We have categorized all our trips on a scale from 1 – easy to 5 – difficult. Please check the corresponding rating under the "Requirements" tab.
In most groups, participants have varying levels of fitness and riding skills. This is not a problem—we adapt accordingly. On several days, ambitious riders have the option to extend routes or choose alternative trails.
Our tours are designed so that each stage can be completed comfortably, even at a slower pace. In case of emergency, you can switch to the support vehicle. Our tours are not races—there’s plenty of time for photos!
If you have any doubts, just get in touch with us.
A digital detox with mountain views definitely has its charm! ✨ Still, here are some tips for electricity, internet, and phone use: SIM cards are available at the airport or in the city for €5–10. International roaming packages or providers for global eSIMs (e.g., www.airalo.com) are a good alternative. Need to charge your devices? Fixed accommodations have standard Type C outlets. In yurts or when camping, it gets tricky—so don’t forget a power bank. Network coverage in the mountains is usually nonexistent, but in cities and villages, it can be faster than in urban areas of Germany.
No. Our youngest participants on the mountain bike group trips were 14 years old and managed the tours well. Our oldest participant, at 78 years old, conquered the Pamir without having to switch to the support vehicle.
It really doesn’t depend on age, but on your basic fitness and mindset. We recommend not viewing the trips as a sports event. The calmness to hop into the support vehicle when things aren’t going as planned is much more helpful than the ambition to do everything on your own and always be at the front. That’s when the journey itself becomes the goal, and the body can handle the trip.
For families with children of all ages, we have grouped our offers under the "Family Trips" category.
Good maps are available for all countries in the region from the publisher Reise-Know-How:
Uzbekistan 1:1,000,000 Kyrgyzstan 1:700,000 Central Asia 1:1,700,000
For the Pamirs, we recommend the map The Pamirs 1:500,000 by Gecko Maps.
The time difference is:
Kyrgyzstan +4 hours / +5 hours (Winter) Uzbekistan +3 hours / +4 hours (Winter) Tajikistan +3 hours / +4 hours (Winter)
For example, when it is 12:00 PM (noon) in Germany, it is 4:00 PM in Kyrgyzstan. There is no specific daylight saving time like in Europe on-site.
It's best to exchange money on the first day of your trip. At the beginning of the city tour, we will pass exchange offices and banks. All common currencies can be exchanged: EUR, CHF, or USD.
We recommend bringing and exchanging €150 to €200 for non-included meals, drinks, souvenirs, and tips. Important: Please bring "clean" banknotes. Torn or marked bills are difficult to exchange.
Credit cards are now widely accepted in many restaurants and shops in cities, but not so much in rural areas. Visa is accepted more often than Mastercard.
With every booking, we also send a packing list so you don’t forget anything. In general, we will be traveling in extreme climate zones. In the capital, we are at under 1,000 meters, during the mountain passes at 3,000m, and sometimes even over 4,000m depending on the trip. So, you need to be prepared for hot, cold, and occasionally wet weather in the high mountains. You should choose your clothing so that you can adjust to the conditions using the "onion principle" (layering).
For all trips with camping nights, you need to bring your own sleeping bag. We’ll take care of the rest of the camping equipment.
No, we do not book flights, but we are happy to assist. You have the option to receive a non-binding flight offer through our partner DIAMIR. Simply select this option when booking or in the inquiry form, and we will forward your request. If you prefer to book the flights yourself, we have compiled the relevant flights for each trip in the FAQ section.
The airport transfer is included for both individual and group trips on the first and last day of the tour, regardless of your flight connection. On these days, we pick up all participants according to their flight times and take them back to the airport at the end of the trip. You will receive details about the exact times and who will pick you up via email shortly before departure.
For arrivals and departures outside the booked travel dates, we charge a €30 airport transfer fee.
In the Central Asian countries, tips do not play a significant economic role and are rather uncommon in daily life, but they are appreciated by the locals. Small gifts for hosts are also welcome (see the question about gifts).
In restaurants
Usually, the tip or service charge is already included in the bill. If not, it is customary to give about 5–10% as a tip. In simpler establishments, a small amount (around 1–2 euros) can also be appropriate.
