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23 Daysfrom
23 Daysfrom
CAD 9,688CAD 9,235CAD 12,918
Incl. taxesExcl. flights
4.9/5 from
Culture
Ways to Travel :
Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
Activity :
Culture
Activity Level :
2out of7 - Leisurely / Moderate You are reasonably fit, enjoy the outdoors and are looking for some exercise. Some previous experience is preferable for activity based trips.
Five countries, three weeks, one epic trip along the Silk Road through the heart of Central Asia
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 September
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
Key Information
Travel by minibus
15 nights in hotels, three nights in home stays, two nights in yurts, one night in a cottage and one night in a guesthouse
All breakfasts, three lunches and eight dinners included
Single supplement available
Countries visited: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
What's Included
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
What's Not Included
Travel Insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations
People, Places & Planet
We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice hereand find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible. At Arslanbob and Kyzyl Oi we stay in family owned guest houses and at Son Kul we stay at a family owned Yurt camp. This provides great opportunities to learn about local cultures.
Staying in small villages and visiting them contributes to the local economies.
In Kochkor village on the way from Son Kul to Bishkek we always stop at local women’s cooperation where souvenirs made locally are for sale.
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
By travelling in a small group we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for re-usable bottles.
The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves and archaeological sites generates income which is used for upkeep and development of these important sites. We visit a number of national and UNESCO Heritage sites on this trip. In Kazakhstan we visit Tanbaly which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
We rewild 100 square metres per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
Leave no trace: we do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: please bring a re-usable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.
Fly to Ashgabat. The group flights usually arrive very late at night (ie around 2am on Day 2). Please note, it is obligatory by Turkmen law for tourists to have an arrival transfer booked from the airport. For anyone not joining the group transfer, Exodus offers free arrival transfers for any flight, provided you have supplied your flight details in advance – please see the ‘joining’ section of the Trip Notes for more information.
Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)
Day
1
Start Ashgabat
The adventure begins in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. As per Turkmen law, we arrange arrival transfers for all customers. See the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more details. There are no arranged activities today, as many flights arrive very late in the evening or early tomorrow morning.
Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)
Day
2
Ashgabat to Darvaza Crater
Ashgabat holds the record for the most white-marble buildings in the world. In the post-Soviet era, successive Turkmen leaders built these impressive buildings as a show of the country’s strength and they make for a surreal experience. Ashgabat has been described as Pyongyang meets Las Vegas, and you can see why.
Around midday, following an initial briefing, we have an introductory tour of Ashgabat including a one hour visit to the National Museum.
Mid afternoon, we head north in a 4WD convoy into the Karakum Desert, some 4.5 hours’ drive (161mi/260km) away, to a massive burning gas crater in the middle of nowhere in the Darvaza region. In the 1970s, Soviet engineers looking for natural gas deposits came across this area. Attempting to assess the amount of gas present they set up a drill. The drill collapsed, exposing a big crater and seeping methane gas into the air. The engineers decided to set the gas alight in the belief that it would burn off within a few weeks. More than 45 years later, it is still burning. We have dinner near the crater and stay overnight in yurts very nearby. Seeing the burning crater by night is a unforgettable experience.
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day
3
Nisa and Ashgabat
After breakfast, we head back to Ashgabat and then to Nisa, an ancient Persian-era fortress, the former capital of the Persian Parthian Empire, which controlled much of the region from Iraq to Pakistan 2,000 years ago. The ruins here were declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 2007.
Back in Ashgabat, we visit the Russian Bazaar, Ertogrul Ghazi mosque, Independence Park, the Neutrality Arch and Turkmenbashi mosque-mausoleum.
Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
4
To Mary
Leaving the Turkmen capital behind, we start our journey east along one of the old Silk Road routes. Our destination today is Mary, about five hours away (plus stops). A short distance outside Ashgabat, we make our first stop at the 15th-century Anau Mosque, on the edge of a Bronze Age site.
From here, we continue to the remains of the Silk Road-era town of Abiverd. The settlement, which was abandoned for about three centuries, was once a vibrant and important centre. The 12th-century city is about two hours (81mi/130km) from Ashgabat and makes for an interesting stop and an ideal opportunity to stretch our legs.
As we continue, look out for camels and small, dusty desert towns. Eventually reaching Mary, we have a late afternoon/early evening city tour taking in the Central Bazaar, Juma Mosque and Russian Orthodox Church.
Accommodation: Hotel Mary (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
5
Merv and to Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Possibly the largest city in the world in its heyday, Merv was destroyed by Genghis Khan’s armies in 1221. It is estimated 700,000 people lost their lives and the city never recovered.
Today, this Unesco-badged attraction is the most important historical site in Turkmenistan and we take time to visit before continuing to the border about 5hr 30min (152mi/245km) away, where we say goodbye to our Turkmen leader. We hope to arrive at the border around 4pm; the crossing into Uzbekistan can take about 1hr 30min. We meet our Uzbek leader on the other side and drive for approximately two hours (62mi/100km) to Bukhara, one of the great Silk Road cities.
Accommodation: Hotel Kavsar (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
6
Bukhara
The 2,000-year-old city of Bukhara has an old centre that evokes the many centuries of traders and travellers who’ve passed through here on their way between the Mediterranean and China. We spend the day exploring this fascinating city, including a visit to the historic Lyabi Khauz architectural complex, which has the oldest reflective pool in Central Asia. It is surrounded by medieval buildings, including the Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah and Khanaka, which has a façade of intricate mosaics. We also visit the Poi Kalyan Complex, home to the 157ft (48m) high Kalyan Minaret, which has come to symbolise the city; the Kalyan Mosque with 288 domes covering galleries below; Samanids Mausoleum; Ark Citadel; and Chor-Minor.
