The Five Stans of the Silk Road
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From AUD $7849
Small Group
Average
Rating
(22 reviews)
The Five Stans of the Silk Road
Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply
26 days
Small Group
Budget
Average
English
Experience Overview
See all the 'stans (well, most of them) on this comprehensive 26-day tour through Central Asia. Learn about nomadic life in Song Köl, explore natural landscapes like Kaindy Lake's sunken forest, and witness the hustle and bustle of capital cities and their bazaars, cathedrals, and historical sites.
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Yurt Building Demonstration, Barskoon Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group, Bishkek Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Song Köl Your Local Living Moment: Tamga Village Stay, Tamga Your Local Living Moment: Community Guesthouse, Ghazza Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Aydar Kŭl Camp
- Bishkek City Tour
- Burana Tower
- Home-cooked traditional dinner
- Overnight in a Yurt
- Free time in Chong-Kemin
- Song Kul Lake
- Lunch with Local Family in Kochkor
- Skazka "Fairytale" Canyon
- Tamga Village Stay
- Yurt Building Demonstration
- Jety Oguz & the Seven Bulls
- Karakol City Tour
- Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- Dungan mosque
- Saty Village Stay
- 4x4 ride to Kaindy Lake
- Charyn Canyon
- Almaty City Tour
- Independence Square, Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilov's Park
- WWII memorial
- Free time in Almaty
- Dushanbe City tour
- Alexander the Great's lake
- Hike to Iskander Darya waterfall
- Fann Mountains
- Voru Village Hike and Blacksmith
- Free time in Ghazza Village
- Istaravshan Mosque and Lenin Bust visit
- Khujand City Tour
- Museum of Sughd
- Mausoleum of Sheik Muslekheddin
- Khujand market
- Amir Timur Mausoleum Visit
- Samarkand City Tour
- Shaki Zinda complex, the bazaar, Bibi Khanum, and Registan Square
- Free time in Samarkand
- Chashma Complex and Holy Spring Visit
- Fortress of Alexander the Great Visit
- Aidarkul Lake
- Authentic Uzbekistan dinner
- Evening Kazakh singing show
- Overnight in a Yurt
- Free time in Bukhara
- Bukhara City Guided Tour
- UNESCO-listed Khiva Ancient City Exploration
- Free time in Khiva
- UNESCO World Heritage Site Kunya Urgench
- Guided tour of Dashoguz City
- Gorogly Monument
- Dashoguz Wedding hall
- Kara-Kum desert
- Fiery Darvaza gas crater, "Gates of Hell”
- Mud Crater Visit
- Sand Dunes of Karakum Desert
- Ashgabat City Tour
- Monument of Independence
- National Museum of History and Ethnography
- Arch of Neutrality
- Gulistan market
- Ancient Settlement of Nisa
- Free time in Ashgabat
- Tashkent Guided City Tour
- Free time in Tashkent
Accommodation
- Standard hotels (20 nts twin share), yurts (3 nts multishare up to 4 people per yurt), homestay (2 nt, multi-share room).
- 25 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 9 dinners
Transport
- Private vehicles, plane, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Highlights
- Embark on the ultimate road trip across 5 countries in central Asia
- Browse the stalls of markets and local shops
- Stay overnight in traditional yurts and camps
- Camp under the stars near the Darvaza crater and witness the Gates of Hell
- Traverse mountains–forests and desert
Trip Details
26 days
Private vehicles, plane, walking.
English
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Budget
Classic, Budget
Average
Itinerary
Day 1: Bishkek
Welcome to Kyrgyzstan's artsy capital and cultural hub, situated at the base of the Tian Shan mountain range. There are no planned activities until the evening welcome meeting, so get out there and explore!
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Grand Hotel Bishkek
Day 2: Bishkek/Chon Kemin
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Check out some of the main highlights of this Soviet-esque capital city. Learn about the history of the city and daily life.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Visit the historical site of Burana and climb the stairs to check out the view from the top. A large minaret, along with some grave markers and remnants of a castle and mausoleums, are all that remain of the 9th century city of Balasagun.Accommodation - Chon Kemin Guesthouse
Day 3: Chong-Kemin/Song Kul
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Enjoy overnighting in a traditional felt yurt. Get comfortable in this multi-share round tent that fit up to 4 people and cozy up by the stove. Experience daily life of the nomads and sample some of their delicious cuisine.
