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.
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
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
Dominated by majestic mountain ranges, Kyrgyzstan has been nicknamed the Switzerland of Central Asia. Yet despite its seemingly endless natural beauty, it remains undiscovered by mass tourism, making it the ideal destination for culturally curious travellers. Come and explore this magnificent land on foot, the best way to truly appreciate the natural wonders.
Starting from the capital, Bishkek, we head into the wild and walk among marvels of nature, including the Tian Shan mountains, Ala-Archa Gorge, and alpine lakes, such as Issyk Kul and Son-Kul. We also experience the nomadic traditions of the country, staying in a lakeside yurt camp, before returning to Bishkek with a scenic drive over mountain passes.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Home-stay, Hotel, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bishkek, Ala Archa National Park
Bishkek, Ala Archa National Park, Chong Kemin National Park, Karakol, Issyk Kul, Son-Köl
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
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 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
Spend 10 unforgettable days in Kyrgyzstan as you trek along the western Tien Shan Mountain Range, follow nomad’s trails, spend nights in traditional yurts and take in the views of snow-capped mountains and alpine lakes. Journey through forests, canyons, meadows and more as you learn about this Central Asian country with a local leading the way.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Tent
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bishkek, Issyk-Kul, Jeti Oguz, I
Bishkek, Issyk-Kul, Jeti Oguz, Irdyk Valley, Karakol
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.
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.
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 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 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