Packing

What to pack for Central Asia

Clothing for mosques and mountains, layers for yurts, and the small things that help.

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Clothing

  • Light, breathable clothes that cover shoulders and knees
  • A scarf (useful for mosques, sun and dust)
  • Comfortable walking shoes: old towns mean long days on foot
  • A warm layer and hat for evenings in the desert and at altitude, even in summer

For the mountains

If you are going to Song-Kul, the Pamirs or trekking, add a fleece, a waterproof jacket, a warm hat and gloves. Nights at 3,000 m are cold year-round.

Practical items

  • Plug adapter: sockets are type C/F, 220 V
  • Sunglasses, sun cream and a hat
  • Basic medicines and rehydration salts
  • A power bank for long drives
  • Some cash in small notes

Leave at home

Drones need permits in several countries and may be confiscated; ask before bringing one.

Rules, timetables and prices change. We check this page regularly, but always confirm entry requirements with official sources before you travel.

UzbekistanKazakhstanKyrgyzstanTajikistanTurkmenistan

Put it into practice

Related journeys

21 days5 countries

Central Asia grand tour: five countries in 21 days

Ashgabat → Darvaza gas crater → Kunya-Urgench → Khiva → Bukhara → Samarkand → Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) → Tashkent → Margilan → Osh → Bishkek → Song-Kul → Issyk-Kul → Almaty

From €2,935 per personView tour
Rooftops and minarets of Ichan-Kala, Khiva, in evening light

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