Stihia is a festival of electronic music, art, and science. It is a project conceived by enthusiasts in Uzbekistan in 2018.
From 2018 to 2022, the festival took place in Muynak, on the shores of the dried-up Aral Sea, staying true to its mission of promoting sustainable development in Muynak. In 2023, the festival moved to the Bukhara region, but since 2024, we have returned to Muynak.
Festival Principles
Stihia is a unique space for human interaction and cultural fusion in one of the world’s most atmospheric locations.
We expect you to follow these principles:
- Respect the desert and the people around you.
- Leave no waste behind.
- Be active at the festival.
- Express yourself.
Coordinates: 43.790249, 59.033094
We strongly encourage you to carefully review the Public Offer and Privacy Policy on our website:
- Public Offer: https://stihia.org/public-offer/
- Privacy Policy: https://stihia.org/privacy-policy/
Tickets can be purchased on the website — stihia.org.
This year, the festival offers 2 types of tickets. Ticket prices will increase each month.
Standard Ticket
- January: 350,000 UZS
- February: 450,000 UZS
- March: 550,000 UZS
- April: 650,000 UZS
- May: 750,000 UZS
Group Ticket
When purchasing 3 or more tickets, you receive a 5% discount on each ticket.
Camping Spot
A camping spot must be purchased separately:
150,000 UZS for a 3×3 meter plot (tents and special equipment are not provided. More details on tent setup conditions can be found on the website in the “Need to Know” section: Accommodation).
Payment options include both local UZS cards and international VISA/Mastercard.
Music Program — 4 Stages
– I will see you again, jonim (May 29–31, 8:00 PM–3:00 AM):
– 8:00 PM–11:00 PM: Progressive
– 11:00 PM–3:00 AM: Techno
Aq Keme (May 30–31, 8:00 PM–4:00 AM)
#BackToMuynak / Open Deck (May 29–30, 8:30 PM–2:00 AM) — A mix of music genres, live performances, and electronic sets by artists selected through open calls.
Lighthouse / Open Deck (May 29–31, 7:00 PM–3:00 AM) — Performances by artists chosen through open calls.
- Stihia N+1 Forum — Dedicated to stories from local residents about their region and other speakers sharing essential stories.
- Eco-Brand Fair — Featuring eco-friendly brands and local artisans from Muynak.
- Workshops and Entertainment — Masterclasses, workshops, yoga, games, and various activities.
- Art Installations
The ticket grants access to the festival grounds for all four days. You will need to collect a wristband at the Aral Sea Museum (located within the festival area) by showing your ticket to a staff member. After receiving the wristband, you will be able to freely pass through security to enter the festival grounds by presenting the wristband at each entry. The wristband will only be valid during the festival days, from 3:00 PM on May 29 to 6:00 AM on May 31 inclusive.
The ticket does not cover transportation and accommodation expenses.*
- Set up tents in the designated camping area;
- Lay a polyethylene film underneath the tent;
- Place a sleeping bag inside the tent on top of a camping mat;
- Stretch a tarp over the tent;
- Avoid leaving valuables and documents inside the tent;
- Do not build fires near your tent or within the camping area;
- Refrain from smoking inside the tent.
We recommend bringing:
- ID documents;
- Warm and light clothes (it gets cold in the desert at night, but it’s hot during the day);
- Closed-toe shoes;
- Snacks and water;
- Sunscreen;
- Wet and dry wipes;
- Face masks and sanitizers;
- Lip balm;
- Mosquito repellent spray;
- Earplugs;
- Medications (there are pharmacies in Muynak, but some medications may not be available);
- Sunglasses and a flashlight.
There will be a catering zone and a bar on the festival. You’ll have various festival foods, fast food, pilaf cooked in cauldrons, and much more. In the town of Muynak itself, you’ll also find plenty of different dining options.
Cooking food inside the tent or campsite is prohibited. There will be a catering area on the festival, with a wide selection of dishes to suit all tastes and preferences.
In the camp, there will be bio-toilets, sinks, and showers. Please be respectful of other visitors and use the facilities for a reasonable amount of time. Water is an extremely limited resource in the desert.
Security at the festival is provided by the forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Guard, as well as festival staff responsible for security. Additionally, there will be a first aid station and fire safety personnel at the festival. They all undergo safety training.
The organizers are not accountable for the safety of your personal belongings.
Any aggressive behavior will result in the visitor being escorted off the festival grounds and blacklisted.
If you are a citizen of the CIS or one of the countries listed below, you do not need a visa. You’ll get a free stamp in your passport upon arrival:
- Australia
- Austria
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Bulgaria
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- United Kingdom
- Vatican
- Hungary
- Germany
- Greece
- Denmark
- Ireland
- Iceland
- Spain
- Italy
- Canada
- Cyprus
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Liechtenstein
- Malta
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- UAE
- Romania
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Finland
- France
- Croatia
- Montenegro
- Czech Republic
- Chile
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Estonia
- New Zealand
- Japan
To apply for an electronic visa, citizens of the following countries are required:
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Bahrain
- Bolivia
- Bhutan
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Gabon
- Guyana
- Ghana
- Hong Kong
- Egypt
- India
- Jordan
- Iran
- Cape Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Qatar
- Kiribati
- Colombia
- Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Mauritius
- North Macedonia
- Maldives
- Morocco
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Oman
- Palau
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Samoa
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Senegal
- Solomon Islands
- Suriname
- United States
- Thailand
- Tonga
- Tunisia
- Uruguay
- Fiji
- Philippines
- Sri Lanka
- Ecuador
If you are traveling from other countries, you will need to obtain a visa, after which the process will be very simple. Follow the instructions to obtain an electronic visa here: evisa.mfa.uz
Yes, both cash and card payments are accepted at the catering area, bar, and other sales points through local payment apps.
