Central Asia Itinerary & Expenses [Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan]

Dreaming of ancient cities and epic mountain ranges? Plan your next adventure with this Central Asia Itinerary & Expense Guide!

For years, I’d dreamed of exploring the Silk Road’s forgotten jewel, Central Asia. This year, on my birthday adventure, that dream finally became reality. Landing in Kazakhstan, I was immediately captivated by the beauty of Charyn Canyon. Next, in Uzbekistan, I wandered through the mosaic-tiled squares of Samarkand, feeling dwarfed by the intricate beauty of the Registan. In Tajikistan, I delved into the rich history of Panjakent. But the true highlight was Kyrgyzstan. There, I embarked on a horseback riding tour, the wind whipping through my hair as I galloped across valleys with the snow-capped mountains as a majestic backdrop. Each country offered a unique experience, solidifying Central Asia as one of the most unforgettable trips I’ve ever taken.

Planning to visit this region? Check out my Central Asia itinerary & expenses below.

Day 0: Departure from Kuala Lumpur to Almaty

I began my journey in Davao, flying with Cebu Pacific to Manila. After a few nights exploring the Philippine capital, I continued on to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where I spent another two days. Finally, I boarded an AirAsia X flight for the long leg to Almaty, Kazakhstan. Check the vlog about my experience flying from Manila-KL-Almaty.

The nearly 8-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur to Almaty offered breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains as we soared over Central Asia.

• Travel Insurance: P1,731
• Eskimo eSim – 3GB for P1,045. You can buy this via Klook, search for “eskimo” and you can use my code ESCAPEMANILAKLOOK to get a discount. The eSim works in all four countries I visited in Central Asia.
• Uzbekistan eVisa: USD21.50 (P1,275) | Apply at: https://e-visa.gov.uz/
• Kyrgyzstan eVisa: KGS4,585 (P3,055) | Apply at https://www.evisa.e-gov.kg/
• Kazakhstan: Visa-free for Philippine passport holders
• Tajikistan: Visa-free for Philippine passport holders

Currency Conversion

• 1PHP – KZT 7.59 (Kazakh Tenge)
• 1PHP – UZS 217.41 (Uzbek Som)
• 1PHP – TJS 0.19 (Tajik Somoni)
• 1PHP – KGS 1.52 (Kyrgyz Somoni)

Day 1: Arriving in Almaty

The immigration process went smoothly. The officer efficiently scanned my passport and snapped a photo, and I was quickly on my way to baggage claim.

After claiming my luggage, I exchanged some USD for Kazakh Tenge, eager to reach my hostel. Blogs mentioned an airport bus, but a language barrier made finding it impossible. I approached a store clerk, but the conversation (translated via app) implied the bus was inconveniently far, especially since the rain had started.

Touts swarmed the arrival hall, offering taxis. While unmarked cars weren’t ideal, my preferred ride-hailing app, Yandex (Central Asia’s answer to Grab/Uber), presented a problem. Downloaded but inactive, I attempted to activate it using my roaming number but the verification code wouldn’t reach my number. After repeated failed attempts, a local SIM card became my only option.

Arrive ready: Book your Kazakhstan SIM Card, Hotels & Tours Now

Tried booking a Yandex ride to my hostel with credit cards, but both failed! I ended up paying with cash (5,000 Tenge), even though the ride only cost 4,000 Tenge because the driver didn’t have change. A little frustrating, but I was tired and hungry and just wanted to get there.

• Flight Cost
  • Disclosure: I won a raffle from a Cebu Pacific event so I used it to fly from Davao to Manila to KL and back. Cebu Pacific also shouldered my Travel Tax.
    • Davao to Manila – courtesy of Cebu Pacific
    • Manila to Kuala Lumpur – courtesy of Cebu Pacific
    • Travel Tax – P1,620
  • Kuala Lumpur to Almaty via AirAsia X with 20kg baggage allowance – MYR 908 (Php11,250)
  • Seat selection bought separately – MYR 180 (P2,230) round trip
    • Going to Almaty, choose seat K for a better view of the snow-capped mountains.
• Local Sim in Kazakhstan – 6,000 Tenge (P790)
• Yandex from Airport to AQ Capsule Hotel – 5,000 Tenge (Php660)
• Dinner – 1,830 Tenge (Php240)
• Grocery – 1,445 Tenge (Php190)
• Accommodation for 4 nights is Almaty – 44,000 Tenge (Php5,790)
  • I stayed at AQ Capsule Hotel and I highly recommend it. It’s relatively new, clean, and quiet. You will still have your privacy. Unlike most capsule hostels, this place has a high ceiling so you can comfortably move. It’s more like a tiny room with a small table, a chair, and a comfy bed. The toilet and bath are shared. You can book it here.

