This country still unknown still hides many secrets . Many archaeological sites show a very rich history. While the capital Ashgabat seems out of the unreal. Very modern gilded buildings recall the madness of the last Turkmenbashi ( Turkmen Emperor ) .

The territory is almost completely covered with deserts and contains many minerals . It is confined between Uzbekistan , Iran and Afghanistan.

It is now possible to visit the Turkmen historical wonders dating back over 5000 years. Merv is probably the most important site during the Silk Road , but you can also visit the Great Mosque of Anau . It also hides the natural wonders such as hot Bakharden lake and cave Kou -Ata , canyons Yangikal , Gozli -Ata or the beaches of the Caspian Sea.

Area:

Total : 488,100 km2

Climate:
Turkmenistan has an arid desert climate with extreme summer heat and sub-freezing winter temperatures. Turkmenistan enjoys a dry, continental climate, with very hot summers (rarely below 35°C and occasionally up to 50°C in the southeastern regions of the Karakum Desert). Turkmenistan enjoys an average of 250 sunny days annually. In the south of Turkmenistan the climate is also slightly more continental than in the north and temperatures seldom drop below 5°C. Northern areas, near the Uzbek border and Khorezm (Dashoguz), can become very cold in winter with temperatures dropping below -20°C.

The best months for moderate temperatures are April and May for the beautiful blossoming deserts and mountains. September and October are great for an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, in the autumn harvest season. There is snow in the north, as well as above 1,000m in the mountains in January and February.

Geography :
Turkmenistan is located in the southwest part of Central Asia. In the north and the east it borders on Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, in the south -on Afghanistan and Iran. In the west it is washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea. There are only three types of landscapes there: desert plains, oases and mountains. The most part of the country's territory (about 80 %) is the plain occupied the Kara Kum Desert stretching from west to east for 880 km. (375,000 square kilometers). In the northwest, by the coast of the Caspian Sea there is the Kara Bogaz Gol Gulf located 35 m below the sea level. In the south and southwest are the Kopet Dagh and Paropamisus Mountains. The largest lake is Lake Sarykamysh (saline). The main rivers are the Amu Darya, the Murghab and the Tedzhen.

Natural resources: oil, gas, potash and rock salts, nonferrous and rare earth metals. Climate - sharp continental, very dry. Winters are warm, summers - hot.

Time: UTC + 5 hours (UTC stands for Universal Time Coordinated).

Customs:
Permission from the Ministry of Culture is required to export carpets or other objects of art. Carpets produced before 1975 may not be exported. Export certificates for carpets are issued by the Museum of Carpets, which seals the carpets and issues export certificates, after the appropriate fee has been paid in manat currency (amount depends on the size of carpet).The best place to buy carpets is Tolkuchka Bazaar.

Communication:
Turkmen language belongs to the Turkic group of languages (closely related to Turkish) and has been the official language since 1990. It is therefore now used in all official state and literary matters. The Cyrillic script used during Soviet times has gradually been discontinued, in favor of the Latin alphabet. Turkmen, Russian and English are the most widely known languages.

Official Name: Turkmenistan
Capital: Ashgabat
Population: 5,043,618
Total area: 488,1OO sq. km
Density: 8 people per sq. km
Languages: Turkmen, Russian, English
Government: Single party republic
National currency: Manat
Population: Turkmen 91 %, Ukrainian 3 %, 2% Russians

The territory that now constitutes Tajikistan was previously home to several ancient cultures, including the city of Sarazm of the Neolithic and the Bronze Age, and was later home to kingdoms ruled by people of different faiths and cultures, including the Oxus civilization, Andronovo culture, Buddhism, Nestorian Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Manichaeism. The area has been ruled by numerous empires and dynasties, including the Achaemenid Empire, Hephthalite Empire, Samanid Empire, Mongol Empire, Timurid dynasty, and the Russian Empire. As a result of the break up of the Soviet Union Tajikistan became an independent nation in 1991. A civil war was fought almost immediately after independence that lasted from 1992 to 1997 however since the end of the war, newly established political stability and foreign aid have allowed the country's economy to grow. (Wikipedia)
 

Capital and largest city: Dushanbe (38°33′N 68°48′E)

Official languages: Tajik
Recognised regional languages: Russian

Ethnic groups:
79.9% Tajik
15.3% Uzbek
1.1% Russian
2.6% others

Religion: Islam

Independence from the Soviet Union: 1991

Area: 143,100 km2

Population: 8,208,000

Density: 48.6/km2

Once part of the Turkic Khaganate and later Timurid Empires, the region which today includes the Republic of Uzbekistan was conquered in the early 16th century by nomads who spoke an Eastern Turkic language. 