Day 4: Song Kul/Tamga
Tamga village was once famous for its Soviet-era military sanatorium, where Soviet cosmonauts relaxed and recovered after space flights.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle. Stop halfway in Kochkor village for a Kyrgyz felt-making workshop.Activity - Enjoy an intimate lunch with local family in Kochkor Village.Activity - On the Southern Shore of Lake Issyk Kul, visit the breathtaking Skazka Canyon, also known as the Fairytale Canyon. It's nickname speaks for itself, with natural rock formations that tower like princess castles in faraway lands.Activity - Spend the night at a guesthouse in Tamga Village situated along Issyk Kul Lake. Surrounded by mountains and often used as a base for trekking, this village offers a touching glimpse into local Kyrgyz life.Accommodation - Anyutaika Guesthouse
Day 5: Tamga/Karakol
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Visit the Ak-Orgo workshop, a G Adventures-supported project working to preserve Kyrgyz traditions and create employment opportunities in Barskoon. Observe how traditional yurts are built.Activity - Visit the stunning Seven Bulls in the Jety Oguz mountain area. Watch as the bright red sandstone seemingly changes color hues as the sun reflects off the unique rock formations. We'll have a picturesque picnic lunch in the valley that is blanketed in colorful flowers in the spring. Then hike to the Jety Oguz view point on a 1.5 hour roundtrip moderate hike.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle. Stop first in Barskoon village before continuing on to Karakol.Activity - Jump on a mini-bus and see what Karakol has to offer. Stop by the Russian Orthodox Cathedral to admire the unique architecture. This beautiful wooden church was built in 1895, after the old structure was destroyed by an earthquake, and is still used for services on Sundays. Next, visit the colourful Dungan Mosque originally built in 1910 that almost resembles a Buddhist temple. This is the only mosque in the area and definitely worth checking out.Accommodation - Caravan Hotel Karakol
Day 6: Karakol/Saty Village
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.Activity - Be immersed in Kazakh culture during a homestay near the Kolsay Lakes National Park. Eat a traditional dinner and marvel at the mountain range and forests surrounding the village.Accommodation - Saty Village Guesthouse
Day 7: Saty Village/Almaty
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Enjoy the views of the beautiful Charyn Canyon. Breathe the fresh air and snap a few photos of this stunning landscape.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Otrar Hotel
Day 8: Almaty
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy the afternoon free to explore Almaty.Activity - Get to know Almaty on a city tour, visiting the most stunning sights. Stop by the colourful Ascension Cathedral, constructed entirely of wood without the use of any nails. It survived an earthquake in 1911 and continues to stand today. Walk through Panfilov's Park and the historical part of the city. Visit the new part of Almaty known as Independence Square, and stop by the WWII Memorial.Accommodation - Otrar Hotel
Day 9: Almaty/Dushanbe
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Visit the highlights of the capital city on a guided tour, seeing the Central Mosque and square, Ismail-i-Somoni Monument, the State Flag Pole, and Tajikistan Antiquities Museum.Transport - Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.Accommodation - Vatan Hotel
Day 10: Dushanbe/Kuli Iskandarkul/ Ghazza Village
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Take a short hike through the peaceful Fan Mountains to Iskander Darya waterfall, or Fan Niagra. The Iskander Darya river flows from the famous Iskandarkul Lake, named after Alexander the Great for his love of place. This massive, majestic waterfall falls from a height of 38 meters.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Enjoy an overnight stay in local guesthouse in this stunningly beautiful area. Meet the locals and explore the gorgeous landscape of the Fann Mountains.Accommodation - Ghazza Village Guesthouse
Day 11: Ghazza
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Hike to the Voru Village in the midst of the Fann Mountians. Explore the village and pay a visit to the local Blacksmith. Enjoy the chance to see they amazing things they make by hand, like knives and horseshoes. Have a cup of tea in the village before heading back to the guest house.Free_time - Enjoy a free evening in Ghazza Village.Accommodation - Ghazza Village Guesthouse
Day 12: Ghazza/Khujand
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Visit the largest monument of Vladimir Lenin in the world, located in Istaravshan. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the majority of Lenin statues were taken down, especially around Tajikistan. This os one of the only ones remaining.Activity - Explore the city, visiting the museum and a mausoleum.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Sugdiyon Hotel
Day 13: Khujand/Tashkent
Some travellers will be joining the group here as they start their journey into Uzbekistan.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Visit the market in Khujand. It's the largest in Tajikistan and a great example of a typical Central Asian market. Enjoy browsing what's for sale and opt to sample a few of the local delicacies.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.Activity - Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.Accommodation - Harris Hotel