Accommodation: Hotel Kavsar (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
7
Bukhara to Samarkand
This morning, we uncover more Bukhara history and culture as we explore the Sitorai-Mohl-Hosa Palace, the summer palace of the Bukhara emirs. After lunch, we have a four to five hours’ drive (186mi/300km) to the other great Silk Road city, Samarkand. We break up the journey with a short stop at Rabat-i-Malik (a caravanserai ruin) and lunch in Navoi.
Accommodation: Kavsar Dilshoda/Malika Prime (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
8
Full day sightseeing in Samarkand
Possibly the most famous of the Silk Road cities, Samarkand has blue-tiled buildings that dazzle in the bright sun. It is also home to one of the world’s great squares – Registan Square, surrounded on three sides by the madrassahs of Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor and Tilya-Kori. It is said the square and madrassah influenced other sites, including the great square in Isfahan, Iran, and the Taj Mahal in India. The city was the capital of the great Tamerlane and we spend the day visiting a number of Tamerlane-era sites, including the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Ulugh Beg’s observatory, the huge cathedral-mosque Bibi Khanum, and the impressive Necropolis.
Accommodation: Hotel Dilshoda / Malika Prime (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
9
Shakhrisabz and Boysun.
We start early for the long day ahead, combining driving with sightseeing.
The day starts with a three-hour transfer to the town of Shakhrisabz. The city of Timurin (from the reign of Tamerlane) has several historic monuments, including the ruins of the Ak Saray Palace, the Doruttilyavat Ensemble, the Kok Gumbaz Mosque and others mostly dating to the 14th and 15th centuries. Sadly, the historic centre is on the Unesco list of World Heritage in Danger.
After exploring the Shakhrisabz sites, we continue south heading towards Boysun arriving in the late afternoon or evening.
Accommodation: Baysun Grand Hotel (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
10
Boysun and Sangardak Waterfall
The district of Boysun holds Unesco World Heritage status for its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is an isolated area with traditions and customs that date back centuries. We’ll visit the local bazaar and artisan centre where we can see weavers of the Janda fabric which is made in this area. We’ll see embroidery and skull cap making. We can also take a short walk in Kyzyl Canyon and visit Omonkhon spring, known for its healing properties.
We drive 6 mi (100km) onwards to Denau, then a further 30mi (50km) Sangardak waterfall, Uzbekistan’s tallest. The falls are 150 metres in length and it is possible to walk in the area. We return to Denau for the night.
Accommodation: Gulistan Grand Hotel (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
11
Cross into Tajikistan; on to Dushanbe.
It’s another early start to head to Tajikistan, country number three. Upon arrival at the Saryosiyo border, we bid farewell to our Uzbek leader and upon crossing are greeted by our Tajik leader. The drive from Denau to Dushanbe is 68mi (110km) on a good road and we stop for lunch en route.
The origins of Dushanbe probably stretch back 3,000 years, though the city grew under Soviet rule as the capital for the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, a part of the Uzbek USSR. Upon arrival in the Tajik capital, we have a city tour taking in Independence Square, the Samany Monument (dedicated to the founder of the Tajik Government), Rudaki Ave, and a historical museum.
Accommodation: The Rumi Hotel & Residences (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
12
Into the Fann Mountains and Iskanderkul Lake.
The Fann Mountains are one of two great ranges in Tajikistan (along with the Pamirs) and have peaks towering up to 18,008ft (5,489m). Our destination is Iskanderkul Lake (named after Alexander the Great and is thought to be the final resting place of the conqueror’s beloved horse, Bucephalus) situated at 7,218ft (2,200m). We travel through a beautiful valley; the drive takes about four to five hours (78mi/125km); please note, the road conditions deteriorate on the last 16mi (25km).
This afternoon, we explore the area around the lake, including visiting the biggest waterfall in Tajikistan, a 131ft (40m) cascade affectionately called Tajikistan Niagara. The glacial lake itself is often claimed to be the jewel of the Fann Mountains and one of the most beautiful in the former Soviet Union.
Tonight, we stay in cottages with fantastic views overlooking Iskanderkul Lake. There are shared bathrooms and toilets (some indoor and some outdoor).
Accommodation: Cottage
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day
13
Istravashan and Khujand
Istravashan and Khujand
Leaving the Fann Mountains behind, we head into the industrial and agricultural heartland around the city of Khujand (about four hours’ drive). En route, we visit the town of Istravashan founded by the Persian king Kier in the sixth century, where we visit the old city, home to a bazaar and the Kok-Gumbaz Mosque and madrassah.
While Khujand, today, is not the most attractive of cities it has a complex history. Believed to be one of the oldest in Central Asia, it was attacked by Alexander the Great, Arab invaders and Genghis Khan, as well as being an important stop along the Silk Road. There are still traces of the glory days and we take in a tour of the sites, including the Sheikh Maslikhiddin Mausoleum, the Payshhambe bazaar and, if time Urumkhodjaev family country estate, a copy of the Russian tsarist palace of Peterhof.
Accommodation: Khudjand Delux Hotel (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
14
Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan
We return to Uzbekistan via the border crossing at Andurkhan, where we say goodbye to our Tajik crew and re-join the Uzbeks.
The total driving time to Ferghana town is about five hours from Khujand, but we make several stops along the way. The first of these is at Kokand, which was the capital of the 19th-century Kokand Khanate. We visit the Khudoyar-Khan Palace (1871) home to a museum, the Norbuta-Biy Madrassah and the Modarikhon Mausoleum.
