from pp Twin Share
22 Day Five Stans Unveiled
You will be accompanied by various multi-lingual local guides during the tour, who will be responsible for guiding you through the various cities and attractions that you will be visiting. In each new city that you visit, you will likely be introduced to a new local guide who is an expert in that region. Depending on the itinerary chosen and your group size, your local guide may provide commentary in multiple languages.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
✈️ LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Book by 20 September and receive $400 bonus flight credit per person. Use code WOSASIA at check-out. Click here for more details
✓ Explore the famous 5 Stans of Central Asia: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
✓ 19 nights in quality 3 and 4-star hotels throughout Central Asia
✓ 2 nights in a traditional Yurt Camp
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day
✓ Breakfast daily, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
✓ Fully escorted by a dedicated local guide in each region
✓ Internal flight, rail and dedicated, comfortable coach transportation
✓ Early hotel check-in on Day 1
✓ 7 day cooling-off period
Embark on a 22-day journey through the heart of Central Asia, exploring five of The Stans. Discover ancient cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultures. Highlights include the Darvaza Gas Crater, Samarkand's Registan Square, the Seven Lakes of Tajikistan, and the majestic Charyn Canyon. Experience local traditions, stay in yurts, and immerse yourself in the history and beauty of the Silk Road.
Welcome to Turkmenistan! Upon arrival at Ashgabat International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.
After check-in, feel free to enjoy breakfast and rest or enjoy the hotel facilities. At 10.30am, a local guide will meet your group at the hotel and you will start off the tour taking in the city sights: National Museum of Turkmenistan, Independence Park, Ruhnama Monument, Neutrality Arch, Wedding Palace panoramic viewpoint, Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex and memorial complex, the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, a UNESCO site and the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque.
After an exciting first day of touring, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will travel by private bus to the local Sunday bazaar where you will have the opportunity to wander around and chat with the stall holders. We will then head to horse stables to see the very special Akhal Teke horses, a breed that is more than three thousand years old. Lastly, this morning, we will head to the beautiful Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque, with four minarets and a central dome. Make sure to check out the beautiful interior and fine stained glass windows
In the afternoon, we will drive to the Darvaza gas crater, stopping off to visit mud and water craters along the way. The crater is nicknamed ‘Door to Hell’ or ‘Gates of Hell’ and has been burning since the 1980s. We will arrive in Darvaza before sunset and enjoy a BBQ dinner together. We will spend the night under the stars in double trekking tents or shared 4-person yurts.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
As yurt accommodation is on a shared basis (4 people per Yurt) private rooms are not provided. This applies to both twin share and solo travellers. Toilet and shower facilities are outside of the yurts.
After a camp-style breakfast, we will drive to the UNESCO site of Kunya-Urgench, on the left bank of the Amu Daria River, for a sightseeing tour. Urgench was the capital of the Khorezm region, part of the Achaemenid Empire. The old town monuments, a mosque, fortresses, a 60-metre high minaret and more, date from the 11th-16th centuries.
After, we will cross the border before our lunch stop. Here we will also change vehicles and drivers before continuing onto Khiva.
On arrival, we will check in to the hotel where the rest of the day can be spent at leisure.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours including border crossing formalities which can take up to 2 hours.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for an enjoyable day taking in the sites of Khiva. The historical Ichan Kala, Pahlavan Mahmud Complex, built in 1664, Kunya-Ark Fortress, Islam Hajj Madrasah and Minaret.
After a leisurely lunch together, we’ll continue onto the Tash-Khauli Palace which was built in 1830 and is a perfect example of the Khorezm architectural grandeur of those times. A visit to Juma Mosque, Muhammad Amin Khan Minaret & Madrasah and Avesta Museum, a museum dedicated to the sacred book, will follow in the afternoon.
We will then return to the hotel and freshen up before heading out to enjoy dinner at a traditional restaurant with a folklore show - plenty of music and dancing!
Inspiring Highlights
After breakfast we will travel to Bukhara, across the Kyzyl-Kum Desert, one of Central Asia's largest deserts, and along the Amu Darya River. The Amu Darya is one of the longest rivers in Central Asia, around 2,540 kilometres long and was a vital part of the Silk Road.
Once we check in, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will set off on a sightseeing tour of Bukhara. Ismail Samani Mausoleum, recognised as an architectural masterpiece due to its geometric forms. Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, located in an ancient cemetery and currently under UNESCO review, Bolo Khauz Mosque built in 1712 and is a tranquil site, Ark Citadel, the oldest structure in Bukhara, Po-i-Kalyan Complex, often considered the symbol of Bukhara, Ulugbek Madrasah, and Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah.
