This tour starts in the capital city of Ashgabat where it seems the current president is using the country’s wealth to build an entire city out of white marble, you have to see it to believe it! Don’t forget your sunglasses as exploring the city’s monuments and palaces is a brilliant experience.

Close by and worth a visit is Geok-Depe, site of the Turkmen’s last stand against the Russians, and today home to the futuristic Saparmurat Hajji Mosque which also contains the mausoleum of the eccentric ex-president Niyazov.

Please note that this tour departs Ashgabat 2 days after the trip start date so if you would like extra time here you may want to arrive a few days early.

Heading north into the blistering heat of the Karakum (black sand) desert we camp in the dunes and have the opportunity to take a 2 hour walk to the unusual Darvaza Gas Craters. More commonly referred to as the ‘Gates of Hell’ this burning crater makes for a surreal desert experience and is best viewed at night.

Leaving the harsh desert behind, our last stop is at Konye-Urgench, beautiful ancient ruins that were once the centre of the Islamic world.

Our first stop here is the town of Moynaq which was once a thriving fishing village on the shores of the Aral Sea. Due to the Soviets diverting the rivers for irrigation in the 1960’s the sea mostly dried up and today is a desert containing an armada of rusting fishing vessels.

The perfectly preserved world heritage town of Khiva is our next stop where we have time to explore the blue-tiled Mosques, ancient mausoleums, glorious palaces, sky-high minarets and thriving bazaars that make this town a firm favourite.

We continue to Bukhara, Central Asia’s holiest city where it is possible to get a glimpse into the past by viewing the architectural preserve of the royal fortress and vast market complex.

Our journey now takes us through the Kyzylkum (red sand) desert where we have a chance of spotting the Uzbek nomads, taking a dip in Lake Aydarkul and heading out into the desert on an optional camel ride.

Samarkand is a Silk Road city of domes and minarets where we have 3 days to enjoy the city’s famous attractions which include the beautiful Registan, Guri Amir Mausoleum and Bibi-Khanym Mosque.

Our first stop in Tajikistan is Panjakent from where you have the option to go trekking in the beautiful Fann mountains following the 3 day Lakes Loop trail. During this trek donkeys will carry your luggage over the high passes, local guides will show you the most stunning parts of this remote area and your local cooks will feed you 3 delicious meals a day. For those opting not to do the trek you will be able to visit the 7 Lakes area, explore the ruins of ancient Penjakent and relax at the tranquil lake Iskanderkul where we will meet back up with our hikers.

We now continue to Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital. With a cool backdrop of mountains, lazy tree-lined avenues and pastel-hued neoclassical buildings, this is one of Central Asia’s most inviting cities where you will discover vibrant markets, fascinating museums and tasty local dishes.

Our journey east now takes us to the Pamir Highway which is regarded as one of the world’s most scenic drives. Winding our way along this extremely remote high-altitude road you will get to enjoy dramatic mountain scenery in a region studded with yurts, yaks and deep-blue lakes. This is wild-camping at its best!

This is a land of magnificent mountains and ice-blue lakes and we spend our first day making our way through fantastic scenery to reach the town of Osh where you have the chance to visit Jayma Bazaar, one of Central Asia’s biggest markets.

We continue up into the mountains and reach the village of Arslanbob which is situated in the heart of the world’s largest walnut forest. This is an area of outstanding beauty where you can go trekking to see the area's waterfalls and go horse riding through the walnut forest.

Following the Kyrgyz Fergana Valley we now wild camp on beautiful lake shores and cross over remote mountain passes before reaching the alpine lake Song-Kol where we get our first experience of staying in a yurt with a nomadic tribe who set up camp here every summer on the green pastures surrounding the lake. Horse riding, hiking and fishing are popular activities in this remote area.

We now head for the beautiful lake Issyk-Kul, the world’s second largest alpine lake, and wild camp for 2 nights in the stunning Chon-Kemin valley to enjoy the amazing hiking this picturesque area has to offer.

Our final stop in Kyrgyzstan is in Bishkek, the country's bizarre capital, where you can sing Karaoke at a street stall, beat yourself with a birch branch at the local baths and do vodka shots at the expats bar.

Our first day here is spent visiting bronze-age petroglyphs in a lushly vegetated canyon at Tamgaly.

Our next stop is the economic hub of the country, Almaty, a modern city with great museums and wonderful restaurants, but should you wish to escape the rat-race then take the popular cable-car up to the top of a nearby hill for a fantastic view over the region.

The desert terrain of eastern Kazakhstan opens up into the beautiful fairy-tale rock formations of the Charyn Canyon National Park and it is here we spend our last day enjoying nature and taking advantage of the canyon hiking and rafting options on offer.

We enter China via a remote western border and spend our first double of days on the fringes of the Taklamakan and Gobi Deserts studded with the odd emerald lake.

In Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang province, you will get to experience a bustling market in the Grand Bazaar and we will also visit the nearby Heavenly Lake, a sky-blue gem surrounded by dense forest, deep valleys and the rocky Tianshan mountains.

