Uzbekistan cycle tour

Visa to Uzbekistan:

Visa-free regime for up to 60 days has been established  for citizens of countries below:

Visa-free regime for up to 30 days has been established  for citizens of countries below:

A great number of other countries can obtain an e-visa to Uzbekistan by simply visiting the governmental portal e-visa.gov.uz.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Is it necessary to get a stay permit (temporary registration of stay) while visiting Uzbekistan?
2. What is Uzbekistan’s currency? Where can I exchange money?
3. Can I use credit cards in Uzbekistan?
4. What is the difference between GMT and Uzbekistan time?
5. Can foreigners to Uzbekistan use the services of a local mobile network operator during their stays in the country?
6. Can I bring alcoholic beverages into Uzbekistan?
7. What maximum amount of cash can I bring into Uzbekistan?
8. What maximum amount of cash can I take out of Uzbekistan?
9. Can I use a photo / video camera at the tourist sites?
10. What kind of clothes should I wear in Uzbekistan? Are there any clothing requirements for women in the country?
11. What languages do people in Uzbekistan speak?

Questions regarding the bicycle route:

12. What is the difficulty of the cycle route?
13. What is the relief and quality of the road? What is the maximum gradient?
14. Will we be accompanied by an escort vehicle?
15. What bikes do you rent?
16. Do you rent equipment for bikers?
17. Where will we spend night during the active part of the tour?
18. What about the meal during the cycle route?
19. What things should I take with me? What is the weather like at this time?
20. Are there any health restrictions?
21. Will I be able to charge my gadgets during the active part of the tour?
22. How can I wash myself during the route? Is there a shower?
23. What if an emergency occurs?.

1. Is it necessary to get a stay permit (temporary registration of stay) while visiting Uzbekistan?
   Any foreigner to Uzbekistan is to get a stay permit within 3 working days (consecutive or not) during his / her visit to the country. If he / she stays at an Uzbekistan hotel or a guesthouse, such a stay permit for the period of stay at it is granted automatically. (Inquire whether the hotel / guesthouse you want to stay at provides such a permit unless your accommodation is organized by a host tour operator. Also make sure you are given your stay permit certificate with the seal of your hotel / guesthouse when you check out.) If you stay at other lodging facilities during your visit, you will have to get your stay permit from a local visits registration police department.
2. What is Uzbekistan’s currency? Where can I exchange money?
   The national currency of Uzbekistan is the som (UZS). There are 100, 200, 500, 1.000, 5.000, 10.000 and 50.000-som banknotes used currently. The banknotes are similar in size but vary in color; they depict Uzbekistan’s cultural and heritage sites.
   You can exchange money at Uzbekistan’s National Bank outlets, most of the hotels and official currency exchange offices commonly located near bazaars and at shopping centers. You will need your passport to exchange money through them.
   Note that the most common foreign currency in Uzbekistan is US dollars. The US banknotes you exchange in the country should be in good condition - without defects, bad folds, worn areas and scribbles - or it will be hard to exchange them.
3. Can I use credit cards in Uzbekistan?
   You can use Visa and MasterCard cards mainly in Tashkent and at fewer locations in Samarkand and Bukhara for cash withdrawals through ATMs (cash machines) in their large hotels or banks. You can also make payments with these cards at some hotels, restaurants and stores in Tashkent. However, technical failures of the card handling equipment may occur, so it is advisable to always have enough cash on you.
4. What is the difference between GMT and Uzbekistan time?
   It is GMT plus 5 hours in Uzbekistan.
5. Can foreigners to Uzbekistan use the services of a local mobile network operator during their stays in the country?
   Yes, they can if they have a stay permit to show.