After a leisurely lunch, visit Lyab-i Hauz Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah and the domed shopping arcades.
After an eventful day sightseeing, you will join a cooking masterclass with Chef Oshpaz at a beautiful national house. Chef specialises in plov, a traditional Uzbekistan rice dish, like pilaf. Chef will reveal culinary secrets and show you how to cook an authentic Bukhara plov at home!
Inspiring Highlights
After breakfast, we will continue with our Bukhara sightseeing. The first stop will be Sitorai Mohi Hosa, the last emir, Alim Khan’s summer palace from 1912 to 1918, and the Bahoutdin Architectural Complex, which also homes the tomb of Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari, the founder of the Naqshbandi order.
Later, we will bid farewell to Bukhara and board the train to Samarkand, among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia. We will arrive late afternoon and after checking in, we’ll head to Registan Square, one of the most beautiful sites on the Silk Road. You’ll see intricate tile work and vibrant colours displayed - all different perspectives depending on the time of day visited.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
After breakfast, our sightseeing will begin where it ended last night–back at one of the most impressive public squares in Central Asia, Registan Square. We will then continue onto the mausoleum of the 14th-century Mongol conqueror Timur, the Gūr-i Amīr or Guri Amir Complex.
After lunch, we will visit some more Samarkand icons, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the largest mosque in Samarkand, with its three domed rooms, covered galleries and open courtyard. The Shah-i-Zinda Ensemble which includes mausoleums and other ritual buildings of the 11th-15th and 19th centuries, and Shah-i-Zinda Ulugbek, a 1420s observatory built by Timurid astronomer Ulugh Beg.
Dinner tonight will be at a national house, and includes a culinary master class and tasting of manti, an authentic Uzbek dish of large dumplings filled with meat and steamed in a special pot.
Inspiring Highlights
This morning we will cross the land border to Tajikistan where we will be met by your Tajik team. Your new guide and driver will take you to the first fascinating stop, the ruins of the ancient settlement of Sarazm. Meaning ‘where the land begins’, this UNESCO site bears testimony to the development of human settlements in Central Asia (from the 4th millennium BCE to the end of the 3rd millennium BCE).
We will continue on with a visit to a local museum and Marguzor, or ‘Seven Lakes’ – each lake has its own colour, name and story. You will be driven to the sixth lake, and then you will hike from the sixth to the seventh lake. It is 3km to hike, around an hour.
Lunch will be at a guesthouse situated at the fourth lake. You will be picked up from the sixth lake and driven to the lunch spot for a lovely lunch with beautiful views.
After, we will return to Panjakent where the rest of the day is spent at leisure.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours including border crossing formalities.
Hike: 3 km one direction and 1 hour; total - 6 km and 2 hours hiking).
After breakfast we will head to the capital, Dushanbe. The drive is a picturesque one so make sure you have your camera handy! We will travel via Anzob mountain pass and the Anzob Tunnel (or Istiqlol Tunnel), a 5,040 metre long tunnel which took several years to construct. En route we will stop at beautiful Iskanderkul, a glacial lake and spend some time walking along the shore and taking in the scenery.
On arrival in Dushanbe, you will check into the hotel and spend the rest of the day as you wish.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll stop at our first site of the day, the Tajikistan United Museum, one of the most significant cultural institutions and a great place to start your introduction to the history and culture of the country. The Buddha in Nirvana is one of the most iconic exhibits and dates back to the 7th century.
After, we will make a stop at the Botanical Garden, a beautiful and tranquil space that showcases a wide variety of plants from Tajikistan and other parts of the world. A highlight is the rose garden, which features a stunning variety of roses in different colours and sizes, and the Japanese garden, a beautifully landscaped space, with water features and bonsai trees and Japanese maples.
Followed by a visit to the Oriental Bazaar, always a favourite, and also known as the Green Bazaar. It really is an exciting cultural experience to have and get a glimpse into everyday life in Tajikistan. Purchase nuts and spices, dried fruit and traditional Tajik bread, known as non.
After lunch, we will head to the beautiful Hissar Fortress more than 2,500 years old, and opposite, the Madrasah Kukhna (Old madrasah). Built in the 17th century, the madrasah had up to 150 pupils learning the Koran, the khadises (Prophet’s sayings), the history of Islam and more.