Officially the hottest place in China, the oasis town of Turpan is a welcome break where you have the chance to visit a traditional Uyghur Village as well as the crumbling remains of the ancient city Jiaohe.

In Dunhuang we find the amazing Buddhist caves of Mogao where a few hours can be enjoyed marvelling at hundreds of giant statues of Buddha, vibrant murals and multi-tiered temples.

We continue into the Gobi Desert and visit the western end of the Great Wall in Jiayuguan as well as a few amazing natural sites such as the fabulous Rainbow Mountains near Zhangye.

At Bingling Si we discover a series of Buddhist sculptures carved into caves within a canyon along the Yellow River where a precarious wooden walkway allows you to get close to some of the hidden cliff-face caves and the giant Maitreya Buddha.

In Tianshui we visit the Maiji caves where thousands of statues and frescoes remain within the grotto.

Xian gives you the opportunity to visit the famous Terracotta Warriors and see the archaeologists at work uncovering new finds.

We continue to the well-preserved ancient walled city of Pingyao where we spend a day exploring the atmospheric cobbled streets of this typically Chinese town.

Following a route through the beautiful Wutai Shan mountains we now visit the incredible Hanging Monastery, a Buddhist temple built 75 metres above the ground on a sheer precipice!

In Datong we visit the Yungang Grottoes, an impressive series of caves displaying Buddhist sculptures dating back to the 5th century.

We will now visit the Badaling section of the iconic Great Wall of China, a beautiful part of this 21.000 km feat of engineering.

In the capital Beijing you will have 3 days to explore this vibrant city’s highlights that include Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and a few amazing museums.

Our last 2 days in China are spent driving through the plains of Inner Mongolia on our way to the Mongolian border.

After wild camping in the Mongolian desert for a night we reach the giant stainless-steel statue of Genghis Khan on horseback, a 40 metre tall structure that allows you to walk through the horse's chest and neck to reach the horses head which gives you a panoramic view of the area. The attached museum gives you a good insight into Mongolian history with an impressive display of artefacts dating back to the Bronze Age.

We arrive in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, in time to attend the Naadam Festival, traditional games that focus on 3 main nomadic sports of wrestling, horse racing and archery. This yearly event is a spectacle not to be missed and is a highlight of our trip from Turkey to Mongolia!

This tour ends in Ulaanbaatar after breakfast on the final morning of the trip so you can make your onward travel arrangements accordingly.

Before this trip starts our truck travels through Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran before reaching Ashgabat so you can add on any of these areas to this tour should you wish to.

After this tour ends in Ulaanbaatar our truck continues to visit more of Mongolia on a 21 day tour to remote parts of the country, so you are able to add on this tour should you wish to. 

We are happy to create a bespoke itinerary and price for you so please feel free to contact us to discuss all options.

If you can’t do the whole tour it may be possible to book a shorter section of your choice.  Please get in touch and if this option is available we will be happy to work out a bespoke itinerary and reduced price for you.

HOW TO BOOK

To make a booking please fill in our online booking form and then pay a £300 deposit by Credit/Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Revolut, Wise or Paypal.

Once we receive your online booking form and deposit we will confirm your booking by email and send you all relevant information necessary for your expedition preparations.

EXPEDITION PAYMENT

The Expedition Payment of £7104 is the main bulk payment for your expedition and is payable in the UK in GBP (£ Sterling). In order to reserve a place on this expedition you must pay a £300 deposit. Eight months prior to departure a further payment of £3300 must be paid to secure your booking. The final balance of your Expedition Payment £3504 must then be paid in full at least four months prior to the expedition start date. If you book between 4 to 8 months prior to the departure date a deposit of £3600 should be paid upon booking. If you book within 4 months of the departure date the full Expedition Payment of £7104 should be paid upon booking.

The Expedition Payment can be paid by Credit/Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Revolut, Wise or Paypal.

Credit and Debit Card Payments (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

You can use the following link to pay by credit or debit card:

https://checkout.revolut.com/pay/61577bc6-af4e-4cd0-8fc4-c44a77e128fa

Or feel free to call us on +44 7858 468 953 in order to make a credit or debit card payment over the phone.

Bank Details for Direct Transfers (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Bank: HSBC

Account name: Madventure Ltd.

Sort code: 400810

Account number: 91618415

IBAN : GB14HBUK40081091618415

Swift/Bank BIC: HBUKGB4B

Branch BIC: HBUKGB4116A

Bank address: HSBC Bank, 6 High Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 5AZ, United Kingdom

Revolut (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Revolut offers a cheap and fast international money transfer service where you can choose to make a payment using either your bank account or credit/debit card.

Don’t have a Revolut account? Create one now - www.revolut.com 

Wise (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Wise offers a cheap and fast international money transfer service where you can choose to make a payment using either your bank account or credit/debit card.

Don’t have a Wise account? Create one now - www.wise.com

Paypal (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Paypal account name: info@madventure.co.uk

Don’t have a Paypal account? Create one now - www.paypal.com

LOCAL PAYMENT

This is a cash payment of $2000 that must be paid to your expedition leader at the beginning of your trip and will be used to pay for cash expenses while you are on the road such as food, accommodation, fuel and included activities.

