Original
Explorer
Central Asia: Five Stans Express
24 days • 5
5
Excellent
42 reviews
24 days
Start
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Finish
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Trip Code
KFSS
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
23 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
Transport
Private Vehicle, Flight, Metro, High Speed Train
Accommodation
Hotel (17 nights), Guest House (1 night), Tourist Yurt Camp (3 nights), Home Stay (2 nights)
From £4,605(24 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Explore all the essential highlights of Central Asia, uncovering fascinating culture, natural landscapes and diverse history alongside unforgettable local interaction.
See the incredible Darvaza Crater (the Gates of Hell – an eternally burning flame), Kolsai Lakes and Issyk-Kul Lake, soaking up the natural landmarks far off the common tourist trail.
Take a step back in time as you explore the history of the Silk Road, with visits to Khiva’s ancient town, Registan, in Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khujand.
Get to know the locals with a carpet-making workshop, through the streets of the bustling bazaars and with a homecooked dinner of plov (Uzbekistan's national dish) during an immersive homestay.
Camp in yurts near Lake Issyk-Kul, stay in local villages and make yourself at home in a boutique hotel that used to be an old Jewish house in Bukhara.
Is this trip right for you?
Central Asia is a destination for the adventurous and the open-minded. Alongside its rich culture and history, comes poor infrastructure, lengthy processes and basic facilities. Patience and flexibility will ensure you enjoy this region to its fullest.
This trip involves long travel days on rough and winding roads. You’ll be travelling by private vehicle, and in one day you could be driving anywhere between three and ten hours. Please review the Itinerary for more details.
Temperatures vary greatly throughout this trip, from below zero to over 40 ºC depending on the location. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and plan to wear layers.
Tourism is strictly controlled in Turkmenistan. If you’re accustomed to more freedom to explore and take photos as a tourist, you will find the experience differs here. Locals are fiercely proud of their nation and its leaders.
You’ll stay in a range of accommodations on this trip, including multishare arrangements in yurts, homestays and guesthouses. Facilities are shared and basic, but the experiences are unforgettable.
Itinerary
Take a Central Asian adventure full of history, natural landscapes and fascinating culture
To see all five Stans in Central Asia, this epic trip will start in the grand Ashgabat of Turkmenistan, explore Samarkand in Uzbekistan, then head to Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. See the best of the Silk Road and deep dive into the fascinating history, captivating landscapes and beautiful culture that’s intertwined throughout this region. You'll stay in yurts near Lake Issyk-Kul, explore Registan Square in Samarkand and watch the eternal flame of Darvaza Crater – a 70-m-wide hole in the Karakum Desert known as ‘The Gates of Hell’. From wide open plains full of wild horses to homestays and dinners with locals, there’s so much to see, do and learn in this region – so why not spend 24 days uncovering all you can, with a local leader by your side?
Inclusions
Meals
23 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
Transport
Private Vehicle, Flight, Metro, High Speed Train
Accommodation
Hotel (17 nights), Guest House (1 night), Tourist Yurt Camp (3 nights), Home Stay (2 nights)
Included activities
Ashgabat – Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Ashgabat - Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
Ashgabat - Anau ruins
Ashgabat - Independence Monument
Ashgabat - Turkmenbashy Ruhi Mosque & Family Mausoleum of the First President of Turkmenistan
Ashgabat - Neutrality Arch
Darvaza - "Door to Hell" Crater
Konye-Urgench - City tour
Khiva - Juma Mosque
Khiva - Islom Hoja Minaret & Medressa
Khiva - Tosh-Hovli Palace
Khiva - Kunya Ark
Khiva - Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum
Bukhara - Lyabi-Hauz Plaza
Bukhara - Taki Zargaron Trading Dome
Bukhara - Ark Fortress
Bukhara - Ismail Samani Mausoleum
Bukhara - Sitorai Mohi Hosa Palace
Samarkand - Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
Samarkand - Shakh-I-Zinda
Samarkand - Bibi-Khanym Mosque
Samarkand - Registan Square
Samarkand - Plov cooking demonstration & family visit
Tashkent - Chorsu Bazaar
Tashkent - City tour
Tashkent - Metro tour
Khujand - Jami Mosque
Sary Tag - Iskanderkul Lake
Dushanbe – Hissor Fort
Dushanbe – National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan
Dushanbe - Rudaki Square and Somoni Museum
Dushanbe - Navruz palace
Almaty - Zenkov Cathedral
Almaty - Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments
Almaty - Panfilov Park
Charyn Canyon - National Park
Kolsay Lakes National Park - Hiking
Karakol - Dungan Mosque
Karakol - Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral
Issyk-Kul Lake - Fairy Tale Canyon picnic lunch
Issyk-Kul Lake - Home-cooked meal
Issyk-Kul Lake - Carpet workshop
Issyk-Kul Lake - Yurt workshop
Shamsy Valley - Burana tower
Don Aryk - Kyrgyz family visit and home-cooked lunch
Bishkek - City walking tour
Optional activities
Bukhara - Chor Minor - UZS4000
Bukhara - Bolo Hauz Mosque - Free
Bukhara - Kalon Minaret & Mosque - UZS6000
Bukhara - Ulugbek Madrasa - Free
Tashkent - State Museum of History of Uzbekistan - UZS50000
Khujand - History Museum - Free
Almaty - Central State Museum - Free
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 3 (camping), Day 13 (homestay), Day 18 (homestay) and Days 20 and 21 (yurt camp), where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please provide your full name exactly as per your passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for flight tickets. Fees may apply for amendments or failure to provide the required details within 60 days of departure.