From here, we continue to the small village of Rishtan, home to potter dynasties and ceramics masters. We visit a local ceramics studio and witness a demonstration of the craft before the opportunity to buy earthenware.
Our final stop is at Marghilan, where we visit a silk factory and learn about the material that gave its name to the greatest trade route in history. Eventually, we arrive in Ferghana town where we spend the night.
Accommodation: Hotel Club 777 (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
15
To Osh and Arslan Bob in Kyrgyzstan
A short drive gets us to our next border crossing and country number four. After meeting our Kyrgyz leader, we head into nearby Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second city, and begin our exploration. We visit the sacred Sulayman Mountain, a holy Muslim site (and burial place of the prophet Sulayman (Solomon); and the central point on the Silk Road. The walk to the top of Sulayman Mountain is paved with some steps and can be tiring in the heat but the views over the city and valley below, small museum and 15th-century church are worth the effort.
This afternoon, we leave the city and head for Arslanbob Nature Reserve (about 3hr 30min to four hours’ away including stops), arriving in the evening. The village of Arslanbob is in the mountains at around 5,250ft (1,600m) – though the top and bottom of the village vary considerably in altitude – and is surrounded by an ancient walnut forest believed to be the largest in the world.
We spend the next two nights in a basic homestay with outside drop toilets and outside showers (normally with hot water).
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day
16
Full day in Arslanbob
After a few busy days, today is for relaxing in Arslanbob. Around mid-morning, we go for a walk and picnic lunch in the surrounding countryside. The walk takes around four hours (including lunch and stops) and requires walking shoes/boots. The pace is leisurely but if anyone prefers not to join, you are free to opt out.
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
17
Chychkn Gorge
Our journey today takes us through the central Tien Shan mountains as we drive through picturesque canyons and gorges and around Toktogul Reservoir. The drive takes approximately eight to nine hours (217mi/350km) including lunch and rest/photo stops. Eventually, we reach Chychkan Gorge, home to fir and juniper trees. We spend the night in a simple guesthouse with en suite rooms on the banks of a rushing river.
Accommodation: Oson Guest House
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day
18
Kyzyl Oi Village
This morning, there’s a chance for another walk to a nearby gorge before continuing our crossing of central Kyrgyzstan. In the late morning, we drive to the village of Kyzyl Oi (4hr 30min to five hours including lunch and rest/photo stops).
Kyzyl Oi translates to Red Bowl, named for the red cliffs surrounding the village, and the red-brown mountains here are particularly attractive in the late afternoon and early morning sun. The village dates from before the Great October Soviet Socialist Revolution and has kept a distinctive Central Asian character. While the valley opens out, the village is in a narrow gorge on the banks of the powerful Kekermeren River.
Upon arrival, there is free time to explore the village and surrounding area or interact with the families in whose homestays we will spend the night. We will usually be spread across a few houses, but we all have dinner together in one of the houses.
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Days
19 - 20
To Son Kul Lake
Leaving the gorges behind, we head towards the high pastures surrounding Son Kul Lake (9,895ft/3,016m above sea level). The journey takes approximately four hours, including some rough roads, and we arrive in time for lunch.
A land of nomadic shepherds, this is the jewel in the Kyrygz crown for natural beauty. Today, yurt camps have multiplied around the lake, but the people who look after them still tend their flocks, while men on horseback care for cattle on the jailoo (high mountain pastures).
Activities change depending on the time of year, but we have the whole of the next day to take in the beauty of the landscape. There is the option to go on a 2hr-2hr 30min walk to the nearby hills – the slopes are quite steep, and this may not be for everyone, but at the top are a few petroglyphs to admire. After lunch, we may visit one of the Kyrgyz shepherd families close to camp to learn about their lifestyle and perhaps taste kumis (a natural drink made from fermented mare’s milk) or similar. There may be the option to go horse-riding (extra cost).
We experience the nomad life with a stay in a yurt camp. There are now Western-style toilets and a ‘shower yurt’ with proper showers and wash basins. There is hot water when the generator is running (usually morning and evening) but it is not wholly reliable.
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
21
Bishkek
Leaving the high mountains that characterise Kyrgyzstan behind, we head to the capital city, Bishkek (about seven hours’ drive), stopping for lunch en route. The former Soviet city is undergoing a transformation with cafes and trendy bars opening. Upon arrival, we have a short tour of the sites around the main square, Alatoo Square. We visit the Museum of History and have time for souvenir shopping or relaxing (if the Museum of History is closed for renovation or any other reason, we may substitute it for the Fine Arts Museum).
Accommodation: B Hotel (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
22
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Four to five hours from the Kyrgyz capital city (depending on border crossing times) is Almaty, the former Kazakh capital and the biggest city in the fifth country on our trip. We spend the morning driving to what is considered the most European city in Central Asia and set off on a city tour after lunch. We take in Panfilovs Park, home to the Piously-Voznesenskiy Orthodox Cathedral (1907), which was built without any nails; a memorial to victims of the Second World War and the Republic Square.
Accommodation: Hotel Kazzhol Almaty (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
23
End Almaty
Our adventure comes to an end in Almaty after breakfast. If you’re continuing to the Astana extension, you will be taken to the airport in time for the internal flight to the Kazakh capital. Alternatively, begin your return journey home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Extend Your Trip
Nur-Sultan (Astana) Extension
Extend your adventure in Kazakhstan and explore the relatively new capital city.
Rising from the Central Asian steppe, this glitzy city is unlike any other. Built from scratch by President Nazarbayev, and paid for by gas and oil money, it is a surreal modernist dream. Skyscrapers vie for your attention and the bright coloured lights are reminiscent of a futuristic sci-fi movie. The detailed itinerary can be found here.
Please ask your sales representative for more details. Prices listed are starting prices.
Code: XXK
Essential Info
Is this trip for you?
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.
Over a relatively short period, we visit a vast array of sites, both cultural and natural, and cover five fascinating countries, which share a common history but are now developing individually. It covers a lot of distance in three weeks and there are several places where we only spend one night (especially during the section through Tajikistan and southern Kyrgyzstan).
While this is not an active trip, the pace and distance covered can be tiring. There are also some hikes, particularly in Kyrgyzstan. These are not challenging and can vary depending on the preferences and abilities of the group.
Drives: Most tend to be four to five hours’ long with the odd six-hour drive.
Comfort: Central Asia doesn’t always have great infrastructure and you shouldn’t expect the same comforts you would get at home.
Most nights are in standard hotels, though we also stay in homestays, yurt camps and a guesthouse, which will be more basic
Hot water is normally available, but is not always reliable
Toilets might be squat toilets and showers may be outside the main building in the more basic accommodation
Some nights you may have to share a room with more than one person; we make every effort to ensure men and women who are not travelling together don’t have to share a room, but this cannot be guaranteed. On these nights, single supplements do not apply. We stay in these places, however, as there are very limited options in some areas we visit
Smoking: Smoking in public is illegal in Turkmenistan (though smoking in private is fine, which means more people smoke indoors than outdoors) and you should not smoke outside the airport on arrival or in the street in Ashgabat. Also, you can only bring two packs of cigarettes into Turkmenistan.
Clothes: When visiting mosques and other religious buildings, women should wear long skirts and have their shoulders covered, we also advise bringing a scarf and covering your head on such occasions. Knee-length skirts/dresses, shorts and sleeveless tops are fine in other circumstances.
Itinerary changes: Given the bureaucracy in the region, particularly in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, we may be forced to change the route or activities due to government decisions beyond our control.
Border crossings: There will be a Western leader throughout, plus a different local leader in each country. Border crossings. These can be chaotic and require patience. In some cases, you need to walk through a neutral zone with your luggage. The Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan (Farab) border is the most complex and involves walking up to 1.5mi (2.5km); sometimes cars are available to drive us, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Climate: Temperatures can vary from extremely hot to close to freezing on any given departure as we visit both deserts and high mountains.
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Hotel Sport. 10-Yyl Abadanchylyk Street, 744000, Ashgabat. Phone: (+993 12) 461956 Recommended arrival time: Any time on arrival day Airport: Ashgabat Airport (ASB)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 15 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel for any flight landing on arrival day. All those taking advantage of the free airport transfers must provide full flight details for both arrival and departure in advance; unless specified otherwise, the transfer will be to the Exodus start (or pre-tour) hotel; transfers to other hotels in the same city may attract an extra charge; transfers may be shared with other Exodus customers on the same flight, or on a flight with similar arrival times. It is Turkmen law for the inviting party (as per your LOI or Turkmen visa) to organise an arrival transfer from Ashgabat Airport for tourists. Therefore, if you are not joining the group transfer, you will still need to pre-book an arrival transfer through Exodus.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to Almaty Airport (ALA) for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer at additional cost.
All arrival and departure transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Ashgabat Location end: Almaty
Vaccinations and Health
Uzbekistan
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Kazakhstan
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, tuberculosis and typhoid. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
You will also require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from (or transiting through) a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Kyrgyzstan
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Tajikistan
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Turkmenistan
Proof of vaccination against Covid-19 is required for the visa application. Additionally, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.
Passport
All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects.
Visa
Uzbekistan
All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for at least three months beyond your entry date into Uzbekistan. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects.
Anyone travelling on a British Citizen, Australian, New Zealand, or Canadian passport can enter Uzbekistan as a visitor (for tourism or business purposes) for stays of up to 30 days without a visa. For a full list of nationalities that are eligible for a visa-free visit of up to 30-days, please visit https://www.uzembassy.uk/page/319?language=en
Many other nationalities are eligible for a simplified visa in advance (without the need for an authorisation letter of invitation), including USA. If you are eligible for a visa in advance then you should apply for one as for visas upon arrival, a letter of invitation is still required. Should you need an authorisation letter, please contact Exodus at least 8 weeks before departure as we can arrange this for you through our local operator.
It is no longer necessary for you to complete a currency declaration form upon arrival (unless you are carrying over US2000 with you). However, as this has only recently been implemented (summer 2018), you will still need to keep your receipts given by each hotel that you stay in - please hold on to these as they may be checked when you leave.
There have also been greater restrictions on bringing medicine into Uzbekistan. If you have any special medicine we recommend you check with the Uzbekistan Embassy about allowed quantities. You should also bring copies of your prescriptions and declare them upon arrival. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.
Kazakhstan
A number of countries including the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand Germany, Belgium and France can enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days without a visa.
Kyrgyzstan
British, most European and most other nationalities, including Australians, New Zealanders, Americans and Canadians do not require visas for visits of under 60 days. All other nationalities should contact the nearest Kyrgyzstan Embassy if in doubt.
IMPORTANT: You can be arrested if you are not carrying ID in Kyrgyzstan. You should carry your passport or a copy of it with you at all times.
Tajikistan
Some nationalities require a visa for Tajikistan, including UK passport holders. If unsure whether you need a visa or not, check with your nearest Tajik consulate.