Please bear in mind that this is not a kitty and is not refundable. The local payment is simply a way for us to get cash to the expedition leaders so they can run the trip.

Please bring your local payment in new unmarked $100 bills if possible.

Although all local payment amounts are advertised in USD you may be asked to bring the equivalent amount in either EUROS or GBP.

INCLUDED

Services of your Dragoman tour leader and driver

Local guides when required

Transportation in our custom built Dragoman overland truck

Use of all equipment on the truck

Diesel, mechanics, shipping and any other costs relating to the vehicle

Local transportation costs (if required)

Ferry tickets (when travelling together as a group)

74 breakfasts and 20 evening meals

All accommodation costs (75% hotels, guest houses, hostels and yurts, 25% camping)

National Park entry fees when we enter as a group with our vehicle

Ashgabat guided tour

Konye Urgench guided tour

Aral Sea monument

Khiva highlights pass

Bukhara guided tour

Samarkand guided tour

3 day guided Lakes Loop trek

Song-Kol yurt stay

Bishkek guided tour

Tamgaly petroglyphs

Almaty guided tour

Heavenly Lake

Jiaohe ruins

Mogao caves

Jiayuguan Great Wall

Rainbow Mountains

Bingling Si

Maiji caves

Terracotta Warriors

Pingyao city pass

Hanging Monastery

Yungang Grottoes

Badaling Great Wall

Genghis Khan statue

3 day Naadam Festival

NOT INCLUDED

International and domestic flights (no domestic flights expected during tour)

Airport transfers

Personal travel insurance

Personal spending money (£120 – £150 per week recommended)

Visas (approximately £550 depending on nationality)

Lunch and evening meals when in hotels, guest houses and hostels

Lunch when camping

Accommodation upgrades

Entrance fees to optional sites and national parks

Any optional activities and excursions

Tent, roll mat, sleeping bag and pillow

Tips (USD $100 per crew member recommended)

Below is a list of the most popular optional excursions along with the most recent prices. Prices can of course change and are not controlled in any way by Dragoman so please use the list below as an approximate guide only. Prices are shown in GBP.

UZBEKISTAN

Registan, Samarkand £7

KYRGYZSTAN

Horse riding (per hour), Lake Song Kol £3

KAZAKHSTAN

Cable Car, Almaty £3

CHINA

Forbidden City, Beijing £6

You will spend 75% of the time on this expedition staying in local hotels, guest houses, hostels and yurts. The other 25% of the time you will be in your tent camping.

We always try to use clean and comfortable locally owned hotels, guest houses, hostels and yurts, however, taking into consideration the sometimes unpredictable nature of this expedition and the remoteness of some of the areas we visit, please be aware that in some circumstances we just have to take what we can get, good or bad. When staying in hotels, guest houses, hostels and yurts you can expect to share your room with other expedition members of all genders.

There is usually an opportunity for anyone to upgrade to a single room or a superior room if they so wish. All accommodation upgrades are at your own expense.

When we are camping quite often we will wild camp by ourselves out in the bush or in the desert and other times we will use designated campsites with amenities. The majority of our wild camp locations are usually very scenic and we always strive to find the perfect spot on the banks of a river, overlooking a canyon, behind a dune in the desert, on a remote beach, etc. but sometimes we just have to camp wherever we can find a spot.

From past experience on expeditions of this length and nature we have found that people prefer to supply their own tents as they are then not forced to share and they can pick a tent that suits their needs. As a general rule, try and choose a good quality lightweight and waterproof free-standing tent that is easy to erect, take down and carry.

At some of the campsites there are upgrade options available so should you prefer not to camp or you just want some time alone you can sometimes rent yourself a private room at your own expense.

We will be travelling in a custom-built Dragoman overland vehicle 100% of the time on this expedition. A standard bus simply wouldn’t be able to tackle many of the roads we travel on. Our vehicle can accommodate up to 24 travellers and 2 crew.

Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360° view of the surrounding scenery.

Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your gear safe.

Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to.

There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board.

We usually carry 400 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots and pans, utensils, gas cooker, BBQ grate, tables, etc.

Our vehicle is also equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Comfortable fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating and we also have a large tarpaulin to keep us dry on those rainy days.

We carry a portable shower and shower tent so you can take a shower every day on this tour if you like, even when we are wild camping in remote areas.

Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet and head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment at the hotels and campsites we stay at.

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we do recommend you bring your own for general use.

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyone’s health and well-being. When we are camping we usually cook breakfast and the evening meal on the vehicle. For lunch we usually stop at a cheap local restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare. Occasionally we may prepare lunch on the vehicle when we are in remote areas.

When staying in hotels,  guest houses, hostels and yurts we always strive to provide you with one healthy, wholesome and plentiful meal every day, usually breakfast at the accommodation. Lunch and evening meals are at your own expense when we stay in hotels, guest houses, hostels and yurts. Local food is generally very cheap so if you are on a budget then eat what the locals eat. Western restaurants tend to be more expensive.

