Travel with us through a part of Central Asia along the Ancient Silk Road.
This journey along the network of caravan routes, once the most important trade route between East and West, is a unique experience.
Like true explorers, we travel by expedition trucks through the countries of Central Asia and visit many legendary ancient caravan cities such as Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand.
This is a journey that will make the hearts of true overlanders beat faster. This impressive ‘Individually Guided Adventurous Overland Journey’© in the footsteps of Marco Polo and Alexander the Great, along part of the network of caravan routes that once formed the vital trade route between East and West, is a unique experience. As true explorers, we travel through the countries of Central Asia and visit many legendary ancient caravan cities such as Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand. Along the way, we drive through diverse landscapes with ever-changing backdrops, from deserts and oases to immense mountain ranges.
All the ancient cities along the old Silk Road are filled with beautiful Oriental architecture featuring stunning minarets, mosques, and madrasas adorned with turquoise mosaics. We visit the colourful bazaars and souks that betray their location through the delightful spices that can be smelled from afar. With our eyes wide open, we feel transported back to the Middle Ages and experience the trading spirit of yesteryear. The magic of the old Silk Road still lives on!
‘Central Asia’ is an ‘Individually Guided Adventurous Overland Trip’© that we can embark on with our overland trucks, featuring many highlights across the countries of Central Asia. With a dozen border crossings, a distance of about 17,000 km, and a duration of nearly 3 months, this is one of the largest adventurous guided overland journeys with expedition trucks along the ancient Silk Road. It is a journey where we move around, including non-driving days in the itinerary.
This will undoubtedly be an adventurous and unforgettable trip with many beautiful and unique encounters and impressions. We will drive like true pioneers on unknown roads and often travel far from the beaten tourist paths, visiting sights that are not overcrowded by the general public. Experiences and discoveries from the developers of this trip make it possible to visit these special places and experience meetings with cultures.
Through this journey, we aim to introduce you to the wealth of peoples and cultures of the countries we travel through. We will encounter many different ethnic and nomadic groups, each with their own way of life. These people are very friendly, hospitable, and curious, looking forward to our arrival, both in the countryside and in the cities. In some areas of the countries we pass through, there are still regions where few tourists have ventured. As a result, the local population still responds spontaneously and is excited about our coming as visitors.
• An ‘Individual Guided Adventurous Overland Trip’© of nearly 3 months
• Along the Ancient Silk Road
• Drive around the world’s second-largest mountain lake, Yssyk Köl
• Visit Jeti Ögüz and Song Köl Lake at 3016 m
• Drive several passes above 3.500m
• Caravan cities such as a.o. Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand
• Visit to Mangystau
• Drive through the Caucasus Mountains
• Göreme in Cappadocia
• Journey ends in Turkey
This journey is led by a professional team of highly experienced overland travellers and, where necessary, by local guides.
• € 9,450 per person, based on two people per vehicle
• Solo travellers on request
• Travel dates: 17 June to 19 September 2026
• Number of days: 85
• Starting place: Göreme, Turkey
• Ending place: Türkgozi, Turkey
• Number of kilometres: approx. 17,000 km
• Suitable for expedition trucks only
• Number of participants: maximum 10 vehicles
• Expert professional travel guidance
• ‘Individually Guided Adventure Overland Trip’© of 85 days
• Excursions with local guides in various countries
• Road maps of all the countries to be travelled through
• Map for a Garmin navigation system of the countries we travel through, including the track to be followed
• Expedition For Trucks Roadbook© with coordinates of attractions and overnight locations
• All overnight locations, excursions, entrance fees, and meals according to the program
• Advice on equipment for the expedition vehicle
• Advice on travel pharmacy
• Advice regarding the most essential parts for the vehicle
• Information via email 2-3 months prior to departure
• Arrangements and application of visas (not included in travel sum)
• Intensive guidance in trip preparation
• Fuel and toll costs
• Costs for bringing an additional vehicle (quad, motorcycle, scooter, etc.)
