Tour Central Asia: Five Stans Adventure | Visit Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan

Transport

Private vehicle,Plane,Train,Overnight Sleeper Train,Metro

Others

Included activities Nur-Sultan - City tour Baikonur - Yuri Gagarin Museum & House Baikonur - Cosmodrome Baikonur - Space Museum Otrar - Ancient settlement Turkistan - Yasui Mausoleum Almaty - Central State Museum Almaty - Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments Almaty - Kok Tobe Hill Almaty - Panfilov Park Almaty - Medeu Almaty - Zenkov Cathedral Charyn Canyon - National Park Karakol - Dungan Mosque Karakol - Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral Karakol - Przhevalskiy Museum Karakol - Jeti Orghuz Canyon Hike Cholpan Ata - Petroglyphs Bishkek - City Tour Osh - Suleiman’s Mountain Osh - Bazaar Tajikistan - Karakul Lake Langar - Petroglyphs Vrang - Buddist Stupa Ptup - Yamchun Fort Khorog - Regional Museum Khorog - Pamir Botanical Gardens Khorog – Bazaar Dushanbe - City Tour Dushanbe – Hissor Fort Dushanbe – National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan Samarkand - Shakh-I-Zinda Samarkand - Registan Samarkand - Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum Samarkand - Bibi-Khanym Mosque Samarkand - Paper making workshop & home cooked lunch Khiva - Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum Khiva - Kuhna Ark Khiva - Islom Hoja Minaret & Medressa Khiva - Juma Mosque Khiva - Tosh-Hovli Palace Darvaza - "Door to Hell" Crater Konye-Urgench - City tour Yerbent - Village visit Ashgabat - National Museum of Turkmenistan Ashgabat - Nisa ruins Ashgabat - Anau ruins Ashgabat - Independence Monument Ashgabat - Neutrality Arch Ashgabat - Turkmenbashy Ruhi Mosque & Family Mausoleum of the First President of Turkmenistan Ashgabat - Ertugrul Gazi Mosque Merv - Big & Small Kizkala Merv - Erk Kala & Gayur Kala Merv - Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Meals

38 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinners

Accommodation

OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION: The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances. TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS: Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on a different Intrepid trip than your own. CHECK-IN TIME: Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination. PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION: If you’ve purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights. HOMESTAYS: Please note that at our homestays you might be required to share a room with people of other genders, or with your leader. Because we stay at real people’s homes, beds might be pull-out couches or mattresses on the floor, or even a yurt in their backyard. Some of the accommodation along the way is very basic, staying in local guesthouses, yurts and homestays with limited facilities. Some facilities are shared and some accommodation has cold water only or no bathroom facilities. Hotel/Guesthouse with private rooms (28 nights),Guesthouse/Homestay/Yurt multishare (8 nights),camping (1 night),Overnight Train (1 night)

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Others

Other activities and services not included

Flights

International flights not included.

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Nur-Sultan (Astana)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Nur-Sultan (Astana)

Welcome to Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm in the hotel lobby. Recently renamed Nur-Sultan in honour of the long serving first president, the city was purpose built to become th capital city of Kazakhstan in 1997. Similar to Washington D.C. in the United States or Canberra in Australia, Nur-Sultan is a planned city with the Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa as its master mind. Now, Nur-Sultan is one of the most vibrant cities in Central Asia. If you arrive early, take the time explore and admire the futuristic city skyline. Join your leader in the evening for an included local dinner tonight.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 2 Day 2: Nur-Sultan (Astana)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Nur-Sultan (Astana)

This morning, head off on a city tour with your leader and see some of the most impressive designs of this ambitious new city. Visit Nur-Astana Mosque, built in 2005 – with its capacity of 5000 worshippers inside and an additional 2000 outside it is one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. Then you’ll stop at Palace of Peace & Reconciliation, a pyramid shaped conference hall that’s considered to be Astana’s symbolic center. You’ll also visit the President’s Culture Center which houses an array of exhibits that tell of the past, present and future of Kazakhstan, and of course, as its name suggests, the many achievements of it’s President. The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 3 Day 3: Jana Ozon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Jana Ozon