74 breakfasts and 20 evening meals are provided during this expedition.

When it comes to shopping and cooking while camping we will divide ourselves up into groups of 3 or 4 people (depending on group size) who will do their own fresh food shopping, prepare the day’s meals and clean up at the end. This will work out that you roughly get to cook once every 10 days (depending on the group size).

Fresh food is generally available daily so when we are camping we try to eat meat and vegetables for every main evening meal. We do cater to vegetarians but we do not cater to vegans or fussiness. In these group situations everybody must appreciate we cannot cater to restrictive diets or individual likes and dislikes.

Don’t worry if you are not a gourmet cook as your crew are also always there to give advice.

Our vehicles are equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Cleanliness plays an important role throughout this expedition and your crew will make sure an acceptable level of general hygiene is maintained throughout your journey to ensure the wellbeing of the group.

You will have a crew of 1 tour leader and 1 driver on this tour. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media.

Local guides will accompany us when required by law, usually in Turkmenistan and China on this tour.

Your tour leader will be in charge of routes, itineraries, food and accommodation and will ensure the smooth running of the tour. Your tour leader is not a tour guide and will not be giving you the history and facts of every place we visit, you can look up that information yourself or hire a local guide when you want to. Apart from the excursions that need to be organised by the tour leader in advance, we leave most of that for you to arrange yourselves, this way ensuring you get to do what you want at the price you are happy to pay.

Your driver will drive and maintain the vehicle to a high standard but he/she is not a tour guide and may not know all the facts about the countries we travel through.

Your crew will be hand-picked and trained by Dragoman and will have experience of overland travel but they may or may not have done this tour before. They will, however, have detailed notes from previous tours and backup from the office in the UK.

Tipping the crew at the end of your expedition is always appreciated if you feel they have done a good job. People often ask us what amount they should leave as a tip so we recommend you tip your crew a minimum of $100 each at the end of the tour if you feel they have given you good service, thank you.

PERSONAL BUDGET

We recommend a budget of £120 – £150 per person per week to live comfortably during this expedition. This budget should cover day to day things like lunch, snacks, soft drinks, meals when not camping, the odd few beers, etc.

Budget approximately £550 for your visas, security clearances and letters of invitation.

Souvenirs are something that can be very cheap or very expensive so if you are going to be buying souvenirs you should budget for it.

Please also have a look at our Optional Excursions list as you may want to budget for a few of those activities too.

TRAVEL MONEY

We recommend you bring 1/3 of your money in cash US Dollars and the rest of your money on your credit or debit card. 

They generally accept all major currencies for exchange but US Dollars are accepted everywhere.

ATM’s are widely available for you to draw local currency using your credit or debit card except in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan where it is recommended you have US Dollars available for exchange.

To keep your money/credit cards/ipad/camera/laptop safe we recommend you purchase a ‘Pacsafe Travelsafe’ product. They offer various size portable anti-theft bags that can be attached to the vehicle when travelling and also attached to the toilet/bed/closet in your hotel room when off the vehicle.

Below is general information and recommendations regarding visas and passports. Visas are ultimately your own responsibility to obtain and visa requirements may vary according to your nationality and place of application, so use the information below as a guide only and if you are unsure please check with your local consulate. Dragoman is in no way responsible for obtaining your visas or passports.

Turkmenistan visa - in order to get a Turkmenistan visa you must first apply for approval from the Turkmenistan government. Once you have been approved they will then send you a visa authorisation. Dragoman will send you the forms to complete in order to apply for authorisation and the forms will then be submitted to the Turkmenistan government by our agent in Ashgabat. Once you are approved you will obtain the actual visa upon arrival at the Turkmenistan airport. If for any reason your visa authorisation is not approved we will re-apply for you, but ultimately if you are not approved it would be for reasons unknown and Dragoman will not be held responsible. It is very rare that visa approval is not issued to tourists so don’t worry about this too much, you are likely to get approval.

Uzbekistan visa - many nationalities including citizens of the UK, Australia, New Zealand and many EU countries do not require a visa to enter Uzbekistan. Other nationalities including citizens of the USA and Canada should apply online for an e-visa prior to departure.

Tajikistan visa - many nationalities including citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and many EU countries do not require a visa to enter Tajikistan. Other nationalities including citizens of the UK should apply online for an e-visa prior to departure. If your nationality does not allow you to get an e-visa please contact your nearest Tajikistan consulate to find out the easiest way to obtain the visa.

Please also apply for a GBAO permit (Pamir Highway permit) when applying for your Tajikistan e-visa if the option is available online. If you can't get the GBAO permit online or you enter visa free, our agent in Tajikistan can obtain the GBAO permit for you in Dushanbe during the tour for a fee.

Kyrgyzstan visa - most nationalities including citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many EU countries do not require a visa to enter Kyrgyzstan. Other nationalities may be able to apply for a Kyrgyzstan e-visa online. If your nationality does not allow you to get an e-visa please contact your nearest Kyrgyzstan consulate to find out the easiest way to obtain the visa.