Day 14: Tashkent
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Head out and explore Uzbekistan's capital city.Accommodation - Harris Hotel
Day 15: Tashkent/Samarkand
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.Activity - Amir Timur, known as Tamerlane, is an important figure to the city of Samarkand. He was a conqueror in the 14th century hoping to rebuild the empire of Genghis Khan and is considered the last of the great conquerors of the Eurasian steppe. Visit his mausoleum and learn more about his life and contributions.Transport - Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Visit the important sights of the city with a local guide. See the Shaki Zinda complex, Samarkand bazaar, Bibi Khanum, and Registan Square.Accommodation - Karvon Hotel Samarkand
Day 16: Samarkand
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Head out and discover more of Samarkand.Accommodation - Karvon Hotel Samarkand
Day 17: Samarkand/Aydar Kŭl Camp
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - The Chashma Complex in Nurata contains multiple important Islamic sights including the Juma Mosque and spring. The spring is believed to heal diseases and attracts many visitors.Activity - The city of Nurata was founded by Alexander the Great in 327BC and the remains of his fortress are still standing. The area is mentioned in many historical texts as being of strategic importance.Activity - Stay in traditional felt yurts and experience the way of life in the remote reaches of Uzbekistan.Accommodation - Yurt Camp Stay Aidarkul
Day 18: Aydar Kŭl Camp/Bukhara
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Free_time - Spend the afternoon wandering and get to know the city.Accommodation - Hotel As-Salam
Day 19: Bukhara
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - This is the perfect city for shopping or enjoying tea and snacks at a chaykhana.Activity - Join a local guide to visit the the Samanid Mausoleum, the Ark Citadel, and the Poi-i-Kalon complex. Wander around beautifully restored mosques, madrassas, and covered markets that make up the Old City.Accommodation - Hotel As-Salam
Day 20: Bukhara/Khiva
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.Accommodation - Hotel Muso To'ra
Day 21: Khiva
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Khiva feels like a museum city, with well-preserved city walls and ancient monuments. Wander the city on a guided tour, learn about life here and its important place in history.Free_time - Continue exploring this historic town.Accommodation - Hotel Muso To'ra
Day 22: Khiva/Dashoguz
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Cross the border on foot and enter Turkmenistan.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this town was abandoned in the 1700s and has remained untouched ever since. Visit the series of monuments built between the 11th and 16th centuries including a mosque, the gates of a caravanserai, fortresses, mausoleums, and a 60 meter high minaret.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Hotel Dashoguz
Day 23: Dashoguz/Darvaza
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Explore the city of Dashoguz, an important center of commerce and culture for Turkmenistan, on a tour today! Visit the Gorogly Monument, the main flag pole, the city square and the Dashoguz Wedding hall.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Often referred to as the 'Gates of Hell', this gas crater was originally constructed to support a drilling rig but collapsed. As residents discovered the natural gas leak, it was set on fire to burn off over the course of several weeks. Decades later it continues to burn.Accommodation - Darwaza Camping
Day 24: Darvaza/Ashgabat
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Visit the otherworldly mud crater just outside of Darvaza. About 30 meters deep, you'll see a beautiful turquoise pond at the bottom. Grab your camera and enjoy some time to visit this interesting place.Activity - Walk across the ancient sands of the central Karakum Desert. Keep your camera handy - the Karakum dunes are a stunning landscape any time of year.
Day 25: Ashgabat
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Start the day exploring the Monument of Independence followed by the National Museum of History and Ethnography. Next, visit the Arch of Neutrality and end the tour at the Gulistan market.Activity - Pay a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nisa. This ancient settlement was once the capital of the Parthian Empire from the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. Explore the ruins and learn about the history of this amazing place.Free_time - Enjoy some free time today to explore the sights or relax in the city.
Day 26: Ashgabat
Meals included: Breakfast
- Flights to and from origin and destinations
- Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
- Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
- Recommended gratuities/tipping
- Optional activities/tours
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.
You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.
Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.
This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.
Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.
If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.
If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.
Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
- Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
- Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Duration: 26 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Average
See all the 'stans (well, most of them) on this comprehensive 26-day tour through Central Asia. Learn about nomadic life in Song Köl, explore natural landscapes like Kaindy Lake's sunken forest, and witness the hustle and bustle of capital cities and their bazaars, cathedrals, and historical sites.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 01 May 2027
Customer Reviews
12/30/2023
My first trip was a good experience and several on the tour had done multiple G tours
12/23/2023
it's really self explanatory. If someone likes this style of travel, then G Adventures provides it.
Tour Operator
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
12/30/2023
My first trip was a good experience and several on the tour had done multiple G tours
12/23/2023
it's really self explanatory. If someone likes this style of travel, then G Adventures provides it.
12/23/2023
I had a great experience, everything went smoothly
11/29/2023
Had an absolute fantastic time. Great countries, excellent accommodation. I've been doing these trips for over 25 years and have also been a tour leader myself in Africa. Leila is one of the best leaders/guides/CEOS I have ever had. She was extremely knowledgeable and was able to control the group.
12/15/2023
g does a nice job of small group travel including visits to the top sites of a location/area and moving at a good enough pace to see a lot of things on a shorter time frame than if done by an individual (ie removes the stress/energy required for lodging and logistics) that are sometimes draining/stressful particularly in less developed travel destinations.
12/20/2023
First time travelling with G Adventures and I absolutely loved it - I loved all the inclusions, the vibe of the tour and the companies ethics and values.
11/22/2023
What a memorable trip with all the experts from G Adventures tour leaders, Anarbek (Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan), Shahbaz (Tajikistan), Ganisher (Uzbekistan) and Arslan (Turkmenistan). Thank you so much for making my Central Asia (5 stans) trip so special with amazing cultural, historical, geographical blends that make this trip so unique from others. Highly recommended trip. One suggestion is exploring Kazakhstan may need one extra day as we only spend 3 days in such a huge country. Julie
12/06/2023
The trip caters for people of all ages and all interests. The guides had the expertise to understand and cater for the diverse reasons individuals travel. Developing knowledge of the complex history, geography agriculture and customs of this central Asian region would not have been possible without the planning and operational procedures that the trip entailed. Long driving days gave understandings into the distances and difficulties that the Silk Road travellers faced. Putting new found knowledge into context will further develop with personal research.
11/27/2023
G Adventures?s overall trip plan. The accommodations were excellent and transportation provided was spacious making our long drives a bit more comfortable. Our three CEO?s further enhanced our trip experiences.
11/30/2023
Our trip was well run and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It appeals to all ages and we were delighted with our experience. The only reason I didn't score 10 was there were some minor issues during the lead up to our trip
11/23/2023
Trip to Stans was unbelievable. Enjoyed every aspect of our journey including the challenging high altitude hiking. Food, accommodations and transportation were of excellent quality. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone. My husband had his 80th birthday in Turkmenistan surrounded by new friends and a delicious birthday cake arranged by our CEO. We had three different guides and all three were excellent, giving us good information and keeping us safe with good instructions and optional plans. Thanks to Bek, Marifat and Arslan.
12/08/2023
This was our second G Adventures trip - both were very well organised and really enjoyable
12/05/2023
it's a great way to meet and see the world
12/03/2023
G Adventures?s overall trip plan. The accommodations were excellent and transportation provided was spacious making our long drives a bit more comfortable. Our three CEO?s further enhanced our trip experiences.
11/27/2023
Excellent tour of Central Asia which was previously completely unknown to us.
11/25/2023
Generally good guides and reasonable accommodations.
11/29/2023
I have always found G Adv to offer a style of travel that suits me and to run true to itinerary.
12/15/2023
g does a nice job of small group travel including visits to the top sites of a location/area and moving at a good enough pace to see a lot of things on a shorter time frame than if done by an individual (ie removes the stress/energy required for lodging and logistics) that are sometimes draining/stressful particularly in less developed travel destinations.
11/15/2023
Well designed tour, interesting well informed tour guide, good accommodations, professional drivers
11/23/2023
The trip was amazing - variety of countries and experiences, good hotels, outstanding guides
11/05/2023
The itineraries are very diverse, your tour leaders are great, the accommodations are almost always clean and well located and you take the hassle out of traveling as a single. I have been happy with almost all of my G trips.
11/05/2023
The guides provided excellent knowledge, exceptional personalized care in our group setting, hotels, meal choices, cultural activities and hiking experiences were well-planned and safe.
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