Explore the five Stans in depth with this 20-day tour. Travelling mostly by road, see even more of the scenery and way of life in these beautiful and fascinating countries as you drive across deserts and along winding mountain roads, passing through small communities. From Kyrgyzstan, with its Soviet architecture and nomadic culture, tour Kazakhstan’s cosmopolitan cultural capital, Almaty, before journeying to Tajikistan’s stunning mountain lakes. Following in the footsteps of Tamerlane, you’ll then visit Uzbekistan’s stunning turquoise mausoleums and other Silk Road monuments. This comprehensive 3-week Central Asia itinerary ends with Turkmenistan’s magnificent Darvaza Gas Crater and the gleaming marble capital of Ashgabat.
Tour itinerary:
Arrive in Bishkek and transfer to the hotel to leave your luggage and start a sightseeing tour of the city. Visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, the Philharmonic Hall, the Statue of Manas, Victory Square, and the National Museum of Fine Arts (closed on Mondays). During the tour you’ll see several excellent examples of Soviet architecture. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 6-7 hours
Meals: -/-/-
Duration: 6-7 hours
Meals: -/-/-
In the morning drive to Son-Kul Lake (400 km). On the way stop to see Burana Tower, which is left from ancient city Balasagun (XI - XIII). Lunch in Kochkor village on the way. Arriving in Son Kul in the afternoon. This is a remote mountain lake situated on a treeless, high mountain plateau (3016 m) where shepherds bring the livestock in the summertime, establish a camp where they will live – setting up their yurts. In this magnificent place you can see hundreds of herds and a lot of different yurts, where you for sure will be invited to have kymyz, the national drink made of fermented mare's milk with a traditional bread, try other diary products and home made jam. Dinner and overnight in yurts.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner
Note: Overnight in a shared yurt. Toilets and washing facilities are outside, in special cabins.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner
Note: Overnight in a shared yurt. Toilets and washing facilities are outside, in special cabins.
Transfer to Kochkor (140 km, 2 hours 30 min) and participate in a workshop to learn how traditional Kyrgyz felt carpets are made. You may even want to buy a carpet as a souvenir. After lunch at the home of a Kyrgyz family, continue to Kyzyl Tuu village (90 km, 1 hour 30 min), a centre of yurt production, to help build a yurt or watch how it is done. Then drive to Bokonbaevo (30 km, 30 min). Located between the Terskey Ala-Too Mountains and the shore of the famous Issyk-Kul Lake, this town attracts visitors with its combination of natural beauty and traditional Kyrgyz character. Free time to walk around the village and enjoy the scenery. Dinner and overnight at a local home stay.
Duration: 8-9 hours, including 3 hours of activities
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Duration: 8-9 hours, including 3 hours of activities
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Drive to Skazka (“Fairy Tale”) Canyon (150 km, 2 hours), which has many interesting geological features and unusual rock formations. After a short hike (up to 1 hour), continue to the picturesque Jeti-Oguz (“Seven Bulls”) Gorge (60 km, 1-hour drive). Explore the gorge on a 1.5-hour hike and then transfer to Karakol for a sightseeing tour. Highlights include the Russian-Orthodox Church and the intriguing Dungan mosque (designed by a Chinese architect). Have dinner with a local Dungan/Uighur family. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 8-9 hours, including 2,5 hours of hiking
Meals: Breakfast/-/Dinner
Duration: 8-9 hours, including 2,5 hours of hiking
Meals: Breakfast/-/Dinner
Transfer to the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border post at Kegen (116 km, working hours 09:00-18:00), via the museum of the Russian explorer, Nikolai Przhevalsky. Cross the border, then drive to Charyn Canyon (110 km). This 154m-long canyon within the Charyn National Park is sometimes called Kazakhstan’s “Grand Canyon”. In addition to unforgettable views of the enormous canyon with its multi-coloured tower formations (Castle Valley), the National Park offers the opportunity to see an ancient ash tree grove. After arriving at the canyon, take some time for a picnic lunch and a rest. After that, walk along the canyon for about 2 hours to enjoy the views and take photos. Then drive to Almaty (220 km, 3-4 hours). Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 12-13 hours (depending on border crossing), including about 3 hours of sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/-
Duration: 12-13 hours (depending on border crossing), including about 3 hours of sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/-
Take a sightseeing tour of Almaty, Kazakhstan’s southern capital. Start at Panfilov Park, which was dedicated to and named after the 28 soldiers who died protecting the country’s freedom. Then visit Zenkov Cathedral and the World War II memorial complex. Zenkov Cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in the city and was built entirely out of wood, almost without any metal nails. Continue sightseeing at Green Bazaar (where you can also buy souvenirs), the Central Mosque, and Independence Square. After the city tour, drive to Medeo Gorge. Stop at the enormous Medeo Dam, which protects the city from destructive mudflows formed on the top of the western Tian Shan mountains. From the top of the dam, which is situated at an altitude of 1,733 m, enjoy the views of the largest high-mountain skating rink in the world – Medeo. Then drive to the top of Kok-Tobe Hill, where you can enjoy an unforgettable panorama of Almaty from the observation desk. At the foot of Kazakhstan’s tallest TV tower, take a walk along the park’s winding paths and see various sights – including a statue of The Beatles. Return to the city centre via the cable car, and then transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 7-8 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
Duration: 7-8 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
The guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby for departure to Lake Issyk (from May to October). The lake sits nestled in the Issyk Gorge of the Ile Alatau Mountains at an altitude of 1759 meters (5770 ft) above sea level, about 40 km (25 mi) east of Almaty. The name Issyk originates from the Kazakh word esik – a door, a gorge. Here we will have a wonderful time, walk around the lake. Lunch picnic on the nature. After the walk, transfer back to Almaty city. Overnight in a hotel.