Kazakhstan visa - most nationalities including citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many EU countries do not require a visa to enter Kazakhstan. Other nationalities may be able to apply for a Kazakhstan e-visa online. If your nationality does not allow you to get an e-visa please contact your nearest Kazakhstan consulate to find out the easiest way to obtain the visa.

China visa - all nationalities should apply for their China visa in their home countries prior to departure.

Mongolia visa - most nationalities including citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many EU countries do not require a visa to enter Mongolia. Other nationalities may be able to apply for a Mongolia e-visa online. If your nationality does not allow you to get an e-visa please contact your nearest Mongolian consulate to find out the easiest way to obtain the visa.

Approximately 3 months prior to departure you will be sent the information required in order to complete your applications and apply for your visas (there are often time restrictions on visas so you can not apply earlier). We recommend that you make your passport available 2 months before departure in order to obtain your visas comfortably.

Budget approximately £550 for all your visas and letters of invitation.

Please ensure you have 6 free pages in your passport in order to accommodate all the visas and ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the expedition end date.

You will need approximately 4 passport photos for the duration of the expedition.

You will need a digital colour copy of your passport, a digital colour passport photograph and Covid 19 vaccinated travellers will need a digital colour copy of your Covid 19 vaccination certificate with QR code (all 5 - 100 Kb in size) downloaded onto your phone/tablet/laptop in order to apply for some visas and to cross some borders.

VACCINATIONS

Vaccination requirements are constantly changing so we recommend you seek the latest professional medical advice at least 8 weeks before departure to ensure you allow yourself enough time to obtain all necessary vaccinations. Nomad Travel’s website has up-to-date information on vaccinations, malaria and other general medical advice for all the countries we will be visiting and they also administer vaccinations at their Travel Clinics in various locations in the UK.

www.nomadtravel.co.uk 

Alternatively speak with your local health professionals for current accurate information. You will need to make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic and take a list of the countries you are visiting with the approximate dates when you will be there.

It is not necessary to be vaccinated against covid to join this tour but if you are vaccinated against covid please have a digital colour copy of your Covid 19 vaccination certificate with QR code (5 - 100 Kb in size) downloaded to your phone/tablet/laptop.

An up to date Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate should be brought with you as it is sometimes required to enter certain countries on this tour.

MEDICALLY FIT & ABLE

This is a full participation expedition so you need to be in good general health for this tour and be reasonably fit and able. The main concern is that everyone is able to pitch in equally and do their fair share when it comes to group activities like the communal cooking and cleaning up, packing gear in and out of the vehicle, erecting your own tent, etc. You do not need to be super-fit by any means and all ages are welcome. We always attract a very broad age range on these expeditions, from people in their 20’s through to people in their 70’s.

Please inform us of any medical conditions that you have before departure so that your crew know how to deal with a medical situation if it should arise. All information will be kept confidential unless you request us to inform your fellow travellers. For example, it may be wise to inform fellow travellers if you are allergic to something like bee-stings so they know what to do if you get stung.

FIRST AID KIT

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit aboard the vehicle but it is recommended that you bring your own basic first aid kit for general use.

It is compulsory that every person who travels with Dragoman obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour.

You may be covered under your credit card’s travel insurance so it might be worth checking with your credit card provider first.

There are various travel insurance companies to choose from and a Google search will bring up a vast selection but for people based in the UK seeking a comprehensive and reliable policy that includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation we recommend a London based company named Campbell Irvine, +44 20 7938 1734, http://www.campbellirvine.com/Madventure

Campbell Irvine are familiar with what we do so if you mention Dragoman and the tour you are travelling on they should be able to provide excellent cover for you.

For people based in North America a company named Allianz offers good cover, +1 866 884 3556, www.allianztravelinsurance.com

If you choose to obtain your travel insurance through another company please ensure you read the small-print and if possible make sure your policy includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation.

Tent: A good quality lightweight and compact waterproof free standing tent is recommended for this expedition. A removable fly-sheet will help you stay cool on warm dry nights. If you are travelling on your own you are restricted to a 1-2 man sized tent. If you are sharing a tent, you are restricted to a 2-3 man sized tent.

Sleeping bag: It can get cold at high altitude on this expedition so we recommend a good quality 4 season sleeping bag to be comfortable. Please make sure that your sleeping bag has a 'crush bag' so it can be compacted down.

Sleeping bag liner: A Thermal Fleece or Silk Liner will bring your sleeping bag up a season when it's cold and they are good to use on their own when it's too hot for your sleeping bag.

Roll Mat: A compact inflatable Thermarest roll mat is recommended. A non-compact mat will not be permitted as they take up too much room.

Pillow: If you do wish to take a pillow (although most just bring a pillow case and stuff their fleece in it at night) then Thermarest makes a good stuff pillow that compacts down small.

Backpack/sports bag/suitcase: We recommend you carry your luggage in a backpack but irrespective if you prefer a sports bag or a suitcase you are restricted to a maximum 100 litre volume. 

