Planning to travel to Central Asia? The countries collectively known as “the Stans” - including Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan - remain some of the least-travelled, most culturally rich and scenically jaw-dropping destinations in the world. Think ancient Silk Road history, remote adventure and warm local hospitality. Here are seven essential Central Asia travel tips to know before you go...

Tap water isn’t safe to drink untreated, but on our adventures, your guides will provide clean, treated water often boiled or from large reusable containers to fill up your bottles. We also recommend packing some purification tablets or a filter bottle (like Water-to-Go) to refill along the way and avoid the use of single-use plastic.

Trying food in Central Asia is a delicious adventure in itself; rich in history, culture and hearty flavours. Expect generous, comforting dishes designed to fuel life on the steppe and in the mountains: sizzling shashlik (skewers of grilled meat often served with raw onions), lagman (noodle soup packed with vegetables and slow-cooked meat), and chak-chak (a sweet treat of fried dough bound together with honey). You may also come across tokoch, a dense, cake-like bread (pictured above), alongside fermented dairy products such as kumis (mare’s milk) and other traditional nomadic staples that have sustained communities here for generations. These traditional dishes will be sure to keep you fuelled for mountain trekking in Kyrgyzstan or cycling across remote desert landscapes in Kazakhstan.

Outside of the big cities it’s all about cash. We recommend you take your money in US dollars or euros as these are easiest to exchange into local currency. Your guide will help you find the best places to do this or you can do it at the airport on your arrival.

From the heat of the desert to chilly mountain camps, the climate varies wildly. The summer days are generally dry and clear during the day and temperatures can hit a sizzling 35°C, but you still need to be prepared. Nights in the Tien Shan and Fann Mountains can drop below freezing so pack your layers, waterproofs and warm clothing - just in case.

Visa rules vary from country to country but at present (May 2026), UK travellers can enter Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan visa-free for up to 30 days with six months left on your passport. Tajikistan requires an e-visa which you can obtain via the Tajikistan e-visa portal: Visit: www.visa.gov.tj/index.html. Always double-check the latest requirements at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

If you are worried about the language barrier, there’s no need. Your local guide will handle all communication on a KE holiday. If you want to give it a go however, Russian is widely spoken, along with Uzbek, Kyrgyz and Tajik so you can always learn a few simple phrases if you want to dive a little deeper into the culture.

Wi-Fi and phone signal are easy to find in the cities but don’t expect much once you head into the mountains of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. A local SIM card is a good option but we think going off-grid is all part of the magic! The views you’ll experience and the stories you’ll collect will beat anything you’ll see online.

The best part? The Stans are still wonderfully under the radar. So if you’re looking for an adventure holiday in Central Asia, now is the perfect time to explore Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan before these remarkable destinations become mainstream.