Small Group Caucasus Tours 2024-2025

Central Asia Group Tour14 days | Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan

Group Tour from US$ 3,550
  • KhivaKhiva
  • Itinerary MapItinerary Map
  • Darvaza Gas CraterDarvaza Gas Crater
  • AlmatyAlmaty
  • AlmatyAlmaty
  • BishkekBishkek
  • Burana TowerBurana Tower
  • Ulak TartyshUlak Tartysh
  • Yurt ErectionYurt Erection
  • TashkentTashkent
  • TashkentTashkent
  • SamarkandSamarkand
  • SamarkandSamarkand
  • Fann MountainsFann Mountains
  • Seven LakesSeven Lakes
  • PenjikentPenjikent
  • BukharaBukhara
  • BukharaBukhara
  • MervMerv
  • AshgabatAshgabat
  • AshgabatAshgabat
  • KhivaKhiva
  • Khiva
  • Itinerary Map
  • Darvaza Gas Crater
  • Almaty
  • Almaty
  • Bishkek
  • Burana Tower
  • Ulak Tartysh
  • Yurt Erection
  • Tashkent
  • Tashkent
  • Samarkand
  • Samarkand
  • Fann Mountains
  • Seven Lakes
  • Penjikent
  • Bukhara
  • Bukhara
  • Merv
  • Ashgabat
  • Ashgabat
  • Khiva

Central Asia is so jam-packed with historical and natural sights that it would literally take years to explore it all. We guess that you are rather short on time, but still want to see as much as possible. That’s why we’ve put together this 14-day trip across five countries to offer the most to travelers. The best Central Asia Group Tour 2024 with fixed dates is the best way to see the most interesting places in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. If you want to prolong your trip, we are happy to offer an extension with the Small Group Tour to the South Caucasus.

Experience the urban charm of Almaty or the serene beauty of Kolsay Lakes and Charyn Canyon through tailored pre-tours in Kazakhstan.

Explore glittering Astana or nature art at Charyn Canyon with pre-tours in Kazakhstan.

Participants need to be in good health, be able to walk 4-6 hours every day at moderate speed, climb stairs and hills, and be able to carry their own luggage for up to 1km across borders.

Tour itinerary:

Day 1, Mo: Almaty – Arrival (Kazakhstan)
 
Arrive in Almaty. Our driver will meet you and take you to the hotel. Check in at 14:00. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2, Tu: Almaty (Kazakhstan)
 
Breakfast. At 09:00, your guide and driver will meet you in the hotel lobby to start a sightseeing tour of Almaty. Highlights of this morning will include Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Republic Square, and the Almaty City Museum. After a welcome lunch, a short drive (25 km) will take you to Chimbulak. Here, visit the ski resort and ride the cable car to enjoy the amazing views of the snowy peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3, We: Almaty – Bishkek (Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan)
 
After breakfast depart Almaty and drive to Bishkek via a newly built highway, enjoy nature landscapes on the way (250 km, 4 h.). Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Start sightseeing tour in Bishkek: visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas. See Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours
Day 4, Th: Bishkek – Burana – Don Aryk – Bishkek – Tashkent (Kyrgyzstan/Uzbekistan)
 
Breakfast. Depart Bishkek at 09:00. The first stop will be Burana Tower, which was part of the ancient city of Balasagun (11th to 13th centuries) and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next on the agenda will be experiencing a Kyrgyz national horse game called “Ulak Tartysh” (goat pulling). Ulak Tartysh (also known as Kok Boru) is a fight between two teams of horse riders for a goat carcass. Transfer to Don Aryk village and have lunch at the home of a local Kyrgyz family. After lunch, watch a demonstration of yurt construction and even take part if you wish. Local Kyrgyz women will explain the meaning and use of each part of the yurt. Transfer to Bishkek airport (110 km, ~1h 30 min) to take flight HY780 to Tashkent, which departs at 18:10 and arrives at 18:30 (1h 20 min). Transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Day 5, Fr: Tashkent – Samarkand (Uzbekistan)
 
Breakfast. Start the Tashkent city tour at 10:00 by visiting the Old City of Tashkent. This area encompasses the Khast-Imam Complex (famous for displaying one of the earliest copies of the Qur’an, the Holy Book of Islam), and Chorsu Bazaar, where you can haggle for spices, dried fruit, and nuts. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center to visit Applied Arts Museum and walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square where you will end Tashkent city tour. The city tour will take 4-5 hours, after which you’ll have some free time. At 18:00, transfer to the railway station. The high-speed train Afrosiyob, departs at 18:50 and arrives in Samarkand at 21:00 (300 km, 2h 10 min). Transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Day 6, Sa: Samarkand (Uzbekistan)
 