• Parking and ferry fees and other vehicle-related costs
• Visa costs and additional fees related to the application for required visas and invitation letters
• Walkie-talkies, 2-meter band radio (mandatory)
• Personal expenses and tips, entrance fees, excursions, and meals not included in the program
• Optional hotel overnight stays during the trip
• Registration fees and mandatory reporting fees (CIS countries and Russia)
• 2nd passport and passport photos
• Vehicle insurance and proof of insurance for the relevant countries outside the green card; mandatory
• Liability insurance related to the vehicle, mandatory to be taken out at the border in some countries
• Cancellation insurance
• Spare parts for the vehicle, tools, and any aids such as tow ropes, etc.
• Border costs
• Costs for travelling to and from the departure and arrival locations of this trip
• SIM cards for mobile phone | internet
• Navigation system – Garmin Tread (mandatory)
• Vaccinations
• All other costs not mentioned here
• Travel insurance with worldwide coverage including repatriation, medical expenses, and cancellation insurance is mandatory.
• Participants must be in sufficient physical and mental condition to join the trip ‘Central Asia’.
• The participant’s vehicle must be in excellent technical condition.
• Participants are international – languages spoken: German, English, Dutch.
• Driving exclusively in convoy to and from borders unless required by local or national authorities.
• The participant takes part in traffic with their own vehicle, entirely at their own risk.
Registration has started! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us by phone.
+31 611 94 43 15
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Traveling through Central Asia, along the ancient Silk Road through countries of the former Soviet Union and Turkey is not an everyday journey that you can undertake “just like that.” It is a lengthy trip of nearly 3 months that requires thorough preparation, both from us as the organization and from you as participants.
The goal of this journey is not to enjoy a relaxing holiday but to get acquainted with the wealth of peoples and cultures of the countries we travel through during this expedition. We are travellers first and foremost. We will encounter many different ethnic and nomadic groups, each with their own way of life. These people are very friendly, hospitable, and curious about us, both in rural areas and cities.
In the countries we visit, there is generally little tourism in the areas we travel through, so the population still reacts spontaneously to our arrival as visitors
Everyone drives their own expedition vehicle on this trip at their own risk.
To ensure that this overland trip is not only a beautiful adventure but also well-organized from beginning to end, we utilize a skilled and knowledgeable team consisting of highly experienced overland travelers. This journey is organized by Expedition For Trucks. The terms and conditions of Expedition For Trucks apply to this trip.
Our ‘Individually Guided Adventurous Overland Trips’© take you through countries with very different customs and practices than we are used to. The populations of these countries are often attached to traditions related to their faith. Therefore, this journey requires participants to have a flexible attitude that is open to these other cultures and religions. Additionally, a good physical and mental health and a travel vehicle in excellent condition are essential.
You drive every day in your own way and at your own pace. Each team receives our Expedition For Trucks Roadbook© with a detailed itinerary and all the necessary information about sights and the GPS coordinates to reach the next overnight stop. We only travel in convoy at all border crossings, unless it’s absolutely unavoidable or required by (local) authorities, to give everyone as much individual freedom as possible. Anyone can leave whenever they find it most convenient and stop along the way as often as they like. In short, ample time to fully enjoy, and in the evening, you don’t need to allocate extra time to find a safe overnight location!
Everyone drives individually, and in case of an emergency, breakdown, or accident, there is always a fellow traveller and/or the trip guidance in the form of backup nearby.
BENEFITS OF GROUP TRAVEL
An ‘Individually Guided Adventurous Overland Trip’© from Expedition For Trucks has many benefits. One of the most important is, of course, that we travel only with large expedition trucks and not with regular campers, in small groups; a maximum of 10 travel vehicles. The further benefits include: always having back-up from fellow travellers and travel guidance, a sense of security in foreign lands, support from experienced guides, tackling difficult border crossings as a group (and if necessary with help from local guides), a safe overnight place, and for those who appreciate it, enjoyable and spontaneous evenings together.
The route is designed so that all interesting tourist highlights are included, maximizing the number of sights. Many are part of the program, while others are optional. Naturally, we also consider accommodation and overnight options, striving to stay in the most beautiful places. The daily stages vary from 75 to 490 km per day and are organized to allow ample time for sightseeing, taking breaks, shopping, and relaxing. There are plenty of non-driving days so you can plan each day freely. The comprehensive Expedition For Trucks Roadbook© includes daily descriptions and many tips, as well as interesting sights, accommodation options, related information, and of course, the necessary GPS coordinates.
VEHICLE
The journeys of Expedition For Trucks are exclusively made with expedition trucks. It is not necessary to have a 4WD for this trip, but having one can certainly be useful.