In Uzbekistan, all transactions are conducted only in the local currency – Uzbek soums. The exchange rate is approximately 13,000 soums per 1 US dollar and 13,700 soums per 1 euro.
You can exchange currency at ATMs or bank branches in Muynak, Nukus, Tashkent, or any other major city. It is recommended to do this in advance either in Tashkent or Nukus. Under no circumstances should you exchange currency with “currency dealers” – this is illegal.
Yes, all mobile operators in Uzbekistan have excellent coverage in Muynak, and foreign guests also can use roaming services from their own country’s mobile operator.
However, please remember that Stihia is a place for solitude with nature and music, so we ask participants to follow “smartphone etiquette”.
There will be a cocktail bar in the camp. We understand that you want to relax and unwind at the festival. We ask you to behave responsibly, otherwise the security may escort you outside the festival grounds.
Of course, any drugs at the festival are strictly prohibited.
Send us your sets, tracks, recordings, profiles – we’re always interested in new faces, we study them in detail, and maybe invite them to participate in one of the two stages – #BackToMuynak or Lighthouse Stage.
To participate, it will be necessary to fill out the form (https://forms.gle/my3rJdT5qw3TpX2y7)
Starting in 2019, the N+1 Element Forum was dedicated to discussing science and exploring the impact of human activities on the present and future.
The forum was held in collaboration with government, experts and scientists. The aim of the forum was to bring creative minds together and launch a discussion about the environment directly at the site of an environmental disaster, as well as discussing sustainability and the arts.
This year’s forum will tell the story of local heroes of Karakalpakstan and will also provide a platform for speakers from different regions whose stories need to be heard.
If you are planning to attend the festival and you have an interesting story that might inspire locals, or you know a resident of Karakalpakstan with an interesting story (or you are from Karakalpakstan yourself) – write to us at @moc_support (Telegram), and fill out the form (https://forms.gle/mkAyAT6nqWHiXQW58)
Stihia is a project of enthusiasts. A huge amount of work is done by volunteers, so any help will be very useful.If you want to become a volunteer – write to us at @moc_support (Telegram), and also fill out the form as soon as we announce the open call. Follow the news on our social networks.
Yes, you can, but with our prior approval. To do so, please fill out the form (https://forms.gle/Ex9T7cS4hWpwF1jaA)
Free parking will be organized approximately 100-150 meters from the festival grounds.
During the festival days, dry weather is expected with the possibility of strong winds due to the desert climate. The air temperature in Muynak ranges from 30-35°C during the day to 20-25°C at night.
Here are all the possible options:
BY PLANE:
Flight from Tashkent to Nukus (1h 40m)
Several times a day
Price: starting at 520,000 UZS
+Taxi from Nukus to Muynak (3 hours)
To get to Muynak from nearby cities, you can catch a taxi at the airport or pre-arrange the ride with local drivers in Telegram chats.
One-way transfer price per car: 500,000 – 800,000 UZS
Flight from Tashkent to Urgench (1h 30m)
Several times a day
Price: from 520,000 UZS
+Taxi from Urgench to Muynak (5 hours)
The shuttle flight Nukus-Muynak is also available every Monday, Friday and Sunday. Ticket price from 107,000 UZS.
BY TRAIN:
Tashkent to Nukus (16-20 hours)
Every day
Price: from 230,000 UZS for platzkart and 340,000 UZS for coupé
https://eticket.railway.uz/en/home
Taxi from Nukus to Muynak (3 hours)
Tashkent to Kungrad (19-22 hours)
Every day
Price: from 260,000 UZS for platzkart and 360,000 UZS for coupé
https://eticket.railway.uz/en/home
+Kungrad to Muynak (1.5-2 hours)
BY CAR:
You can also drive to Muynak by car from Tashkent (24 – 48 hours).
The route is going through the M-37 highway, which connects Tashkent with Nukus. Distance – 1300 km.
Chat with drivers planning to travel by car:
Yurts and tent camps will be available on the festival grounds. In the town of Muynak itself, there are small hotels, guesthouses, hostels, and rental accommodations, including apartments and houses. It is recommended to book accommodation in advance.
Yurt camp – TBA
Guest House Dilbar:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1DdjvZ1jwGpGHoXd9
Hostel Muynak:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oDq91h9fVHn6Y1Ke7
Timur House:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5L1dcFXbUvbpDBsg8
TEN’IZ:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/norztGtrzaxgxNj57
Hotel Ratmina Muynak:
https://yandex.uz/maps/-/CDRtrAIf
There is also a Telegram chat (https://t.me/muynakaccommodation) available for finding houses, apartments, and rooms.
Ravi – real estate agent
+998770600376, @Stixiafest (Telegram)
For any information you need, you can reach out to us through the following communication channels:
Telegram: @moc_support
Instagram: stihiafestival
Instagram: moc__org
Mail: support@mocreative.org