Breakfast. At 09:00, the city tour will begin with a visit to the spectacular Registan Square, followed by the Gur Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of the Turco-Mongol emperor, Timur. Explore the Bibi Khanum Mosque and Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, and then take a short drive to Konigil village to find out about the traditional techniques used to make the famous Samarkand paper from mulberry bark. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Day 7, Su: Samarkand - Seven Lakes – Penjikent (Uzbekistan/Tajikistan)
 
Breakfast. At 09:00, transfer to the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border point, Jartepa (50 km, 1 h). Upon arrival at the customs and passport control on both sides, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, our guide/driver will be waiting for you with the sign with your name. Meet your local Tajik guide and driver to drive to the Seven Lakes (80 km, ~2 h). These lakes are located in the western part of the Fann Mountains. Each lake has its own color, varying from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. Have lunch at the guest house next to the 4th lake. Those who would like to enjoy the view from the 7th lake there is an opportunity to have a hiking tour from the 6th lake up to the 7th lake. Transfer to Penjikent. Check in and overnight at the hotel.
Day 8, Mo: Penjikent – Samarkand – Bukhara (Tajikistan/Uzbekistan)
 
Breakfast. Drive to ancient Penjikent (80 km, ~1 h 30 min), the ruins of a town founded by the Sogdians in the 5th century and abandoned by Arabs in the 8th century. The foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples, and the remains of the city bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins. In the newer part of Penjikent, visit a local bazaar, a mosque, and the Rudaki Museum (Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry). After a 3-hour sightseeing tour, drive to the Jartepa border crossing (30 km, 40 min) in the late-afternoon and complete the border formalities. On the Uzbek side, your driver will meet you and transfer to Samarkand. Free time in the the city. At 20:00 transfer to the railway station. Take the high-speed Afrosiyob train departing at 21:00 and arriving in Bukhara at 22:35 (270 km, 1 h 35 min). Transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Day 9, Tu: Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
 
Breakfast. At 10:00, start exploring the Old City of Bukhara. Highlights of the walking tour will include: the Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasa, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, Miri-Arab Madrasa, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasas, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub Mausoleums, and various trading domes. Free time from 15:00 until the National Show at Nadir Divan-begi Madrasa, which starts at 18:00. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10, We: Bukhara – Mary – Merv – Ashgabat (Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan)
 
Early breakfast. Depart at 06:30 for the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border point, Farap-Alat (100 km, 1 h 30 min). After completing the border formalities at both checkpoints, cross the 1.5 km neutral zone (transportation may not be available). Upon arrival at the customs and passport control on both sides, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, our guide/driver will be waiting for you with the sign with your name. Continue to Merv (300 km, 5 h 30 min), an ancient city that was a major center of international trade and crafts on the Silk Road. Merv is also home to a historical park for you to discover, with sights including: the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Major and Minor Kyz-Kala, Erk-Kala, Gyaur-Kala, Keshk Fortress, and others. Lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to Mary Airport (40 km, 30 min) to take the evening flight to Ashgabat at 18:10. Upon arrival in Ashgabat at 18:50, transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Day 11, Th: Ashgabat – Darvaza Gas Crater (Turkmenistan)
 
Breakfast, followed by a sightseeing tour of Ashgabat. Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, has recently been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as having more white marble buildings than any other city in the world. During the city tour, explore the archaeological site of Old Nissa (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. Visit the National Museum of History, the Monument of Neutrality, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and the recently-built Independence Park. The sightseeing tour will take about 6 hours and the afternoon will feature a drive through the Karakum Desert to the famous Darvaza Gas Crater (280 km, 4 h). After arriving at the crater, camp will be set up and you’ll enjoy a delicious, fire-cooked dinner near the “Gates of Hell”. Overnight in tents.

Note: At Darvaza camp you will be provided with sleeping bags, pillows, and 1- or 2-person tents. There is also an option to share a yurt with 3-5 other group members. In both cases, toilets and basic washing facilities are outside.