Get ready for an early morning for a flight to Ak Tau – a city on the Caspian shore. Arrive in the mid-morning and take the chance to get acquainted with the city and do some final shopping before venturing into the ‘outback’ of Kazakhstan. Continue the journey to Jana Ozen (approximately 2.5 hours), crossing Karagie, one of the world’s deepest depressions. Continue to a clifftop top that provides incredible views over the area. Arrive in Jana Ozon, the oil industry center of Kazakhstan, where you’ll be settled for tonight.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 4 Day 4: Boszhira Valley
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Boszhira Valley

Gear up for a full day exploring the Boszhira Valley, a truly otherworldly landscape made up of moon-like terrain. Hop in your jeep and cross oil fields before reaching Kyzyl Suu mazar, a holy grave from the 19th century. Then, drive through waste salt lakes before climbing up the East Karatau range, from where you can see the Chalky Mountains of East Ak Tau far in the distance. You can also see Bakty mountain, as depicted on the 1000 KZT banknote. From here, approach the foothills and take a short hike, admiring panoramic views of the unique snow-white rocky outcrops that fall into the Caspi depression with a 15km long cliff. Enjoy a well-deserved picnic lunch on the bottom of the chalky canyon. Continue to the Ustyurt Plateau, a clay desert punctuated with salt marshes and limestone karsts. Finally, continue to your last stop of the day – Kogez Yurt camp.
Accommodation: Tourist Yurt Camp (Multishare)
Day 5 Day 5: Ak Tau
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Ak Tau

Start the day with a drive north to Airakty Shumanai Valley, known among locals as the valley of castles. From here, drive on to Mount Sherkala, famed for its fascinating dome shape. Torysh, the Valley of Balls, is your next stop – another natural miracle made up of spherical rock formations. Next up, head to Shakpak Ata, and underground mosque and necropolis from the 10th to the 13th century. Located at the cross-roads of the ancient Silk Road, this rock-hewn mosque is shaped like a cross and features prayer rooms, columns and ancient drawings. Settle into your hotel in Ak Tau in the evening.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 6 Day 6: Turkistan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Turkistan

This morning, board your flight to Shymkent and then continue to Turkistan. Grab some snacks, sit back and relax as the epic landscape rushes by. Located in southern Kazakhstan, the city of Turkistan contains more historical relics and cultural sites than any other place in the country. You will arrive in the late afternoon. You’ll visit the main attraction of the Yasaui Mausoleum tomorrow morning, but you’ll have the option to see it illuminated at night today. Tonight, you’ll also visit the new Caravan Serai, a complex recently built to model ancient Silk Road trade centres, giving visitors a taste of what life here was once like.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 7 Day 7: Shymkent/Overnight Train
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Shymkent/Overnight Train

Head out on a city tour this morning, the highlight of which is a visit to the Kozha Akhmed Yasaui Mausoleum, Kazakhstan’s most iconic building. The blue and while-tiled Mausoleum is the final resting place of a great Turkic holy man and Sufi. Built by Tamerlane, it is said that three visits here are equal to one visit to Mecca. As it is a religious site, we recommend that women wear a headscarf when entering. In the surrounds you’ll find a rose garden, other monuments, an archeological museum and a mosque, which are all included in the entry ticket. Continue the journey to Shymkent (approximately 4 hours) by private vehicle, stopping at the ancient settlement of Otrar on the way. It was first excavated in 1969 and has a history dating back to the first century AD. Remnants of palaces, mosques and bathhouses can still be seen today. It is also where Genghis Khan’s army is said to have fought heroically (though unsuccessfully) when the Mongols first invaded Central Asia. There’ll be some time to spend in Shymkent before boarding the overnight train (approximately 11 hours) to Almaty.
Accommodation: Overnight train
Day 8 Day 8: Almaty
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Almaty

