Summary
Five countries, three weeks, one epic trip along the Silk Road through the heart of Central Asia
Short Itinerary / Route
- Day 1
- Arrive Ashgabat
- Day 2
- Free Morning; Ashgabat City Tour
- Day 3
- Visit Nisa; Afternoon Transfer To Darvaza Crater −...
- Day 4
- To Ancient Dashoguz; Visit Medieval Kunya Urgench
- Day 5
- Cross Into Uzbekistan; Tour Of Khiva
- Day 6
- Desert Castles Of Khorezm
- Day 7
- Drive To Bukhara Through The Kyzylkum Desert
- Day 8
- Bukhara
- Day 9
- Visit The Summer Palace Of The Bukharan Emirs; Dri...
- Day 10
- Samarkand
- Day 11
- Cross Into Tajikistan; Sarazm And Penjikent
- Day 12
- Explore The Seven Lakes In The Fann Mountains
- Day 13
- Drive To Khujand Via Istaravshan
- Day 14
- Khujand; Back Into Uzbekistan-Rishtan & Margilan
- Day 15
- Cross Into Kyrgyzstan. Visit Osh And Uzgen.
- Day 16
- Arslanbob Nature Reserve
- Day 17
- To Son Kul Lake
- Day 18
- Son Kul Lake
- Day 19
- Along The Southern Shore Of Issyk-Kul Lake
- Day 20
- Transfer To Karakol, Sightseeing Tour
- Day 21
- Visit Charyn Canyon; On To Almaty, Kyrgyzstan
- Day 22
- Explore Almaty And See Panfilov Park
- Day 23
- End Almaty
Travel Countries (5): Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
Travel Cities (10): Almaty, Ashgabat, Bishkek, Bucchara, Darvaza Gas Crater, Karakol, Khiva, Osh, Panjakent, 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.About this trip: We have two versions of this trip, one starting in Turkmenistan and ending in Kazakhstan (Ashgabat to Almaty) and the other running in reverse, starting in Kazakhstan and ending in Turkmenistan (Almaty to Ashgabat). Apart from the direction of travel, the two itineraries are similar, the main difference is the route taken through Kyrgyzstan and the accommodation there. The Ashgabat to Almaty itinerary includes Son Kul lake and there are three nights staying in yurts in Kyrgyzstan. The Almaty to Ashgabat itinerary includes Chon-Kemin and Bishkek and stays in guesthouses and hotels rather than yurts. Both itineraries include a night in a yurt in Turkmenistan. This itinerary is valid for departures from 5 Sep, 2024 to 4 Sep, 2025. For other departure dates, please contact us.