Kalpak Travel’s Best of Central Asia Tour combines the cultural highlights and natural beauty of five different countries in one epic journey. You will visit the modern and historic capitals, and see firsthand the cultural treasures and traditions of both the nomadic people who have crossed this region for centuries, and also the people who have settled in its cities. The eclectic contemporary architecture of Ashgabat contrasts with the sprawling Soviet-styled cities of Almaty, Bishkek, and Dushanbe, and nothing can prepare you for the impact of the great Silk Road cities, where flourishing Islamic culture and the medieval Timurid Empire left a lasting architectural legacy. Travel across the five ‘Stans with us to experience the very best of Central Asian hospitality on an unforgettable adventure.
This is the Spring version of our bestselling tour to the “Five Stans”. We also have a Fall version (starting in Bishkek), and a Summer version (cheaper, shorter, and including more mountains).
Welcome to Central Asia! Upon arrival, you can check in and take some well-deserved rest after your long flight.
In the afternoon, we will drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater, located in the middle of the Karakum Desert (270km, 4-5 h.). Together we will enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner, then sleep overnight at the yurt camp.
Please note: It’s a long and shaky ride to the gas crater and we will drive the same way back to Ashgabat on the following day. If you are not particularly eager to visit this place, you can arrive in Ashgabat on the following day and save 250 EUR.
Accommodation: Overnight in Yurt Camp (2 people per yurt, shared bathroom facilities)
Included meals: Lunch, Dinner
After camp-style breakfast, we return back to Ashgabat on the same road (c. 4-5h). Today it’s Sunday and we will have a chance to visit the Sunday Bazaar called Tolkuchka, including the livestock section with camels. In the afternoon, have a short sightseeing tour (3-4 h) in Ashgabat. The tour includes a visit to the National Museum of History, the Arch of Neutrality, and the Independence Park. Turkmen welcome dinner with a folklore show.
Accommodation: Hotel Diwan 5*
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we drive to Old Nisa fortress (UNESCO World Heritage site) – the earliest of Parthian Empire capitals. Located in an atmospheric area on an irregular pentagon hill, at the foot of the Kopet-Dag Mountains, Old Nisa is a beautiful landmark. 14 hectares in size, the fort accommodates two semi-excavated complexes of the Parthian period (III c. BC – III c. AD) structures, designated as a royal residence and temple complex. Then drive back to Ashgabat, stopping en route at National Memorial Complex “Halk Hakydasy” with WWII and Earthquake memorials. Spend some time at the Memorial Complex. Lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, we continue to the Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia, and the Turkmenbashi Mausoleum nearby.
Then continue driving to a farm in Anau, about 8 km southeast of Ashgabat, the horse stable, where you can see the famous Turkmen horses called Akhal Teke. Then we drive back to Ashgabat.
Accommodation: Hotel Diwan 5*
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Catch a flight from Ashgabat to Dashoguz at 9.50 AM (50 min flight) and transfer to Kunya Urgench (100 km, 2 h.). Have lunch and step into the pages of history as you explore Kunya Urgench’s ruins. Discover the remnants of mausoleums that, while not perfectly preserved, still exude a mystical charm. Behold the towering Kutlug Timur Minaret that reaches for the sky, symbolizing the architectural mastery of their time. Explore the cultural significance of Kunya Urgench as you unravel the stories woven into its ancient stones.
Then it’s time to say a fond farewell to Turkmenistan and cross the border into Uzbekistan, our second “Stan”. Our destination for today – Nukus – is less than an hour’s drive from the border. On the way to Nukus, we will stop at the ancient cemetery of Mizdakhan. Check-in at the hotel in Nukus and Uzbek welcome dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Tashkent 3*
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We will start the day exploring Nukus, the capital of the autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan with its distinct culture, history, and even own language. We will visit the State Art Museum which was founded by Igor Savitsky, a Russian artist and collector, who dedicated his life to preserving and showcasing artworks that were considered controversial and unconventional during the Soviet era. The collection spans a wide range of styles, including paintings, sculptures, and applied art, with a particular emphasis on the 20th-century avant-garde movement. We will also have a walk around the local vicinity to see life in Nukus. Then we will drive around three to four hours to Khiva. Upon arrival, we will check in at the hotel and meet up again for dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Asia 3* or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our walking tour of Khiva will begin after breakfast. Khiva is bursting with historical sites and today you will get a chance to see them all. We will visit the walled inner-city section of Khiva called the Ichan-Kala. This old section of the city contains more than 50 historic monuments and hundreds of centuries-old houses. The entire citadel is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you walk through the enormous city gates, you will be confronted by a glistening beacon of Islamic design, the Kalta Minor. Our tour delves deep into all of Khiva’s sites. During dinner tonight there will be a performance by local dancers and singers, immersing you in Khorezmian culture.