Taxis
Tipping in taxis is less common. Depending on the total fare, rounding up or a small amount of 1–2 euros may be appropriate, especially if the driver helps with luggage or takes a detour for you.
Overnight stays in hotels, guesthouses, yurt camps
Again, tipping is less common but highly appreciated. Whether it’s for the delicious food in a guesthouse, the friendly service in a hotel, or the hospitality in a yurt camp, tips are welcome. Directly giving money is usually not possible, especially in guesthouses and yurt camps. It’s best to leave it on the bed or the table.
For city guides, tour guides, and the team on organized trips
For organized tours, 5–10 euros per day for the guides and accompanying staff is customary. The amount should reflect the tour duration and, of course, your satisfaction. All team members are involved in the success of our trips, so tips are usually shared equally within the team. These tips are in addition to the good salaries we pay and are common in tourism. However, it’s not mandatory and should always reflect your level of satisfaction.
It is not mandatory, nor is it required, to bring gifts for the trip. However, they are, of course, welcome, and we at Epic Trails are happy to support our partners, guesthouses, schools, etc., which we visit on our trips or have known for many years. Children are happy with small toys and drawing/writing materials: Matchbox cars, hats, plush toys, balloons, pocket games, small sketchbooks, notepads, colored pencils. Little girls, in particular, appreciate colorful hair ties, clips, headbands, hairbands, or stickers. Families are delighted when you bring a photo of yourself and your family, which you can sign and leave behind. Postcards, individual souvenirs, or refrigerator magnets (!) are also appreciated. Flashlights, binoculars, and lighters are helpful tools for every shepherd and are well-received by them. Women can be greatly pleased with small sample-sized cosmetics and perfumes. These items take up little space and are lightweight.
Donations for Schools, Families, and Projects
We have established contacts with various schools in the villages of the Pamir and rural regions of Uzbekistan and support individual projects (e.g. kindergarten in Murgab) as well as guesthouses and families along our travel routes. Our trips are perfect for bringing donations locally and cost-effectively, as most participants still have space in their luggage. If you'd like to contribute, feel free to contact us directly. Before each trip where there is a need for donations, we reach out to the participants and inquire about their willingness and ability to help.
For your trips, we definitely recommend taking out travel cancellation insurance and international travel health insurance (to cover treatment and rescue costs).
When it comes to travel insurance, we rely on our strong partner, HanseMerkur Insurance. Insurance offerings from HanseMerkur include:
One-time Insurance
Annual Insurance
Annual Insurance Annual insurance often pays off from the very first trip. Additionally, the 20% deductible for the travel cancellation insurance is waived.
In general, it is recommended to take out travel insurance early to be covered in case of unforeseen events that may lead to trip cancellation.
Some insurers require travel cancellation insurance to be purchased no later than two weeks after booking the trip. With HanseMerkur, however, it must be taken out at least 30 days before the start of the trip.
Travel health, accident, and baggage insurance can usually be purchased easily up until shortly before departure.
Yes! With every travel booking, we send the travel security certificate from our insurer R+V.
We have a fleet of modern mountain bikes from SCOTT and GIANT in frame sizes ranging from S to XL. Simply select a bike and your desired frame size when booking. If your frame size is fully booked, please enter your request in the comments field, and we will check if we can provide you with a bike.
The bikes are equipped with standard MTB saddles with a width of 130mm and sturdy platform pedals. You are welcome to bring your own saddle, which we can mount on-site.
If you prefer to use clipless pedals, you must bring them with you, as we do not provide them for rental.
It may happen that a size is not (or no longer) available because the maximum number has already been booked or it is not offered for this tour. In this case, simply write in the comments that you would like a rental bike and provide us with your height or desired frame size. We will then check the availability for your trip again and get back to you.
The terms and conditions for bicycle rental on our website include several important points. First, renters must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid ID. The rental period is specified at the time of booking, and any extension must be agreed upon in advance. Bicycles must be returned in the same condition as they were rented, with any damages or loss resulting in additional charges. A security deposit may be required and will be refunded upon the safe return of the bicycle. Renters are responsible for adhering to all local traffic laws and wearing appropriate safety gear. Insurance options may be available for an additional fee.
We carry a comprehensive set of tools and spare parts on every tour. Your guide will handle any necessary repairs and maintenance.
