What to Expect
Activity Level
Takes into consideration the physical requirements for each of the trips, walking, hiking, climbing in and out of safari vehicles etc.
Moderate
Travelers should be able to climb 60 stairs consecutively, plus walk at least 3 miles over some steep slopes and loose or uneven surfaces without difficulty. Walks typically last for 3 or more hours at a time. Altitude can range from 5,000 to 7,000 feet.
Pacing
Takes into consideration the length of bus rides, flights, number of destinations in the number of days
Moderate
Pacing is sometimes robust, and may include several long days with early hotel departures, active sightseeing and evening activities. Opportunities for daytime rest and rejuvenation may be limited on most days. May include significant motor coach time, two or more on-tour flights, and/or occasional travel via non-traditional means such as safari vehicles, Zodiac ship tenders, rickshaws/pedi-cabs, etc.
Active Activity Level
PACING:
- This adventure is moderately-paced
- You’ll visit two countries and five cities. Each tour involves a 1 to 2 mile walk. If you wish not to walk this long, you can stop halfway and wait for the group to return.
- There will be one short regional flight as well as two domestic train rides, each approximately two hours long.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT:
- This is a tour for active travelers.
- There is moderate walking on this adventure, but travelers should be able to walk 1-2 miles unassisted.
- This tour is not appropriate for handicapped individuals or those with walking difficulties. Please note that the cruise is not handicap accessible.
TERRAIN & TRANSPORTATION:
- Travelers at times will encounter dust and heat — all of which are part of the environment of the region, especially when traveling close to the desert.
- Most sightseeing is on air-conditioned coaches with guides. Walking is required throughout the tour. Steps are to be expected, as well as occasional steep and/or uneven terrain during sightseeing.
- Travelers will need to carry their own baggage for approximately a third of a mile during the border crossing from Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan.
CLIMATE:
- Temperatures are at their highest during the summer, and coldest in November departures.
- Travelers should bring appropriate clothes, including a rain coat.
- Since the weather is unpredictable, please check weather sites online for 10-day forecasts closer to your departure date to plan your packing accordingly.
ACCOMODATIONS:
We pride ourselves on offering the best accommodations wherever we travel. Central Asia is a developing region, some hotels are not quiet up to Western standard yet, while your hotels in Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara may not be same level of luxury you 'd normally expect from Vantage, you can rest assured that they are best accommodations available.
Average High/Low Temperature (Fahrenheit)
|
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sept
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
|
Ashgabat
|
H
|
46
|
52
|
62
|
75
|
85
|
96
|
100
|
99
|
89
|
76
|
61
|
49
|
|
L
|
29
|
32
|
41
|
52
|
61
|
70
|
74
|
71
|
61
|
50
|
40
|
33
|
|
Khiva
|
H
|
35
|
42
|
55
|
72
|
84
|
94
|
97
|
94
|
83
|
69
|
52
|
39
|
|
L
|
19
|
24
|
34
|
48
|
59
|
68
|
71
|
67
|
55
|
43
|
32
|
24
|
|
Bukhara
|
H
|
37
|
36
|
49
|
60
|
63
|
68
|
73
|
75
|
74
|
61
|
50
|
39
|
|
L
|
27
|
24
|
35
|
46
|
53
|
59
|
63
|
62
|
54
|
42
|
35
|
29
|
|
Samarkand
|
H
|
43
|
48
|
58
|
70
|
80
|
90
|
93
|
92
|
83
|
72
|
59
|
48
|
|
L
|
27
|
30
|
38
|
48
|
55
|
63
|
65
|
63
|
55
|
45
|
38
|
31
|
|
Tashkent
|
H
|
37
|
45
|
54
|
64
|
79
|
88
|
91
|
90
|
81
|
64
|
54
|
45
|
|
L
|
21
|
27
|
37
|
46
|
55
|
63
|
64
|
61
|
52
|
41
|
36
|
28
|
|
Almaty*
|
H
|
28
|
32
|
45
|
61
|
62
|
74
|
87
|
83
|
63
|
40
|
62
|
53
|
|
L
|
33
|
38
|
46
|
55
|
63
|
72
|
77
|
75
|
67
|
57
|
48
|
39
|
*Extension only
Important Notice: The above day-by-day itineraries are preliminary and therefore subject to change. If changes occur while on tour, you will be notified by your Vantage Adventure Leader or regional expert.