Day bag: You are also permitted to bring a day bag with a maximum 40 litre volume that you can carry in the overhead luggage rack or under your seat on the vehicle with you.

Pacsafe: In order to keep your valuables safe we recommend a Pacsafe product. They make a range of anti-theft bags which vary in sizes and can accommodate your money, credit cards, passport, camera, laptop, etc. They can be attached to a fixed part on the back of the vehicle when travelling and/or to a fixed item in your hotel room. 

Headtorch: An invaluable investment! Check out the Petzl range of USB rechargeable headlamps. 

Water purifier: Quite a handy thing to have to purify contaminated water and avoid stomach bugs. Check out the range of Lifestraw products.

Kindle: Optional but great to keep all your travel guides and books in one place.

Ipad/Tablet: not a necessity but most places have WiFi available these days so having your own Ipad or Tablet will enable you to stay connected.

Smartphone:  It is highly recommended that you bring a smartphone with you as the majority of the tour communications are sent via WhatsApp. It is also very convenient for storing all your digital documents, emailing, taking and sharing photos, mapping and calling home.

Camera: Completely up to you but most people use their phone.

Toiletries: Available everywhere but start with some toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, deodorant, soap and shampoo.

Sunblock: Minimum SPF 15 recommended.

Towel: A microfibre travel towel is a good option as it dries quickly and packs down small.

Sunglasses: Polarised lenses offer great protection.

First aid kit: Only a basic one is recommended but should include plasters, antiseptic cream, bandage, pain relief tablets, scissors and safety pins.

Passport photos: You will need approximately 4 passport photos for the duration of the expedition.

Digital passport photo: Please have a digital colour passport photograph (5 - 100 Kb in size) downloaded to your phone/tablet/laptop as it may be required at some borders or when applying for certain visas.

Digital passport copy: Please have a digital colour copy of your passport (5 - 100 Kb in size) downloaded to your phone/tablet/laptop as it may be required at some borders or when applying for certain visas.

Digital Covid 19 vaccination certificate: If you are vaccinated against covid please have a digital colour copy of your Covid 19 vaccination certificate with QR code (5 - 100 Kb in size) downloaded to your phone/tablet/laptop as it may be required at some borders or when applying for certain visas.

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate: An up to date Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required to enter certain countries.

Passport: Please ensure you have 6 blank pages in your passport to accommodate all the visas and stamps required on this tour, and ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the expedition end date.

Clothes & shoes: 

1 x flip flops

1 x walking shoes, trainers or boots

7 x socks

7 x underwear

4 x t-shirts

1 x collared shirt for the men

1 x lightweight long sleeve top that hangs down to mid thigh level for the ladies

1 x fleece top or fleece jacket

2 x zip-off  trousers which can be worn long or short

1 x swimwear

1 x headscarf for the ladies

1 x thermal beanie or woolly hat

1 x baseball cap

OVERVIEW

Overlanding with Dragoman is all about taking the road less travelled in a custom-built overland expedition vehicle with a group of up to 24 travellers of all ages and nationalities. This overland tour moves at a relaxed pace and visits remote areas as well as the highlights of all the countries we travel through. Overland travel affords you the time to really immerse yourself in the culture of the local communities we visit and gives you the opportunity to truly explore off the beaten track destinations. This overland tour may sometimes take you out of your comfort zone as it travels through many different climates, altitudes and cultures but we feel that the small hardships are often the experiences that make the journey so rewarding. So if you are looking for a unique adventure shared with a group of like-minded travellers on a journey of a lifetime then a Dragoman overland tour may be the trip for you because with overlanding it's all about the journey, not just the destination!

At Dragoman we like to go through every aspect of the tour with you to ensure that you are as informed and prepared as possible. We believe in not only telling you about the highlights of the tour but also providing you with all the small details of what to expect as we know these are just as important. We want to explain the tour in as much detail as possible so that you are sure you are suited to one of our overland group adventures. If after reading the information below you decide that this tour is not for you then, as long as it is within 14 days of your initial booking, you can cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies paid.

YOUR FELLOW TRAVELLERS

We have no age restrictions on our overland tours and if there is one thing we have come to realise, it’s the mental attitude that counts the most. On this trip our group size is a maximum of 24 travellers of all ages and nationalities so you can expect to share this experience with a wide variety of characters from all walks of life. 

WEATHER

The weather on this tour is generally dry and hot but you will experience cold nights at high altitude in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan so be prepared for these elements and you will be comfortable.

ALTITUDE

We travel up to 4700 metres above sea level on this tour so if you suffer from altitude sickness be prepared for it and have altitude-sickness tablets with you.

HYGIENE

As wonderful as Central Asia is, some places do not have a western infrastructure and their acceptable level of hygiene standards may be very different to ours, so be prepared to use squat toilets and accept that things may not be as clean as they are back home.

You must also maintain your own personal hygiene and ensure that you and your clothes are washed regularly. If anyone smells bad or is noticeably unclean the tour leader will have a word with that person to ensure a decent level of personal hygiene is maintained by everyone aboard the vehicle.