Hop off the train early this morning and head straight to your hotel to drop off your luggage and make use of shared rooms to refresh – you’ll be able to check in later in the day. Then embark on a full-day guided city tour of Almaty. The development and wealth you’ll see on display as you walk the streets comes from the country’s main export – oil. Kazakhstan is one of the world’s top five oil-producing nations in the world. Visit Central Square and the colourful Zenkoff Cathedral in historic Panfilov Park, dedicated to the 28 guardsmen who died defending Moscow against German tanks in WWII. Check out the fascinating Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments and the State Historical Museum, which features a great collection of ancient relics. Finally, summit Kok Tobe Hill for great views over the city before returning to the hotel after a long but fulfilling day.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 9 Day 9: Almaty
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Almaty

Today, get out of Almaty and enjoy a day trip to Lake Issyk and Turgen Gorge. Stop at Issyk Museum, dedicated to Scythian culture. Continue to Ile-Alatau National Park, where the peaceful mountain-clad Lake Issyk is situated. After some time here, carry on to Turgen Gorge, where a short hike will bring you to a 20-metre waterfall. Don’t pass up on the chance of having lunch at a trout farm here. Return to Almaty in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 10 Day 10: Almaty – Kaz/Kgz Border Crossing – Karakol
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Almaty – Kaz/Kgz Border Crossing – Karakol

Today before saying goodbye to Kazakhstan, stop at spectacular Charyn Canyon (approximately 4 hours’ drive). The colorful formations of different shapes and sizes are no less impressive than the Grand Canyon in the United States, (though it’s much smaller!). Continue to the border and enter the mountainous nation of Kyrgyzstan. Tonight you’ll stay in the peaceful town of Karakol.
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Day 11 Day 11: Karakol
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Karakol

This mainly Russian town was officially founded on 1st of July in 1869 by the military. At this time the town already had a large population of military officers, explorers from the Russian Geographical society, merchants and artisans. The town’s Soviet name was Przhevalsk after the Great Russian explorer of Central Asia and China, Nikolai Przhevalsky. His last expedition ended here and he is buried on the lakeshore near Karakol. Stroll along Karakol’s streets spotting Russian-style ’gingerbread’ houses. Visit the Dungan Mosque, Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, a local market and the Przhevalsky Museum. After lunch, drive for about 1 hour for a hike (approx. 2 hours) in the picturesque Jety Oguz Valley, aka Seven Bull Valley. Your leader will guide you through the forest to a waterfall (with jaw-dropping panoramic views). Return to Karakol for the night.
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Day 12 Day 12: Bishkek
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Bishkek

Today is a full day’s drive to Bishkek along the northern shore of Issyk Kul – the second largest alpine lake in the world after lake Titicaca in South America. The views are lovely along the way, especially seeing Issyk Kul surrounded by snow capped mountains. On the way, you’ll stop at Cholpan Ata, visit a petroglyph’s site and take a short boar ride onto the lake to enjoy its sheer size and scale. Arrive in Bishkek in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 13 Day 13: Bishkek
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Bishkek

Take a trip down memory lane today with a city tour showcasing the country’s fascinating history. The centre of the city is Ala-too Square, which was known as Lenin Square in Soviet times. Lenin used to stand in his concrete overcoat in the middle of this square, proudly gesturing towards the mountains. A great place for a wander is Dubovy (Oak) Park, where you’ll find a few open-air cafes. The century-old oaks here and all along Freedom Avenue make Bishkek one of the greenest cities in Central Asia. In the afternoon, you’ll have some free time to further explore Bishkek. Quite the contrast to the relaxed quiet streets, square and parks in the city center, Osh Market is noisy, crowded, and a perfect peek into local life. You’ll find all kinds of things on sale here from spices and fruits to clothes and carpets. Get together with your travel mates and enjoy an optional dinner together tonight to celebrate a great journey through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 14 Day 14: Bishkek
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Bishkek