Day 2: Exploring Almaty

• Walking tour – Panfilov Park, Ascension Cathedral, Green Bazaar
• Yandex to Joinme office – 3,000 tenge (Php395)
• Brunch – 1,800 tenge (Php237)
• Joinme.asia 2Days1Night tour – 32,000 tenge (Php4,212) – Kolsay Lake, Kaindy Lake, Black Canyon, Lunar, Canyon, Charyn Canyon
• Botanical Gardens entrance fee – 875 tenge (Php115)
• Yandex to train station to buy a ticket for Almaty to Shymkent – 1,660 tenge (Php218)
• Train ticket for Almaty to Shymkent – 8,500 tenge (Php1,120)
• Yandex back to hostel – 830 tenge (Php110)
• Dinner – 2,400 tenge (Php316)
• Grocery 1,894 tenge (Php250)
• Yandex to meetup point – 1,200 tenge (Php158)

Day 3: Lake Tour – Kaindy and Kolsay

• Taxi to the jump-off point for Kaindy Lake – 1,000 tenge (Php132) roundtrip (6k if you’re taking a horse)
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner – included in the tour
• Snacks 1,600 tenge (Php211)
• Photo with costume and falcon: KZT5k (Php660)

Day 4: Canyon Tour – Charyn, Black, Lunar

• Breakfast is included in the tour
• Packed lunch – 3,000 tenge (Php395)
• Yandex back to hostel – 1,100 tenge (Php145)
• Dinner – 6,000 tenge (Php790)
• Grocery – 1,100 tenge (Php145)

Day 5: Train to Shymkent

• Yandex to train station: 1,000 tenge (Php132)
• Yandex to hostel: 560 tenge (Php74)
• City Hostel Shymkent 1 night: 5,000 tenge (Php660) | Book here
• Dinner 4,000 tenge (Php527)

Day 5: Shymkent to Tashkent, Uzbekistan

• Brunch: 2,100 tenge (Php277)
• Yandex to shared taxi terminal: 400 tenge (Php53)
• Shared taxi to the border (Kazakhstan side): 2,500 tenge (Php330) – around two hours travel time
• Yandex from border (Uzbek side) to Hotel Suzuk-ota: 49k som (Php226)
• Hotel Suzuk-ota (2 nights): USD76 (Php4,425) | Book here
• Laundry: 75k som (Php346)
• Yandex to Central Pilaf (Plov): 24k (Php111)
• Early dinner (Plov): 67,200 som (Php310)
• Train to Uzbekistan Hotel: 2k som (Php9)
• Paid Toilet: 3k som (Php14)
• Ice cream 10k som (Php46)
• Trai back to Hotel: 2k som (Php9)
• Grocery: 82k som (Php378)

Day 6: Exploring Tashkent

• Free breakfast at the hotel
• Train station hopping: 8k som (Php36)
• Yandex to train station: 26k (Php120)
• Train ticket to Samarkand: 130k (Php600)
• Lunch: 127k (Php586)
• Yandex to Imam Mosque – 15,500 som (Php72)
• Yandex back to hotel – 20,500 (Php95)
• Dinner: 51k (Php235)

