Prepare for Your Journey

Getting ready for your Five Stans journey is all about the little details that make a big difference. This section brings together everything you’ll need to feel confident and well-prepared: from what to pack and how to dress for the climate, to handling money, staying connected, and knowing what to expect with food. With these essentials covered, you’ll be ready to relax and enjoy the adventure ahead.

 

 

Packing List

Day pack: For carrying essentials such as water, a camera, snacks, a jacket, and other necessities while exploring.
Lightweight clothing: Breathable, lightweight layers with some warmer items. Bring modest clothing for religious sites (arms covered, pants/skirts past the knee). Female travellers may also want a light scarf.
Comfortable shoes for all-day walking/trekking: Closed-in shoes protect against cuts, scratches, or bites/stings.
Wind and waterproof jacket
Sun protection: Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm.
Electrical travel adapter plug
Money belt
Torch or flashlight
Required medications (including for  motion sickness if you experience it)
Hand sanitiser
Earplugs (to block out street noise or snoring)
Entertainment for long journeys: Book, journal, or music player for trains and long drives.

Luggage

A lockable suitcase with wheels is ideal for this tour. This tour includes an internal flight, which has luggage weight restrictions.

Your main luggage should weigh no more than 23kg (50 pounds). A small or medium-sized backpack (45-50 litres) is another good option. 

You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, a camera, a jacket, and your essentials while touring during the day.

Climate Overview

Travelling in the Stans brings a wide range of temperatures, from chilly sub-zero nights to scorching 40ºC (104°F) days, as you travel through deserts, steppes, and mountainous regions.

Country

May–August

September–October

Turkmenistan

Very hot, especially in desert regions. Temps can reach 40°C (104°F) or higher.

Milder conditions around 25–30°C (77–86°F). Great for sightseeing.

Uzbekistan

Warm, with average temps of 25–35°C (77–95°F).

Ideal sightseeing weather at 20–25°C (68–77°F).

Tajikistan

Warm in lower areas: 25–30°C (77–86°F). Cooler at higher altitudes.

Pleasant for hiking and mountain travel.

Kyrgyzstan

Valleys: 20–30°C (68–86°F). Cooler in the mountains.

Great for trekking; 15–20°C (59–68°F) in higher areas.

Kazakhstan

Hot, especially in the south. Temps can exceed 40°C (104°F).

Milder temps, ideal for visiting cities and nature spots.

 

Money & Currency

Handling money in Central Asia is a little different to home, but with some preparation, it’s simple and stress-free. US dollars (USD) are the best option for currency exchange—AUD and most other currencies are not accepted. We recommend bringing enough USD cash before you arrive in Ashgabat.

Country

Currency

ATM Availability

Turkmenistan

Turkmen Manat

Limited. Mostly in Ashgabat. Cash is essential, as credit cards are not widely accepted and ATMs are not recommended due to poor exchange rates.

Uzbekistan

Uzbek So'm

Widely available in major cities and tourist areas. Some ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard.

Tajikistan

Tajik Somoni

Available in major cities and tourist areas. Some ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard, but carry cash as a backup.

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz Som

Widely available in major cities and tourist areas. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at many ATMs.

Kazakhstan

Kazakh Tenge

Widely available in major cities and tourist areas. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at many ATMs.

 

Helpful Tips for Managing Money

  • Exchanging currency: Your tour leader in each country will advise on the best and safest places to exchange USD. Some hotels may offer exchange services, but rates are often less favourable. Currency can sometimes be exchanged outside hotels too, but fees and rates vary significantly — always check with your tour leader first.

  • Bring small denominations: Smaller notes make everyday purchases, tips, and meals easier.

  • Use authorised outlets: Banks and authorised exchange offices usually offer the most reliable rates.

  • ATM awareness: ATMs are common in most countries except Turkmenistan. Expect foreign card fees.

  • Emergency cash: Carry some USD in reserve in case ATMs are unavailable.

  • Notify your bank: Let your bank/credit card company know your travel dates to avoid your card being blocked.