This region was subsequently incorporated into the Russian Empire in the 19th century, and in 1924 it became a bordered constituent republic of the Soviet Union, known as the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (Uzbek SSR). It subsequently became the independent Republic of Uzbekistan on 31 August 1991 (officially, as of the following day). 

Most of Uzbekistan's population today belong to the Uzbek ethnic group and speak Uzbek, a language belonging to the family of Turkic languages.


Capital and largest city: Tashkent (41°16′N 69°13′E)

Official languages: Uzbek
Recognised regional languages: Karakalpak

Ethnic groups:
81.1% Uzbek
5.4% Russian
4.0% Tajik
3.0% Kazakh
2.5% Karakalpak
1.5% Tatar
2.5% others

Independence from the Soviet Union: 1991 

Area: 448 978 km2

Population: 30,185,000

Density: 61.4/km2

Currency: Uzbekistan som (O'zbekiston so'mi) (UZS)

Time zone: UZT (UTC+5)

In China there are over 180 airports, and this number continues to grow due to new and always thoughtful, modern airport terminal. In what would be the province did not plan to travel as tourists, almost everywhere there own airport, and even more than one. The largest airports in China: Hong Kong; Guangzhou; Beijing; Shenzhen, Ürümqi; Shanghai.

Customs
Import regulations:
Free import of:
1. max. 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars and 500 grams of tobacco.
2. max. 1,5 liters of alcoholic beverages exceeding 12% alcohol by volume;
3a. Residents: articles brought from overseas:
- residents: max. value of CNY 5,000.-.
- non-residents: max. value of CNY 2,000.- for articles remaining in China (People's Rep.).
Prohibited: fruits.

Arms and Ammunition regulations:
Import, export and transit is allowed, if prior authorization is obtained from competent department. Arms and ammunition must be declared at all times. If prior authorization is not obtained, import of arms and ammunition is prohibited.

Additional Information on regulations:
Antiques should be declared on arrival.

Export regulations:
Cultural relics, endangered animals and plants and precious metals must be declared.
Additional information: antiques should carry an authorization seal or authorization letter by the Department of Cultural Relics. A customs declaration obtained when entering China (People's Rep.) is required in case the items will be re-exported.

Pets:
Cats and dogs:
- may be imported either as passenger's checked baggage, in the cabin or as cargo.
Only one pet per passenger is allowed;
- shall be under 30-day isolation and quarantine and can enter only via the airports of Beijing (PEK), Guangzhou (CAN), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Urumqi (URC). For exemptions see items 1., 2. and 3. below;
- must have a microchip according to the international standards of ISO 11784 and 11785.

The following pets are exempt from isolation and quarantine and may enter China (People’s Rep.) through any port after passing on-site quarantine:
1. pets arriving from Australia, Cyprus, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Macao, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA (Guam and Hawaii only) and holding valid quarantine certificates and vaccination certificates issued by the competent authorities of the exporting country;
2. pets arriving from any other country and holding:
- valid quarantine certificates and vaccination certificates issued by the competent authorities of the exporting country;
- rabies antibody test showing a blood titre result of at least 0.5 IU/ml carried out in an approved laboratory;
3. guide dogs, hearing dogs and rescue dogs and holding valid quarantine certificates, vaccination certificates and relevant professional training certificates.

Prohibited: birds.

Baggage Clearance regulations:
Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in China (People's Rep.).
Exempt: baggage of passengers in transit via Beijing (PEK) or Chongqing (CKG), if it is labeled to a destination outside of China, and the onward flight is within 24 hours.

Currency
Currency Import regulations:
Local currency (Chinese Ren Min Bi-CNY): max. CNY 20,000.- in cash.
Foreign currencies: Amounts exceeding USD 5,000.- in cash must be declared.