The countries we visit during this trip are politically and economically (reasonably) stable. The crime rate is comparable to that of European countries. Petty thefts, pickpocketing, and money-switching scams do occur occasionally, but if you keep an eye on your belongings and take the necessary precautions, there is no need for concern. Travelling in our expedition vehicle poses no greater risk than traveling in other countries within the European Union. Throughout the trip, we continually inquire about the safety situations in the areas we are traveling through. We are traveling through 7 countries, and we will keep checking on the safety situations in the regions we pass through.
Most of the roads on our route are paved. Only less than 10% of this journey is over unpaved roads. Some parts of these are sometimes in very bad or poor condition! Often the roads can be compared to those in Europe, sometimes even better. However, the asphalt in these countries has often suffered heavily from the high summer temperatures and extreme winter conditions. Large potholes in the roads are common. In the big cities, the roads are often crowded, just like back home in the traffic jams!
We spend the night as much as possible in the great outdoors. If that’s not feasible and we’re in cities, we stay at hotels, churches, sports complexes, or simply in a parking lot or by the roadside. Therefore, it is also essential that we can be self-sufficient for several days in terms of food, sanitation, shower, and electricity.
DISPOSING OF GREY WATER AND TOILET
It often happens that there are no facilities available for several days in a row where we can discharge our grey and black water in a decent and environmentally friendly manner. We are often dependent on a place in nature for this. It is important to do this in a discreet and appropriate manner, without causing any nuisance to the local population, their livestock and crops. The use of chemical liquids is therefore NOT permitted. Instead of using chemicals for the toilet, there is a system on the market called SOG (www.sogshop.nl), which is a good alternative to using chemicals.
The voltage is 220 volts, sometimes slightly lower. Electricity is present on the route but sometimes in limited amounts, and we recommend not to use it. We travel with an expedition truck for a reason!
In all countries, the coverage of the mobile network for telephony and internet is good. Reception is often available in remote places. To avoid high roaming costs, you can choose to buy a sim card for your mobile phone, smartphone, or laptop. In countries where we cannot purchase a sim card, e-sim is an (expensive) alternative. E-sim also has the disadvantage that we cannot simply make calls with it if there is no internet reception.
Vaccinations are not required for all countries, but they are recommended. These include DTP, Hepatitis A and B, typhoid for stays longer than three months, and malaria tablets in certain areas. Check with your local Municipal Health Service or GP for the latest information for travel to the countries you are planning to visit.
Bringing your pet on this trip is possible, but it must be reported to the travel organization before participating in the trip.
HOW MANY EXPEDITITION TRUCKS ARE TAKING PART?
We travel with a maximum of 10 expedition vehicles. Including the guides, that makes 11.
CAN ALL BRANDS AND SELF-BUILT EXPEDITION TRUCKS PARTICIPATE?
Yes, all expedition trucks are welcome, despite the collaboration with KRUG Experience.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THIS TRIP?
This trip is suitable for anyone with a flexible and positive attitude. If you are unable to think in terms of solutions, this trip may be a step too far for you. During this ‘Individually Guided Adventurous Overland Trip’©, you will travel through unknown countries and gain many new experiences. You will regularly find yourself in unexpected and unfamiliar situations. Crossing borders alone is quite an experience for many people.
Due to different cultures and religions, customs and traditions are different and may differ significantly from what you are used to. What we take for granted often has a completely different meaning in these countries. Therefore, assume that many things during this trip may and will turn out differently than you actually expect, are used to or had hoped for.
But for those who are open to an adventurous journey to unknown places, this is the trip you have been waiting for. There is a reason you have an expedition truck!
Travel independently, making your own decisions, but also show understanding and respect for your fellow travellers. Let everyone be themselves. Every individual is different, and in our daily lives at home, we are not best friends with everyone either. That is not necessary. In addition, it is of course an added bonus that you can share experiences and back each other up in case of bad luck or illness.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GROUP TRAVEL?
An ‘Individually Guided Adventurous Overland Trip’© from Expedition For Trucks has many advantages. One of the most important is, of course, that we only travel with small groups; a maximum of 10 teams (excluding the trip leaders and any trainees who may be accompanying the trip). The further advantages are: always having support from fellow travelers and trip guidance, a feeling of security in foreign lands, assistance from and by experienced guides, shared border crossings, and safety through overnight stays together.
