The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road

G Adventures · 26 days
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
26 Days
From AUD $5399
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating

The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road

The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road

G Adventures · 26 days
Duration

26 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Pack your bags and a serious sense of adventure — you’re about to blaze across four of Central Asia’s wildest and most underrated countries.

Highlights

  • Trek to bright blue alpine lakes in Tajikistan’s Marguzor Valley
  • Get sandy at Kazakhstan’s Singing Dunes and swim in Kaindy Lake
  • Learn to build a nomadic yurt from locals in Kyrgyzstan
  • Wander ancient cities like Bukhara Tashkent Almaty and Bishkek
  • Snap pics of wild rock formations in Fairytale Canyon and Charyn Canyon"

Trip Details

Duration

26 days

Transportation

Metro, Private Vehicle, Train, Walking, Overnight Train, 4x4 Vehicle.

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Finishes

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

18 - 39 Year Olds Only

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Tashkent

Arrive at any time. In the evening, meet your CEO and new crew that you'll be traveling with in a welcome meeting, followed by an optional dinner together. Then hit the town for your First Night Out, the chance to get to know your new travel buds!
2

Day 2: Tashkent/Khiva

Start today with some breakfast and an orientation walk of Tashkent. Check out the neighborhood alongside your CEO, then head out to explore the city how you'd like! Opt to join a Tashkent city tour or take a day trip to see the impressive Institute of Sun. This evening, climb aboard the overnight train en route to Khiva.
3

Day 3: Khiva

After a full nights sleep aboard the train, choose to have some breakfast in the dining car or enjoy the views as you chug along. Pull into Khiva around noon, drop your bags, then head out on an orientation walk. Spend the afternoon free to explore the city of Khiva however you want. Perhaps visit one of Khiva's most important landmarks, the Islam Khadija Minaret or take a tour of the City Wall.
4

Day 4: Khiva/Bukhara

Today you are free to explore this incredible ancient city. In the evening, head to the train station to travel to Bukhara. We'll head straight to the hotel upon arrival.
5

Day 5: Bukhara

Get a feel for your adventure in Bukhara by starting the day with an orientation walk of the area. Then today is yours to explore the city! Visit some of the incredible Hammams (traditional public baths), or join a guided tour of Bukhara.
6

Day 6: Bukhara/Samarkand

Bukhara, a historic and important stop along the Silk Road, is today a beautiful piece of living history. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Town Bukhara, with its stone alleyways and colorful tiles, will have you feeling transported to an ancient time. Enjoy another day free to explore this beautiful place before taking a train to Samarkand in the evening.
7

Day 7: Samarkand

The great city of Samarkand was once a rich trading and intellectual center of the Silk Road. Now known for its melting pot of culture and grand architecture, today is yours to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site.
8

Day 8: Samarkand/Marguzor

This morning we depart Uzbekistan and drive to Tajikistan. Shortly after crossing the border, stop at Panjakent Bazaar and wander through the stalls of food, clothes and unique finds. Head out and continue the drive to Padrud Village for the night. On the way, we'll visit four of the breathtaking Seven Lakes in the Fan Mountains. These lakes shine with different colors of blues, greens, purples and turquoises. Grab your camera and take in the incredible views.
9

Day 9: Marguzor

After breakfast at the guesthouse, hike from Lake 6 to the incredible Lake 7. This remote lake is only accessibly by hiking and is well worth the trek. After arriving, enjoy a scenic picnic next to the lake before hiking back to the village. This evening, chow down on a well deserved Tajikistani barbecue.
10

Day 10: Marguzor/Samarkand

Travel across the border back to Uzbekistan today. After the journey, enjoy a restful evening in Samarkand.
11

Day 11: Samarkand/Tashkent

Take a morning train to Tashkent, where it all began! Spend the rest of the day at leisure in the capital city of Uzbekistan. This evening, join your group for a Big Night Out in the city!
12

Day 12: Tashkent/Shymkent

Hop in the van for a trip across the border to Kazakhstan. Drive to Shymkent and join your CEO on an orientation walk of the city before enjoying the afternoon to explore.
13