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6. Can I bring alcoholic beverages into Uzbekistan?
   A person is permitted to bring a maximum of 2 liters of alcoholic drink(s) into the country.
7. What maximum amount of cash can I bring into Uzbekistan?
   There is no limit on the amount of cash in a currency that is foreign to Uzbekistan a person can bring into the country. If you bring in over 5,000 USD (or the equivalent in other currencies), you will be given a ТС-28 certificate. If you bring in over 10,000 USD, you will have to pay a 1% duty on this sum.
8. What maximum amount of cash can I take out of Uzbekistan?
   The amount of cash (in a currency foreign to Uzbekistan) you can take out of the country must not exceed the sum you brought in as per your arrival customs declaration. Taking out the amount exceeding the sum you brought in is possible if permitted by Uzbekistan’s Central Bank or another Uzbekistan’s authorized bank. Note that taking out Uzbekistan soms is not permitted unless they are several souvenir coins or banknotes.
9. Can I use a photo / video camera at the tourist sites?
   Photographing and videoing at the tourist sites is allowed unless a site has a prohibition sign. They charge fees for using cameras at most tourist attractions though. Photographing and videoing is prohibited in Tashkent metro, at the airports and railway stations. Using a camera at the functioning mosques is possible if allowed by the worshippers there.
10. What kind of clothes should I wear in Uzbekistan? Are there any clothing requirements for women in the country?
    Clothes made of cotton and other natural textiles will be the best choice in warm and hot weather. Both men and women will feel best in T-shirts and shorts. Your footwear must be comfortable, light and strong, since you will have to walk a lot. Have sunglasses, a light headwear and sunblock lotion.
    If you travel early in spring (March to the beginning of April) or at the end of autumn (October to November), it is advisable to take a windbreaker, a sweater or a similar garment. In winter the temperature may fall to minus 10°С or so, so a raincoat, a warm coat and headwear will be necessary.
    There are no strict limits on women’s clothing in the country. However, you should be considerate towards the local traditions, culture and religion. While visiting religious places women should wear loose garments covering most of their arms and legs, and of course the cleavage. Headscarves will also be advisable to put on. Note that you will have to take off your shoes while entering some of the sacred places.
11. What languages do people in Uzbekistan speak?
    The official language is Uzbek; it is spoken by a majority of the population. Russian is spoken by the country’s largest Slavic minority and is still used widely in business and as a lingua franca, especially in Tashkent and other major cities. Tajik is widespread in Samarkand and Bukhara for their large Tajik ethnic minorities. Karakalpak is spoken in the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan where it is an official language besides Uzbek. English is popular as a foreign language to study but there is little chance of coming across a good English speaker in the street. However, in the historic cities of Bukhara and Samarkand many young souvenir sellers dealing with foreigners speak elementary English.

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Questions regarding the bicycle route:

12. What is the difficulty of the cycle route?
    The difficulty of the route is moderate.
    This route is suitable for both experienced cyclists and beginners who are in excellent physical shape. Daily mileage is 30-60 km.
13. What is the relief and quality of the road? What is the maximum gradient?
    The route runs through:
    • The plains
    • Hilly terrain and low mountains
    • Passes
    There are technical segments that require skills in gear shifting and braking.
    The relief of the route is on the map:



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14. Will we be accompanied by an escort vehicle?
    Yes, definitely. Throughout the route, a support vehicle follows the participants of the cycle tour, which transports bivouac and kitchen equipment (tents, a dining and kitchen facilities, tables, chairs, a toilet, etc.), all personal belongings of participants and bicycles.
15. What bikes do you rent?
    

    Model Merida (height 178 - 190 cm) - 120 USD / for the program;

    Model Nomad Atilla (height 158 - 172 cm) - 120 USD / for the program;

    Model Giant (height 158 - 172 cm) - 120 USD / for the program;

16. Do you rent equipment for bikers?
    We rent helmets and gloves.
17. Where will we spend night during the active part of the tour?
    During the active part, a camp will be set up every day. You will be accommodated in 2 person tents. We provide each participant with a care mat, a sleeping bag with liner, a headlamp, a bicycle kit with the most necessary tools.
18. What about the meal during the cycle route?
    During the active part of the tour we provide full board.
    An escort team is travelling with the group: a guide, a cook and service staff. An escort team will set up and take down tents, cook nutritious and delicious hot breakfasts, lunches and dinners during the active part of the tour.
19. What things should I take with me? What is the weather like at this time?
    The weather in September is stable - it is sunny and rather hot during the day (up to + 35С), and cool in the evening and at night (about +20). It is worth considering that the weather is highly dependent on the terrain and altitude. In cities it is always warmer, and in the mountains and desert the differences between day and night temperatures can be significant, precipitations are possible.
    Therefore, you should have clothing both for hot weather (shorts, T-shirts, sandals, cap, sunglasses), and also for rainy weather and evening coolness (fleece jacket, raincoat, windbreaker, sport pants, warm cap).
20. Are there any health restrictions?
    You need to understand that taking part in cycle tour will require great stamina, participants must be in good physical shape.
    Therefore, we recommend that people suffering from cardiovascular and chronic diseases (hypertension, asthma, diabetes, etc.) definitely consult their doctor for advice before travelling. If, in his authoritative opinion, your health allows such a trip, and the risks are minimal, then, armed with an individual first-aid kit with a set of your usual and special medicines, you may join our tour.
21. Will I be able to charge my gadgets during the active part of the tour?
    Yes, in our Camp there is a 220 V power supply (inverter).
    It is advisable to have a Power bank with you in case the charge on the gadget runs out during the day. In the evening, when the Camp is set up, you will be able to charge all devices.
22. How can I wash myself during the route? Is there a shower?
    Our camp has a camping shower-tent where in the evening each participant will be able to take a shower.
23. What if an emergency occurs?
    In the case of an emergency, the escort vehicle can quickly pick up the victim and take them to the nearest hospital. The guide always has a first aid kit with him.

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Useful Information on Traveling in Uzbekistan