WHAT IS MEANT BY INDIVIDUAL AND YET GUIDED?
This is THE travel concept of Expedition For Trucks. It’s an overland journey that you undertake with your own expedition truck. You drive this trip more or less according to the route indicated and planned by Expedition For Trucks. Not only do the countries make this journey adventurous, but certainly also the events and experiences along the way – something that is taken for granted by an individual overland traveler.
Together, we will embark on a discovery journey individually, allowing you to travel at your own pace and rhythm. This way, you can visit attractions during the trip that align with your interests and needs. You have the assurance of a backup in the form of fellow travelers and the trip leadership. At the end of the day, you are always guaranteed a place to spend the night, where you can share your experiences with fellow travelers if you wish.
You will receive the Expedition For Trucks Road-book© from us, which includes a brief description of the day, a list of the main attractions, and the GPS coordinates to drive to the next overnight location. It goes without saying that you will bring your own travel guides for the countries we visit, which fits the individual character of this journey. The Expedition For Trucks Roadbook© is not a rewritten travel guide; it contains important information for individual travel.
ARE WE DRIVING IN CONVOY?
You will only drive in convoy to and from border crossings until you have purchased a SIM card for your smartphone, or unless it is absolutely necessary, or if mandated by local authorities. We will inform you about this when it applies.
This way, we can give you as much individual freedom as possible. Except for a few longer driving days, you can generally leave whenever you feel it is most convenient and make stops as often as you like along the way. In short, you have all the time to fully enjoy, and in the evenings, you don’t need extra time to find a safe place to spend the night!
During the trip, you have the option to travel with one or more expedition trucks; this is a free choice. Even if you drive individually, in case of an emergency, breakdown, or accident, there will always be a fellow traveler or one of the trip leaders nearby as backup.
TRAVELLING WITH A GROUP?
You travel as individual travelers in a group over a long route, appreciating each other’s presence as a valuable backup. The freedom you experience is naturally a wonderful aspect of the journey that everyone will enjoy, and this is where traveling with Expedition For Trucks stands out. An added benefit is the friendships that can develop during a trip like this. Sharing a drink and exchanging experiences with fellow travelers makes it extra special. Such a travel experience is truly one for a lifetime!
In addition, you will of course respect each other’s privacy. Some teams may prefer to be on their own and therefore choose a place to stay further away from the other vehicles. It goes without saying that loud music should not be played at the overnight stop, nor should you play a musical instrument yourself.
WHICH INSURANCE SHOULD WE TAKE OUT AS PARTICIPANTS?
A travel insurance with worldwide coverage and repatriation is mandatory. For longer trips, different conditions often apply at insurance companies. Coverages are not automatically guaranteed, especially for trips lasting more than 90 or 180 consecutive days. Additionally, it is wise, and sometimes necessary, to take out an additional health insurance. Often, your current health insurance does not provide sufficient coverage. Inquire about this and explain what you will be doing and the countries you are travelling to.
It is strongly advised to take out cancellation insurance. This must be arranged within 7 to 10 working days (varies by company) after receiving the booking confirmation from Expedition For Trucks.
IS MY EXPEDITION TRUCK ALSO INSURED IN THE COUNTRIES ON THIS TRIP?
Ensure that you have your insurance papers for your expedition truck and any other vehicle(s) with you, consisting of a paper (not exclusively digital) green card (which can also be white) listing all the countries to be travelled, as far as they are mentioned on the card. Outside of Europe, it is often not possible to insure a vehicle All Risk.
Please note that the third-party insurance you have for your vehicles is not valid in all countries. In almost all countries on this trip, it is mandatory to take out third-party insurance. This can sometimes be done directly at the border, but it may also happen that the nearest insurance office is more than 100 km from the border. In addition to the countries where it is mandatory to take out third-party liability insurance or another insurance, either right at the border or further inland, you are free to decide which insurance you want to take out and with what coverage. Expedition For Trucks can never be held liable if you decide not to insure yourself.
For the countries outside of the green card that we will visit, there is the possibility to insure the expedition vehicle All Risk for these countries for a certain period. Those participating in this trip will be put in contact with this insurance company.
HOW ARE WE INFORMED ALONG THE WAY?