Duration: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/-
Duration: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/-
Free time until your transfer to Almaty International Airport. Then fly to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and then take a sightseeing tour of the city. Visit the Hissar Fortress, Madrassah Kuhna, Mosque of Hoji Yakub, National Museum of Tajikistan (closed on Mondays), Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum, Statue of Ismail Samani, and Rudaki Park. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Duration: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Leave the hotel by 8:00 to drive to Iskanderkul Lake (130 km, 3 hours) via the picturesque Anzob Pass (3,300 m above sea level). According to legend, this lake was named after Alexander the Great (who was known as “Iskander” in the East). People say that Alexander the Great travelled via this lake. On the way, stop to enjoy a packed lunch. Continue to the Seven Lakes, located in the western Fann Mountains (220 km, 4-5 hours). Overnight at a homestay.
Note: accommodation is arranged at homestay with the local family. Hot water, while normally available, is not 100% reliable. The toilet and showers are outside and shared. You may need to share a room with others in your group (especially during high season), with separate bedrooms for men and women. In return, you'll have a unique opportunity to learn about the Tajik culture and the area from the locals' perspective as you share the family's traditional meals and experience their day-to-day life.
Note: accommodation is arranged at homestay with the local family. Hot water, while normally available, is not 100% reliable. The toilet and showers are outside and shared. You may need to share a room with others in your group (especially during high season), with separate bedrooms for men and women. In return, you'll have a unique opportunity to learn about the Tajik culture and the area from the locals' perspective as you share the family's traditional meals and experience their day-to-day life.
Explore the Seven Lakes of Marguzor (also called “Haf Kul”). These are seven different-coloured mountain lakes: Mijgon, Soya, Hushyor, Nophin (2,139 m above sea level), Khurdak, Marguzor, and Hazorchashma (2,400 m above sea level). After a picnic at Hazorchashma Lake, drive to Penjikent (80 km, 2 hours). Take a guided sightseeing tour of the city, including the Rudaki Museum (Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry). Visit ancient Penjikent, 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. Drive to Sarazm (20 km, 20 min), which is one of the oldest settlements in Central Asia and has 5,500 years of history. In 2010, Sarazm was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.