Have a day at leisure to explore Bishkek. You’ll have realised by now that it’s a relaxed city of wide streets, trees and parklands, and a palpable Soviet past. The State Museum of Fine Arts is the city’s premiere museum and TSUM Department Store in the city centre is renowned for having the best range of Kyrgyz souvenirs for shopping. There’s another group meeting scheduled at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll be briefed on the next stage of your adventure, perhaps with some new travel pals joining you!
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 15 Day 15: Chychkan/Toktogul/Kok Bel
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Chychkan/Toktogul/Kok Bel

Depart Bishkek and travel to Toktogul (approximately 6 hours) though spectacular mountain scenery today. This is an urban settlement in the Jalal-Abad province of Kyrgyzstan. You will arrive in the early evening, then enjoy a night of free time. Due to the limited options in this area, the accommodation tonight might be in Chychkan or Kok Bel rather than Toktogul. Your leader will advise you in Bishkek as to where you will stay for your departure.
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Homestay
Day 16 Day 16: Osh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 16: Osh

Travel onward from Toktogul to Kyrgyzstan’s second city, Osh (approximately 8 hours). Located in the Fergana Valley in the south of the country, Osh is often referred to as the capital of the south. It has a mostly Uzbek population, which is evidence of its proximity to the border. While you are here, you’ll visit Suleiman’s (Solomon’s) Mountain, a site of huge Islamic importance that dominates the centre of the city. While the walk is not strenuous for those with good fitness, you will need sturdy footwear as there are many slippery and steep steps and slopes. You will also visit Osh Bazaar, one of the biggest markets in Central Asia. As well as browsing this intriguing bazaar, here you can change some money into Tajikistan Somani for the journey ahead. Depending on the arrival time, some activities in Osh will be scheduled for tomorrow instead of today.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 17 Day 17: Sary Tash
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 17: Sary Tash

After a morning of exploring Osh, continue to Sary Tash (approximately 3 hours). On this journey you will cross the Taldyk Pass (3615 m). Conveniently located in the Alai Valley, bordering Tajikistan, Sary Tash is a junction for explorers heading off in many directions on the road to Osh, Murgab (Tajikistan), and Kashgar (China). You will spend the night in a basic guesthouse or homestay in this small, remote village at the junction of the Silk Road.
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Homestay
Day 18 Day 18: Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan Border Crossing – Murgab
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 18: Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan Border Crossing – Murgab

Today we drive to Murgab (approximately 6–7 hours). First, after breakfast, drive the 50 kilometres from Sary Tash to the Kyzyl Art Pass (4280 m). In this spectacularly remote spot, you will cross the border from Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan. Remember to be patient as officials work through the various permits and procedures. Once inside Tajikistan, you’ll make your way down the 95 km to Karakul Lake for lunch, with yet more dramatic scenery and photo opportunities along the way. Karakul Lake is too high to support aquatic life and is the largest out of 800 lakes in the Pamirs; these lakes were created by earthquakes, tectonic activity and glaciers. The final 135 km today takes you to Murgab via the Ak-Baital Pass (4655 m), the highest pass on the Pamir Highway and in the former Soviet Union. Murgab is located in a valley at approximately 3000 m above sea level, surrounded by high peaks. This region is inhabited mainly by Kyrgyz people. From here, on a clear day, you can see Muztag Ata (7546 m), the highest mountain in the Pamirs. While here, your hosts will prepare you a simple dinner and breakfast – homemade bread, plov (rice pilaf) and fried eggs or porridge. Keen stargazers will be treated to a great display on a clear night, with very little light pollution affecting views of the night sky.
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Homestay
Day 19 Day 19: Langar
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 19: Langar

Today is another long day of breathtaking driving (approximately 10 hours). Drive through the picturesque Alichur valley, over the Khargush Pass (4344 m), to the Wakhan Corridor. As you enter the Wakhan there are amazing views of the Pamirs to the right and of the Hindu Kush to the left. On the other side of the pass you will cross through another check point and travel along the Afghanistan border. In contrast to the previous village stays, the surroundings here are more fertile, with families growing tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbages and flowers on their own garden plots. A stop will be made somewhere along the way for lunch in a local chaikana (teahouse/cafeteria). Tonight you will stay in a traditional Pamiri house, which consists of a large pillared central room where all home life takes place. Home cooking awaits – perhaps lagman (noodle soup) or shorpa (meat and vegetable soup). After dinner your hosts will roll the mattresses and you’ll share a sleeping area with the rest of the group.
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Homestay
Day 20 Day 20: Ptup
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 20: Ptup