To keep you well-informed about the upcoming driving day(s) and border crossings, a short briefing will take place regularly, every x number of days. In the interest and safety of all participants, it is mandatory for everyone to attend these briefings. Although a briefing can ‘never’ occur at a time that is convenient for everyone, the trip leader will do their best to choose a time that is as favorable as possible.
WHICH PARTS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR THE VEHICLE?
Taking spare parts prevents unnecessary delays due to minor defects and therefore increases the enjoyment of the trip if something goes wrong. All participants will receive a list of recommended parts and recovery equipment.
Many parts can still be used after the trip or can be used during the next maintenance. It is even more convenient to arrange with the dealer to return unused parts in their original packaging.
DO WE NEED VISAS FOR THIS TRIP?
We require a visa for Russia for this trip, but not for the other countries at this time. Because it is essential that all visas have the same validity period and become effective on the same day, we will take care of this application.
Expedition For Trucks outsources visa applications to a recognised visa agency with which it has been working for many years. The costs of obtaining the invitation letters and visas by Expedition For Trucks will be charged to you on a one-to-one basis and are not included in the travel sum.
We need everyone’s passport, including second passports, at least two months before departure. Please take this into account if you wish to travel abroad during this period. Within the EU, you can often travel with an identity card.
WHY A SECOND PASSPORT?
A second passport is required for safe participation in an ‘Individually Guided Adventurous Overland Trip’©, such as Central Asia. Consider it a safety factor. We need this second passport to apply for visas during the trip and in case you want or need to return to Europe via a route other than the planned one, given the unstable situation in certain countries. It is not only wars or political changes on a global scale that can affect our trip. Due to (local) circumstances, weather conditions, changed road conditions or measures taken by the (local) government, changes are always possible. In that case, we will have to travel through other countries or countries we have visited before. If a visa is required for one of these countries, you will need a second passport to apply for visas.
Please note that local authorities can be very reluctant to issue a second passport. You cannot simply apply for this document. Expedition For Trucks knows how to deal with this and will take care of applying for the second passport together with the participants!
DO I NEED VACCINATIONS FOR THIS TRIP?
For this trip, you may need vaccinations or updates for previously administered vaccinations. Consider DTP, Hepatitis A & B, typhoid, TB, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis. Don’t forget to inquire about potential malaria risks. Currently, we are not travelling in malaria-infected areas, but this can always change. Bring your vaccination booklet (yellow fever booklet) with you, as it may be requested at the border.
For information on vaccinations and administering them, you can contact the local Municipal Health Service or GP. They can advise you and outline the timeline for the vaccinations. Also, check with your insurance about what will be reimbursed. We assume that you do not want to take unnecessary risks during the trip and will get vaccinated as advised by the local Municipal Health Service or GP.
ARE THERE REQUIREMENTS FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS?
For a long journey like this, good physical, mental and emotional condition is essential. You don’t have to be a top athlete, but an adventurous trip like this requires a lot of energy, and only then can you really enjoy it. This trip will test both your physical and mental fitness, but as experienced travellers, we are convinced that the effort you put in will bring you enormous joy and unforgettable memories.
If you are taking medication, do not forget to order it in time so that you can take enough with you for the entire trip, including the outward and return journeys. For stronger medication, consider a medication passport. Ask your doctor or pharmacy about this.
WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF THE DAILY STAGES?
The route is designed so that all interesting tourist highlights are along your path, allowing you to visit the maximum number of sights, both on the main route and beyond. Many of these attractions are included in the ExpeditionFor Trucks Roadbook©, while others can be found in travel guides. Of course, we have also considered catering and accommodation options and have done our best to find the most beautiful, functional and practical places to stay overnight.
The daily stages vary from 75 to 490 km per day and are arranged so that you have enough time to visit places of interest, take breaks, do your shopping, handle laundry and relax. Naturally, there are also many days when you won’t need to drive, giving you time for other activities. You will receive the ExpeditionFor Trucks Roadbook© with a brief description and tips for each driving day. All accommodation locations, several attractions, and key points are provided with GPS coordinates and corresponding symbols that match the information read in your navigation system.
WHERE ARE WE SPENDING THE NIGHT?