Currency Export regulations:
Local currency (Chinese Ren Min Bi-CNY): max. CNY 20,000.- in cash.
Foreign currencies: Amounts exceeding USD 5,000.- in cash must be declared.

Airport Tax : No airport tax is levied on passengers upon embarkation at the airport.

Consular Services

A consular service is available in Beijing, Shenzhen and Shangai , but most citizens can obtain a visa online before arrival.

Apply China Visa on Arrival at Airport Beijing, Shenzhen and Shangai.
Aliens may apply Chinese visa on arrival at Beijing airport, in cases of an urgent need to travel to China and a lack of time to apply for visas to the Chinese visa office abroad, for the following reasons:

Being invited at short notice by the Chinese side to attend a trade fair in China;
Being invited to China to enter a bid or to formally sign an economic or trade contract;
Coming to China under contract for supervision over export shipment, import commodity inspection or checked on the completion of a contract;
Being invited to install equipment or make rush repairs;
Coming to China at the request of the Chinese side for settling claims;
Being invited to China for scientific or technological consulting services;
A last-minute replacement or addition, approved by the Chinese side, to a delegation or group that has been invited and has already obtained visas for traveling to China;
For visiting a patient in a critical condition or making funeral arrangements;
As persons in immediate transit who, because of force majeure, are unable to leave China by original aircraft within 24 hours or have to leave China by other means of transport;
As other invitees who really do not have enough time to apply for visas to the above-mentioned Chinese agencies abroad but hold letters or telegrams from designated competent authorities approving the application for visas at port visa agencies.
Tour groups organized and received by International Travel Agencies in China or the approved Hong Kong/Macao travel agencies.
Port visa offices shall not handle visa applications of aliens who do not come under the above-listed categories.

Apply China Visa on Arrival at Airport Beijing
Aliens may apply Chinese visa on arrival at Beijing airport, in cases of an urgent need to travel to China and a lack of time to apply for visas to the Chinese visa office abroad, for the following reasons:

Being invited at short notice by the Chinese side to attend a trade fair in China;
Being invited to China to enter a bid or to formally sign an economic or trade contract;
Coming to China under contract for supervision over export shipment, import commodity inspection or checked on the completion of a contract;
Being invited to install equipment or make rush repairs;
Coming to China at the request of the Chinese side for settling claims;
Being invited to China for scientific or technological consulting services;
A last-minute replacement or addition, approved by the Chinese side, to a delegation or group that has been invited and has already obtained visas for traveling to China;
For visiting a patient in a critical condition or making funeral arrangements;
As persons in immediate transit who, because of force majeure, are unable to leave China by original aircraft within 24 hours or have to leave China by other means of transport;
As other invitees who really do not have enough time to apply for visas to the above-mentioned Chinese agencies abroad but hold letters or telegrams from designated competent authorities approving the application for visas at port visa agencies.
Tour groups organized and received by International Travel Agencies in China or the approved Hong Kong/Macao travel agencies.
Port visa offices shall not handle visa applications of aliens who do not come under the above-listed categories.

See the list of countries exempt from visa on the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or contact us directly for last minute information.

Airports of Turkmenistan are one of the most developed parts of the state transport infrastructure providing the high-speed communication between cities in the country and with foreign countries.

There are 6 airports in a structure of the State national service "Turkmanhovayollary": International airport of Ashgabat named after S. Turkmenbashy; International airport Turkmenbashy; International airport Mary; Airport Turkmenabat; Airport Dashoguz; Airport Balkanabat.

Customs:
Import regulations:
Free import for passengers of 18 years or older:
- 2 packs of tobacco products;
- 1,5 liters of alcoholic beverages;
- 1 kilogram of jewelry;
- personal belongings up to a reasonable value.

Arms and Ammunition regulations:
Import permit, issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is required.

Additional Information on regulations:
Customs declaration must be handed over on departure. The import of plants is only allowed with a special agricultural permit, issued by the State Committee for Environmental Protection and Land Resources of Turkmenistan.

Export regulations:
Objects, which have artistic, historical, scientific and cultural values require an export permit issued by the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan.

Crew members customs regulations:
Same regulations as for passengers apply.

