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The Five Stans of the Silk Road

Summary:

Five countries, three weeks, one epic trip along the Silk Road through the heart of Central Asia

Duration
23 Days
Countries
5
Next Departure
01-Jun-2024
Starting at
± USD 5,984.00
Price per day
± USD 260.00

  • Overview
  • Dates and Details
  • Map, Destinations
  • Reviews (12)
  • Exodus
Operator
Exodus
Tour
The Five Stans of the Silk Road
Travel Style
Small Group Tour with More Flexibility
Group Size
6 - 16
Overall rating
Star Rating: 5 (4.90)
Age Group
16 - 99 Years
Categories
tour categorytour categorytour category

Summary

Five countries, three weeks, one epic trip along the Silk Road through the heart of Central Asia

Map: The Five Stans of the Silk Road (Exodus)

Short Itinerary / Route

Day 1
Start Ashgabat
Day 2
Ashgabat To Darvaza Crater
Day 3
Nisa And Ashgabat
Day 4
To Mary
Day 5
Merv And To Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Day 6
Bukhara
Day 7
Bukhara To Samarkand
Day 8
Full Day Sightseeing In Samarkand
Day 9
Shakhrisabz And Boysun.
Day 10
Boysun And Sangardak Waterfall
Day 11
Cross Into Tajikistan; On To Dushanbe.
Day 12
Into The Fann Mountains And Iskanderkul Lake.
Day 13
Istravashan And Khujand
Day 14
Fergana Valley In Uzbekistan
Day 15
To Osh And Arslan Bob In Kyrgyzstan
Day 16
Full Day In Arslanbob
Day 17
Chychkn Gorge
Day 18
Kyzyl Oi Village
Day 19-20
To Son Kul Lake
Day 21
Bishkek
Day 22
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Day 23
End Almaty

Travel Countries (5): Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Travel Cities (9): Almaty, Ashgabat, Astana, Bishkek, Bucchara, Darvaza Gas Crater, Dushanbe, Osh, Samarkand

Details

Vast deserts, rolling steppe, fertile valleys and majestic mountains form the backdrop to the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, which are commonly known as the five Stans. Among this changing and varied landscape are traditional villages, ancient towns and modern cities, which tell a tale of advancing Greek and Persian armies, marauding Mongolian hordes, traders selling wares along the Silk Road, philosophers, astronomers, Communist experiments and post-Soviet eccentrics. Journey past giant burning gas pits, intricately tiled mosques, alpine lakes bordered by yurt camps, grand monuments, rural villages and colourful markets on this epic trip through the heart of Central Asia.Looking to travel in September 2024?We have very limited space on this trip in September. We currently have some space remaining on these alternative Central Asia trips:The Silk Road (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan)- 18/19 SeptemberUzbekistan Uncovered - 6/7 September and 27/28 September

Highlights

  • Door to Hell giant burning gas pit in Turkmenistan
  • Islamic architecture and ruins along the great Silk Road
  • Villages and lakes of the Fann and Tien Shan mountains
  • Post-Soviet grand monuments
  • History of traders, preachers and invaders

Included in Price

  • All breakfasts, three lunches and eight dinners includedCommon dishes in the region include shish-kebabs and plov (rice usually with mutton, onions, carrots, spices, raisins and peas). The kebabs can be from different meats, including lamb and beef, while plov is a rice-based dish (variants elsewhere are known as pilaf or pilau rice). Another main staple is bread, especially in Uzbekistan where it is freshly baked and sold everywhere; in Turkmenistan, churek is a flat, round bread baked in clay ovens. Other traditional dishes include chorba, a meat and vegetable soup; manty, steamed dumplings filled with lamb; qu’urma, a lamb dish; ichlekli, a meat and onion pie; and gutap, a pie filled with meat, potatoes, spinach and pumpkin. There are normally a couple of opportunities to try home-cooked meals. Tea is also plentiful, both black and green, and drunk with most meals and throughout the day. Please note, vegetarian food choices are limited. If you are vegetarian or have any special dietary requirements, please notify us well in advance. In this region, the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, eg gluten-free or dairy-free, is minimal or non-existent and we strongly recommend you bring such specialised dietary items from home. Drinking water is included and will be provided in large containers for you to refill your bottle from – please bring a reusable bottle with you.
  • All accommodation
  • All transport and listed activities
  • Western tour leader throughout (plus a local guide in each country)
  • All breakfasts, three lunches and eight dinners
  • Arrival transfers for any flight, departure transfers for group flights only

NOT included in price

  • Travel Insurance
  • Single accommodation (available on request)
  • Visas or vaccinations

Travel Package

 

Coming from

 

Going to

Tour...

Ashgabat

Arrow Going To

Astana

Group ToursThis is an Organised Group Tour: the itinerary has been predefined by the tour operator. The tour destinations, duration, accommodations, departure dates and the price are fix. You can join, enjoy and meet other people.

Memberships and Financial Protection

Abta ATOL Travelopia Safe Travels


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