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
We enjoyed our trip to Kyrgyzstan, it was very relaxing and the scenery was amazing. The highlight was the night in the yurt camp which was lovely, very remote and we even had snow overnight. The homestays and meals in local houses were very good too.
DIY picnics by the river were a nice touch.
On the down side, this trip involves a lot of travelling, sometimes on poor roads, which could be broken up better. We arrived early afternoon in some places and because most of the accommodation was on the outskirts of a town, there wasn't really anything to see or do once we arrived. One of our group thought the hotel at Toktogul Reservoir was like the one in 'The Shining'! The swimming pools had been closed for years and everything was just a little dated.
Some of the walks were not that interesting and seemed to be there to fill the time and there was also a lot of litter in many areas which wasn't pleasant.
There were descriptions in the itinerary about various places we didn't actually visit, for example Osh sounded lovely but we didn't even stop there.
Having said all that, we did enjoy the holiday, but there just were not enough highlights to maximise each day.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tashkent, Bishkek, Arslanbob, Os
Tashkent, Bishkek, Arslanbob, Osh, Tashkent, Karakol, Kochkor, Song Kul Lake, Suusamyr, Toktogul, Djalal-Abad
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
A perfect adventure in Kyrgyzstan for those looking to experience the best of the country along with a trekking aspect.. A perfect adventure in Kyrgyzstan for those looking to experience the best of the country along with a trekking aspect. Laid in the picturesque foothills of the Pamir - the Kozho-Kelen gorge and the Alai Valley - the first trekking portion is gentle to help you acclimatize. The second part is when we climb the colossal Yukhin Peak, reaching up to 5130 metres. This peak is in a majestic area of the Lenin Peak and a very popular gathering place for climbing among climbers all over the world. Accommodation is in comfortable camps along the way to the top with visits to the surrounding area.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Guest House, Hotel, Tent
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bishkek, Yukhin Peak , Lenin Gla
Bishkek, Yukhin Peak , Lenin Glacier, Osh, Ala Archa National Park, Kozho-Kelen, Dzhyptyk Pass, Darbaza Tash, Achik-Tash, Petrovsky Peak
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.
Take on the great outdoors in this epic journey across the expanse of Kyrgyzstan and up into the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan. Visit one of the oldest Bazaar's on the Silk Road in Osh. Venture on the Pamir Highway and follow the border of Afghanistan, before arriving in Dushanbe.
Follow one of the world's most well renowned overland routes; the Silk Road, and the Pamir Highway. This expedition will take you through some of the oldest cities in the world, discover the ancient trading routes through the 'Stan's' including a stop in the oldest bazaar in Central Asia - Osh, and the futuristic capital, Ashgabat, which holds the Guinness world record for the most-white marble on Earth. During our route we will also drive the spectacular Pamir Highway, one of the highest road border crossings in the world. We will also have time to hike in the Fann Mountains and visit the tallest waterfall in Tajikistan before crossing into Uzbekistan to explore Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. The trip then finishes by visiting the gas crater in the desert in Turkmenistan before arriving in Ashgabat
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
Follow one of the world's most well renowned highways; the Silk Road. This fantastic expedition will take you through some of the oldest cities and ancient trading routes in the world, you will also discover the stunning scenery as you get off the beaten track and into the wilderness of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Explorer
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Home-stay, Resort, Hotel
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ashgabat, Bishkek, Charyn Canyon
Ashgabat, Bishkek, Charyn Canyon National Park, Khiva, Issyk Kul, Osh, Dushanbe, Samarkand, Bukhara
Discover the stunning scenery of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan with a tour that takes you off the beaten track and into the heart of the wilderness. This journey will give you the unique opportunities to swim in the Lake Issy-Kul, trek the dramatic and vast mountain terrain and spend the night in a yurt by the banks of the Lake Song Kol before returning back to Bishkek. A truly once in a lifetime experience, this tour will give you memories to treasure forever
Join this Overland Expedition and venture off the tourist trail throughout Kyrgyzstan and follow the ancient trading routes along the Silk Road to Beijing. Discover stunning scenery and some of the oldest cities in the world steeped in history and legend from Lake IssyKul to Xi'an and its Terracotta Warriors. We travel on one of our overland trucks in Kyrgyzstan and then by trains and buses through China.
Explorer
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Home-stay, Hotel, Resort, Sleeper Train
Age Range
1-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Beijing, Bishkek, Charyn Canyon
Beijing, Bishkek, Charyn Canyon National Park, Issyk Kul, Tash Rabat, Kashgar, Lhasa, Lhasa, Xian
