Journey through Central Asia
26 nights / 27 days
Fully Guided
All Available Dates - Call 01 2366852 To Book Now
18 May 2025
14 Sep 2025
21 Sep 2025
28 Sep 2025
12 Apr 2026
17 May 2026
13 Sep 2026
20 Sep 2026
Travel from Bishkek to Ashgabat on this 27 day 'Five Stan' cultural experience. This in depth tour will see you visiting the Silk Road gems of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, the quirky Turkmenistan, colourful markets, fascinating villages and Swiss Alps type scenery. Retrace the footsteps of Marco Polo and Alexander the Great on this unforgettable Central Asian journey.
B Breakfast Included
L Lunch Included
D Dinner Included
Day 1 - Fly to Bishkek
Fly overnight to the city of Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. The rest of the morning is yours to relax before dinner.
Day 2 - Fly to Bishkek
Fly overnight to the city of Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. The rest of the morning is yours to relax before dinner.
Day 3 - Ala Archa National Park
Travel to Ala Archa National Park for a leisurely hike through its picturesque scenery of rugged peaks and dramatic gorges. Return to Bishkek for a city tour, where you will visit Manas Monument before enjoying a walking tour around Ala Too Square to watch the changing of the Guard of Honor ceremony. You will also visit the Independence Monument, Old Square and more.
Day 4 - Bishkek - Chon Kemin National Park
This morning, depart for the peaceful village of Chon-Kemin, enjoying breathtaking views of the 12th Century Burana Tower along the way. Chon Kemin is a quiet valley with small villages surrounded by magnificent mountains and a fir forest. Take in daily village life as you wander along the foothills and enjoy the views.
Day 5 - Chon-Kemin - Bokonbayevo
Today we drive to Kochkor village , the centre of Kyrgyz national felt handicrafts. Here you will be able to see how the traditional Kygyz wool carpets, called ‘shyrdak', are made. Continue further to Bokonbayevo Village, passing the Southern shore of Issyk Kul Lak, the second largest mountain lake in the world, along the way.
Day 6 - Golden Eagle Hunting - Karakol
Visit Skazka Canyon, before going on to meet with a “Berkutchi”, a Golden Eagle hunter and watch a hunting demonstration, gaining insight into this millennia-old Kyrgyz tradition. Continue on to Barskoon Gorge to see the waterfall named ‘Tears of Leopard'. The gorge is considered one of the most beautiful in the Issyk Kul area. Continue to Karakol.
Day 7 - Jety-Orguz Gorge
Visit the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, which was completed in 1895 and tour a Chinese mosque. In the afternoon, travel to the Valley of the Flowers and Jety-Orguz where you can enjoy a light hike through the magnificent canyon of red sandstone. Go on to enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local Dungan family, learning the fascinating story of why this Muslim Chinese group immigrated to the region 140 years ago.
Day 8 - Karakol - Almaty
Rise early and travel to the outskirts of town for the unforgettable Karakol Sunday Animal Market. Drive through breath-taking scenery to, visit magnificent Charyn Canyon and its Valley of the Castles, named due to the pillars and rock formations forming imposing structures. Travel on to Almaty where you will overnight.
Day 9 - Almaty
This morning, discover the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, dedicated to the Panfilov heroes of an Alma-Ata Infantry as well as the Ascension Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church made entirely of wood. In the afternoon, explore the Ili Alatau mountains and Medeu, an outdoor speed skating and bandy rink, located at the height of 1,690 metres. Go on to visit Shymbulak, a mountain resort located 2,260 metres above sea level. Continue to Kok Tobe, before taking a ride on a cable car for magnificent panoramic views of the city.You will return to your hotel afterwards, where the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 10 - Almaty - Dushanbe
This morning in Almaty is yours to enjoy at your leisure. This afternoon we will transfer to the airport for an evening flight to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan arriving in the early afternoon
Day 11 - Dushanbe
Today, visit the famous Museum of National Antiquities. Walk through the botanical gardens, Rudaki Park and stop at the Ismoili Somoni Monument. After lunch, visit the historical Fortresses of Hissor, the Medrassah Kuhna and the Museum of Tajik Way of Life.
Day 12 - Lake Iskander Kul
Visit the breathtaking Lake Iskander Kul on the way to Khujand.
Day 13 - Khujand - Tashkent
Enjoy a tour of Khujand, visiting Pushkin Square, Timur Malik's Fortress and the atmospheric Panjshanbe Bazaar. Travel to Tashkent this afternoon.
Day 14 - Tashkent
See the highlights of Tashkent today, including Barak Khan and Kukeidash Madrassahs, Chorsu Bazaar and the opulently-decorated stations of Tashkent's metro system.
Day 15 - Tashkent - Samarkand
Drive to Samarkand, where after checking into your hotel you will visit the iconic Registan Square, the heartbeat of Samarkand Admire the three beautiful madrassahs on the square's perimeter.
Day 16 - Samarkand
Enjoy a full day's tour of Samarkand, starting with Gur Emir, the mausoleum to Tamerlane. Next, continue to Bibi Khanum Mosque before visiting Ulugbek's observatory and the ancient settlement of Afrosiab.
Day 17 - Samarkand - Bukhara
Head out of Samarkand to the town of Shakhrisabz where you will explore the remains of Ak-Sarai Palace, Dorus Tilavat Cemetery and KokGumbas Mosque. Continue your journey this afternoon as you make your way to Bukhara.
Day 18 - Bukhara Sightseeing
You have a city tour of one of the most famous spots on the Silk Road. Visit sites including Madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Poi Kalon Minaret and Mosque and the Ark of Bukhara.
Day 19 - Bukhara Sightseeing
Head out of Bukhara to Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the summer residence of the former Emir of Bukhara. Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum, a famous Sufi spiritual leader of this region in the 14th century. Enjoy some downtime this afternoon.
Day 20 - Bukhara - Khiva
Travel across the famous Kyzyl Kum Desert today. Watch in awe as the scenery changes from saksaul trees to the Amudarya riverbank.
Day 21 - Khiva
Enjoy a leisurely walking tour of Khiva's most famous sights, finishing at the Friday Mosque and the 19th century Tash Hauli Palace.
Day 22 - Khiva - Ashgabat
Transfer overland to Kunya-Urgench, the once-glorious capital of the Khorezmshah Empire and a now UNESCO World Heritage Site. After, transfer to Dashoguz for your evening flight to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Day 23 - Ashgabat
Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore Ashgabat in your own time. Afterwards, head to Arkadash stud farm and learn about the “winged” Akhal Tekkes horses. En route back to Ashgabat stop at the Kipchak Complex where the largest mosque in Turkmenistan and the family mausoleum of the country's first president is located.
Day 24 - The Ancient City of Merv
Rise early for your flight to Mary. From the airport you will transfer overland to the ancient city of Merv; a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous archaeological sites in Central Asia. Return to Mary affter to visit the local History Museum.
Day 25 - Darvaza Flaming Crater
Fly back to Ashgabat and enjoy a morning tour of the city. In the afternoon you will head to Darvaza to witness its famous Flaming Crater. Enjoy a walk around the perimeter and tuck into a delicious nomadic-style camp-side dinner under the starts. Following dinner, you will return to Ashgabat.
Day 26 - Ashgabat
Visit the Old Nisa Fortress; the former residence of the Parthian Empire. After lunch you will continue the fun at the colourful Russian Bazaar. Later, continue to the National Carpet Museum that exhibits an interesting collection of hand-made Turkmen carpets and various carpet objects.
Day 27 - Fly Ashgabat to UK
Fly to the UK, arriving home later the same day.
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