Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan holiday

Planet

This trip encompasses the best of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan on an epic journey along the old Silk Road.

In Kyrgyzstan we take in its incredible, pristine and untouched landscape. The nomadic cultures have left little imprint on the land over the centuries, and we look to carry on this tradition when we visit on our trips. We do this by recycling and re-using wherever possible, and ensuring that all waste is disposed of appropriately. We manage water consumption and reduce waste on this trip by encouraging people to bring along re-usable bottles and by supplying a large tank of fresh drinking water on our coach, available for refills. Lunches and meals will often be taken at local guesthouses using locally sourced, seasonal produce.

In Uzbekistan we travel several legs of our journey on the new ‘Afrosiyob’ bullet train. It’s a great experience travelling on this modern train, with the chance to mix with the local people and watch the scenery roll past the window. Travelling by public transport of course has another benefit too; it’s better for the environment as it reduces our reliance on specially chartered vehicles.

As a travel company we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key, and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage.

People

Uzbekistan is known for its bustling bazaars, they are a haven for anybody interested in local quality handicrafts and seeing artisan’s at work. We visit several on this trip, and with the help of our expert local guide we promote responsible bartering for the handicrafts, intricate woodworks and souvenirs on display. This responsible approach ensures striking a balance between tourists not paying over the odds, and allowing for a decent and fair price to be reached for the products purchased, meaning both parties walk away happy.

In Kyrgyzstan we are also working with the German government organisation ‘GIZ’ to help our partners train locals further down the supply train – from guides and drivers to hoteliers and restaurant owners. This helps to professionalise the industry in Kyrgyzstan at a local level and benefits all businesses that we interact with.

As a company we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of the UK travel industry body AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.