Accommodation: Hotel Asia 3* or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Free time in the morning with optional activities and after lunch transfer to Urgench airport (c. 40 min). Domestic flight from Urgench to Tashkent (3:20 PM – 4:40 PM). Check-in at the hotel and dinner in a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel Inspira-S 4* or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
With a population of over 3 million people, Tashkent is the largest city in Central Asia. Its history dates back to the first century BC when an urban settlement grew up around a major caravan crossroad on the Silk Road. Much of what you see today, however, dates from the late 20th or 21st centuries, as a devastating earthquake in 1966 destroyed much of the older city. Rebuilding Tashkent was a major Soviet infrastructure project, with laborers coming to work here from across the Soviet Union.
We will start the day’s sightseeing at the Monument of Courage, which remembers the victims of the earthquake. We will then walk to Independence Square, a symbol of freedom for Uzbekistan’s citizens, who declared their independence when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. At Amir Timur Square you will see the statue of the great conqueror. Next, we drive to Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent’s green-domed market, with its acres of spices, fresh produce, and traditional crafts. We will also visit the Old City to find the Khast Imom complex, which houses the historic holy Quran of Caliph Osman. Today’s city tour will end with the Museum of Applied Arts, an ornate, rainbow-colored building that was previously the official residence of the Russian Ambassador.
After early dinner, transfer to the train station to catch the modern high-speed train to Bukhara (6:45 PM – 10:35 PM). Transfer to the hotel in the old town and check in.
Accommodation: Hotel Paradise Plaza 4* or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will have a walking tour of Bukhara, one of the most important trading hubs on the Great Silk Road, as well as a respected center of religious learning. The Old City has been well preserved and is crammed full of minarets, mosques, and madrassas. Its once notorious canals and pools, the source of many an epidemic, have now been drained, but the most famous, Lyabi-Hauz, is still there, an oasis shaded by mulberry trees in the heart of the city. Your guide will show you the city’s unmissable sights, and you can soak up the atmosphere wandering through Bukhara’s labyrinthine alleyways. Key sites on today’s tour itinerary include the historic trading domes, Magokiatori mosque, and the Poi Kalon complex. We will also visit the Ark Fortress, the 10th-century Samanid Mausoleum, and Bolo Hauz Mosque. Dinner in the old town.
Accommodation: Hotel Paradise Plaza 4* or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today morning we visit a couple more sights near Bukhara. First, we visit the Mausoleum of Naqshbandi, 15 km outside the city center. There are many orders in Sufism, all of which have been represented at different times in what is now Uzbekistan. The Naqshbandiyya order has a great and long-lasting influence, and a memorial place is still a popular place of pilgrimage for Sufis. From here, we will visit the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara. In Persian, it is called Sitorai Mokhi Hossa, “the place where the moon meets the stars”. On the way back to the old town we will stop to see Chor Minor madrassah. In the afternoon at 03.20 PM, we will transfer to the train station to catch the high-speed train to Samarkand (1.5 hours train ride). In the evening after dinner, we visit Registan Square, the most famous landmark in all of Uzbekistan. This square was the focal point of medieval Samarkand and is framed by three beautiful madrassas (religious schools), Ulugbek, Sherdor, and Tillya Kori.
Accommodation: Hotel Jahongir Premium 3* or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sublime Samarkand was the capital of the Timurid Empire; Timur was one of history’s greatest conquerors. His vast empire rivalled any, stretching across the Eurasian steppe. He ruled his kingdom with an iron fist, whilst at the same time patronizing the arts and literature. Much of the architectural heritage from this period has been preserved, allowing us to see how the city might have been at the peak of Timur’s power.
We will start the city tour with a visit to Bibi-Khanum Mosque, a structure that legend says was gifted to Timur by one of his wives. We will also have some time to explore Siyob Bazaar. After lunch, We will complete today’s city tour with a visit to Gur-e-Amir, the gilded mausoleum where Timur is buried. We will hear stories from his life and how he began the construction of Samarkand.