Most nationalities can complete an online Tajikistan evisa application: https://www.evisa.tj. The evisa costs around US$50 and usually takes about 10-14 working days for the application to come through – please allow more that this in case there is a delay or the initial application is rejected (this commonly happens if the image uploaded is not of the required quality).
The evisa type you require is ‘individual’ and to the question regarding GBAO Permit please answer ‘NO’ (this is a permit to visit a semi-autonomous region which this trip does not visit).
You will then have to upload a copy of your passport in the document section. A Letter of Invitation (LOI) is no longer required for most applicants.
Hotel details: The Rumi Hotel & Residences, Mirzo Tursunzoda Street 10, Dushanbe, 734000, Tajikistan
Please ensure that you take a printed copy of the e-visa with you.
Take care when calculating the date of entry to Tajikistan. It is on the 11th day of the trip counting from the date of Day 1 of the itinerary (note that most flights arrive very early in the morning of Day 2 of the itinerary). If you incorrectly calculate the entry date, it is possible to enter Tajikistan after the valid from date of the visa, but not before.
Example:
If the Dates & Prices section of our website shows the start date of your trip as 29 July:
The entry date to Tajikistan is 8 August.
Your visa needs to be valid from 8 August or a few days earlier.
If you would like to double check the date of entry, please call our Customer Operations team. If you have difficult with the application process, the Tajik consulate in London may be able to assist: https://mfa.tj/en/london
Turkmenistan
Everyone needs a passport with 6 months validity on it as well as a visa to enter Turkmenistan. A letter of invitation organised by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan is necessary in order to obtain the visa and we can organise this through our partners. This allows you to obtain a visa on arrival at Ashgabat Airport. Please note that the State Migration Service usually issue a group letter of invitation with all participant's personal details on. We will need the following information and documents to obtain the letter of invitation:
Last name
First and middle name(s) on your passport
Any other name(s) used before (e.g. before marriage)
Name of highest educational institution completed
City and country of that institution
Field of study
Qualification
Occupation (if retired just put ‘Retired’)
Place of work (if retired just put ‘Not Applicable’)
Previous visits to Turkmenistan (dates, purposes)
Marital Status
Full name, date of birth and citizenship of spouse
Full name(s), date(s) of birth and citizenship of child(ren)
E-mail Address
Home address
- Full colour scan of the photo page of your passport showing all 4 edges of the passport making sure no part of the passport has been cut by the scan. This scan must be sharp and clear, not checkered, glossy or blurry and must be in either JPEG or PDF format and between 250KB and 1MB.
- A passport photo – minimum 3x4cms and not a photoshop version of the photo from the passport. If necessary it is possible to send a photo taken with a digital camera or phone as long as it meets the above requirements and does not use flash or have any glass reflections making any part of the scan/photo unclear.
Once our partners have applied for the invitation letter it can take about month to get it. Once you have the invitation letter you just need to present it upon arrival at Ashgabat Airport and pay the visa and administration fees. For UK citizens the visa fee for a visa up to 10 days is USD115 and the administration fee is USD4. For all other nationalities the visa fee for a visa up to 10 days is USD85 and the administration fee is USD4. Payment should be made in US Dollars cash (although credit/debit card payments are reportedly now accepted, it is better not to rely on this in case your bank blocks your cards or your card is not accepted).
Please note that Turkmenistan has a higher visa rejection rate than most countries. This is out of our control but we are able to reapply for the visa invitation letter, though only with the same information provided.
Please note that some medicines are banned in both Turkmenistan unless you are carrying a doctor's prescription. These include medicines which contain tramadol, morphin, opiates, codeine or similar components often found in pain killers.
Please Note: soon after your arrival (usually the morning after your arrival), a local representative will collect your passport in order to register your visit with the Turkmenistan State Tourist Registration Office (STRO). You will be issued with a stamp in your passport and your passport will be returned to you when the process is complete. This process can sometimes be delayed so we recommend that you carry a copy of your passport with you.
Food & Drink
All breakfasts, three lunches and eight dinners included
Common 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.
Weather
Covering a large area, from the deserts of Turkmenistan to the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, the climate can change a lot. Summer (July and August) can be very hot in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan but pleasant in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, while spring and autumn (May/June and September/October) can be cooler in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan but more pleasant in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
As we visit regions ranging from deserts to high mountains, you can expect temperatures exceeding 30C (86F) as well as close to freezing and need to be prepared for both. Winters are very cold and some areas are impassable (especially to Son Kul in Kyrgyzstan) for most of the year, which is why the season for this trip is relatively short, lasting only from June to mid-October. Later dates (ie September into October) can be particularly cold at Son Kul.
Hotel, Yurt, Cottage and Homestay
Most nights are in standard hotels, though we also stay in homestays, cottages, yurt camps, and a guesthouse which will be more basic. Hot water is normally available but is not always reliable; toilets may be squat toilets; and toilets and/or showers may be outside in the more basic accommodations.
At the homestays in Arslanbob and Kyzyl Oi (days 15, 16 and 18), you may have to share with three/four people in a room. Similarly, for the two nights in the yurt camp at Son Kul (days 19 and 20), you may have to share with three people to a yurt. Every effort is made to ensure that men and women who are not travelling together don’t have to share a room, but this cannot be guaranteed. We stay in these places, however, as there are very limited options in some of the areas we visit.