What to Budget For in USD

Before arriving in Ashgabat, make sure you bring enough USD cash to cover:

  • Turkmenistan visa fee (USD $95)
  • Mandatory PCR test on arrival (USD $45)
  • Tips and incidental expenses such as:
    • USD $2 Turkmenistan hotel fee
    • Possible USD $1 border transport fee
    • Photography tax at selected sites

Tipping

A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on our Five Stans’ tours, but it can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.

If you are happy with the services provided, we recommend tipping USD $3-5 per day per person for your drivers and USD $5-7 per day per person for your local guides.

It is also common practice to leave a tip of around 10% at restaurants, particularly in more tourist-friendly or higher-end establishments, as a gesture of appreciation for good service

Food & Allergies

While travelling with Inspiring Vacations, you’ll enjoy a mix of iconic sights and local food experiences. Some meals are included with your tour package, but many are left open so you can choose what, where, and with whom you eat.

If you have dietary needs or allergies, let our Customer Support Team know before you go. Your tour leader or local guide can also suggest suitable restaurants during your trip.

Central Asian cuisine is rich and diverse—hearty pilafs, grilled meats, dairy drinks, and pastries. Don’t miss the chance to try street food or shop at local markets. That said, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options may be limited, so it’s best to clearly communicate any dietary requirements in advance.

Traditional market food in Kyrgyzstan

Accommodation & Yurt Stay

Hotels

Throughout your Five Stans journey, you’ll stay in a selection of comfortable 3- and 4-star hotels.

  • Bedding configuration preferences can be requested, but are not guaranteed.

  • Final hotel allocations will be confirmed in your travel documents 14–30 days before departure.

Hotels provide a reliable base after each day of sightseeing, offering the comfort and facilities you’d expect on a multi-country journey.

Yurt Camp

A highlight of the trip is spending two nights in a traditional yurt camp, offering an authentic glimpse into nomadic life. Yurts are a memorable experience, but it’s important to be prepared for simpler facilities compared to hotels:

  • Communal bathrooms are located 100–150 metres (300–500 feet) from the yurts.

  • Electricity can be unreliable, so travellers needing a constant power supply should contact us before departure to discuss options.

  • Yurts are shared on a four-person basis. Private rooms are not available, and this applies to both twin-share and solo travellers.

  • Rooming configurations vary from group to group and genders may be mixed.

To make the experience as comfortable as possible, we’ll carefully manage yurt allocations with the following principles:

  • Prioritising privacy where possible: If singles or couples can be given their own yurt, this will be arranged at no extra cost. Rooming assignments on the naming list are intended only as a guide for the tour leader, and flexibility will always be applied.

  • Flexibility for changes: If couples or individuals aren’t satisfied with their assigned yurt arrangements, they are welcome to discuss and agree on changes within the group. This ensures everyone feels comfortable throughout the stay.

  • Single-sex accommodation for solo travellers: Wherever possible, solo travellers will be housed in same-sex yurts. If this isn’t appropriate, we’ll do our best to provide them with their own yurt.

While yurt accommodation is simpler than hotel living, it’s often one of the most special and talked-about parts of the journey — a chance to connect with the landscapes and traditions of Central Asia in a unique way.

Turkmenistan Yurt Stay
Included lunch on the way to Fairytale Canyon

Staying Connected

There are several ways to stay connected during your tour, depending on your needs and preferences:

  • Virtual SIM: Contact your mobile provider before departure to see if a virtual SIM can be set up.

  • Roaming plan: Add international roaming to your current phone plan. This must be arranged before leaving home and can be expensive.

  • Local SIM: Purchase a prepaid SIM card at the airport. Simply swap it with your usual SIM and you’ll be able to use data, calls, and texts as normal (availability may vary by plan).

Important note for Turkmenistan:
Internet access in Turkmenistan is extremely limited. E-SIMs are not supported, VPNs do not work, and even when internet is available, many websites and social media platforms are blocked. Please plan for very restricted connectivity during this part of your journey.


Tip: We recommend downloading WhatsApp before you travel. It’s the most common way for groups and tour leaders to share updates, transfer details, and stay in touch while on tour.