Accommodation: Hotel Jahongir Premium 3* or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we continue to explore the fairytale city of Samarkand. We go first to the Shah-i Zinda, a magnificent tiled necropolis; and then visit Ulugbek’s Observatory, which was once the biggest research center in Central Asia. Ulugbek was decades ahead of the West with his observations of the solar system and the Earth, and we will learn more about his story in this prestigious setting. Our next stop will be the Konigil Paper Mill. Here you will see the process of making paper from mulberry tree bark, just as it was done in 8th-century Samarkand. After lunch, we will visit Afrasiyab Museum to learn about the ancient city of Samarkand – then known as Afrasiyab – which was destroyed by the Mongols in the early 13th century. Uzbek farewell dinner in a popular local restaurant. Accommodation: Hotel Jahongir Premium 3* or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, embark on a memorable adventure as we cross the border from Uzbekistan to Tajikistan. Our day trip will start with a bumpy ride into the mountains to explore the area of the Seven Lakes. This mountain valley is not far from Penjikent, but due to the terrible road conditions, this trip takes a full day. We will drive up until the sixth lake. It is then a short and easy hike of about two hours (both ways) to the seventh and highest lake, Hazorchashma. There will be time to enjoy the scenery and wander along the lake shore before hiking back down to the sixth lake and going slowly by road to Penjikent with a few stops in some of the mountain villages.
Accommodation: Hotel Umarion 2* or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will drive to Iskander Kul, a mountain lake named after Alexander the Great. Triangular in shape, it is considered one of the most exquisitely beautiful lakes in all the former Soviet Union nations, It is nestled in the Fann Mountains at an altitude of 2,200m. The route is a delightful one, through rugged mountain scenery. On the shore of the lake, we will have lunch, then take a short hike to a nearby waterfall. We can also go on a short boat ride.
We reach the Tajik capital Dushanbe in the evening just in time for dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Rumi 4* or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Originally, Dushanbe was a small village centered on a market that took place every Monday. The Persian word Dushanbe means “Monday”, so this is how the city got its name. It was during the Soviet Union that Dushanbe became the industrial center of Tajikistan and the capital city it is today.
Arriving in Dushanbe you will meet your Tajik guide and start the city tour. We will visit the Museum of Antiquities with its 13m-long sleeping Buddha, then tour the marvelous modern Navruz Palace. We will then enjoy a nice city view from the top of the newly built Independence Monument. Next, we will visit the Ismail Samani statue. This large gold and marble monument commemorates the 1,100th anniversary of the Samanid State, a Golden Age of the Tajik nation when science and arts flourished. From there we will walk across to Rudaki Park, dedicated to the great Persian poet Rudaki, who lived under the Samanids during the 10th century. Dinner in a nice Tajik restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel Rumi 4* or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning we will visit the local bazaar or you can enjoy your free time until the transfer to the airport at 11:00 AM. Our flight is scheduled for 1:30 PM – 4:15 PM to take us to Almaty, Kazakhstan.
We will meet our local Kazakh guide at the airport and transfer to the city for our Kazakh welcome dinner in a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel Kazzhol Park 4* or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Almaty is the largest city in Central Asia’s richest country, Kazakhstan. For 70 years – up until 1997 Almaty was the country’s capital and it remains today the country’s business and educational center.
We will visit Panfilov Park to see the impressive memorial dedicated to the Soviet soldiers who fought in WWII and take a look at the most famous Orthodox cathedral of Almaty. In the afternoon, you have some free time to explore the city on your own or relax at the hotel. Your guide will be available and happy to suggest places to go/ things to see or do.
In the evening we meet up again in the hotel lobby and take the cable car to Kok Tobe Hill, from where you will have a nice view of the city. Then we have dinner and return back to the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Kazzhol Park 4* or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will have a very long ride and partly on bad roads. About halfway between Tepke and Almaty, we will stop for a picnic lunch at one of the most famous natural sights in Kazakhstan, Charyn Canyon. The canyon is often compared to the Grand Canyon, although it is much smaller in size with a total length of 80-90km. The part of the canyon you will visit is known as the Valley of Castles for its unusual rock formations. It is 3km long and 100m deep. We will walk these 3km down to the river, and have our lunch in a scenic spot there. We continue our drive to Kazakh – Kyrgyz border Kegen. Meet your Kyrgyz guide and driver and transfer through the Kyrgyz mountains to the town of Karakol. Check-in at the hotel and dinner with a Uighur family.
