Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
See the contrast of the futuristic and the ancient on this 11-day journey from Astana to Bishkek. You’ll see the Central Asian landscape change from the vast expanse of flat countryside to winding mountain roads. Visit the Silk Road ruins of Otrar, stand in awe of the grand Yasaui Mausoleum, explore Astana’s monuments (that might remind you of Star Trek) and wander the cultural capital of Almaty. Hike the incredible Kolsai Lakes to see sunken forests, deep canyons and valleys and take a scenic boat ride on the alpine waters of Issky-kul Lake, bringing it home in charming Bishkek.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
To see all five Stans in Central Asia, this epic trip will start in the grand Ashgabat of Turkmenistan, explore Samarkand in Uzbekistan, then head to Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. See the best of the Silk Road and deep dive into the fascinating history, captivating landscapes and beautiful culture that’s intertwined throughout this region. You'll stay in yurts near Lake Issyk-Kul, explore Registan Square in Samarkand and watch the eternal flame of Darvaza Crater – a 70-m-wide hole in the Karakum Desert known as ‘The Gates of Hell’. From wide open plains full of wild horses to homestays and dinners with locals, there’s so much to see, do and learn in this region – so why not spend 24 days uncovering all you can, with a local leader by your side?
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This incredible journey will take you through the five “Stans” of Central Asia, across mountains and steppes, treading in the footsteps of those who travelled the ancient Silk Road with their caravans winding trails through the deserts, exchanging their wares and ideas, which has led to the extraordinary melting pot of cultures that exists in the region today.
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel, Tent
Age Range
12-90 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tashkent, Almaty, Fergana, Khuja
Tashkent, Almaty, Fergana, Khujand, Dushanbe, Penjikent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Mary, Merv, Ashgabat, Darvaza, Nukus, Ayaz Qala, Khiva, Tashkent, Karakol, Bishkek, Ala Archa National Park, Toktogul, Osh
Uncover the rich heritage of Central Asia on a journey through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan — a region shaped for centuries by Silk Road trade, spiritual traditions, and sweeping cultural exchange. Wander the ancient streets of Khiva, Samarkand, and Bukhara, where history echoes through turquoise-tiled mosques and bustling bazaars. Marvel at natural wonders like Kaindy Lake’s sunken forest and the red rock cliffs of Charyn Canyon. Explore sacred sites and architectural marvels that reveal the region’s religious diversity and deep historical roots. Along the way, connect with nomadic herders in Kyrgyzstan, break bread with Tajik families, and experience the warmth of rural hospitality in Kazakhstan. This is your window into one of the most captivating, and often overlooked, corners of the world.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Trace the ancient Silk Road through the heart of Central Asia, where sweeping landscapes and centuries-old traditions collide in breathtaking fashion. Journey through Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, discovering a region where nomadic heritage still shapes everyday life. Share home-cooked meals with Kyrgyz and Cossack families, explore surreal wonders like the sunken forest of Kaindy Lake and the towering cliffs of Charyn Canyon, and connect with locals whose stories bring the past vividly to life. With National Geographic Journeys, you’ll experience this remote crossroads of cultures through immersive encounters, expert insight and unforgettable moments that reveal the true spirit of the Silk Road.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Pack your bags and a serious sense of adventure — you’re about to blaze across four of Central Asia’s wildest and most underrated countries. This 26-day epic takes you deep into ancient cities and windswept canyons across Uzbekistan Tajikistan Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. One minute you’re wandering centuries-old Silk Road streets the next you’re hiking to neon-blue lakes or helping build a nomadic yurt. It’s gritty it’s gorgeous and totally unforgettable.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Home-stay, Hostel, Hotel
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tashkent, Almaty, Samarkand, Shy
Tashkent, Almaty, Samarkand, Shymkent, Taraz, Bishkek, Chon Kemin , Tamga Village, Khiva, Karakol, Saty Village, Altyn-Emel National Park, Bukhara, Marguzor
Journey back to the days of the Great Silk Road on a 18-day Premium adventure through Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Explore the cosmopolitan capital of Tashkent, marvel at the glorious architecture in Samarkand, discover the holy sites of Bukhara and visit the ancient monuments of Khiva. Join a local family for a traditional cooking class and get to know the ins and outs of an Uzbek village. Visit Sharyn Canyon, Skazka Canyon and Jety Oguz Valley and take hikes to soak up the scenery. Spend a night in a traditional yurt camp alongside the massive alpine lake of Issyk Kul. See the monuments, learn the histories and dive into the local cultures of main cities like Bishkek and Almaty. Visit a family-owned winery for a tasting, head to a small local village for a traditional lunch and enjoy a masterclass of local cuisine from a Dungan family. With all this and more, what’s holding you back from your next adventure?
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Explore the old Silk Route in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan with this nine-day adventure full of stunning natural landscapes, chances to connect to local people and traditional cuisine. With a knowledgeable local leader by your side, you’ll visit Sharyn Canyon, Skazka Canyon and Jety Oguz Valley and go on hikes to soak up the scenery. Spend a night in a traditional yurt camp, after learning about how these are still manufactured without electric tools, alongside the massive alpine lake of Issyk Kul. See the monuments, learn the histories and dive into the local cultures of main cities like Bishkek and Almaty. Visit a family-owned winery for a tasting, head to a small local village for a traditional lunch and enjoy a masterclass of local cuisine from a Dungan family. With all this and more, what’s holding you back from your next adventure?
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
From the ancient city of Turkistan to the Silk Road ruins of Sayram and Otrar, you’ll travel through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on this 27-day journey. Take in the surreal landscapes of Kolsay Lakes, stay in a yurt camp near Song-kul Lake, see the Solomon’s Throne in Osh and wander the mosques and museums in Samarkand. Visit a Tajik family, scale the Panjakent city wall and go in search of samsa in your free time. Dive into the region’s heritage and natural beauty on an adventure that will leave you yearning to discover more of Central Asia.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Ready for a wild ride through Central Asia? This 12-day adventure through Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan is the perfect mashup of jaw-dropping landscapes and deep cultural dives. Hike through canyons that look like they belong on another planet, listen to the desert sing beneath your feet, and learn how to build a yurt like the nomads do. From village stays and yurt workshops to city streets buzzing with history in Bishkek and Almaty — this is one epic journey where nature stuns, culture shines, and every day brings something totally unexpected.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Home-stay, Hostel
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bishkek, Almaty, Chon Kemin , Ta
Bishkek, Almaty, Chon Kemin , Tamga Village, Karakol, Saty Village, Altyn-Emel National Park
Get a taste of Central Asia's charm on this 16-day trip through ancient silk road towns and bustling bazaars. Visit four out of the five Stans as you travel the Kazak steppe and Uzbek Silk Road towns by train. Starting in Bishkek, visit the clear waters of Issyk-kul Lake, cross the border to the charming Almaty, catch an overnight train to Uzbekistan and seek out the delicious plov, then explore the white marbled capital of Ashgabat. Spend a night in a traditional yurt camp near Issyk-kul Lake, hike the flaming red rocks at Jety Ogus, toast with locally produced wine to a Kazak home-cooked feast and learn about the full Silk Road history in the blue-hued mosques, madrasas and ruins in Samarkand, Bukhara and Merv.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers