Experience Central Asia at a comfortable pace with 10 tours designed for travelers 60+. Accessible activities, relaxed schedules, and senior-friendly accommodations rated by 170 senior adventurers.
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
No words or photos can really do justice to this trip, but, to give you an idea, it went straight into my top 3 trips ever, alongside Zim/Bots/Namibia and Falklands/S Georgia/Antarctica, even though I has a bad case of travellers' tummy.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Vast deserts, open steppe, fertile valleys and striking mountain ranges shape the landscapes of the Five Stans, the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia. Their towns and cities reveal the movement of armies, traders, and scholars over millennia: Greek and Persian campaigns, Mongol expansion, Silk Road exchange, ambitious astronomers, and Soviet-era experiments. Encounter traditional villages, intricately tiled madrassas, alpine lakes, lively markets and wide boulevards − a vivid portrait of a region where histories overlap and contemporary Central Asian culture continues to evolve in fascinating ways.
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 two nights staying in yurts in Kyrgyzstan
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
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