Day 12, Fr: Darvaza Gas Crater – Khiva (Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan)
 
Camp-style breakfast. Drive back through the Karakum Desert to the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border point, Dashoguz-Shavat (270 km, 4 h). Following border formalities at both checkpoints and crossing the 1.5 km neutral zone (transportation may not be available), your Uzbek driver will meet you to begin the trip to Khiva (60 km, 1 h). Upon arrival, check in to the hotel. Free time.
Day 13, Sa: Khiva – Urgench – Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
 
Breakfast and hotel check out (the hotel will store your luggage safely for the day). Spend the morning at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ichan-Kala Fortress. Highlights of the morning walking tour include the Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrasa, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasa, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, and Minaret of Islom Khodja. In the evening, there will be a masterclass on cooking tukhumbarak (egg dumplings, characteristic of Khivan cuisine). Farewell dinner. Transfer to Urgench Airport at 20:30 (30 km, 35 min). Your flight to Tashkent departs at 22:55 and arrives at 00:15+1 (1,093 km, 1 h 40 min). Transfer to the hotel in Tashkent for overnight.
Day 14, Su: Tashkent – departure (UZB)
 
Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Tashkent International Airport. Departure. End of the tour.
  • All transfers: 1-2 pax by Sedan type car, 3-7 pax on minivan/van, 8-16 pax by 20 seat bus;
  • Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
  • Sightseeing tour program with English speaking different local guides in each city;
  • Tour leader to accompany group of 6 and more travelers in each country;
  • Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
  • Economy class tickets for flights: Bishkek-Tashkent, Mary-Ashgabat, Urgench-Tashkent;
  • Economy-class tickets for trains: Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train);
  • Visa support for Uzbekistan triple entry visa; ;
  • Visa support for Turkmenistan tourist visa;
  • E-visa to Uzbekistan (triple entry) and e-visa to Tajikistan;
  • National folklore show in Bukhara on Day 9;
  • Meals: welcome lunch in Almaty on Day 2, lunch at home of a local family in Don-Aryk on Day 4, lunch at Seven Lakes on Day 7, lunch in Mary on Day 10, camp style dinner at Darvaza on Day 11, dinner in Khiva on Day 13.
  • Surcharge for staying in a single room;
  • Full board (lunches and dinners);
  • Hotel charges for additional services;
  • A tax of 2 USD per night in Turkmenistan, paid to the hotel upon check out;
  • Consular fees for Turkmenistan tourist visas (80 USD) and migration tax (14 USD);
  • Consular fees for Uzbekistan tourist visa at Tashkent International Airport (60-80 USD);
  • Visa support for Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan tourist visas;
  • Personal travel insurance;
  • Tips to local guides and drivers;
  • International flight tickets before and after the tour.

Dates & Prices

Make this tour private from US$ 3,400
From:
To:
Deadline:
Status:
Price:
Mar 18, Mon
Mar 31, Sun
Feb 17
Ongoing
US$ 3,550
Apr 1, Mon
Apr 14, Sun
Mar 2
Sold out
US$ 3,950
Apr 15, Mon
Apr 28, Sun
Mar 16
Sold out
US$ 3,950
Apr 29, Mon
May 12, Sun
Mar 30
Available
US$ 3,950
May 13, Mon
May 26, Sun
Apr 13
Available
US$ 3,950
May 27, Mon
Jun 9, Sun
Apr 27
Available
US$ 3,950
Jun 3, Mon
Jun 16, Sun
May 4
Available
US$ 3,950
Jul 22, Mon
Aug 4, Sun
Jun 22
Available
US$ 3,550
Aug 5, Mon
Aug 18, Sun
Jul 6
Available
US$ 3,950
Aug 12, Mon
Aug 25, Sun
Jul 13
Available
US$ 3,950
Aug 19, Mon
Sep 1, Sun
Jul 20
Available
US$ 3,950
Sep 2, Mon
Sep 15, Sun
Aug 3
Available
US$ 3,950
Sep 9, Mon
Sep 22, Sun
Aug 10
Available
US$ 3,950
Sep 16, Mon
Sep 29, Sun
Aug 17
Available
US$ 3,950
Sep 30, Mon
Oct 13, Sun
Aug 31
Available
US$ 3,950
Oct 14, Mon
Oct 27, Sun
Sep 14
Available
US$ 3,950
Nov 4, Mon
Nov 17, Sun
Oct 5
Available
US$ 3,550
Single supplement: US$ 500
From:
To:
Deadline:
Status:
Price:
Mar 17, Mon
Mar 30, Sun
Feb 15
Available
US$ 3,950
Mar 31, Mon
Apr 13, Sun
Mar 1
Available
US$ 3,950
Apr 14, Mon
Apr 27, Sun
Mar 15
Available
US$ 3,950
Apr 28, Mon
May 11, Sun
Mar 29
Available
US$ 3,950
May 12, Mon
May 25, Sun
Apr 12
Available
US$ 3,950
May 26, Mon
Jun 8, Sun
Apr 26
Available
US$ 3,950
Jun 2, Mon
Jun 15, Sun
May 3
Available
US$ 3,950
Jul 21, Mon
Aug 3, Sun
Jun 21
Available
US$ 3,950
Aug 4, Mon
Aug 17, Sun
Jul 5
Available
US$ 3,950
Aug 11, Mon
Aug 24, Sun
Jul 12
Available
US$ 3,950
Aug 18, Mon
Aug 31, Sun
Jul 19
Available
US$ 3,950
Sep 1, Mon
Sep 14, Sun
Aug 2
Available
US$ 3,950
Sep 8, Mon
Sep 21, Sun
Aug 9
Available
US$ 3,950
Sep 15, Mon
Sep 28, Sun
Aug 16
Available
US$ 3,950
Sep 29, Mon
Oct 12, Sun
Aug 30
Available
US$ 3,950
Oct 13, Mon
Oct 26, Sun
Sep 13
Available
US$ 3,950
Nov 3, Mon
Nov 16, Sun
Oct 4
Available
US$ 3,950
Single supplement: US$ 500