Today is one of the most active days of the trip so take advantage of the chance to stretch your legs! After breakfast there’s the option of hiking to an interesting petroglyph site above the village. The images, carved into the rocks high above the village, depict goats, caravans, horses and Ismaili symbols. You’ll hike up a gravelly slope for at least 30 minutes (depending on fitness) before the first carvings are visible. There is little shade and it’s hard going, but it’s well worth the exertion, especially after so long in a vehicle. Next you will drive to nearby Vrang, where on a cliff-side pitted with caves stands a Buddhist complex with 4th-century origins. It’s another climb to get there, but the path is flatter in places and not as physically demanding as the hike to the petroglyphs. Continue to Ptup via the stunning valley that follows the winding river (approximately 3 hours). You’ll stop en route for lunch. Ptup is the location of your next Pamiri homestay in the traditional Wakhan style. The multi-generation family who live here have a beautiful garden and house with a flush toilet and shower with solar-heated water. While you’re in Ptup you’ll visit the stunning Yamchun Fort, which some claim is the most spectacular sight in the country. To get to the fort you’ll follow very windy, narrow mountain roads, so for safety reasons this journey will be made well before nightfall. Access to the fort itself is via a tricky scramble down and along the rocky valley. The views out over the valley are amazing. If time and road conditions permit, you might be able to visit Bibi Fatima hot springs too.
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Homestay
Day 21 Day 21: Khorog
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 21: Khorog

From Ptup you will travel to Khorog (approximately 6 hours), which after our village experiences might seem like a bustling metropolis. You will pass through Ishkashim, perhaps stopping for lunch there, and continue along the Afghan border. Look out for the watchtowers and border crossings which, despite the proximity of the countries (sometimes only 100 metres apart), are few and far between, with very little contact between people on each side of the divide. Also watch out for ovrings, the spectacularly scary footbridges that Afghans have built along the cliff faces in order to be able to commute from one village to another. The contrast across the river valley here can be quite stark in places. Tajikistan is undoubtedly a poor country; in general the roads are sealed and buildings are connected with electricity, but over the river you will see locals living in much simpler conditions. You’ll often be able to get a wave from your neighbours across the river as you travel along. Once in Khorog you will be in the capital of the Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO). Here you’ll stay in a guesthouse or hotel with private bathrooms. Perhaps enjoy a dinner at an Indian restaurant in town – one of the city’s best.
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel
Day 22 Day 22: Khorog
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 22: Khorog

Time to explore Khorog’s sights today, including the bazaar. As you wander throughout this intriguing marketplace, your leader will be able to point out to you which stalls are selling Afghan goods from our neighbours across the river. There will also be time to check out the lovely botanical gardens that are perched high above the town, which boast some great panoramic views, and the curiously quaint Regional Museum.
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel
Day 23 Day 23: Kala-I Khum
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 23: Kala-I Khum

Set off to Kala-i Khum (sometimes written Kalaikhum), a small town on the Pamir Highway (approximately 10 hours). Today is mostly a travel day, and since the town is so far away, most groups will arrive too late to be able to explore on arrival. Tonight’s accommodation is a guesthouse or homestay which sometimes also accommodates other independent travellers. The guesthouse is multistory, so be prepared for some steep steps to get to and from the sleeping spaces, dining area and bathrooms. There is a simple shower, some running water and both a flush and pit toilet in the courtyard. Dinner is included again this evening, perhaps local style dumplings.
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Homestay
Day 24 Day 24: Dushanbe
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 24: Dushanbe