SIGHTSEEING & ACTIVITIES

On this expedition we include a lot of the main activities in the tour price however we do understand that you won’t want to visit every site or take part in every activity along the way so we have left some of the activities as optional and therefore kept the tour price to a minimum. If there are any activities that require forward planning and/or a guide your tour leader will arrange this and let you know all the options before arriving at a destination. Your tour leader however is not a tour guide and will not be giving you the history and facts of every place we visit, you can look up that information yourself or hire a local guide when you want to. Apart from the excursions that need to be organised by the tour leader in advance, we leave most of that for you to arrange yourselves, this way ensuring you get to do what you want at the price you are happy to pay.

Local guides usually accompany us in Turkmenistan and China.

On this tour you are completely free to do as you choose and you can be as active or inactive as you like.

YOUR ATTITUDE

A friendly, easy-going attitude will help you enjoy this trip and ensure you are liked by your fellow travellers as well as the locals. The one thing that is extremely detrimental to any tour are people that constantly moan. It has nothing to do with age, gender or nationality, some people just like to find fault in everything and it’s always got to be someone’s fault. This type of constant negativity can be extremely detrimental within a group so it may sound a bit harsh but by weeding out any moaners early on we can have a chat with them to try and ensure your tour is as good as it can be. We don’t hide anything so people who travel with us usually know exactly what to expect on this tour which makes for an enjoyable group experience.

Please be aware that if any particular person is constantly causing the rest of the group (or the crew) grief due to their behaviour they will be warned and then asked to leave the tour if nothing improves and no refund will be given. This is obviously the most extreme case but we will not let one or two rude individuals spoil it for everybody else. This is a once in a lifetime experience so let’s all enjoy it!

WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

The one thing we can guarantee is that at some point things will not go according to plan! We have to follow the legislation of each individual country and they all have different regulations which can sometimes slow us down. It is however usually obstacles such as bad roads, border closures, breakdowns and natural disasters that have a bearing on the expedition. Expect the unexpected and accept that things will go wrong from time to time.

These instances are usually the stories that remain with everyone so enjoy the experience. An easy-going approach will help the situation immensely. Moaning about every little thing that doesn’t go our way will not! When situations arise where we can’t please everybody we always aim to please the majority of the group, not the individual. 

TRAVEL TIMES & ITINERARIES

This trip is designed to allow plenty of free time in all the places of interest but we are driving a fair distance across Asia so yes, there are going to be a lot of drive days and some of them will be long. This is where you have to be able to take pleasure in the scenery or a good book from time to time.

Generally on a drive day we leave in the morning around 7 - 8 AM (after breakfast) and arrive at our destination before dusk in daylight, but this really depends on the distance between destinations and the road conditions.

Sometimes it will be a full day’s drive between destinations and you'll have the following day or two free. On rare occasions it may be 2 or 3 drive days in a row where you'll leave early, stop overnight at a wild camp or hotel and then continue early again the next morning. Sometimes however it's only a few hours drive between destinations.

Our proposed itinerary is the ideal route we would like to take providing all political and natural situations are acceptable during the time of our travels. Situations sometimes change during an expedition so please be prepared to take an alternative route in the event we encounter any problems. If a border closes unexpectedly then we have to try and find a safe alternative route which may not be to everyone’s liking. In the worst case scenario we may get stuck with no way forward and at that point we would have to decide whether to fly over the obstacle and continue on local transport or abandon the trip. We have never had to abandon any trip before but we want you to be aware of the worst case scenario.

Please note that we may be placed under military or police escort when travelling through troubled areas. If this does occur then we follow their directions and they make the decisions with regard to driving hours and routes. We do not argue with those who are trusted to ensure our safety, so please be aware that if this happens the pace may be faster or slower than we would personally choose and the route they pick will be the one we follow, regardless of our proposed itinerary.

We always strive to arrive at our destinations on time but our itinerary can change if an area of our route becomes off-limits for any reason, so when we do experience delays we will adjust our itinerary accordingly.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

Please be aware that drugs such as marijuana and cocaine are illegal in most countries we visit on this trip and they enforce severe punishment for being caught in possession. NEVER carry illegal drugs on your person or on the vehicle during this tour as you would not only jeopardise your own freedom but also the well-being of the entire group if you are caught in possession.

If you are caught with any kind of illegal drugs on this tour, regardless of the amount, you will be asked to leave the tour immediately and no refund will be given. Any inconsideration can lead to the tour being cancelled and innocent people arrested. We will not hesitate to remove someone if we have to, so please respect your fellow tour members.

Alcohol is generally available in all countries we visit on this tour.

Aggressive or abusive drunk behaviour will not be tolerated during this tour and if anyone is constantly abusing alcohol and causing trouble we will not hesitate to remove them from the tour and no refund will be given.

MEDICALLY FIT & ABLE

This is a full participation expedition so you need to be in good general health for this tour and be reasonably fit and able. The main concern is that everyone is able to pitch in equally and do their fair share when it comes to group activities like the communal cooking and cleaning up, packing gear in and out of the vehicle, erecting your own tent, etc. You do not need to be super-fit by any means and all ages are welcome. We always attract a very broad age range on these expeditions, from people in their 20’s through to people in their 70’s.