Pets:
Dogs and cats need a veterinarian certificate of good health issued at point of origin no longer than 10 days prior to arrival in Turkmenistan. In case these regulations are not complied with, the animal will be kept in quarantine. Pets may enter as passenger's checked baggage, in the cabin or as cargo.

Baggage Clearance regulations:
Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in Turkmenistan.

Currency
Currency Import regulations:
Local currency (Turkmen New Manat - TMT): allowed for residents of Turkmenistan if the amount has been declared on the customs declaration when leaving the country. Foreign currencies: allowed if declared on arrival.

Currency Export regulations:
Local currency (Turkmen New Manat - TMT): allowed for residents if declared on departure.
Foreign currencies: up to the amount imported and declared.

Airport Tax
Departure Tax is levied on all passengers traveling abroad: USD 25.-.
Place of payment: Airport of departure.
 

Consular service:

Additionally $50 are charged for the issue of visas at the international airport of Ashgabat.

The Mongolian language to refer to the airport use the term niseh ongotsny buudal or just niseh buudal, for example Altai niseh buudal.

In Mongolia, Chinggis Khaan airport of Ulaan Baator, is the only international airport of the country. There are 25 airports but but 15 of them operate commercial flights.

Import regulations:
Free import by:
1. passengers of 18 years of age or older:
- 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250 grams of tobacco;
- 1 liter vodka, 2 liters of wine, and 3 liters of beer;
2. all passengers:
- old currencies, 1 per appropriate unit, which is not in use but only for collection purpose;
- personal effects.

Additional Information on regulations:
Following items must be declared on arrival: archeological artifacts, ancient books and manuscripts, art, electronic goods.

Prohibited: books, film, tape or other medium that may be considered violent or pornographic, narcotics or psychoactive substances or their accessories;
Restrictions: archeological or palaeontological artifacts, firearms and spare parts, human blood or body parts, over-the-counter medicines, poisons, radioactive or chemical substances, samples of animals or plants for analysis and weapons.

Export regulations:
Same as is allowed for import. However, goods (not for industrial and trade purposes) are restricted to a value of USD 500.-.

Pets:
Dogs and cats require a Good Health Certificate.

Baggage Clearance regulations:
Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry.
Currency Import regulations:
Local currency (Mongolian Tugrik-MNT) and foreign currencies: no restrictions if declared on arrival.

Currency Export regulations:
Local currency (Mongolian Tugrik-MNT) and foreign currencies: up to the amount imported and declared.

Airport Tax
Airport Tax is levied on all passengers departing from Mongolia. Fee: USD 12.-.

Consular Services

1. Tourists who are coming from European countries where there is no Mongolian diplomatic presence are eligible to obtain on-arrival visa at the airport in Ulaanbaatar or Mongolian border points.

2. Transit visa can also be applied at Mongolian borders if the applicant is coming from European countries where there is no Mongolian diplomatic presence and has an onward flight/train ticket or obtained a visa if applicable, of the country he or she plans to visit immediately after Mongolia. (Transit visa allows for a stay up to 10 days in Mongolia)

Important notice: You must contact the relevant diplomatic mission whether your country is among the countries whose nationals are eligible to receive on-arrival visa before your intended travel to Mongolia.

General requirements for visa applications will apply for applicants requesting on-arrival visa.

To avoid longer processing times, travelers are advised to complete the application form prior to their arrival in Mongolia. Visa fee shall be paid on arrival.

3. Visitors coming to Mongolia for a purpose other than tourism may only be issued on arrival visa if the following requirements are met:

– Applicant is coming from countries where there is no Mongolian diplomatic mission

– You must have an inviting person/entity who must apply for your on-arrival visa approval at the Immigration Agency of Mongolia 14 days prior to your expected arrival (www.immigration.gov.mn)

– Official/government visitors may be issued on-arrival visa if an inviting government/public organization apply for your visa approval at the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia (www.consul.mn)

 or contact us directly for last minute information.

In Uzbekistan, there are 6 international (Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Termez and Navoi) and 5 regional airports.

Tashkent airport is located 5 km from the city center. Regular flights of 18 airlines fly to this airport.