Day 13: Shymkent

Drive to the totally instagramable Ugam Chatkal National Park. Join a fun 16km hike to Sayram Su Lake for a cute lakeside picnic with the crew. Hike Back to Shymkent to relax this afternoon.
14

Day 14: Shymkent/Taraz

Drive to Taraz today. This city is not visited by many tourists now but was once a major rest stop along the Ancient Silk Road. Take an orientation walk around the town then opt to visit the Taraz Museum to see the remains of this historic place.
15

Day 15: Taraz/Bishkek

Cross the border into the next Stan. Into Kyrgyzstan, head to Bishkek. Spend time with your crew this evening in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, bidding farewell to those heading off and greeting the newbies!
16

Day 16: Bishkek

Today is yours for adventure through Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. After an orientation walk to get your bearings, spend the rest of the day seeing the city how you'd like. Opt to join a guided tour of the city or learn to make local Kyrgyz dumplings called manti.
17

Day 17: Bishkek/Chon Kemin

Visit the historic Burana Tower on the way to Iskra Village where we will enjoy a yummy lunch with a Dungan family, a group of Muslim-Chinese heritage. After spending time with the family and digging into the yummy food, drive to Chom Kemin for the night.
18

Day 18: Chon Kemin/Tamga

Start today with an easy hike up to the Shatyly view point. Take in the view from above before hiking back down for some free time at camp. Take a dip if you wish in Issyk Kul Lake, meaning "Warm Lake" in Kyrgyz. In the afternoon, visit the famous Fairytale Canyon, Skazka. Walk through the wild rock formations that resemble castles and gnome homes. Then enjoy a relaxing evening on the shores of Issyk Kul Lake.
19

Day 19: Tamga

After breakfast at camp, hike to the beautiful Barskoon Waterfall. I mean, who doesn't love a little waterfall adventure? Then head to Ak Orgo, a G Adventures-supported project that helps bring much-needed job opportunities to the Barskoon region. We'll dig into some lunch then learn how to build a yurt (like the one we're staying in here in Tamga!) Then head back to camp and take a dip in the lake.
20

Day 20: Tamga/Karakol

Drive to Karakol this morning and join your CEO on an orientation walk, the perfect way to start your time in Karakol and get to know this city a bit better. Then the day is yours for adventure! Opt to visit the colorful Dungan Mosque, Karakol Market or the impressive Russian Orthodox Church.
21

Day 21: Karakol

Fill up on breakfast before heading out for a free day in Karakol. How about a tour of the city? Or maybe get back out into nature with visits to the spectacular Jety Oguz or Aksu Kench hot springs!
22

Day 22: Karakol/Saty Village

Cross the border into Kazakhstan, stopping for a scenic picnic lunch along the way. Then climb into a 4x4 vehicle to visit the stunning Kaindy Lake. Grab your camera and get ready for some jaw-dropping views. This evening, connect with local Kazakh culture at our Saty Village homestay.
23

Day 23: Saty Village/Altyn Emel National Park

Get ready to see red... red rocks and canyons we mean! Our first stop of the day is to Charyn Canyon. Full of different shades of reds, oranges, and browns, the beautiful Charyn Canyon is often compared to the Grand Canyon. Then continue on to Altyn Emel National Park where more red and orange rocks make up this beautiful landscape.
24

Day 24: Altyn Emel National Park/Almaty

Right on the bank of the Ili river sits the beautiful golden Singing Sand Dunes. On a windy day, when the sad moves across the dunes, it produces a low-pitched humming sound, giving it its name. Get your body moving as you trek through the sand. Return to the guest house for a well-deserved lunch before driving to Almaty. Then join your crew and CEO for an orientation walk.
25

Day 25: Almaty

Almaty is on full display as you get to choose your own adventure through the city. We recommend a city tour to connect with Kazakhstani culture. Then see the city come to life at night on your Big Night Out!
26

Day 26: Almaty

Depart at any time.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • 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.
Important Information
Meals

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 willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

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.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

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. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

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.

Visas

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.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $5,399
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 26 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Pack your bags and a serious sense of adventure — you’re about to blaze across four of Central Asia’s wildest and most underrated countries.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 10 Apr 2026

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