Day 7: Train to Samarkand

• Yandex to train station: 26k som (Php120)
• Breakfast: 45k som (Php208)
• Yandex to Guest house: 25,500 som (Php118)
• Jahongir Guest House for 2 nights: USD67 (Php3,904) | Book here
• Yandex to Siyob Bazaar: 12k som (Php55)
• 1kl pistachio – 125k (Php576)
• 1/2kl dried black grapes: 60k (Php277)
• 1kl apricot: 40k (Php185)
• 1/2 kl strawberry: 10k (Php46)
• Bibi-Khanym Mausoleum entrance fee: 40k (Php185)
• Ref Magnet: 50k (Php231)
• Registan entrance fee: 65k (Php300)
• Dinner: 50k (Php231)
• Grocer: 20k (Php92)

Day 7: Exploring Samarkand

• Free breakfast at the guest house
• Amir Temur entrance: 40k (Php185)
• Yandex to Sha i Zinda: 13k (Php60)
• Sha i Zinda entrance: 40k (Php185)
• Yandex to Ulugbek: 13k (Php60)
• Ulugbek Observatory entrance: 40k (Php185)
• Yandex to the Guest house: 20k (Php92)

Day 8: Crossing the border from Samarkand to Panjakent, Tajikistan

• Free breakfast at the guest house
• Yandex to border (Uzbek side): UZS 129k (Php595)
• Shared taxi to Panjakent: TJS 20 (Php107)
• Hotel Zarafshon – 1 night USD21 (Php1,224) | Book here

I left Samarkand early because I was planning to visit the 7 Lakes in Panjakent but it was raining when I arrived so I canceled my plan and just walked around the town.

Day 9: Panjakent to Dushanbe

• Free breakfast at the hotel
• Taxi to bus station: TJS15 (Php81)
• Shared Taxi to Dushanbe: TJS150 (Php805)
• Taxi to hostel: TJS38 (Php204)
• Ultra Hostel 1 night: 10.5 USD (Php612) | Book here
• Dinner: TJS56 (Php300)

Day 10: Exploring Dushanbe | Fly to Almaty

• Brunch: TJS 47 (Php252) | Walked to the Mehrgon Market but it was closed
• Taxi to Dushanbe Central Mosque: TJS18 (Php97) – also closed.
• Taxi to Siyoma Mall: TJS37 (Php199) – This wasn’t my original destination, but the taxi driver dropped me off near a great market! It was a happy accident – I wasn’t expecting to explore this area, but now I get to check out the market.
• Taxi back to the city proper: TJS39 (Php209)
• Snacks: TJS40 (Php215)
• Taxi to the airport: TJS14 (Php75)
• Plane fare Dushanbe to Almaty via Somoni Air: Php7,000
• Hostel in Almaty for 1 night: 11KZT (Php1,452) at AQ Capsul Hotel | Book here

Day 11: Almaty to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

• Breakfast: KZT2,500 (Php330)
• Yandex to Sayran Bus Station: KZT 1,620 (Php214)
• Shared taxi to border (Kazakh side): KZT5,000 (Php660)
• Yandex to Nomad Inn: KGS650 (Php430)
• Nomad Inn 1 right: KGS1,700 (Php1,123) | Book here
• Dinner: KGS159 (Php105)

Day 12: Bishkek to Kyzart Village

• Yandex to Western Bus Station: KGS220 (Php145) | Check out my detailed guide on How to Get from Bishkek to Kyzart
• Apples: KGS74 (Php49)
• Minibus/Marshrutka to Kyzart: KGS500 (Php330)
• Lunch: KGS240 (Php159)
• Guest house with free dinner and breakfast: KGS2,000 (Php1,321)
• Grocery: KGS120 (Php79)

Day 13: Horseback Riding Tour to Song-Kul Lake

• Private tour: KGS17k (Php11,231), cheaper if by group. Eager to see Song-Kul Lake despite not having a reservation, I opted for a nearly 6-hour horse trek arranged by my host. The journey itself was an adventure, offering breathtaking views along the way.
• Lunch, dinner, and breakfast – included in the tour