Additional Accommodation
In Turkmenistan, hotels charge a daily tourist tax of around US$2 per person per day – this is included in the holiday price for the main tour, so you needn’t worry about it. However, if you book extra nights’ accommodation in Ashgabat before the tour, you will need to pay directly to the hotel yourself. If you book pre-tour accommodation in Turkmenistan (and will be staying in the country for more than three days plus your arrival day), you will be required by law to register your passport with the State Service of Turkmenistan – our local partner will assist with this.
Single Supplement
If you prefer to have your own room, a limited number of single supplements are available on a ‘first-come, first-serve’ basis on some nights of the tour – please request this at the time of booking. Please note, a single supplement is not available at the homestays (three nights) or the yurt camp (two nights) and in these locations you may have to share with three/four people per room. Single supplements are also not available at the cottages by Iskanderkul Lake (one night), which are on a twin-share basis.
This was the longest duration trip I’ve ever taken, covering the most ground by road and with some (by my standards) fairly extreme variations of temperature, altitude and landscape. But it was mostly very unusual, often spectacular and totally worth the bumpy ride – take layers, medications and a better camera than I did. The people were also a particular highlight. Jabbar in Turkmenistan was an impossible act to follow, but the local leaders were all very good. The group was a great mix and we bonded over one or two minor glitches and some medicinal vodka. We met the friendliest local people in markets, at the border crossings, on the road. They were very often willing to share my three words of Russian, and to practice their English. It was also very nice to be asked to join them for their photos – probably some of these invitations were from other tourists, but was still great to feel like the exotic extra for a change.
Most Inspirational Moment
The night sky, particularly at Son Kul lake.
Thoughts on Group Leader
We were very fortunate to have Alina as our tour leader for the full duration. She’s an inspiration and second to none in terms of her people and organisational skills.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is a challenging trip – certainly well out of my comfort zone - and most of the group fell ill at some point. So best to be prepared for some visceral reactions and take each day as it comes. Possibly I should have read ahead about the destinations, but travelling without expectations can be a lot more fun, just read the trip notes closely for the practicalities – money, visas etc.
Suggestions
So long and thanks for all the plov!
Guy Westoby
Reviewed September 2023
Superb tour through the 'Five Stans of the Silk Road'!
I can honestly say as a seasoned traveller the ‘Five Stans of the Silk Road’ tour was one of the best I’ve been on! In a well-planned and packed 3-week itinerary we got to compare & contrast the highlights of five countries in Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan) each with its own distinct culture, history and approach to life. Exodus provided local guides for each country to ensure we got beneath the surface to learn more about the people. We stayed in a variety of excellent accommodation from plush hotels to lakeside yurts and the food was usually locally sourced, freshly cooked and delicious. An endlessly fascinating and thoroughly recommended for anyone with a sense of adventure and desire to learn about & experience a little-known corner of the world!
Most Inspirational Moment
Too many to easily choose between (eg. the Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan, the Islamic architecture & decor in Uzbekistan, Iskanderkul lake in Tajikistan) but if I had to pick one it would be the time spent at Son Kul lake in Kyrgyzstan. Stunning scenery, remote location, fresh air and starry skies free of light pollution. Add to that a chance to walk in the wilderness, sleeping in comfortable yurts and excellent food and you have a perfect experience.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jordan oversaw the whole trip professionally and was always approachable to help get things sorted out. Each country had its own local guide and all were very good, although those in Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan went above and beyond in providing the best service.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The travelling can be gruelling at times, with long days in the bus from time to time. But more than made up for by the destinations. The border crossings were occasionally frustrating as unnecessary bureaucracy kicks in - we had our passports checked by six different border staff on a couple of occasions! Watch out also for some of the locals pushing in the passport control queues, but if you develop a group strategy to shield you, you'll be fine!
Suggestions
Consider the time of year you go - Turkmenistan is a desert country and in late July we had temperatures of 45C+ to contend with, however the air-con in the bus was always ready to refresh us after a short walk outside. The temperature at Son Kul lake reached freezing - indeed it snowed as we started our descent by bus! Just go for it, you won't be disappointed by this tour!
Deborah Evans
Reviewed September 2019
Amazing, Extensive, Exhausting Trip
If you want to see classic Silk Road architecture then go to Uzbekistan.
If you want to see amazing mountain scenery then go to Kyrgyzstan.
If you want to see both of the above plus three other countries in Central Asia, whilst experiencing a wide range of ‘best of’ activites plus a few off the beaten track sights, all crammed into three hectic weeks, then the Five Stans trip is the one for you.
My expectations were high, but this trip surpassed them.
Most Inspirational Moment
I can't pick one, here are a selection of things that blew me away:
Surreal Ashgabat.
Beautiful Bukhara.
Samarkand. Obviously.
The night sky (and entire yurt experience) at Son Kul lake
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suzie Grant is a one woman whirlwind. She held our great group together, looked after us all, kept our spirits up and used her natural curiousity to help make it the best trip possible for us. It was a privilege to travel with her.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bear in mind that the itinerary is very 'full on' and, although I consider myself to be relatively fit, I was quite tired by the end of the trip.
That said, I am grateful for the opportunity to do so much in such a short period of time.
Suggestions
Just go.
Susi Quinn
Reviewed August 2019
A long and varied road
This amazing trip was like several holidays rolled into one. From the surreal weirdness of Ashghabat and Darvaza, through ancient archaeological sites to the stunning monuments in Bukhara and Samarkand, through the desert to the Afghan border then up into beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers and nomad camps, before descending back down to the modern post-Soviet cities… every day there was something new and wonderful to see.
