, the staff will register you. If you’re staying in a private house, your host should register you with their local district OVIR or on the electronic registration system, Emehmon. Tourist tax is usually included in the hotel bill, and private hosts pay the tourist tax on behalf of the guest.
• If you’re travelling in Uzbekistan in a camper van or staying in tents and camping, you must register yourself. Register online through the electronic registration system, Emehmon, within 3 days of arrival. When registering online, you’ll have to pay a tourist tax charge for each day of your stay. At the moment you can only pay the tourist tax online with an Uzbek debit card in local currency.
• The authorities will require a full record of where you’ve been in Uzbekistan upon departure. If you are unable to account for your whereabouts, or fail to get registered, you could get a fine for each day that is missing or late and possibly be deported.

Travel Insurance

Mandatory for all participants and must cover:

• Medical expenses and emergency evacuation
• Cycling and adventure activities
• Loss or damage to luggage and hired equipment
• Trip cancellation or curtailment
• Insurance should be taken out at the time of booking

Health & Vaccinations

• Consult your GP or travel clinic at least 8 weeks before departure
• Follow advice from official travel health authorities

This is a flexible guide — please tailor it to your own preferences and needs.

Dress Code

• Women should carry a shawl or wrap to cover head and shoulders when not cycling.
• Everyone should wear baggy shorts (not Lycra) when off the bike.

Essential Cycling Gear

• Cycle helmet (mandatory – must be worn at all times while cycling)
• Sunglasses
• Water bottles or CamelBak
• Fingerless cycling gloves
• Cycling shoes
• Lightweight and heavyweight socks
• Padded cycling shorts
• Waterproof cycling jacket (breathable)
• Buff or neck warmer
• Warm gloves
• Down jacket
• Fleece jacket or pullover
• Thermal base layers for extra warmth (also useful on camping nights)
• Warm fleece hat
• Overshoes for warmth (optional)

Off-Bike Clothing

• Lightweight T-shirts
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Trekking shorts
• Trousers
• Lip balm and sunscreen
• Towel

Personal First Aid Kit (Recommended)

• Our guides carry group first aid supplies, but we recommend bringing your own small kit including:
• Paracetamol or ibuprofen
• Anti-diarrhoea tablets (e.g. Lomotil or Diacalm)
• Rehydration salts (e.g. Dioralyte)
• Antiseptic cream
• Throat lozenges
• Plasters (band aids)
• Nasal spray
• Eye drops
• Ear plugs
• Hand sanitiser
• Antiseptic wet wipes
• Insect repellent

Miscellaneous

• Energy bars, gels or snacks
• Energy or recovery drink powders
• Camera or head torch
• Travel adapter plug

Optional (based on customer feedback)

• Some riders have found it helpful to bring their own lightweight inflatable mattress (non-inflating sleeping mats are provided)
• Compact sleeping bag
• Adjust your kit depending on the season, expected temperatures and personal comfort needs.

• Republic of Uzbekistan
• Capital: Tashkent
• Population: 32 million
• Area: 447,400 sq km (172,700 sq miles)
• Major Languages: Uzbek, Russian, Tajik
• Major Religion: Islam (predominantly Sunni)
• Currency: Uzbek Som
• Life Expectancy: 68 years (men), 74 years (women)

Cultural Etiquette & Behaviour

• A handshake is common between men, often accompanied by a hand over the heart.
• When greeting a woman, a nod or placing your hand over your chest is more appropriate unless she initiates a handshake.
• Elders are highly respected — greet them first and use polite language.
• Dress Code: Modesty is important. Both men and women should avoid revealing clothing.
• Women should cover shoulders and knees, especially in rural areas and religious sites.
• Men should avoid wearing shorts in traditional areas.

Religious Customs

• Islam is the main religion, but Uzbekistan is largely secular.
• During Ramadan, be respectful if people are fasting — avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours.
• Remove your shoes before entering mosques or private homes.
• Do not point your feet at people or religious objects.

Dining & Hospitality

• Guests are treated with great respect — expect to be offered tea or food when visiting someone’s home.
• Always accept tea, even if you don’t plan to drink much — refusing can be considered impolite.
• Meals begin only once the eldest or most honoured guest starts.
• Bread (patyr) is sacred — don’t place it upside down or discard it.

Photography

• Please always ask permission before photographing people, especially in rural areas.
• Avoid taking photos near military buildings, border posts, or airports.

Language Tips

• Russian is widely spoken in cities; Uzbek is the national language.
• Learning a few basic words or greetings in Uzbek (or Russian) will be warmly received:
• Salom – Hello
• Rahmat – Thank you
• Iltimos – Please