We will then return to Dushanbe where the rest of the evening will be spent as you wish.
Inspiring Highlights
After breakfast, we will travel to Khujand, a city in the Fergana Valley. Located on the Great Silk Road and the only city built on the bank of the Syr-Darya River, in 1986, the city celebrated its 2,500th anniversary.
Travelling to Khujand, we will take in some picturesque sights - two mountain passes, Anzob pass and Shakhristan pass (have your camera handy!).
On arrival, we will visit the Republican Historical-Ethnographic Museum, one of Tajikistan's most important cultural institutions, the Timur-Malik Fortress, also known as Khujand Fortress; Timur Malik was a statesman, and the emperor of Khujand. Archaeological Museum, the Mosque and Madrasah of Sheikh Muslihiddin, a complex consisting of the cathedral mosque, a 19th-century minaret and the Mausoleum of Sheikh Muslihiddin.
Finally, we will stop by the Payshanba Bazaar, which is situated in front of Khujand Mosque. The bustling marketplace building itself is an architectural marvel; its central building a striking example of Soviet-era architecture blended with traditional Central Asian design elements.
We will then head to the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
After breakfast we will head to the border of Uzbekistan where you’ll meet your new guide and driver and continue the journey to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. It is a vibrant and historically rich city, with a history spanning over two millennia.
We will arrive around lunch time where we will proceed to the hotel to check in and rest and freshen up.
Later, we will head out on our first tour of the capital, a visit to Independence Square and Amir Temur Square and Statue.
After this visit we will drive back to the hotel where the rest of the night can be spent as you wish.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
After breakfast at the hotel, our city tour continues with a visit to the old part of the city and the religious complex of Khasti Imam. Here, you’ll see Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Muay-Mubarak Mosque, which is also home to the Koran of Khalif Osman and gold hair of prophet Muhammad. The Dzhuma-mosque of Khodja Akhrar Vali and Kukeldash Madrassah will also be visited this morning. A last stop to Chorsu Oriental Bazaar will bring an end to our memorable time in Tashkent. Don’t forget to look up - the most stunning feature of the bazaar is its huge blue dome.
We will then travel to the airport to catch a flight to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, nestled at the foot of the Tian Shan mountains. It’s also known as the greenest city in Central Asia due to its leafy streets and green spaces.
On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel to get some rest before your exciting day of sightseeing tomorrow.
Inspiring Highlights
After breakfast at the hotel, we will travel 45-km to see our first amazing attraction, Ala-Archa Gorge. The gorge lies within the national park on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. It is a magical place for hiking, enjoying fresh air, and the scenery is just breathtaking.
Afterward, we will return to Bishkek and visit the main sights. Our first stop is the heart of the city, Ala-Too Square, the main city space used for political demonstrations, festivals and events. Formally known as Lenin Square until 1991, there is also a military monument with an hourly changing of guards. You will see the large statue of Lenin here. We will also see the Monument to Manas the Great, which stands in front of the National History Museum on the square.
We will then return to the hotel where the rest of the day can be spent as you wish.
Inspiring Highlights
After breakfast in Bishkek we will head to Naryn. On the way, we will stop to visit the mediaeval Balasagyn city and famous Burana Tower, an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in northern Kyrgyzstan. The 24-metre-high tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of a castle and three mausoleums was founded by Karakhanids at the end of the 9th-century.
The next stop will be Kochkor Village, the centre of felt production in Kyrgyzstan. We will also take part in a masterclass in making traditional felt rugs. Local artisans produce beautiful felt carpets, called shirdak, and felt-covered yurts.
Once we arrive in Naryn (located more than 2000 metres above sea level) we will travel to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Naryn is situated in a valley so the surroundings you will find yourself in are quite spectacular: the Tien Shan mountain peaks, alpine meadows, and scenic rivers. Blissful!
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
After breakfast we will depart for our day trip to Tash-Rabat, a 15th century stone caravanserai, or roadside inn, located on the Great Silk Road (around 220-km drive).
We will then return to Naryn where the rest of the evening can be spent as you wish.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our drive to the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake, the pearl of Central Asia. The lake in the western Tian Shan Mountains, is the second largest alpine lake in the world. Due to the great depth of the lake and the large volume of salt it contains, the lake doesn't have time to cool completely in winter, so the lake doesn’t freeze over.
