Responsible Travel

Responsible travel

Local leaders and staff

East Line Tour is a locally ( Uzbekistan ) run tour operator. We employ local leaders and staff to work on our trips.
The benefit to you is local knowledge that ensures you get an authentic experience in every destination.

Supporting local communities

We support local community based projects and small-scale businesses and try to ensure that they secure a fair share of the benefits that carefully managed tourism can reap.

The environment

We try to focus on low impact routing of travel around the host country, avoiding destinations that are likely to be adversely affected by our visitors.

What you can do: Before you go & when you arrive

Read guidebooks: find a guidebook that shares information about the country and its environmental, social and political issues. Lonely Planet and Petite Fute are good places to start.
Ask around: do you know people who have visited Uzbekistan? Can they give you some ideas? Of course, if that's not the case, feel free to contact us!
Be respectful of local citizens' privacy. Ask permission before entering sacred places, homes, or private land.

Languages

Uzbek is the official language of Uzbekistan. In Samarkand, Bukhara and Nurata locals also speak Tajik, as well.
Russian language is spoken mostly on the cities of Uzbekistan.

Clothing

You should respect any dress code required for admittance into places of worship, such as covering up shoulders and legs or removing your shoes

Begging

Do not give money to beggars. Instead make a resolution that you will make a donation to a local school or health project before you leave Uzbekistan. (Ask us if you'd like suggestions for this.)

Photography

Always ask permission before taking photographs of people and respect their wishes if they refuse.
If you can, ask in the person’s own language, and give them a smile – it can help!
Minority groups in particular are often unhappy to have their photo taken.
They may think they do not look attractive (wearing their work clothes rather than festival clothes).
when you take someone's photo show the image if you have a digital camera.

Shopping

Purchase local goods rather than imported products. Be adventurous and dine in local restaurants and cafe's.
This helps to support the local economy rather than increasing leakage to other countries through international chains.
Visit local, small-scale souvenir shops and purchase from these rather than city/hotel tourist shops.

Tipping

We recommend that you plan for tipping within your holiday budget. If you feel that you have received good service during your stay at hotel/guesthouse or your travel, please,
make a donation to local staff.

Sex tourism

If you plan to visit prostitutes while overseas, cancel your trip with East Line Tour. We don’t want you travelling with us.
Prostitution is illegal in Uzbekistan.

Alcohol

It is against Islamic beliefs to drink alcohol. While that doesn’t necessarily mean Central Asian nations are alcohol-free states – hotels, restaurants may serve alcohol – if you do drink, remember to respect local cultures and act appropriately.
Never drive under the influence of alcohol.

Drugs

If you want to take drugs while you’re on holiday, please don’t book your trip with East Line Tour.
Drugs are illegal in Uzbekistan and the law can carry severe penalties for drug offences.

Feedback

In your feedback form at the end of your trip we request that you tell us how we performed with regard to Responsible Travel issues.
It’s very important to us and bringing it to prominence in your mind is also a priority for us.
Alternatively – email us