Most Inspirational Moment
So many! Ashghabat set us up with three weeks' worth of jokes; we all fell instantly in love with Bukhara; the necropolis in Samarkand was an unexpected delight; the drive into the Fann Mountains was a welcome return to awesome scenery, and the whole of Kyrgyzstan was jaw-droppingly beautiful, especially the ever-changing colours of Son Kul lake and the brilliant stars on a clear night.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our fantastic tour leader Ale(jandro) was a major reason for the success of the trip - always on hand to organise things or deal with any issues, endlessly cheerful and calm, and full of entertaining stories about his previous trips. The local guides sometimes varied in quality, but the best ones were truly stellar - Bek in Uzbekistan and Valentina in Kyrgyzstan in particular were excellent.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The Tajik visa is valid for about 45 days, so allow a few days' leeway at the start rather than trying to calculate your exact entry date (a few people got this wrong and had to get new visas over dodgy Turkmen internet).
The Turkmen LOI can arrive very late, not the "month in advance" suggested in the trip notes, but nobody got rejected.
Take plenty of rehydration salts even if you have bowels of steel - nearly everyone had some troubles, and the salts are also good if you're sweating buckets (which will definitely happen at 46 degrees!).
Learn some Russian if you can, it's spoken almost everywhere, and will help you understand the bill at restaurants.
The transfer window at Istanbul Airport on the way home is very tight - do whatever it takes to speed things up, whether going through the VIP security check or hitching a ride with a motorised wheelchair (have some $$ ready to tip the driver), as you may have over a mile to run to make it before boarding closes - we all made it, but only just.
Suggestions
Make sure you have plenty of room on your camera memory card!
Sarah Eddington
Reviewed July 2019
Leave the West Behind
If you want to leave the west behind until the last city on this incredible journey, then welcome to the former Soviet States that make up the silk road. This trip has everything, religion, wildlife, nomad living and amazing countryside and mountains. Forget McDonalds and Burger King, at times you won’t even get social media!
Most Inspirational Moment
staying in a Yurt high in the mountains, seeing the nomad people living their lives as they have done for 1000's of years
Thoughts on Group Leader
our group leader was good, and the local guides and drivers were exceptional
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do not expect western standards, the food is basic at times as are the toilet and shower facilities. There are no home comforts which is what makes this trip what it is. Do not go expecting to get Wifi and social media, it isn't going to happen at times
Mike Frampton
Reviewed June 2019
The Five Stans - A journey through history and the Central Asian Republice
A great holiday with plenty of superb sites and stunning scenery. One reason for calling this the Silk Road was that silk was used to pay people. It started with the Chinese needing horses to fight the nomads from the north. By 53BC, Rome was spending half its silver production on silk and other products from the Silk Roads. Rome also had to introduce modesty legislation because of the number of people wearing only silk.
Whilst Julius Caesar was invading Britain in 53BC, his friend Marcus Crassus was leading another Roman army to defeat by Persia, in an empire that stretched from modern day Iran to Afghanistan and north to Merv. 10,000 Roman captives were sold at the Merv slave market to the Chinese, to fight on their northern border against marauding nomadic tribes.
The ruins of three cities can be seen at Merv, in southern modern day Turkmenistan. The first was built by Cyrus the Great when he created the first Persian Empire. Next to it is the remains of the city built by Alexander the Great and next to that the remains of the city built after the Arab invasion, which was destroyed by the armies of Genghis Khan 1221 AD, with up to a million people being massacred.
Alexander is a hero in Turkmen, after he freed them from Persian rule. In Uzbekistan, Timor is the hero, as he rose from hired sword to ruler of a vast empire, stretching from the Chinese border to Egypt, destroying many armies on the way. He made Samarqand his capital and made it one of the greatest cities.
In Tajikistan, it is Cyrus the Great who is remembered, partly because he was murdered there.
In Osh, Kyrgyzstan, it is Babur, great great grandson of Timor and founder of the Indian Mughal dynasty who is remembered. Although it is Manus who is the local hero.
Most Inspirational Moment
Too many. Merv, Bukhara, Samarqand to name three cities. The snow capped mountains, throwing snowballs and sweltering in the heat all on the same day, magnificent lakes, watching flocks of goats and sheep being moved to the high pastures and seeing the yurts of the shepherds.
One surprise was the large number of roses and other plants we saw in the first three countries visited.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very good. Unusually we had both a western leader for the whole trip, as well as local guides for each of the countries visited.
Advice for Potential Travellers
You may only spend one day in Kazakhstan, but a day time flight home, clouds permitting, gives you the opportunity to see the steppes and the salt pans of this vast country from the air, either through the window (book seat early) or as an alternative to a movie, using the plane's downward looking camera (which is an option in the My Flight screen).
On arrival at Ashgabat airport, you have to take your invitation letter to the Visa desk before going to through passport control. The visa fee is also variable, partly depending on the exchange rate. We also found the fee charged to individuals varied from a low of $99 each to a high of about $130 each.
Beware of each fresh fruit and salad, it is usually washed in local tap water, which can cause problems.
Our costs per person were around:
Turkmenistan - 200 Turkmen Manat for food and photo fees (June 2019 rate 4.42TMT = £1)
Uzbekistan - 800,000 Uzbek Som for food and photo fees (10,700UZS = £1). Spending in the markets, pottery, silk and carpet shops is extra.
Tajikistan - 380 Tajiki Somoni for food (11.93TJS = £1)
Kyrgyzstan - 2,000 Kyrgyzi Som for food plus 500KGS for optional Arslanbob jeep tour (88.24KGS = £1)
Kazakhstan - 15,000 Kazakh Tenge for food and market visit (481.79KZT =£1)
Istanbul/other airport stop overs - don't forget this.