Enjoy some breakfast at the homestay before setting off for the nation’s capital, Dushanbe (approximately 8 hours). In Dushanbe we stay for two nights in hotel with private bathrooms. For dinner tonight, the group might head out on the town to a Middle Eastern restaurant – one of the city’s finest – or to a popular Chaikhana which has been in operation since Soviet times.
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel
Day 25 Day 25: Dushanbe
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 25: Dushanbe

Check out the local central parks, fountains and monuments, with the option of visiting the main bazaar or Soviet-era Central Department Store for some souvenir shopping on our city tour toady. Just outside of Dushanbe (around 30 km) is the 18th-century Hissor Fort. Though this fort is being heavily restored, its colourful 20th-century history makes it quite an interesting visit. Back in Dushanbe, you’ll check out the excellent Museum of National Antiquities. This relatively new museum reflects Tajikistan’s diverse pre-Islamic cultural heritage, with exhibits from Bactrian, Buddhist, Zoroastrian and Hindu eras. The giant sleeping Buddha on the second floor may well be the highlight here.
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel
Day 26 Day 26: Penjikent
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 26: Penjikent

This morning, drive north to Penjikent (239 km). From Dushanbe we start climbing to the top of Anzob pass sitting at 3373 metres, and then decend to Ainy before heading to Penjikent through the mountains. Penjikent is strategically located on the way from Samarkand to Kuhistan – the mountainous area between Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Iran, now known as Fann Mountains. It was the last stop on the way to or from the mountains so the economy boosted with every caravan stopping here. After lunch, head to southeast edge of the town where the ancient ruins of Sogdian era Penjikent were found. It is a unique monument of pre-Islamic culture in Central Asia dating back to the fifth to eighth century AD.
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel
Day 27 Day 27: Tajikistan/Uzbekistan Border Crossing – Samarkand
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 27: Tajikistan/Uzbekistan Border Crossing – Samarkand

This morning, head to the border between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (approximately 70km). The border crossing can be a length process and has only recently been reopened, but after making it into Uzbekistan, it’ll only be a short drive to the legendary Samarkand. Marco Polo described Samarkand as a ’very large and splendid city,’ a truly breathtaking place that conjures up images of ancient splendour of the Silk Road. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time in the city. Maybe check out the remains of the remarkable medieval observatory developed by Ulug Beg, Tamerlane’s (Amir Timur) brilliant astronomer grandson. These days, only half of the underground semi-circular track can be seen, but there is an the excellent small museum close by. Or visit the Afrosiab Museum with its fine collection of treasures unearthed from the site, including world famous 10th century frescoes. Tomorrow, there will be a full day city tour that include some of the key highlights in Samarkand.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 28 Day 28: Samarkand
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 28: Samarkand

Be blown away by the sights you’ll take in today. First, the great central square of Samarkand, the Registan. Then, Guri-Amir, where Tamerlane is buried, and finally the enormous Bibi-Khanum Mosque. Then we drive to Konigil village in the outskirts of the city for a special lunch with a family who have been making paper by traditional methods as long as they can remember. After lunch we’ll learn about this unique way of paper making from mulberry. Returning to Samarkand, visit the impressive Shak-i-Zinda ensemble of mausoleums. This unusual necropolis has monuments from the 14th and 15th centuries, reflecting the development of the monumental art and architecture of the Timurid dynasty and is photo worthy at every turn.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 29 Day 29: Tashkent
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 29: Tashkent

Head to Tashkent (approximately 4-5 hrs on private vehicle), the capital city of Uzbekistan. After arrival, your leader will take you on a short orientation walk. You’ll have a free afternoon to explore this one of the largest cities in Central Asia. Choose to visit the exciting Chorsu Bazaar, the State History Museum, or the Abdul Khasim Medrassah with its hujra cells used as metalwork and craft workshops to produce jewellery and other goods, or the Khast Imom Complex. In the evening, get together for an optional dinner with your fellow travellers to toast to Tashkent.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 30 Day 30: Tashkent
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 30: Tashkent