Accommodation: Hotel 78 or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Karakol was founded as a Russian military outpost in 1869. It grew in the 19th century after explorers came to map the peaks and valleys separating Kyrgyzstan from China. In the 1880s Karakol’s population surged with an influx of Dungans, Chinese Muslims fleeing warfare in China. After breakfast, we will tour the town’s most interesting sights. The tour includes the Dungan Mosque, built in 1904; and the wooden Russian Orthodox Church, which has been standing since 1869. We will also visit the museum of Russian explorer Przhevalsk and the local market of Karakol.
After the short city tour, we will drive about half an hour to Yrdyk village visit the small Dungan Museum, and learn about Dungan ethnicity. Lunch at the Dungan family house. Afternoon excursion to Jety-Oguz gorge, which is a lush valley with some striking red sandstone rock formations (the “seven Bulls” from which the valley takes its name). Easy hike in the gorge and return back to Karakol. Dinner in restaurant Dastorkon.
Accommodation: Hotel 78 or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will drive along the southern shore of Lake Issyk Kul to a yurt camp near Bokonbayevo on the shore. Our first stop along the way is at Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon, which derives its name from its bizarre landscape made of fabulous rock formations, we will walk for around one hour. We will also meet an eagle hunter, who will show us his eagle and give a short demonstration for us. In the evening we will enjoy a folklore concert by a family of local musicians.
Accommodation: Yurt Camp (2 people in a yurt, shared bathroom facilities)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will drive to Chon Kemin. Before departing from Bokonbayevo, we will first see the demonstration of how shyrdak, traditional felt carpets, are meticulously crafted. We have the opportunity to observe skilled artisans as they create intricate patterns using vibrant colors and centuries-old techniques. It’s an enriching experience to witness the preservation of this traditional art form. Our next stop is in the village of Kyzyl Tuu, where we will meet a yurt maker and learn more about this traditional nomadic dwelling. We will be able to set up a yurt together. Lunch with the yurt maker and his family. We will then continue driving to the mountain valley of Chon Kemin. Before dinner, we learn how borsook, fried bread, is made and we can taste it.
Accommodation: Kemin Guesthouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We will spend the entire morning in Chon Kemin Valley. We will watch a performance of traditional Kyrgyz horse games. There is also an optional hike on foot or horseback to a panoramic viewpoint. After lunch, we will then depart to Bishkek with a stop en route at Burana Tower near the town of Tokmok. Burana’s 11th-century minaret is the only remaining building from the ancient city of Balasagun, once the capital of the mighty Karakhanid empire. You can walk up the winding staircase and enjoy a wide view of the scenic Chuy Valley. There is also a small open-air museum of balbals, carved stone figures often found around ancient burial mounds.
From Burana, we will drive another one and a half hours to Bishkek. Check-in at the hotel and dinner in a local restaurant.
Accommodation: B Hotel 3* or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bishkek is a city of wide boulevards and marble-faced public buildings combined with numerous Soviet-style apartment blocks surrounding interior courtyards. There are also thousands of smaller privately built houses, mostly outside the city center. Streets follow a grid pattern, with most flanked on both sides by narrow irrigation channels, watering innumerable trees to provide shade in the hot summers. We will visit Ala-To Square and visit the newly renovated History Museum. Walk along Oak Park to the open art gallery of sculptures. Farewell dinner.
Accommodation: B Hotel 3* or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meet your driver in the hotel lobby for your transfer to the airport or continue the tour on an extension trip.
Included meals: Breakfast
| Departing | Returning | |||
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| 19 Apr 2025 | 12 May 2025 | $5,940 | Enquire | |
| 26 Apr 2025 | 19 May 2025 | $5,940 | Enquire | |
| 3 May 2025 | 26 May 2025 | $5,940 | Enquire | |
| More dates available | Enquire | |||
Not sure when you're travelling yet? Looking for a different date? Contact Kalpak Travel for more information.
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We loved our tour of Uzbekistan! From the start of the process Luca was very helpful and provided lots of information, then when we had to reschedule twice because of the pandemic he moved the booking on and kept the price the same. As we got closer to actually going we had lots of questions which Luca answered very comprehensively. The organisation of the tour was excellent and our guide Umid was exceptional. Uzbekistan was a long time coming because of the pandemic but it fully lived up to our expectations and Kalpak was a big part of that. Would recommend highly.