Please inform us of any medical conditions that you have before departure so that your crew know how to deal with a medical situation if it should arise. All information will be kept confidential unless you request us to inform your fellow travellers. For example, it may be wise to inform fellow travellers if you are allergic to something like bee-stings so they know what to do if you get stung.

ACCOMMODATION

You will spend 75% of the time on this expedition staying in local hotels, guest houses, hostels and yurts. The other 25% of the time you will be in your tent camping.

We always try to use clean and comfortable locally owned hotels, guest houses, hostels and yurts, however, taking into consideration the sometimes unpredictable nature of this expedition and the remoteness of some of the areas we visit, please be aware that in some circumstances we just have to take what we can get, good or bad. When staying in hotels, guest houses, hostels and yurts you can expect to share your room with other expedition members of all genders.

There is usually an opportunity for anyone to upgrade to a single room or a superior room if they so wish. All accommodation upgrades are at your own expense.

When we are camping quite often we will wild camp by ourselves out in the bush or in the desert and other times we will use designated campsites with amenities. The majority of our wild camp locations are usually very scenic and we always strive to find the perfect spot on the banks of a river, overlooking a canyon, behind a dune in the desert, on a remote beach, etc. but sometimes we just have to camp wherever we can find a spot.

From past experience on expeditions of this length and nature we have found that people prefer to supply their own tents as they are then not forced to share and they can pick a tent that suits their needs. As a general rule, try and choose a good quality lightweight and waterproof free-standing tent that is easy to erect, take down and carry.

At some of the campsites there are upgrade options available so should you prefer not to camp or you just want some time alone you can sometimes rent yourself a private room at your own expense.

TRANSPORT & EQUIPMENT

We will be travelling in a custom-built Dragoman overland vehicle 100% of the time on this expedition. A standard bus simply wouldn’t be able to tackle many of the roads we travel on. Our vehicle can accommodate up to 24 travellers and 2 crew.

Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360° view of the surrounding scenery.

Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your gear safe.

Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to.

There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board.

We usually carry 400 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots and pans, utensils, gas cooker, BBQ grate, tables, etc.

Our vehicle is also equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Comfortable fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating and we also have a large tarpaulin to keep us dry on those rainy days.

We carry a portable shower and shower tent so you can take a shower every day on this tour if you like, even when we are wild camping in remote areas.

Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet and head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment at the hotels and campsites we stay at.

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we do recommend you bring your own for general use.

FOOD & COOKING

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyone’s health and well-being. When we are camping we usually cook breakfast and the evening meal on the vehicle. For lunch we usually stop at a cheap local restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare. Occasionally we may prepare lunch on the vehicle when we are in remote areas.

When staying in hotels,  guest houses, hostels and yurts we always strive to provide you with one healthy, wholesome and plentiful meal every day, usually breakfast at the accommodation. Lunch and evening meals are at your own expense when we stay in hotels, guest houses, hostels and yurts. Local food is generally very cheap so if you are on a budget then eat what the locals eat. Western restaurants tend to be more expensive.

74 breakfasts and 20 evening meals are provided during this expedition.

When it comes to shopping and cooking while camping we will divide ourselves up into groups of 3 or 4 people (depending on group size) who will do their own fresh food shopping, prepare the day’s meals and clean up at the end. This will work out that you roughly get to cook once every 10 days (depending on the group size).

Fresh food is generally available daily so when we are camping we try to eat meat and vegetables for every main evening meal. We do cater to vegetarians but we do not cater to vegans or fussiness. In these group situations everybody must appreciate we cannot cater to restrictive diets or individual likes and dislikes.

Don’t worry if you are not a gourmet cook as your crew are also always there to give advice.

Our vehicles are equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Cleanliness plays an important role throughout this expedition and your crew will make sure an acceptable level of general hygiene is maintained throughout your journey to ensure the wellbeing of the group.

CREW

You will have a crew of 1 tour leader and 1 driver on this tour. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media.

Local guides will accompany us when required by law, usually in Turkmenistan and China on this tour.

Your tour leader will be in charge of routes, itineraries, food and accommodation and will ensure the smooth running of the tour. Your tour leader is not a tour guide and will not be giving you the history and facts of every place we visit, you can look up that information yourself or hire a local guide when you want to. Apart from the excursions that need to be organised by the tour leader in advance, we leave most of that for you to arrange yourselves, this way ensuring you get to do what you want at the price you are happy to pay.

Your driver will drive and maintain the vehicle to a high standard but he/she is not a tour guide and may not know all the facts about the countries we travel through.

Your crew will be hand-picked and trained by Dragoman and will have experience of overland travel but they may or may not have done this tour before. They will, however, have detailed notes from previous tours and backup from the office in the UK.

Tipping the crew at the end of your expedition is always appreciated if you feel they have done a good job. People often ask us what amount they should leave as a tip so we recommend you tip your crew a minimum of $100 each at the end of the tour if you feel they have given you good service, thank you.