Central Asia to Turkey overland vacation

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

Shared Local Transport
All ground transport across the 69 day route is provided on a single expedition truck shared by the whole group, reducing per-person emissions compared with individual travel across nine countries. Between Bukhara and Samarkand, the route can also be covered on one of Uzbekistan's high-speed bullet trains where time and schedules allow, giving travelers the option of shared rail transport with the local population rather than an additional day of driving.

Human-Powered Transport
Large sections of the itinerary are explored on foot rather than by vehicle. Along the Pamir Highway there is time for hikes near the Sary Moghul bush camp and around the mountain lakes beyond it. In Tajikistan's Fann Mountains, the group hikes to Iskanderkul Lake and on to the country's highest waterfall, with further mountain walking days before the descent into Uzbekistan. In Georgia's Svaneti region, two days are spent based around Mestia with hiking through the Caucasus foothills. City exploration in Bishkek, Osh, Dushanbe, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Ashgabat, Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Cappadocia and Istanbul is largely done walking through old towns, bazaars and historic quarters rather than by vehicle.

Vegetarian, Vegan and Dietary Provision
Tour leaders cater for vegetarian, vegan, coeliac, gluten and lactose intolerance requirements wherever possible, supporting plant-based eating throughout the trip alongside the standard menu.

Local and Seasonal Food
Meals prepared on the road are sourced by the cook groups directly from local markets and shops along the route, rather than from pre-packaged or imported supplies. Travelers are also encouraged to eat out at local restaurants during town and city stops, and are advised that trying local food and drink supports local farmers and food sellers directly.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Customer Guidance on Minimising Environmental Impact
Travelers are briefed not to buy endangered species or endangered habitat products, and are asked to avoid stepping on fragile ground or trekking on undesignated tracks. During any wildlife viewing, guides are not encouraged to approach animals closely enough to disturb their natural behaviour. Litter, including cigarette butts, must be disposed of appropriately, and where no toilet facilities exist, waste must be buried at least 30 metres from any water source.

Reducing Plastic and Managing Waste
Large quantities of purified water are carried on the expedition truck specifically so travelers can refill their own bottles rather than buying single-use plastic bottles along the route. A partnership with Water-to-Go offers a filtration bottle that removes over 99.9% of microbiological contaminants from any non-salt water source, with a share of each purchase going to the operator's charity projects. Recycling infrastructure is limited or absent across much of the route, and the crew manage what waste they can within the space and resources available on the truck.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Local Economic Opportunities
Optional excursions, such as the Telavi wine tour, museum and monastery entries across Georgia and Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyz polo, are paid for locally and directly to the local operator running each activity, keeping the money within that community rather than routed through the tour price. Cook groups buy food from local markets in each town along the route, and travelers are encouraged to buy locally made crafts and to pay a fair price when bargaining rather than pushing for the lowest possible cost.

Support for Local Community Projects
The operator raises awareness of, and provides support to, a number of local schools and community projects in the regions it travels through, alongside the additional charitable contribution generated through its Water-to-Go partnership.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Accessibility and Physical Demands
This is an active expedition rather than a fully accessible trip. Travelers are expected to take part in the day to day running of the journey, including pitching tents, helping with cook group duties on rotation, and digging toilet pits at bush camps with no facilities. The route reaches high altitude on the Pamir Highway, including a crossing of the Akbaital Pass at 4,655 metres, and includes long driving days of up to four or five days at a stretch. Given these physical demands, the trip is best suited to travelers who are reasonably fit and mobile, and is not designed for those with limited mobility.

Cultural Respect Guidance
Travelers are briefed to keep arms, shoulders and legs covered in order to respect local dress codes, particularly in the predominantly Muslim countries on the route, and to dress appropriately and show respect around religious festivals and sites. Photographs of people, ritual events or special places are only to be taken with permission first, and travelers are asked to respect the customs, traditions and beliefs of the different communities they pass through.