We booked an 8 day Best of Uzbekistan trip and added 3 nights so we could fly direct from the UK. Luca was absolutely brilliant with suggestions for places to go and sites to visit to make best use of the time, he arranged drivers, guides, meals and hotels and they were all excellent. We visited Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Shakrisabz and Tashkent, each very different from one another but all really interesting, welcoming and as photographers offered great shots. In Samarkand we had dinner in a local property and a plov cooking demonstration, great fun and as the lone vegetarian, I can put my hand on my heart and say I had an excellent meal!
Nothing is ever too much for Luca to make sure your trip runs like clockwork. He prepares the itinerary meticulously and adjusts to your specific preferences. He will answer emails or whatsapp immediately, no matter the day or time (does the man ever sleep ?!). I covered Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in 33 days and saw the very best of Central Asia. Luca organized the complex logistics of this trip, with comfortable rides (cars, trains, planes) and local guides at every location. Luca and his team are not only super professional, they are also easy and friendly to work with. Simply could not be better ! There's only 1 option when you visit "The Stans" : talk to KALPAK.
My trip with Kalpak to Central was phenomenal. It far exceeded my expectations. Everything was top quality including the accommodations, food, sights, itinerary and outstanding guides in each country. It was an excellent quality tour for the money. Great quality value. I would highly recommend the trip to anyone considering going. Central Asia is the best kept secret that one doesn’t hear much about.
I got a tip to visit the webpage for Kalpak and have not regretted since. They arrange trips to Central Asia and do it really well. They are professional, respond to inquiries instantly, are very flexible and know the region well. I was in contact with Luca for a combination of mountain biking and trekking in the Fann mountains in Tajikistan. My experience is solely positive; truly professional and passionate about the region.
Mind you, Kalpak uses local resources and is responsible tourism. I really recommend Kalpak Travel! They make astonishing trips to Central Asia and are professional, serious and responsible.
We had a fabulous 13-day tour of Central Asia - Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan - in May/June. Luca, the owner of Kalpak Travel, has been very reliable and committed to giving excellent service. He was constantly keeping in touch during our trip to ensure that everything was running smoothly.
The guides in each city spoke excellent English and were extremely informative on all aspects of Central Asia. In Almaty, we were invited to have dinner at our tour guide's home. The food was fabulous and we had a wonderful evening….
We were very lucky to have Kalpak Travel as our tour company which exceeded our expectations with flying colours. We highly recommend Kalpak Travel if you are planning a hassle-free tour of Central Asia.
We had a wonderful 3.5 week trip through the 5 Stans. I feel like I've seen the highlights in case I don't get the opportunity to return, but I most certainly DO want to return and see more. These are the warmest and most welcoming people I have every encountered.
My regret is that Kalpak does not arrange trips for other parts of the world, as I truly enjoyed every minute of working with them, and would love to do so again. SUPERLATIVE service.
This itinerary would cost from $5,940 pp.
Pricing may vary by accommodation choice, group size and time of year.
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Accommodation |
Accommodation based on two people sharing a double/twin room; breakfasts included |
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Guided excursions |
English-speaking local tour leader accompanying the group in each country; All entry fees as per the itinerary |
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Ground transfers |
All transfers, including airport pick-up and drop-off; all train tickets |
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Internal flights |
Internal flight tickets |
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All meals |
Full board (all lunches and dinners) |
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Support |
24/7 support while in country; Visa support letters for the Turkmenistan tourist visa |
This is the Spring version of our bestselling tour to the “Five Stans”. We also have a Fall version (starting in Bishkek), and a Summer version (cheaper, shorter, and including more mountains).
All listed departures are guaranteed.
You can also opt to book the whole itinerary as a private tour. We can arrange extra nights before or after the trip, and suggest private tour extensions, for example to Astana at the end of the trip or to spend more time in the mountains in Kyrgyzstan.
You can opt to arrive a day later and skip the visit to the Darvaza gas crater. This way you will save 250 EUR.
The maximum group size is 12 people.
We can advise and take care of all visas for you. For Turkmenistan, you can get a visa on arrival with a letter of invitation pre-arranged by us. Other countries are visa-free for most nationalities.
A €500 per person deposit is required at the time of booking, and the balance is due 15 days prior to departure. Terms & Conditions: https://kalpak-travel.com/term...
Travel insurance is required
We are happy to suggest flights to get to Central Asia and back home: please contact us
