Health, Medications & Insurance

Travel insurance is strongly recommended and should, at a minimum, include coverage for medical expenses and emergency repatriation. It is also important to consider forced pre-tour cancellations and how your chosen insurance policy covers these.

We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. Your tour leader will ask you for your travel insurance details if they were not already added to your Traveller Hub account pre-departure.

If you have credit card insurance, your Inspiring Vacations tour leader or local guide may require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number, rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details before departure.

Before you depart, you will be asked to submit your travel insurance details to your Traveller Hub. This ensures that we have this information readily available should we ever need it.

CPAP users should be aware that electricity in yurts can be unreliable, so we recommend bringing a portable battery pack. To ensure your needs are met, please contact us well in advance.

Medications containing tramadol, morphine, opiates, or similar substances are prohibited in Turkmenistan. If you need to bring any medication, carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor. Upon arrival in Ashgabat, you must declare all medications at Customs.

Check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. Be sure to bring an adequate supply of any necessary medication to last the entire duration of the tour.

For those who suffer from motion sickness, we recommend bringing along suitable medication as the roads in Central Asia can be quite bumpy.

Some hotels may offer fridge access to keep medication cool; however, this is subject to local energy supply conditions, which are beyond our control. At the Yurt camp, for example, there will be a shared but unsecured fridge in the communal kitchen. We strongly recommend advising our Customer Support Team in advance so they can check availability and inform our on-ground operators of any specific needs.

All major towns on our Five Stans’ itineraries have hospitals. Except for your night at the authentic yurt camp, all overnight stays will be within one hour’s reach of medical facilities, should they be needed.

All travellers need to be in good physical health to participate fully in this tour. Expect very bumpy overland drives, frequent squat-toilet facilities, plenty of walking tours and, at times, extreme heat. Our group trips are designed to immerse you in unforgettable sights and experiences, often through guided walks and self-guided exploration, so a moderate level of fitness is essential for all of our Five Stans tours.

Please read the itinerary carefully and honestly assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel.

Please also be aware:

• For the safety of all participants, if our tour leader or local guide believes a traveller can’t safely complete the itinerary, we may need to remove them from all or part of the tour without a refund.

• You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information and any necessary vaccinations before departure.

• We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling.

• For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell before travelling, please stay at home and contact us. We’ll be more than happy to help you make alternative arrangements.

• We strongly recommend against drinking unboiled tap water in all Central Asian cities.

We want to ensure everyone has a fantastic and inclusive experience on our Five Stans’ tours. If you require a mobility aid, such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair, please disclose this information at the time of booking.