We will make several stops along the way. The first one will be at Bokonbayevo Village, which is famous for breeding wild predator birds. We will view a demonstration of a hunting falcon.
Today’s lunch stop will be held in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt, before our exciting guided tour of the Fairytale canyon (or Canyon Skazka) this afternoon. This gorge is formed of colourful hardened clay and resembles fairytale castles.
Later, we will arrive in Tamga Village and have dinner together.
Our accommodation tonight will be a yurt camp or a guesthouse.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Accommodation: You will stay in a Yurt camp if travelling from mid April - mid October or, a guesthouse all other times. Yurt accommodation is on a shared basis (4 people per Yurt) and private rooms are not provided. This applies to both twin share and solo travellers. Toilet and shower facilities are outside of the yurts.
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
After breakfast, we will explore the surroundings with a guide and travel to Djety Oguz Gorge, which is translated from Kyrgyz as ‘Seven Bulls’ because of the red rocky sand formations covered with forests of Tien Shan spruces.
We will enjoy some easy hiking in the gorge along the winding Djety Oguz mountain river, before heading to Karakol, a charming town that sits on the eastern tip of Issyk Kul Lake. Upon arrival we will visit famous sights such as the Russian Orthodox cathedral and Dungan Mosque. Built in 1907-1910, it features wooden detailing and Chinese decoration but built without a single nail.
Later, we will visit the Memorial Museum of N. M. Przhevalsky, a small and fascinating museum documenting the travels of Russian geologist and explorer Nikolai Przhevalsky.
We will then return to the hotel where the rest of the evening can be spent as you wish.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
This morning we’ll enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel as we will be leaving for Karakol at 8am. At the border we will continue our journey to Almaty, set in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains and Kazakhstan’s capital city until 1997.
Along the way, we will stop for lunch and we’ll also stop to visit Charyn Canyon National Park. The Canyon is said to resemble the Grand Canyon in the US and nicknamed ‘Little Brother’, however it is smaller. It is 50km from end to end, with the erosion made by the Charyn River creating dramatic and impressive landscapes.
We will then continue the drive and arrive in the evening where you’ll check into your hotel and spend the rest of the evening as you wish.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will head off on a 10-hour tour of Almaty.
We’ll begin with a visit to the bustling Green Bazaar, followed by a stroll through Panfilov Park, where we’ll see Zenkov Cathedral and the Memorial of Glory with its Eternal Flame. Next, we will head to Kok-Tobe hill to see the world's tallest TV tower and enjoy a scenic cableway ride back to the city centre. After lunch, explore Medeo, the highest ice rink in the world, and visit the Shymbulak mountain resort, where you'll take a cable car to 3,200 metres for breathtaking views.
We will then head back to the hotel where you can spend the rest of the evening as you wish.
Inspiring Highlights
This morning after breakfast you will check out and bid farewell to Kazakhstan.
You will be transferred to Almaty International Airport International and depart.
Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience.
Special Information
Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
Payment Information
Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
Cooling Off Period
A refund will be available within the 7-day cooling-off period unless otherwise restricted by the purchased product.
Where 'last minute' bookings are available within 71 days of departure, the cooling-off period does not apply and bookings are immediately non-refundable.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Please review our terms and conditions here: https://www.inspiringvacations.com/au/page/terms-and-conditions
This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, CLICK HERE.
A letter of invitation is required for entry into Turkmenistan. Before you depart, you will asked to submit further details in order to facilitate the processing of the letter of invitation. This information will be provided through the booking holder's Traveller Hub.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a ”4”
Packed itinerary with maximum exploration: Embark on a whirlwind sightseeing tour with minimal downtime. This trip maximises your exploration, keeping you on the move and ticking off must-see locations. A very good fitness level and mobility are required to keep pace with this action-packed adventure!
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, but we can’t guarantee your request will be available at all properties.
Single travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with two options:
1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional $1,250.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your own room throughout the entire trip.
2- Shared Room with a known friend
If travelling together with a friend, you can opt to share your room with him/her and avoid paying a single supplement.
You and your friend can create a unique booking each. Creating a unique booking, gives each of you the flexibility of making different travel arrangements (such adding extra accommodation, flights, etc), make separate payments and have individual access to our Traveller’s Hub
During the purchase path, you will need to provide your friend’s booking ID (if known) or at a minimum, your friend’s full name.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
Group Size
Minimum: 10
Maximum: 24
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Post Tour Accommodation
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