Then transfer to the Tajik-Uzbek border post at Jartepa (10 km, 10 min). After crossing the border, meet your Uzbek driver and drive to Samarkand (60 km, 1 hour). Free time to explore the city. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 12 hours, including 3 hours of hiking and 3 hours of sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/-
Then transfer to the Tajik-Uzbek border post at Jartepa (10 km, 10 min). After crossing the border, meet your Uzbek driver and drive to Samarkand (60 km, 1 hour). Free time to explore the city. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 12 hours, including 3 hours of hiking and 3 hours of sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/-
Take a sightseeing tour of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Samarkand. Visit the spectacular Registan Square, the Gur Emir (Tamerlane’s mausoleum), the remains of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, the Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, the Siyob Bazaar, and the Ulugbek Observatory. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
Duration: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
Continue sightseeing in Samarkand, with visits to the Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village (12 km, 20 min) to learn about the traditional way of making Samarkand paper from the bark of the mulberry tree. For the rest of the day, enjoy free time with a car and driver at your disposal. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
Duration: 3-4 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
Drive to Bukhara (280 km, 4 hours) and check in to the hotel. Then visit Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir and a unique combination of Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to the Memorial Complex of Bakhoutdin Naqshbandi and the House Museum of Fayzulla Khodjaev. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 7-8 hours, including 3-4 hours of sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
Duration: 7-8 hours, including 3-4 hours of sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
Enjoy a guided walking sightseeing tour of Bukhara’s Old City, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, trading domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek, Chor-Minor, and Abdulazizkhan madrassahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, and Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
Duration: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
Drive to Khiva (480 km, 7-8 hours), taking the route that traders once used when travelling along the Great Silk Road, across the Kyzylkum Desert between Bukhara and Khiva. The road is generally in good condition, except for some short stretches. On the way, stop to enjoy views of the desert and the Amudarya River. Arrive in Khiva in the late afternoon and check in to the hotel. Free time to rest. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 7-8 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
As the cafés and restaurants on the way are basic and offer limited menus, you may wish to take a packed lunch on this trip (your hotel or guide can help you arrange this the day before).
Duration: 7-8 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
As the cafés and restaurants on the way are basic and offer limited menus, you may wish to take a packed lunch on this trip (your hotel or guide can help you arrange this the day before).
Take a guided walking tour of this ancient city. Visit the Itchan-Kala Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrassah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrassah, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, and the Minaret of Islam Khoja. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
Duration: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
Drive to the Turkmenistan border crossing at Shavat-Dashoguz (60 km, 1 hour). Upon arrival border formalities. After the customs and passport control at both checkpoints, 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 Turkmen guide and transfer to Kunya-Urgench (100 km, 1 hour 30 min). Visit the mausoleums of Turabek Khanum, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmuddin-Kubra, Sultan Ali, followed by the Kutlug-Timur Minaret and Kyrk Molla hill. In the afternoon, drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater, located in the middle of the Karakum Desert (270 km, 4 hours). Free time to set up camp for the night, explore and photograph the area, and watch the sunset. Then enjoy a delicious fire-cooked dinner near the burning crater. Overnight in tents.
Duration: 10-11 hours, including 3 hours of sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast/-/Dinner
Note: We'll travel in 4x4 vehicles across the rugged Karakum Desert. The route is unpaved, so expect a bumpy and thrilling ride – it's the only way to get to this incredible, remote location.
At the camp, we'll enjoy an authentic stay in yurts with basic, shared outdoor washing and toilet facilities, putting us right in the heart of the desert landscape.
Duration: 10-11 hours, including 3 hours of sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast/-/Dinner
Note: We'll travel in 4x4 vehicles across the rugged Karakum Desert. The route is unpaved, so expect a bumpy and thrilling ride – it's the only way to get to this incredible, remote location.
At the camp, we'll enjoy an authentic stay in yurts with basic, shared outdoor washing and toilet facilities, putting us right in the heart of the desert landscape.
Leave the camp site and drive to Ashgabat (280 km, 4 hours). Check in to the hotel and enjoy free time for the rest of the day. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
Duration: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
Take a sightseeing tour of the fascinating city of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s capital. Ashgabat holds the Guinness World Record as the city with the highest density of white marble buildings in the world. During the city tour, explore the archeological 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 tour also includes a stop at the Akhalteke horses stables and the Lenin Monument. Free time in the late afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
Duration: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-
Price includes:
- All transfers: 1-2 pax on sedan standard type car, 3-8 pax on minivan/van;
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
- Sightseeing tour program in each country with local guides;
- Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
- Economy class tickets for Comfort and Standard options and business class for Premium option for flight Almaty-Dushanbe;
- Meals – full board on days 2, 3, 8, 9, lunches on days 5, 7 and 10, dinners on days 4 and 17;
- Felt carpet workshop in Kochkor, Yurt installation show in Kyzyl Tuu, Cable car to Chymbulak and Kok Tube;
- Visa support for Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan tourist visas;
- A tax of 2 USD per night, paid to the hotel upon check out in Turkmenistan.
Price doesn't include:
- Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour;
- Full board (lunches and dinners);
- Hotel charges for additional services;
- Comfort car supplement in Uzbekistan total – 690USD;
- Consular fees for tourist visas;
- Visa support for Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan tourist visas;
- All costs associated with visas and Turkmenistan migration tax (14 USD)
- International flight tickets before and after the tour;
- Tips are not included, but would be appreciated;
- Personal travel insurance.