Day 14: Kyzart to Bishkek

• We left Song-Kul Lake before 8am and arrived back at Kyzart Village around 1pm.
• Tip to my guide: KGS500 (Php330)
• Van to Bishkek: KGS600 (Php397). I did not catch the last marshrutka trip so I went to the main road and hailed a private car going to Bishkek.
• Lunch: KGS150 (Php99)
• Yandex to Hotel: KGS130 (Php86)
• Salut Hotel: KGS3,200 (Php2,115) | Book here – I was supposed to stay at Nomad Inn again because it was cheaper but it was full so I opted to stay at Salut.
• Dinner KGS530 (Php350)

Day 15: Bishkek

The rain forced me to change my plans, so I only visited Osh Bazaar, the most popular market in the city. While I couldn’t explore the city as much as I’d liked, I did try Kyrgyz Pilaf at a famous restaurant, unfortunately, the experience wasn’t what I’d hoped for – the food wasn’t great and the service fell short.

• Breakfast at the Hotel
• Yandex to Nomad Inn: KGS130 (Php86)
• Nomad Inn for 1 night: KGS2,100 (Php1,388) | Book here
• Yandex to Osh Bazaar: KGS220 (Php145)
• Pasalubong: KGS400 (Php264)
• Taxi to Navat Restaurant: KGS200 (Php132)
• Dinner at Navat: KGS1,340 (Php885) – NOT RECOMMENDED
• Yandex to Nomad Inn: KGS230 (Php152)

Day 16: Bishkek to Almaty

• Yandex to border (Kyrgyz side): KGS520 (Php344)
• Shared taxi to Almaty: KZT5k (Php660)
• Yandex from Sayran Bus Station to Hostel: KZT1,650 (Php218)
• 2 nights at AQ Capsule Hotel: KZT22,000 (Php2,902) | Book here
• Lunch at a local Korean Resto: KZT5k (Php660)
• Starbucks latte grande: KZT1,800 (Php238)
• Pasalubong from the Green Bazaar: KZT31,200 (Php4,115)

Day 17: Almaty

• Breakfast at I’M (former McDo): KZT2,150 (Php284)
• Yandex to Green Bazaar: KZT1,100 (Php145)
• Grocery: KZT1,600 (Php211)
• Yandex to bus to Shymbulak (in front of Kazakhstan Hotel): KZT1,300 (Php172)
• Bus to Shymbulak Gondola: KZT200 (Php26) – unfortunately, it’s closed until June for maintenance
• Bus back to city: KZT200 (Php26)
• Koktobe Cable Car: KZT5k roundtrip (Php660)
• Dinner at Burger King: KZT2,850 (Php376)

Day 17: Fly back to KL

• Brunch: KZT2,500 (Php330)
• Pasalubong: KZT8,200 (Php1,081)
• Yandex to airport: KZT3,200 (Php422)
• Dinner at the airport: KZT3,500 (Php462)

Day 18: Kuala Lumpur / KL to Manila to Davao

I was already tired so I decided to just stay at the Capsule Transit Hotel at KLIA 2.

• Capsule Hotel: MYR185 (Php2,297)
• Lunch: MYR38 (Php472)
• Pasalubong: MYR105 (Php1,304)

Expenses

• Flight: Php13,480 (Again my Davao-Manila-KL roundtrip flight was complimentary)
• Travel Tax: P1,620
• Travel Insurance: P1,731
• eVisa Cost: P4,330
• eSim/Local Sim: P1,835
• Food + Grocery: P11,067
• Accommodation: P29, 213
• Tours/Entrance fees: P17,588
• Transportation around Central Asia: P19,566
• Pasalubong: P5,914
• Laundry service: P346

Total Expenses: P106,690

Lessons Learned:

• Accommodation: Hostels could have significantly reduced my lodging costs. Consider hostels for budget-friendly stays.
• Travel Buddy: Sharing travel expenses could have saved on transportation, accommodation, and potentially other costs. Look for a travel companion on future trips if it suits your style.
• Transportation: Buses and trains are often cheaper than ride-hailing apps like Yandex. Research public transportation options in advance if you want to reduce your expenses.
• Flight Booking: Booking flights well in advance (ideally 2-3 months) can lead to substantial savings. Plan flights earlier for better deals.

Overall: This trip offered valuable lessons for future adventures. By planning accommodation, transportation, and flights more strategically, I can travel more affordably while still having a great experience.