During this trip, we will hardly ever stay at campsites, because we don’t really want to with our expedition trucks and they are simply not available in the areas we will be travelling through. After Turkey and until Armenia, you will not encounter any campsites for 16,000 km. Therefore, it is necessary that you are self-sufficient for several days in terms of food, water, electricity and possibly gas.
We will spend the night in safe places. Where possible and desired, this will be in the great outdoors, but also at hotels, churches, sports complexes or simply in a car park or by the roadside. We may be close together or miles apart. Noise disturbances from traffic, lorries, loud music and loitering youths, but also deafening silence, can occur in the countries we travel through.
CAN PETS COME ON THIS TRIP?
Taking a pet on this trip is only possible after consultation with Expedition For Trucks. You must possess an ‘EU pet passport’ that includes the chip number and vaccinations. Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies, and you should be able to provide a rabies titration (blood titre for rabies). For some countries, you may also need to present a health certificate with a recent date.
CAN EXPEDITION TRUCKS WITH EURO 5 AND 6 PARTICIPATE?
In 2025, during our CHINA OVERLAND trip, we had several trucks with Euro 5 and 6 and even 6e emission standards participating in this trip without any problems. This trip follows almost the same route, except for China, of course. The years of experience of Expdition For Trucks and the contacts with the right experts have made this possible.
It goes without saying that we will put all participants in this trip in touch with these experts, so that they can also travel through countries with poorer quality and sulphur-containing diesel.
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF BREAKDOWN, ILLNESS OR REPATRIATION?
It goes without saying that you should help a fellow traveller in the event of a breakdown or accident. You would appreciate this yourself. In the event of a breakdown, the tour guide will be notified first and the best solution at that moment will be sought.
If you have a breakdown on the road, the next passer-by will help the vehicle that has broken down and will not leave the vehicle until it has been sufficiently assisted.
If the problem cannot be solved, the tour guide will be informed again and they will take the necessary measures with the help of friends in the countries on this trip, for example, to take you to a garage. As soon as we know that the problem can be solved and the expedition truck can be repaired, with parts that may or may not need to be flown in, the group will continue its journey. The tour guide will remain in close contact with the affected person and/or the garage. (possibly with the help of our friends or guides). They will also look at how and where to rejoin the group.
The same applies in the event of hospitalization and/or repatriation of persons to their home country.
HOW MANY SPARE WHEELS/TYRES SHOULD WE TAKE WITH US?
Tires must have sufficient tread for the entire journey from home and back (average 23,000 km). Preference is given to Michelin XZL, Michelin XZL2 or Continental HCS. In addition, 2 spare tyres, at least 1 of which must be on a rim (mandatory).
HOW DO WE NAVIGATE?
In all countries where the Cyrillic alphabet is used (former Soviet Union countries) and in countries with the Armenian and Georgian alphabets, signage is often only displayed in that specific alphabet. Finding the right route is already a challenge in itself due to the language barrier, let alone finding the right route in cities.
We therefore make it compulsory to bring and use a Garmin Tread navigation device for this trip. It is in the interest and for the safety of each team that both participants know how to use it and therefore practice using it well in advance of departure.
At the starting point of the trip, we will not only provide the Garmin with the map material (OpenStreetMaps) for the countries we will be visiting on this trip, but we will also explain how to use the Garmins. We will limit ourselves to the skills needed to operate the Garmins, which are necessary for this trip. Please note that a navigation device is only an aid to finding the right route. When in doubt, common sense should take precedence over the directions given at that moment.
All waypoints, routes and tracks will be loaded at the starting point of the trip.
WHAT IS THE ADVICE FOR CLOTHING?
Since it is a long journey through various countries with different climates and seasons, it is important to adjust your wardrobe accordingly. Consider low nighttime temperatures, primarily at high altitudes, to maximum daytime temperatures exceeding 45°C. Lightweight clothing for warm weather, a warm sweater, fleece jacket and/or coat for cooler evenings, rain gear, and sturdy footwear for hiking.
In mosques and cathedrals, you may be required to cover your arms, legs, and head. In some Muslim countries, different dress codes apply for both men and women. In many Islamic countries, appropriate clothing is desired. Every participant, out of respect for the (local) population as well as fellow travellers and the tour guides, should adhere to the desired dress codes of all the countries on this trip.
GROCERIES AND EATING OUT?