100% guaranteed departures – even if there is only 1 traveler.

Group size: 1-16 persons

Please note that itinerary and prices are subject to change due to airline and train schedule changes, currency fluctuations and other unforeseeable events.

Accommodation

Almaty - 2 nights
Kazzhol Park / Mercure or similar
Bishkek - 1 night
Ambassador / Solutel or similar
Tashkent - 2 nights
Hampton by Hilton / Holiday Inn Tashkent City / Wyndham Tashkent / Courtyard by Marriot
Samarkand - 2 nights
Penjikent - 1 night
Panjakent Plaza
Bukhara - 2 nights
Ashgabat - 1 night
Archabil / Diwan
Darvaza - 1 night
Shared yurts / optional single accommodation in tents upon request.
Khiva - 1 night

Tour Request

Contact Details
We use this information solely for the purpose of corresponding regarding your travel.
Travel Info

Tour start date:

Number of Travelers:


Central Asia Group Tour Reviews

Author: Cesar   |   Rating: 530 May 2023
I would like to say thank you for all your hard work putting this trip together. Everything went flawless from beginning to end. We couldn't have asked for anything more.
Author: Marsha   |   Rating: 525 May 2023
Thank you so much for the wonderful trip through the Stans. We really enjoyed the itinerary. We especially appreciated all the hard work that went into arranging hotels, guides, sightseeing when we decided not to attempt to enter Turkmenistan. The extra days spent in Uzbekistan were amazing. Our Hotel in the Ichan-Kala complex was an incredible place to stay and we loved being able to walk around the sights by the fortress. The folklore fashion/music performance was a highlight. Uzbekistan women are so fashionable and we loved seeing what they wore as they went about their daily business.
Author: Arthur   |   Rating: 509 May 2023
Firstly, I would like to say I am very happy with the services and tour which had been provided by Advantour.

One point; Kyrgistan was for me after all too short, I would suggest an evening flight or a second night at the hotel. As well, I was with the breakfast in Sofia Int. (Bishkek) not so happy. They shall provide more fresh food/bread options.

All guides and driver were reliable, helpful, knowledgeable and very kind!

Turkmenistan, border entering & exit was quite interesting, to be frankly. But it went well.

Thank you very much as well for all the information, specially about bordering Turkmenistan.
Author: Lynnette Sch.   |   Rating: 503 July 2019
From Australia
Date of experience: 13 May, 2019

Thank you, Advantour, for a well organized 14 day tour, it went smoothly.
Samarkand was the highlight for me. Tajikistan scenery was beautiful.
Guides were good, Alex had the best English and managed the group timings etc best; shame we had to change guides, but Sanjar had good information!

Glad to have seen the 5 Stans, but Uzbekistan is where I highly recommend to come.

Thanks again for your professional arrangement of this tour!
Author: Deborah & Yeral P.   |   Rating: 503 July 2019
From the USA
Date of experience: 13 May, 2019

Thanks for a wonderful vacation.
We had a great time.
We enjoyed having a smaller group and our guides Alex and Sanjar, were awesome.
All of the local guides and drivers were excellent.
Thanks again for a wonderful adventure.

Debbie & Yeral P.

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