Tashkent blends Russian and Uzbek style, with extravagant mosques that sit alongside modern highways and Soviet monuments. Today is free to do as you please in Tashkent, perhaps taking in some of the contemporary architecture from the observation deck at Tashkent Tower, which offers sweeping views over the city. You’ll have another briefing at 6 pm today, where you’ll meet your tour leader and new travel group to talk about the next stage of your Stans adventure. Until then, it’s time to choose your own adventure – best done with a somsa (savoury meat pastry) in hand.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 31 Day 31: Khiva
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 31: Khiva

Take morning flight to Urgench (90 minutes) and transfer to colourful Khiva (45 minutes). Many global powers have laid claim to this city over the centuries, from khans to Silk Road traders and the Soviet Union. Get acquainted with Khiva on a tour of this walled-city. See the incredible blue-tiled Kalta Minor Minaret and the Mohammed Amin Khan Madressa. Explore the Kuhna Ark, the ’citadel within a citadel’ which once housed the Khan and his family in the 17th century, then get a good look at this attractive city from the Ak-sheikh Baba Observatory. Finally, visit the Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum, a complex constructed in honour of the famous 13th-century poet, craftsman and fighter. A popular pilgrimage site, the mint-coloured dome that tops the main mausoleum is stunning. Spend the rest of the day as you wish. Maybe ask your leader where to grab the best plov (rice, meat, and carrots). The city is a photographer’s delight, particularly in the evenings when the sun begins to set and fading light glints off turquoise tiles, so make sure you have your phone or camera ready to snap some pictures.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 32 Day 32: Khiva
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 32: Khiva

Khiva is particularly magic at dawn when the streets are empty. Later, you leader will guide you through some of the city’s other impressive monuments and buildings. Visit the towering Islom Hoja Minaret, the tallest building in Khiva. Explore Juma Mosque, the roof of which is propped up by 212 wooden columns and designed to let in sunlight. If you want a peek at Uzbek luxury, look no further than the Tosh-Hovli Palace, which was built in the first half of the 19th century. Wander through elaborately decorated courtyards connected by labyrinthian corridors. The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 33 Day 33: Konye-Urgench – Darvaza
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 33: Konye-Urgench – Darvaza

Say goodbye to Uzbekistan and cross the border into Turkmenistan at Khodjeyli (Xo‘jayli). Meet the new leader who will be your key to local secrets, food and highlights for the rest of your journey. From the border, make a 1.5-hour drive to the World Heritage-listed Konye-Urgench. Once a centre of the Islamic world, it suffered destruction at the hands of Genghis Khan and the Timurid dynasty and fell into decay until the 20th century. But it still has tonnes of monuments from the 11th to 16th centuries, including a mosque, mausoleum and the 60-metre-high Gutlug Timur Minaret. Continue your journey with a 4-hour drive by 4WD to Darvaza Crater. This astounding 70-metre-wide hole in the Karakum Desert is permanently aflame. Soviet oil prospectors started drilling in 1971 expecting to find oil, and the ground collapsed to form the crater. Worried about the gas released into the air, they deliberately set the crater on fire to burn off the excess, expecting it to last a few weeks. As you’ll see today, they were wrong, and the crater has been burning ever since. Watch the sunset over the ’Door to Hell’ from your nearby camp, and enjoy a Turkmenistan-style barbecue for dinner.
Accommodation: Camping
Day 34 Day 34: Yerbent – Ashgabat
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 34: Yerbent – Ashgabat

Hit the sand again in the 4WD, making the 4-hour drive to Ashgabat with a stop along the way at the tiny settlement of Yerbent. The community here live primarily in yurts that are tucked between the sand dunes. Check out the local monument that pays tribute to the group of socialists that died in the Basmachi Revolt in 1931, then continue to Ashgabat. Little is left of the original Russian Imperial city as most of it was destroyed in a massive earthquake in 1948, and today the city centre is a bizarre mix of futuristic and outrageous public buildings. Get a sense of Ashgabat old and new with a tour that takes in both the ancient settlement of Nisa and the National Museum of Turkmenistan. Enjoy a free afternoon in this mind-bending city. Look out for the ornate, golden telephone booths, screens broadcasting official ceremonies on a loop and imposing statues of the president.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 35 Day 35: Ashgabat
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 35: Ashgabat