From time to time, you will find (large) supermarkets with a range of products that is roughly equivalent to what you are used to in Europe. In some countries, however, there are hardly any supermarkets, and you will have to rely on bazaars or smaller shops. Vegetables, fruit, meat, bread and water are available everywhere. Prices in restaurants are often very low compared to what you are used to in Europe.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO FILL THE WATER TANK?
Water is available everywhere. If you want to fill the water tank in your expedition truck and drink it, you need filters to make it suitable for drinking. There are various systems available on the market for this purpose. Of course, you can also buy water bottles everywhere, in 1 litre, 5 litre and sometimes even 10 litre bottles. If you want to fill your water tank, it is important to have a good range of connection options (Gardena) with you, because it is always a surprise which one will fit. A normal long filling hose (garden hose) of at least 10 meters is also indispensable.
CAN WE DISPOSE OF GRAY AND BLACK WATER?
Throughout the entire journey, there are almost no facilities where we can dispose of our grey water and toilet waste in a decent and environmentally friendly manner. The use of chemical liquids is therefore strongly discouraged. Instead of using chemicals for the toilet, there is a system on the market called SOG (www.sogshop.nl) which is a very good alternative to using chemicals. We often have to rely on places in nature. It is important to do this in a discreet and appropriate manner and at least 5 kilometers from the place where you are staying, so as not to cause any nuisance to local residents, their livestock and crops.
Anyone who has a dry toilet or compost toilet should take the solid waste with them and deposit it in containers or bins, rather than burying it. The 5-kilometer rule applies to all liquids.
We NEVER discharge waste at or near a place where we are staying overnight, and NEVER at hotels.
WHAT KINDS OF ROADS CAN WE EXPECT?
The quality of the roads is often not what you are used to in Europe. Almost all roads on this route are paved, with the exception of about 2%, but that does not say much about the quality. The paved roads are often in poor to very poor condition, and large holes in the asphalt are no exception.
Although the daily stages are shorter in terms of kilometers on poorer roads, as a driver you should take into account the fact that poor roads sometimes mean more difficult stages. This makes travelling challenging, and your driving skills are often put to the test. These conditions create psychological pressure for both the driver and fellow travellers. Adjusting your speed is the best and only way to protect both people and vehicles.
In large cities, you should expect heavy traffic and chaotic scenes. You will quickly get used to this, but you should expect long travel times and crawling speeds, with traffic jams being no exception.
In some countries, there are few roads available. After heavy rainfall, the “roads” can become impassable. The traffic rules are almost identical to those in Europe, and in all the countries we pass through, people drive on the right. Distances are indicated in kilometers and we refuel everywhere in liters. Stick to the speed limit and NEVER drink alcohol if you have to drive. Often corrupt police officers have a preference for foreigners who commit traffic offences. If necessary, you will receive specific information about the applicable traffic rules during the briefing before entering the next country.
Always drive carefully, modestly and passively and do not let yourself be rushed by the sometimes temperamental driving style of the local population. In all countries where the Cyrillic alphabet is used (former Soviet Union) and in countries with the Armenian and Georgian alphabets, road signs are sometimes only displayed in that specific alphabet. After spending some time in these countries, you will automatically learn the alphabet and recognize the place names. It is becoming increasingly common for place names to also be written in the Latin alphabet.
In former Soviet Union countries, you will often be stopped by the traffic police. This old custom dates back to Soviet times and is something you may not be used to. Stop according to the instructions, remain calm and, above all, be friendly. In general, these checks are not a big deal, but they are very precise and serious.
INTERNET, ESIM AND STARLINK?
Internet coverage is good in the countries visited on this trip. Each participant must have a smartphone. We will purchase a separate SIM card in each country (mandatory). This will allow you to call each other and the tour guides cheaply, use WhatsApp and keep in touch with home at a low cost. This eliminates expensive roaming charges.
If it is not possible to purchase a SIM card, we will fall back on an e-SIM. We must purchase these before arriving in the country in question. The disadvantage of e-SIMs is that they are expensive and we cannot make “normal” calls with them.
It is advisable to bring a second smartphone or mobile phone per person so that you can install your home country SIM card. This way, you can still be reached on your own number.
Starlink works with the ‘Roam – Unlimited’ service subscription (€89.00) in all countries on this trip, except Turkey and Russia.