Visa fees and tips are extra.
Istanbul
Christine Raines
Reviewed September 2018
Varied and Interesting Trip
A busy and varied trip covering five countries, encompassing a wealth of culture and history, and some amazing scenery.
Most Inspirational Moment
Riding a horse above Lake Song Kul. Beautiful blue and gold ceiling in the Registan in Samarkand. Many encounters with friendly and welcoming local people, especially when we had homestays in the villages.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suzie Grant is one of the best leaders I have come across. The trip would not have been half as good without her. Very well organized, very attentive to the wishes of all her clients, and a lovely personality.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for a busy schedule: you are moving on almost every day, and there are long hours of driving. Bring clothes for all climates: temperatures ranged from 40 Centigrade in Ashgabat to near freezing at night in the highlands. Learn some Russian if you can: it is the lingua franca in all the countries, restaurant menus are usually in Russian, and all our drivers were Russian. Be aware that there is often no internet.
John Cross
Reviewed September 2018
The must see's of the Five Stans
This is my 17th trip with Exodus and this has been one of the best so far, if not the best. There is so much to see, though there is quite a lot of travelling to enable this to happen. However the scenery, mostly deserts and mountains, are delightful. The accommodation ranged from the sublime (A Sheraton!) to the plain and simple, homestays, which gave us an even better chance to interact with local people. If you have the time to do this trip, do it, the scenery is stunning and the history of this region is the history of the civilised world. Brilliant!
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the Gur E Amir (Timur's tomb) during the day and then again by Moonlight.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suzie Grant's organisational skills are simply outstanding. Her experience and endless patience ensured that we all had a fantastic, trouble free trip, without feeling rushed or manipulated in any way. Don't ever let her go, your company will be much the worse for it
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go on this trip and maybe read John Frankopan's 'The Silk Road' first?
Ros and Peter Buck
Reviewed September 2018
An Incredible Trip
An incredible journey across a region that has not always been easy to visit.The trip encompasses grand landscapes, huge distances and wonderful opportunities to learn much from the local guides. Bek in Uzbekistan and Aibek in Kyrgyzstan/ Kazakhstan particularly endeared themselves to the group, bringing knowledge, consideration and enthusiasm to the task.
The trip endeavours to give wide and varied experiences and “gets off the worn track” with inclusions such as Termes, Uzbekistan near the Afghanistan border.
Most Inspirational Moment
Expect to be amazed ! ... From bizarre Ashgabet, historically dense Bukhara and Samarkand, roadside interactions with local herders in their Yurt camps to stunning high altitude lakes.
Thoughts on Group Leader
For a trip such as this, which encompasses moving almost every day, 5 currencies , many meal arrangements and visa challenges at borders, an extraordinary guide is paramount for success.
Our guide Alejandro (Alex) was without doubt the reason for the smooth progression of the trip. His positive manner, perceptive nature, great humour and organisation skills endeared him to us all.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Beware: The trip is exhausting (particularly with temperatures averaging around 40 degrees celsius in August for much of the trip) even though much of the time is spent sitting in the vehicles. Pack light but include extra layers for high altitude. Be very sure your visa arrangements are correct.
Suggestions
You will meet interesting people. Our group was well travelled, very interested to learn more of the region and well informed. It was great to share the experience and fun with them.
S M Turbett
Reviewed September 2018
Fantastic trips
This is a really fascinating, busy, exhausting and quite unique trip across 5 countries in just over 3 weeks. Go with an open mind and you will enjoy the most amazing experiences, see incredible sights, meet really lovely people and learn so much.
Most Inspirational Moment
My favourite time was in the yurt camp at Son Kul lake. After a really hectic couple of weeks this was a brilliant place to relax and chill, walk and ride local horses. There are very few places in the world with no phone or internet access and no sound of roads, planes or trains - but this is one of them. I would have stayed another week here just to unwind and enjoy the spectacular surroundings if I could have.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader, Alejandro, was quite exceptional - his patience, calmness, kindness and good humour kept us all together as a group for this long and quite intense trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This trip requires a really small wardrobe in order to manage a lot of one-night stopovers, with very cool lightweight, easily washable clothing for the incredibly hot places (Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) and a down jacket, hat, gloves and thermals for the much cooler places (Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan).
If you take the Astana extension - just make sure your free day is NOT a Monday, when everything (yes, literally everything!) is closed.
Suggestions
Please ensure you take bucket loads of patience and good humour, along with hours and hours of reading/podcasts/music for the long bus journeys.
Optional Single Supplement+CAD 1,102 Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.
Optional Single Supplement+CAD 1,102 Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
AvailabilityGuaranteed (Available)
Only 5 spaces left!
Adult Price FromCAD 10,260
Optional Single Supplement+CAD 1,102
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Optional Single Supplement+CAD 1,102 Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.
Optional Single Supplement+CAD 1,102 Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.
Adult Price FromCAD 10,830
Book with CAD 2,707 deposit
Optional Single Supplement+CAD 1,216
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Adult Price FromCAD 10,830
Book with CAD 2,707 deposit
Optional Single Supplement+CAD 1,216
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Adult Price FromCAD 10,830
Book with CAD 2,707 deposit
Optional Single Supplement+CAD 1,216
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Adult Price FromCAD 10,830
Book with CAD 2,707 deposit
Optional Single Supplement+CAD 1,216
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Adult Price FromCAD 10,830
Book with CAD 2,707 deposit
Optional Single Supplement+CAD 1,216
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
*Please note any date & price adjustments will be displayed on the next step of booking. You will be able to revert back to booking without flights if the options aren't suitable for you.
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