Prices, per person
Prices are for 2026 in US$ per person, with discounted prices for larger groups available on request.
Accommodation
Standard:
Damas / Ambassador / Sofia International
Comfort:
Orion / Novotel Bishkek City Center
Premium:
Sheraton / Hyatt Regency Bishkek
Damas / Ambassador / Sofia International
Comfort:
Orion / Novotel Bishkek City Center
Premium:
Sheraton / Hyatt Regency Bishkek
Green Yard / Matsunoki guest house or similar
Standard:
Grand Sapphire / Plaza / Kazzhol
Comfort:
Kazzhol Park / Garden Park / Resident City / Renion City
Premium:
Rixos / Intercontinental
Grand Sapphire / Plaza / Kazzhol
Comfort:
Kazzhol Park / Garden Park / Resident City / Renion City
Premium:
Rixos / Intercontinental
Standard:
Atlas B&B or similar
Comfort:
Dushanbe Serena / Rumi
Premium:
Crowne Plaza Dushanbe by IHG / Hilton / Hyatt Regency
Atlas B&B or similar
Comfort:
Dushanbe Serena / Rumi
Premium:
Crowne Plaza Dushanbe by IHG / Hilton / Hyatt Regency
Standard:
Wellfort / Astoria Plaza / Shohjahon Palace Hotel & Spa / Bibikhanum / Ko’k Saroy Plaza / Silk Road Empire / Golden Samarkand / Samaria Hotel and Spa
Comfort:
Ametist Hotel Complex / Royal / Astoria Plaza / DiliMah Premium Luxury / Golden Samarkand / Emirhan
Premium:
Hilton Samarkand Regency / Mövenpick / Zarafshon Parkside / Kohinur Plaza / Kosh Havuz Boutique / Hilton Garden Inn
Wellfort / Astoria Plaza / Shohjahon Palace Hotel & Spa / Bibikhanum / Ko’k Saroy Plaza / Silk Road Empire / Golden Samarkand / Samaria Hotel and Spa
Comfort:
Ametist Hotel Complex / Royal / Astoria Plaza / DiliMah Premium Luxury / Golden Samarkand / Emirhan
Premium:
Hilton Samarkand Regency / Mövenpick / Zarafshon Parkside / Kohinur Plaza / Kosh Havuz Boutique / Hilton Garden Inn
Standard:
Minzifa / Marhaba Boutique / Duston Boutique / Meros Boutique / Al-Hayat / Labi Rud Boutique / Komil Boutique / Bibikhanum / Istat Boutique
Comfort:
Paradise Plaza Luxury / Mehrob / Asia Bukhara / Omar Khayam / Minorai-Kalon / Emerald
Premium:
Wyndham Bukhara / Mercure Old Town Bukhara / Shahriston
Minzifa / Marhaba Boutique / Duston Boutique / Meros Boutique / Al-Hayat / Labi Rud Boutique / Komil Boutique / Bibikhanum / Istat Boutique
Comfort:
Paradise Plaza Luxury / Mehrob / Asia Bukhara / Omar Khayam / Minorai-Kalon / Emerald
Premium:
Wyndham Bukhara / Mercure Old Town Bukhara / Shahriston
Standard:
Zarafshan Boutique / Kamil Palace / Annex / Grand Vizir / Isak Hoja / Muso Tura / Bibixojar / Polvon Qori / Bankir / New Star Boutique / Asia Khiva / Orient Star
Comfort:
Zarafshan Boutique / Kamil Palace / Annex / Grand Vizir / Isak Hoja / Muso Tura / Bibixojar / Polvon Qori / Bankir / New Star Boutique / Asia Khiva / Orient Star
Premium:
Farovon
Zarafshan Boutique / Kamil Palace / Annex / Grand Vizir / Isak Hoja / Muso Tura / Bibixojar / Polvon Qori / Bankir / New Star Boutique / Asia Khiva / Orient Star
Comfort:
Zarafshan Boutique / Kamil Palace / Annex / Grand Vizir / Isak Hoja / Muso Tura / Bibixojar / Polvon Qori / Bankir / New Star Boutique / Asia Khiva / Orient Star
Premium:
Farovon
Shared yurts
Tour Enquiry
Important notes:
- Visa required. We will need to apply for your Letter of Invitation (LOI) in advance. The Turkmenistan visa can be obtained at the border upon arrival, based on the approved LOI.
- If you need to obtain an Uzbekistan visa, it should be a multiple-entry e-visa.
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