If you bring your own bicycle, you won't be left alone by us. However, you should bring spare parts for your own bike.
Yes, you can bring your own bike. We will assist with assembly and any repairs. You need to bring spare parts that match your bike. You will need to bring the appropriate spare parts for your bike. You must register the bicycle in advance with the airline. The bike transport costs between €100 (Pegasus Airlines) and €180 (Turkish Airlines) per flight. For our trips, we rent out high-quality full-suspension bicycles from Scott and Giant. You can find the available models in the respective tour description.
For your arrival, two airlines are available: Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines. Both airlines fly via Istanbul. We have had good experiences with both airlines for many years. Pegasus, as the budget subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, offers less service.
Example for a connection Munich - Bishkek:
Outbound Flight: 12:50 PM (TK1642), arrival in Istanbul at 4:55 PM Approximately 2 hours for the layover Departure at 6:50 PM (TK346), arrival in Bishkek at 3:05 AM
Return Flight: 10:15 AM (TK345), arrival in Istanbul at 1:15 PM Approximately 3 hours for the layover Departure at 4:15 PM (TK1635), arrival in Munich at 6:05 PM
Airport Transfer: We will pick you up at the airport at any time on your arrival day and will also drop you off at the airport at the end of your trip.
For the most relaxed flight connection to sleep in and adjust to the time difference, we recommend: Outbound flight TK346 arriving at around 3:00 AM (11:00 PM German time) and return flight TK345 around 10:00 AM (6:00 AM German time). Other combinations/flight numbers are also possible.
Possible Flights:
Outbound: TK346 around 1:00 AM / TK348 around 4:00 AM / TK344 around 9:00 AM Pegasus flight numbers: PC 702 / PC 704 / PC 706
Return: TK347 around 3:00 AM / TK349 around 6:00 AM / TK345 around 10:00 AM Pegasus flight numbers: PC 703 / PC 705 / PC 707
To enter Kyrgyzstan, citizens of the EU and Switzerland do not need a visa. This regulation also applies to numerous other countries.
A valid passport is required for entry, which must be valid for at least six months beyond the departure date.
For outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and horseback riding, the summer months from June to September are ideal due to the warm and dry weather. This is also the best time to visit high-altitude regions at 3,000 meters, such as Son-Kul Lake and Tosor Pass.
For those interested in winter sports, the period from December to March is perfect, as Kyrgyzstan offers excellent opportunities for skiing and snowboarding. Spring (April and May) and autumn (October and November) are less common times for traveling to Kyrgyzstan but are ideal for tours in Uzbekistan.
Yes. Kyrgyzstan is a safe and pleasant country to travel to. Travelers are welcomed in a very hospitable and polite manner. Fortunately, street crime is very rare in Kyrgyzstan. On our trips, we will make you aware of "critical" situations on the first day. This includes the usual advice: avoid nighttime city walks, do not display valuables openly, and leave expensive watches, valuable jewelry, and other unnecessary valuables at home.
For travel, there are two airline options: Turkish Airlines and Uzbekistan Airways. Turkish Airlines flies via Istanbul, while Uzbekistan Airways operates direct flights from Frankfurt and Munich to Tashkent.
Example connection Munich – Tashkent with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul
Outbound flight: 12:50 PM (TK1642), arrival in Istanbul at 4:55 PM ~2-hour layover 6:50 PM (TK346), arrival in Taschkent at 3:05 AM
Return flight: 10:15 AM (TK345), arrival in Istanbul at 1:15 PM ~3-hour layover 4:15 PM (TK1635), arrival in Munich at 6:05 PM
Example connection Frankfurt – Tashkent direct with Uzbekistan Airways
Outbound: Frankfurt – Tashkent: 11:40 AM – 9:05 PM (HY232)
Return: Tashkent – Frankfurt: 5:15 AM – 9:40 AM (HY231)
Airport Transfer
We will pick you up from the airport at any arrival time and drop you off at the end of your trip accordingly.
Recommended and Most Relaxed Flight Option
The best option is the direct flight with Uzbekistan Airways. If you choose Turkish Airlines, we recommend arriving with TK370 at around 1:00 AM local time (10:00 PM German time) and departing with TK369 at around 9:30 AM (6:30 AM German time). Other Turkish Airlines combinations are also fine but may result in slightly less sleep during arrival and departure.
For entry into Uzbekistan, citizens of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy do not require a visa as long as their stay does not exceed 30 days. Citizens of other countries are advised to check with the respective embassy or consulate.
The best time to travel to Uzbekistan is April–June and September–October.
✅ Pleasant Weather:
✅ Best Conditions for Outdoor Activities:
❄️ Winter (December–February): Cold and snowy in the mountains, making it ideal for alpine skiing.
🔥 Summer (July–August): Very hot (over 40°C), especially in cities like Samarkand, Tashkent, or Bukhara.
Yes. Uzbekistan is a safe and pleasant country to visit. Travelers are welcomed very warmly and politely. Fortunately, there is almost no street crime in Uzbekistan. On our trips, we will raise awareness on the first day about "critical" situations. This includes the usual advice: avoid nighttime city walks, do not openly display valuables, and it’s best to leave expensive watches, valuable jewelry, and similar items that are not essential for the trip at home.
For traveling to the capital, Dushanbe (DYU), two airlines are available: Turkish Airlines and Somon Airways. Turkish Airlines operates flights via Istanbul, while Somon Airways offers direct flights from Munich to Dushanbe. Somon Airways usually publishes the flight schedule only a few months in advance, so these flights are available for booking later.
Our Pamir tours usually end in Kyrgyzstan, so a multi-leg flight is required: outbound flight to Dushanbe and return flight from Bishkek.
Example of a connection Munich - Dushanbe / Bishkek - Munich with Turkish Airlines:
Outbound flight to Dushanbe (DYU)
12:50 PM (TK1642)
Arrival in Istanbul at 4:55 PM
approximately 2 hours for the layover
6:15 PM (TK254)
Arrival in Dushanbe at 1:00 AM
Return flight from Bishkek (FRU)
10:15 AM (TK345)
Arrival in Istanbul at 1:15 PM
approximately 3 hours for the layover
4:15 PM (TK1635)
Arrival in Munich at 6:05 PM
Airport transfer: We will pick you up from the airport on the arrival day at any time and also take you back to the airport at the end of the trip.
For entry into Tajikistan, citizens from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy need a passport that is valid for at least six more months, proof of return or onward travel documents (tickets), and no visa is required for stays of up to 30 days. Citizens of other countries are advised to check with their respective embassies.
Foreign nationals are generally required to register with the Tajik Interior Ministry within three days of arrival. We will handle the registration with the OVIR (Department for Visas and Registration) on your behalf.
For travel to the Pamir, the GBAO permit (Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast) is required. We also take care of obtaining this permit for all participants on our trips.
The best time to travel to Tajikistan and especially the Pamir is June–September.
✅ Good weather but extreme temperature differences: You will need to prepare for extreme climatic conditions. In cities like Dushanbe and the lower parts of the Pamir and Fan Mountains, daytime temperatures can reach up to 35°C. However, on the Pamir Plateau (above 3,500 meters) and at the Pik Lenin yurt camp in Kyrgyzstan, it can be quite cold even in summer, with nighttime temperatures dropping below freezing.
❄️ Winter (December–February): Very cold weather, especially in the Pamir. The high mountain passes are often inaccessible during this time.
Yes, Tajikistan is a safe and pleasant country to travel to. The risk of robbery or assault is very low. The Tajiks are very open-minded people, and you will be warmly welcomed with hospitality and politeness. There is little street crime. However, we will make you aware of "critical" situations on our trips on the first day. This includes usual advice: avoid walking around the city at night, don’t display valuables openly, and it’s best to leave expensive watches, valuable jewelry, and similar items that are not necessary for the trip at home.
Situation in Badakhshan – Pamir Region – specifically Ishkashim:
Following the events in Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover, the German Foreign Office has long advised against traveling to the border regions of Afghanistan, particularly the Ishkashim district.
However, we continue to run our trips in this region as planned. The basis for the trip will always be a thorough assessment of the security situation in consultation with our local partners. We closely monitor the security situation in all Central Asian countries. We only conduct trips where we can assume a safe situation. Should the security situation ever be deemed unfavorable for a planned trip, we reserve the right to change the route or, if necessary, cancel the trip.