Customs controls

If you have nothing to say you do not need to fill out customs declaration form .The following items must be submitted to the statement :

• Import regulations:
  Free import by persons 16 years of age and older:
  - 10 packs of cigarettes or equivalent of all kinds of tobacco products;
  - 2 liters of alcoholic beverages;
  - 2 pieces of perfume for personal use;
  - 5 kilograms of candies;
  - 5 items of jewelry made of precious metals and stones (total weight may not exceed 30 grams);
  - goods up to USD 10.- for personal use imported from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan;
  - goods up to USD 1,000.- for personal use imported from other countries.

  Arms and Ammunition regulations:
  Prohibited: all kinds of explosives and pyrotechnics.
  Import clearance is required for weapons and ammunition.

  Wild Fauna and Flora:
  The import of certain endangered species of plant, live animals and their products is prohibited or restricted under CITES.
  For further details please refer to CITES: www.cites.org.

  Additional Information on regulations:
  Vegetative and animal products require a permit from the Sanitary-Epidemiological Service.
  Import clearance required for radio-electronic facilities, high-frequency devices, antiques and art.

  Prohibited:
  - photographs and printed matter directed against Uzbekistan;
  - narcotics (opium, hashish, etc.);
  - pornographic content;
  - unmanned aerial vehicles (like drones);
  - laser emitters.

  Export regulations:
  Prohibited:
  - firearms and ammunition;
  - precious metals (gold, silver, etc.) and articles made thereof, except if such articles are personal effects of the passenger (e.g. personal jewelry) and declared upon arrival;
  - articles containing precious stones and/or real pearls;
  - antiquities and art objects (subject to duty and special permit from the Ministry of Culture);
  - furs.

  Pets:
  Cats, dogs and birds (except pigeons) must be accompanied by veterinarian health certificate with seal of local Board of Health issued not more than ten days prior to arrival. Pets are generally not permitted in hotels. Pigeons are prohibited.

  Baggage Clearance regulations:
  Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in Uzbekistan.

  Exempt: baggage of transit passengers with a destination outside of Uzbekistan.

Consular Services

It is possible to obtain a visa at the international arrivals lounge of Tashkent International Airport, if both of the following conditions are met:

• There is no Uzbekistan Embassy or Consulate in the country, where you are originating your flight to Uzbekistan,
• Connecting flight to Uzbekistan, in the country where Uzbekistan Embassy or Consulate exists, does not provide enough time to obtain a visa.

Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport of Nepal. However, two domestic airport, Pokhara Airport and Bhairahawa Airport (Gautam Buddha) are being upgraded into regional international airports. The project of a second international airport at Kolhabi "Nijgadh International Airport" is in the final phase of planning. 31 other airports have scheduled service on commercial airlines. Most used by tourists are these ones : Tenzing Hillary Airport, Lukla; Simara Airport; Bharatpur Airport; Biratnagar Airport; Surkhet Airport; Nepalgunj Airport and Jomsom Airport.

Customs controls (For Foreign Nationals) Duty Exempted Goods:
Binocular one set.
Tablet or Laptop one piece
Video camera one piece
Camera one piece
One set of portable music system and 10 pieces of recorded media to be used in the music system
Used clothng articles,bedding and household goods
One set of professional equipment using by the passenger in her/his profession
Perambulator one piece, Tri-cycle one piece
Bicycle One piece
Watch one piece
Cellular mobile phone one set
One bottle of liquor (upto 1.15 litre) of twelve cans of beer
Cigarette two hundred sticks,cigar fifty sticks,tobacoo upto two hundred fifty grams
Fifteen pieces of film for still camera and twelve piece of film for movie camera
Medicine upto the value of Rs. Ten thousand (except the medicine banned to import into Nepal
Food stuff upto the value of Rs. Five thousand (including tin pack food)
Fresh fruits upto the value of Rs. Two Thousand
Gold Ornaments upto Fifty grams and Silver Ornaments upto Hundred grams
For detail visit www.customs.gov.np or seel assistance form help desk at Customs

Consular Services 

Immigration Office, TIA (Tribhuvan International Airport) under Department of Immigration has been facilitating tourists flying to Nepal by providing Visa on Arrival. 'On Arrival' visa procedure is very quick and simple. You can expect some queues during peak Tourist season. If you wish to skip those queues, you can also consider getting Visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions stationed abroad prior to your arrival.  Or contact us directly.