3. This is a multi-country trip. Please read the ‘Passports, visas and entry requirements’ section of the Essential Trip Information carefully. You should travel on one passport for the duration, as entering and exiting countries on different passports will cause issues at immigration.
4. We require key documents from you no later than 60 days before the trip to supply your Letter of Invitation to Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan for some nationalities.
5. Independent travel isn’t allowed in Turkmenistan. If you have pre-trip accommodation booked with us, you can explore nearby your hotel, but please don’t take any photos. Please see Day 1 of the Itinerary for more details.
6. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 15 days prior to travel. If multiple customers on the same trip arrive on the same flight, this may be a shared transfer.
7. While travelling in Turkmenistan, you won’t have access to social media and some websites. If you need to stay connected, consider arranging a VPN before leaving home.
Reviews (37)
5 stars
35
4 stars
2
Irene
May 16, 2025
An exceptional experience on so many levels. This an excellent trip that is well organised, informative, intriguing with just the right amount of adventure. Each Stan is different and is difficult to imagine unless you go. The success in part was due to tour leader Nazira who went above and beyond to provide a fantastic experience. She often sent links of interest to where we were going and explanations that were invaluable. Her intelligence and ability to talk with everyone and help when needed was so appreciated. A unique experience.
Janet
May 13, 2025
This is a wonderful journey through a region still mostly undiscovered by Westerners. The magic of the Silk Road was enhanced by 2 outstanding guides. I cannot give enough accolades to Serdar, who took us through Turkmenistan, and Diana, who was with us through the other 4 "stans." From mountains, to lakes to gorgeous mosques and historic sites, this tour covers so much ground, literally. This is a great way to experience the Silk Road!
Roland
May 12, 2025
When first considering this tour, we thought we were possibly too old. But the average age of our tour group was over 60 and of average fitness. Namely we could lift our luggage up steps and walk. This is a full-on tour, it is an express but extremely rewarding. If you are looking for an experience across central Asia and have moderate fitness, then give this tour serious consideration.
Jim or Lois
May 05, 2025
Amazing tour that significantly enhanced our knowledge of the history, culture, economy and politics of Central Asia. Excellent mix of cities, villages, countryside, natural wonders and UNESCO sites. Fabulous tour leader who enthusiastically added to our enjoyment. Accommodations and transportation exceeded our expectations: clean, safe, comfortable. One of the best of our over 25 Intrepid tours. Don't miss out on this amazing experience.
Donna
May 03, 2025
I have just returned from the 5 Stan”s trip and would highly recommend it. Not only did I learn so much history, I saw so much beauty. The trip was well planned out and tour guides were fantastic.
Martin
Nov 18, 2024
This was our first group trip with intrepid but will not be our last as seasoned travels with over 100 countries travelled to and through we thoroughly enjoyed the content and pace of this five stan’s express Tour. Thank you, intrepid.
Peter
Nov 16, 2024
One of the high points of this trip for all of us was the eagle hunting demonstration which I gather Intrepid is discontinuing because of some folks' concern for animal rights; probably those that would object to raising horses to race, dogs as service animals, or even dogs and cats as pets. Perhaps the activity could be continued as an elective add on so those who object need not participate.
Jenna
Nov 12, 2024
This tour was outstanding. It is a whirlwind trip through the 5 'Stan' countries but nevertheless, you gain so much appreciation for the history and culture of Central Asia. There is a good mixture of planned activities and free time on this trip, so if you want to do your own exploring (particularly in the cities) you will have ample opportunity to do so. I particularly loved the nature part of the trip in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The mountains and lakes are spectacular! Our tour leader Xeniya was amazing and did an excellent job managing all aspects of our trip. We also had a great group and I enjoyed spending time with everyone. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to get a taste of Central Asia and explore the best of what the region has to offer.
andrew
Nov 09, 2024
Central Asia tour was extremely enjoyable, containing a diverse mix of history seeing the old cities along the silk road, diverse nature of canyon, mountain, lakes, desert, snowy mountains, plains etc. and mix of cities and rural life.
Elizabeth
Nov 05, 2024
Excellent express trip in the 5 Stans that offered a fascinating glimpse of the similarities and differences of the Stans without feeling too rushed. Great travel group and excellent guide in Anastasia
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