This was a trip full of variety and dramatic scenery, from the surreal Ashgabat, the amazing Darvaza crater, the beautiful mosques and madrasahs of Samarkand and Bukhara to the truly majestic and ever changing scenery of the Kyrgyzstan mountains. Each of the 5 countries had its own unique character. There are some long journeys but they are full of continuing interest with lots of worthwhile stops on route. 99% of the accommodation was very comfortable, spacious and spotlessly clean.
Local culture
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ashgabat, Almaty, Samarkand, Pen
Ashgabat, Almaty, Samarkand, Penjikent, Khujand, Jalal Abad, Arslanbob, Son Kul Lake, Issyk-Kul, Karakol, Dashoguz, Khiva, Bukhara
Again, G Adventures met out expectations of an affordable but great cultural experience in a place of the world totally new to us. We will be sure to book with them again.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Be entranced by the beauty and the wonder of Central Asia on this overland journey from the capital of Kyrgyzstan through the heartland of Uzbekistan to the forgotten yet futuristic Ashgabat. Take in the tranquil landscape of Son-Kol Lake, watch for wild boar and deer around Chychkan Gorge, hike up the sacred Sulumain-too Mountain in historic Osh, and get your fill of mosques and museums in Samarkand. Venture into the mysterious Turkmenistan, watch the eternal fire from the 'Gates of Hell', and explore Ashgabat with architecture from a sci-fi movie. Abounding with ancient culture, divine natural beauty, intriguing relics and welcoming people, this is a journey that will leave you eager to discover more of Central Asia.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House, Home-stay
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ashgabat, Bishkek, Tashkent, Tas
Ashgabat, Bishkek, Tashkent, Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva, Darvaza, Nohur, Mary, Issyk-Kul Lake, Song-Kol Lake, Kyzyl-Oi, Toktogul, Osh
Travel into desert landscapes heavy with mystery on this 11-day journey through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Watch the sunset over technicolour minarets in Khiva, learn about Turkmen rural life with a stay in a secluded mountain village and visit a local horse breeder at his farm to see how he prepares food and cares for his Akhal-Teke horses. Wander through the ancient ruins of the Silk Road in Merv, watch the sunset over ‘The Gates of Hell’ crater and revel in the eastern futurism of Ashgabat. On this trip far away from tourists, you’ll step off the beaten track and wander through ancient lands with local leaders who have all the fascinating insights.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tashkent, Ashgabat, Khiva, Darva
Tashkent, Ashgabat, Khiva, Darvaza, Nohur, Mary
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I'm finally writing my review after being home for a month. What an interesting trip. Great people along the way, marvelous scenery in both the cities and the countryside. The accommodation ranged from 5 star to quirky and the hosts were always warm and welcoming. The homestays were a highlight with lovely people in stunning settings. All the guides (and drivers) were knowledgeable and ready to share their knowledge of the sites around us. The trip was a great highlight of central Asia and I would go back in a shot.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel, Resort
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ashgabat, Almaty, Penjikent, Dus
Ashgabat, Almaty, Penjikent, Dushanbe, Khujand, Fergana, Osh, Arslanbob, Sary Tash, Chychkan, Bishkek, Charyn Canyon National Park, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand
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
Travel into desert landscapes heavy with mysticism on this 19-day adventure through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Walk in the shadows of ancient, blue-tiled buildings in Samarkand, tap into the local way of living with home stays and yurt stays, watch the sun set over technicolour minarets in Khiva, toast to the eternal fire at Darvaza Crater and revel in the eastern-futurism of Ashgabat. Step off the beaten track and onto the ancient Silk Road in this revelatory tour through ancient lands.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Vast deserts, rolling steppe, fertile valleys and majestic mountains form the backdrop to the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, which are commonly known as the Five Stans. Among this changing and varied landscape are traditional villages, ancient towns and modern cities, which tell a tale of advancing Greek and Persian armies, marauding Mongolian hordes, traders selling wares along the Silk Road, philosophers, astronomers, Communist experiments and post-Soviet eccentrics. Journey past giant burning gas pits, intricately tiled mosques, alpine lakes bordered by yurt camps, grand monuments, rural villages and colourful markets on this epic trip through the heart of Central Asia.
About this trip: We have two versions of this trip. One starts in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and ends in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and the other runs in reverse. Apart from the direction of travel, the two itineraries are similar - the main difference is the route taken through Kyrgyzstan and the accommodation there. This itinerary runs from Almaty, Kazakhstan, to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, includes Chon-Kemin and Bishkek and stays in guesthouses and hotels rather than yurts. The other itinerary runs from Turkmenistan to Kazakhstan, includes Son Kul Lake and there are three nights staying in yurts in Kyrgyzstan.
Both itineraries include a night in a yurt in Turkmenistan.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Travel along the Silk Road from the foothills of High Asia, through the historic cities of Uzbekistan and cross the deserts of Turkmenistan, taking a ferry journey across the Caspian Sea to the Lower Caucasus countries of Armenia and Georgia. Tick off the iconic highlights of Central Asia and experience the varied landscapes, rich history, diverse cultures and warm hospitality of one of the world's most intriguing and unique regions.
Journey overland from the snow-capped peaks of High Asia and follow the path beaten by centuries of traders along the Silk Road through the heart of Central Asia to the edge of Europe and the foothills of the Caucasus. This varied adventure offers something for everyone with stunning alpine landscapes, vast deserts, countless historic sites and modern cosmopolitan cities, and throughout you can't avoid the cultural diversity that shows this region's importance as a global crossroads since time immemorial.
Explorer
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Home-stay, Hotel, Resort
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tbilisi, Bishkek, Charyn Canyon
Tbilisi, Bishkek, Charyn Canyon National Park, Bukhara, Ashgabat, Turkmenbashi, Sheki, Yerevan, Issyk Kul, Osh, Dushanbe, Samarkand
Discover some of the oldest cities in the world steeped in history and legend, from Troy in Turkey, Baku - the largest City on the Caspian Sea, to the legendary 'Stans'. Experience the incredibly diverse landscapes from the baron desert in Turkmenistan to the high mountain passes in Tajikistan.
Discover some of the oldest cities in the world steeped in history and legend, Samarkand in Uzbekistan to Baku - the largest City on the Caspian Sea or beautiful Esfahan in Iran, and on to Istanbul in Turkey. Travel through the legendary '5 Stans'. Experience the incredibly diverse landscapes from the barren desert in Turkmenistan to the high mountain passes and Pamir Highway in Tajikistan.
Explorer
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Home-stay, Hotel, Resort
Age Range
1-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Istanbul, Bishkek, Charyn Canyon
Istanbul, Bishkek, Charyn Canyon National Park, Khiva, Ashgabat, Sheki, Yerevan, Tbilisi, Batumi, Cappadocia, Issyk-Kul Lake, Osh, Dushanbe, Samarkand, Bukhara