Take a full day to wrap your head around this desert city on an immersive guided tour taking in the four pointed minarets atop the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and the the extravagant Independence Monument. This sculpted park is filled with statues of Turkmen heroes (and controversial politicians) that line paths that lead to a golden dome and a (surprise!) massive minaret. From this lavish ode to Turkmen identity, continue to the Neutrality Arch, which despite its name has a provocative history. Then travel outside of the city to the Turkmenbashy Ruhi Mosque, the mausoleum of former Turkmen leader Saparmurat Niyazov, before heading further out of town to the ruins of Anau. The crumbling remains of the medieval mosque still attract the devout, who come to pray and make offerings. After a day full of sightseeing, maybe spend the evening relaxing at your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 36 Day 36: Mary
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 36: Mary

Rise and shine for the 5-hour drive to Mary (pronounced ‘Mah-rih’). The somewhat ostentatious displays of wealth in the city can be traced to the long-running gas and cotton industries. Stop en route for lunch and to roam through the ruins of Abiverd. This fascinating archaeological site was an important trading town from 652 AD until the 12th century, and you can still see ancient shards of pottery scattered on the ground. Arrive in Mary in the afternoon and settle into your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 37 Day 37: Merv – Mary
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 37: Merv – Mary

Take a 40-minute drive to Merv, also known as Margiana or Margush, and enjoy some time to explore Turkmenistan’s most recognised site. This sprawling World Heritage site is home to numerous walled structures from various periods spread across a 1200-hectare area. See impressive columns smoothed by wind and time at the Greater Kizkala and walk hills that were once the fortress walls of Erk Kala. While not the most impressive visually, Gyaur Kala dates to 400 BC and has a fascinating history. Spend some time exploring these relics of grand empires and then return to Mary for a free afternoon. Maybe visit the Mary Regional Museum. Housed in a palace of white marble, the museum features archaeological displays and exhibitions on traditional Turkmen life and culture.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 38 Day 38: Ashgabat
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 38: Ashgabat

Glittering Ashgabat awaits your return today, so make the 5-hour return drive to the City of White Marble. Enjoy a free afternoon to spend as you wish before an optional dinner with your travel group.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 39 Day 39: Ashgabat
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 39: Ashgabat

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the hotel at any time.

+36

39 days tour

Central Asia: Five Stans Adventure

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Central Asia: Five Stans Adventure

Day 1: Nur-Sultan (Astana)

Day 2: Nur-Sultan (Astana)

Day 3: Jana Ozon

Day 4: Boszhira Valley

Day 5: Ak Tau

Day 6: Turkistan

Day 7: Shymkent/Overnight Train

Day 8: Almaty

Day 9: Almaty

Day 10: Almaty – Kaz/Kgz Border Crossing – Karakol

Day 11: Karakol

Day 12: Bishkek

Day 13: Bishkek

Day 14: Bishkek

Day 15: Chychkan/Toktogul/Kok Bel

Day 16: Osh

Day 17: Sary Tash

Day 18: Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan Border Crossing – Murgab

Day 19: Langar

Day 20: Ptup

Day 21: Khorog

Day 22: Khorog

Day 23: Kala-I Khum

Day 24: Dushanbe

Day 25: Dushanbe

Day 26: Penjikent

Day 27: Tajikistan/Uzbekistan Border Crossing – Samarkand

Day 28: Samarkand

Day 29: Tashkent

Day 30: Tashkent

Day 31: Khiva

Day 32: Khiva

Day 33: Konye-Urgench – Darvaza

Day 34: Yerbent – Ashgabat

Day 35: Ashgabat

Day 36: Mary

Day 37: Merv – Mary

Day 38: Ashgabat

Day 39: Ashgabat

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania