The Five Stans of the Silk Road

23 Days Starting in Ashgabat and ending in Almaty

Visiting: Ashgabat, Darvaza, Dashoguz, Khiva, Khorezm, Bukhara, Samarkand, Penjikent, Fann Mountains, Khujand, Fergana, Osh, Arslanbob, Son Kul Lake, Issyk-Kul Lake, Karakol, Almaty

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

AXK

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

6 - 16

Physical rating:

Moderate

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English
From: $8400 $6720 Operator discount: -$1680 -20%

NB: Prices correct on 22-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Vast deserts, rolling steppe, fertile valleys and majestic mountains form the backdrop to the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, which are commonly known as the five Stans. Among this changing and varied landscape are traditional villages, ancient towns and modern cities, which tell a tale of advancing Greek and Persian armies, marauding Mongolian hordes, traders selling wares along the Silk Road, philosophers, astronomers, Communist experiments and post-Soviet eccentrics. Journey past giant burning gas pits, intricately tiled mosques, alpine lakes bordered by yurt camps, grand monuments, rural villages and colourful markets on this epic trip through the heart of Central Asia.



About this trip: We have two versions of this trip, one starting in Turkmenistan and ending in Kazakhstan (Ashgabat to Almaty) and the other running in reverse, starting in Kazakhstan and ending in Turkmenistan (Almaty to Ashgabat). Apart from the direction of travel, the two itineraries are similar, the main difference is the route taken through Kyrgyzstan and the accommodation there. The Ashgabat to Almaty itinerary includes Son Kul lake and there are three nights staying in yurts in Kyrgyzstan. The Almaty to Ashgabat itinerary includes Chon-Kemin and Bishkek and stays in guesthouses and hotels rather than yurts. Both itineraries include a night in a yurt in Turkmenistan. This itinerary is valid for departures from 5 Sep, 2024 to 4 Sep, 2025. For other departure dates, please contact us.

Highlights

  • Follow the footsteps of ancient traders on a journey along the Silk Road

  • Witness the ‘Door to Hell’ at night, a giant burning gas pit in Turkmenistan

  • Experience the life of a nomadic shepherd with two nights in a yurt camp

  • Discover the great Islamic architecture and ruins of five different countries

  • Explore the villages and lakes of the Fann and Tien Shan mountains

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive Ashgabat

Location: 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 at night or early tomorrow morning.





Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)

Day 2 : Free Morning; Ashgabat City Tour

Location: Ashgabat

Meals Included: Breakfast

Following what for many people will have been a late night or early morning arrival, our exploration of Ashgabat begins around midday.



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 sight. Ashgabat has been described as Pyongyang meets Las Vegas, and you can see why.



We have a half-day city tour of Ashgabat including Ertogrul Ghazi mosque, Independence Park, the Neutrality Arch, Constitution Monument, Alem Ferris Wheel, Magtymguly Monument, Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, and the Wedding Palace which looks over the city from atop a hill.



Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)

Day 3 : Visit Nisa; Afternoon Transfer To Darvaza Crater − The 'Door To Hell'; Overnight In Traditional Yurts

Location: Darvaza

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we head 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. Afterwards, we visit the National Museum of Turkmenistan located about a 20 minute drive from the ruins of the Parthian Fortress of Nisa.Mid afternoon, we head north in a 4×4 convoy into the Karakum Desert, some 4hr 30min drive (161mi/260km) away, to a massive burning gas crater known as the Door to Hell in a remote part of 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 enjoy a barbeque dinner near the crater and stay overnight in yurts very nearby. Seeing the burning crater by night is a unforgettable experience.Accommodation: Darwaza Yurt Camp

Day 4 : To Ancient Dashoguz; Visit Medieval Kunya Urgench

Location: Dashoguz

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning after breakfast we transfer to Dashoguz,the capital city of northern Turkmenistan’s Dashoguz Province, and check into our hotel. The region around Dashoguz was part of the ancient Silk Road trade routes that connected East and West.In the afternoon, we visit Kunya-Urgench situated on the left bank of the Amu Daria River (approximately 1h30 drive from Dashoguz). Kunya-Urgench, also known as Old Urgench, was the capital of the Khorezm region, part of the Achaemenid Empire. The old town contains a series of monuments mainly from the 11th to 16th centuries, including a mosque, the gates of a caravanserai, fortresses, mausoleums and a 60-m high minaret. The monuments testify to outstanding achievements in architecture and craftsmanship whose influence reached Iran and Afghanistan, and later the architecture of the Mogul Empire of 16th-century India.Accommodation: Hotel Dashoguz (or similar)

Day 5 : Cross Into Uzbekistan; Tour Of Khiva

Location: Khiva

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we drive to the Shavat border post and say goodbye to our Turkmen leader and cross into Uzbekistan where we meet our Uzbek leader and drive to Khiva, arriving early afternoon. We have some time to relax, then take a walking tour of the walled city - the Itchan Kala. Often described as an open-air living museum, the Itchan Kala is Khiva's perfectly restored old city and includes the coloured tiled base of the never completed Kalta Minar, (originally planned to be taller than any minaret in Bukhara), the Kunya-Ark 12th century fortress - the former residence of the Khiva khans, and the beautiful mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud (Khiva's patron saint) with its tiled courtyard. Many wedding parties and pilgrims come to visit the tomb and drink the water from the well in the courtyard. We also visit Islam Khoja minaret and madrasah, the Juma mosque - supported by 218 wooden carved columns, Tash Khauli palaces, and Allakuli Khan Madrassah. We also explore artisan workshops where we see technology behind the production of Khiva wool, silk carpets, embroidery, ceramics, and wood inlay.Accommodation: Malika Khorezm, Khiva (or similar)

Day 6 : Desert Castles Of Khorezm

Location: Khorezm

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we head off to the arid plains of Khorezm. These plains were once densely populated marshland, inhabited by Messagetae Scythians. These horseback archers were nomadic and fought to retain the land, even defeating Cyrus The Great, a Persian emperor in BC 529. We visit the 2000-year-old ruined city fortress of Toprak- Qala, dramatically located with the Sultan Vais Mountains acting as a backdrop. The settlement began in the first century BC under Kushan patronage and was later devastated by Turkish raids that led to the depopulation of the town in the sixth century. There are still three large round towers and an impressive portion of the citadel that still remain, but the parchments and paintings that were found there are now in St Petersburg's Hermitage Museum. We also visit Qizil-Qala, formerly an important oasis with an impressive amount of remaining buildings and finally Ayaz-Qala, an imposing hilltop fortress dating from the sixth-century. We later return to Khiva for the night.Accommodation: Malika Khorezm, Khiva (or similar)

Day 7 : Drive To Bukhara Through The Kyzylkum Desert

Location: Bukhara

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we drive to Bukhara (480 km/7-8 hours), one of the most ancient cities of the East. We drive through the Kyzylkum desert and make some photo stops in the desert and on the banks of the Amu Darya (Oxus) River.After arriving in Bukhara we check in to our hotel and have the evening free to relax after our long journey.Accommodation: Sultan Hotel Bukhara/Hotel Kavsar (or similar)

Day 8 : Bukhara

Location: Bukhara

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum - a sarcophagus over an ancient sacred spring believed to have healing properties, the Mausoleum of the Samanids - the family tomb of the rulers of Bukhara, the oldest in Central Asia; Ark Citadel - the residence of Bukhara's rulers since the first century AD; 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, Nodir Divanbegi Madrasah, and Chor-Minor - a small mosque of an original form with four minarets.Accommodation: Sultan Hotel Bukhara/Hotel Kavsar (or similar)

Day 9 : Visit The Summer Palace Of The Bukharan Emirs; Drive To Samarkand

Location: Samarkand

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, we uncover more Bukharan history and culture as we explore the Sitorai-Mohl-Hosa Palace, the summer palace of the emirs. The palace rooms are richly decorated with magnificent paintings, stucco, wood carvings and ganch. 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 Gijduvan, where we will visit the house of the famous dynasty of pottery masters – the Narzullaevs. Continue on to Samarkand.Accommodation: Malika Prime (or similar)

Day 10 : Samarkand

Location: Samarkand

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Possibly the most famous of the Silk Road cities, Samarkand has blue-tiled buildings that dazzle in the bright sun. Steeped in history, dating back 2,500 years and impacted by such figures as Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, who made it the capital of his empire in the 14th century, it is 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, burial place of Tamerlane, his sons and his grandson, Ulughbek. The Ulugbek Observatory built in 1420 by Tamerlane’s grandson who was not just a ruler but also a well-known astronomer. We move on to the oversized Bibi Khanum Mosque and Shakhi Zinda – the ‘Living King’ necropolis – with its series of mausoleums dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Our final visit is to the exotic Siab Bazaar with its fresh and dried fruit and nuts and other local food produce, and a local paper factory. The exact order of visits may vary.Accommodation: Malika Prime (or similar)

Day 11 : Cross Into Tajikistan; Sarazm And Penjikent

Location: Penjikent

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Early this morning we drive to the Tajik border. We cross into Tajikistan, meet our local guide and head to the town of Penjikent (20 km, 20 min).



Our first stop in Tajikistan is at Sarazm, one of Central Asia's ancient settlements, dating back 5,500 years and now a World Heritage site. In Penjikent we set out on a tour (3-4 hours) that will take us to the Museum of Rudaki (Rudaki is considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry and he was born in Penjikent) and ancient Penjikent - ruins of old Sogdian town founded in 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century. We also explore the remains of houses, a citadel with Zoroastrian fire temples and a bazaar in the excavated ruins.



Accommodation: Panjakent Plaza Hotel (or similar)

Day 12 : Explore The Seven Lakes In The Fann Mountains

Location: Fann Mountains

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we make a trip into the heart of the Fann Mountains. We drive to Seven Lakes or Haf Kul in Tajik, a sometimes bumpy and narrow 80 kms away in the Shing Valley. The lakes vary in altitude from 1,600 to 2,400 metres and most were formed by landslides. The high mineral content in the water gives the lakes an unusual colour. We’ll have time to enjoy the mountains, with a walk to Hazorchashma Lakes and a picnic lunch in the village of Nofin before we drive back to Penjikent.



Accommodation: Panjakent Plaza Hotel (or similar)

Day 13 : Drive To Khujand Via Istaravshan

Location: Khujand

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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, and we'll visit the bazaar.



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 Musuem of Archeology, Sheikh Maslikhiddin Mosque, the Payshanba bazaar and, if time Arbob Palace - the Urumkhodjaev family country estate, a copy of the Russian tsarist palace of Peterhof.



Accommodation: Khudjand Delux Hotel (or similar)

Day 14 : Khujand; Back Into Uzbekistan - Rishtan & Margilan

Location: Fergana

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 Margilan, 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 Fergana town where we spend the night.Accommodation: Hotel Asia Fergana (or similar)

Day 15 : Cross Into Kyrgyzstan. Visit Osh And Uzgen.

Location: Osh

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, we transfer to the Kyrgyz border and say goodbye to our Uzbek leader. After border formalities at the Dustlik border crossing, we meet our Kyrgyz leader and head into nearby Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second largest city. 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.



On the way to Jalal-Abad we make a sightseeing stop at Uzgen. We taken an excursion to an old minaret and mausoleums nearby and visit a famous rice bazaar. Uzgen has a history of over 2000 years — it is claimed to be a site of numerous citadels built at various times since the 1st century BC. It was an important centre of trade routes between the Fergana Valley and Northern territories of Central Asia. Uzgen became a highly developed town in the Karakhanid’s epoch and developed into a large trading and handicrafts center.



Accommodation: Guesthouse Goodnight (or similar)

Day 16 : Arslanbob Nature Reserve

Location: Arslanbob

Meals Included: Breakfast

We leave the city of Jalal-Abad and head for Arslanbob Nature Reserve (approximately 1.5 hour drive). 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 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.



Afterwards, we head back to our guesthouse (approximately 1.5 hour drive) in Jalal-Abad for the night.



Accommodation: Guesthouse Goodnight (or similar)

Day 17 : To Son Kul Lake

Location: Son Kul Lake

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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 seven hours, including some rough roads. A new road is under construction and is expected to shorten the journey from 2025, but this cannot be guaranteed.



The jewel in the Kyrgyz crown for natural beauty, here nomadic shepherds tend their flocks. Today, yurt camps have multiplied around the lake, but the people who look after them still raise their sheep and cattle on the jailoo (high mountain pastures).



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

Day 18 : Son Kul Lake

Location: Son Kul Lake

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We have the whole of today to take in the beauty of the landscape around Son Kul. 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 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 is also the option to go horse-riding (optional extra).



Accommodation: Yurt Camp

Day 19 : Along The Southern Shore Of Issyk-Kul Lake

Location: Issyk-Kul Lake

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Our journey today takes first takes us to Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan's most important centre for felt handicrafts. We visit a local workshop and can participate in the manufacturing of national carpets. From Kochkor, we travel through the central Tien Shan mountains as we drive through picturesque canyons and gorges along the southern shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest salt lake in the world, after the Caspian Sea (and fast becoming the largest as the Caspian Sea recedes), it measures 70km by 180km and is almost 700m at its deepest point. Its name translates as Hot Lake and was given as, even in the depths of winter and despite being just above 1,600m, it never freezes. The area around the lake is a mixture of forest and meadow with a backdrop of towering mountains and glaciers.



We have an optional excursion (approximately US$100-120 per group) at Bokonbaev village to observe a traditional form of falconry found throughout Central Asia – hunting with eagles. Eagle hunting plays a key role in the nomadic lifestyle here and can also be seen during national competitions.



Accommodation: Yurt camp

Day 20 : Transfer To Karakol, Sightseeing Tour

Location: Karakol

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we continue our journey to Karakol. We head first to Barskoon Gorge, known for high waterfalls and dense spruce forests and visited by Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space. We'll hike to a waterfall called Bowl of Manas (named after the Kyrgyz national hero). Next is Djety Oguz Gorge where the Seven Bulls and Broken Heart rocks formations can be seen. From Djety Oguz, we continue to Karakol. There are about 2.5 hrs of driving in total today.



The atmosphere of Karakol town will take you hundred years back and give you an impression of Tsarist Russia. We enjoy a sightseeing tour of Karakol, taking in old Russian-style houses, a Russian Orthodox church dating back to 1886, a wooden Dungan mosque (1899) made without the use of nails, and Karakol bazaar.



This evening we enjoy a home cooked meal at a local Uygur or Dungan family home.



Accommodation: Classic hotel







Day 21 : Visit Charyn Canyon; On To Almaty, Kyrgyzstan

Location: Almaty

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we cross the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border and, after border procedures (which typically take about an hour), travel along the picturesque Karkara valley, where mountain flowers attract many beekeepers. We head towards Charyn Canyon, where the dramatic erosion caused by the Charyn river has created an impressive landscape. We have approximately three hours at the Charyn Canyon, there is the choice of walking 1.5 km down into the canyon (and 1.5 km back up afterwards), or an easier option is to enjoy the canyon from a viewpoint. There is time for a picnic lunch in the canyon (you can buy your picnic from a supermarket earlier in the day). After visiting the canyon, we continue to Almaty. There are about six hours of driving today.



Accommodation: Amir Hotel (or similar)

Day 22 : Explore Almaty And See Panfilov Park

Location: Almaty

Meals Included: Breakfast

Almaty is a beautiful city with its backdrop of the Tien Shan mountains and we have the whole day to explore it. With leafy streets and café culture, the former Kazakh capital has a distinctly European feel. We set off on a city tour after breakfast, we visit a number of sites, including Zhenkov Cathedral (Ascension Cathedral), made entirely of wood and without the use of nails, Panfilovs Park, home to the Piously-Voznesenskiy Orthodox Cathedral (1907), which was built without any nails, the Great Patriotic and Civil War monuments and eternal flame, and either the National History Museum or Museum of National Instruments.



Accommodation: Hotel Kazzhol Almaty / Uyut Hotel / Plaza Hotel Almaty

Day 23 : End Almaty

Location: Almaty

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our adventure comes to an end in Almaty this morning.

What's Included

  • All accommodation

  • All breakfasts, one lunch, and five dinners

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Western tour leader throughout (plus a local guide in each country)

  • 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

Accommodation

On this adventure through The Silk Road, we spend 19 nights in hotels and guest houses, and 3 nights in traditional yurt camps (only 1 night on the reverse itinerary). The accommodations typically used can be found on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a selection used on this trip.



Ashgabat: Sport Hotel







Sport hotel is a 4-star hotel located in the heart of Ashgabat close to the city's major attractions. The hotel offers spacious and well appointed rooms, as well as a number of amenities, including wi-fi, a swimming pool, fitness center, sauna, and a on site restaurant.



Bukhara: Kavsar Boutique Hotel







Taking over an old mansion, this small boutique hotel is one of the standout accommodations on this itinerary. It’s embellished with intricate design features and plenty of antiques, while an atmospheric central courtyard provides a wonderful place to gather as a group.



Darvaza, Son Kul and Issyk Kul: Yurt Camps







Yurts are traditional housing for nomadic communities across Central Asia and are generally quite cosy.



On the itinerary starting in Ashgabat and ending in Almaty: we have four nights in yurts: one night in Darvaza near the Door to Hell crater, and two nights at Son Kul Lake and a night by Isyyk Kul lake.



For the two nights in the yurt camp at Son Kul (days 17 and 18), you may have to share with four people to a yurt. Men and women who are not travelling together don’t usually have to share a yurt, but this cannot be guaranteed.



The yurts at Son Kul have 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.



On the itinerary starting in Almaty and ending in Ashgabat: we only have one night in a yurt - at Darvaza in Turkmenistan. This itinerary runs later in the year when the weather can be too cold for yurt stays in Kyrgyzstan, so we stay in hotels or guesthouses instead and follow a different route.



Almaty: Hotel Kazzhol Almaty







Located in Kazakhstan's largest city, this modern hotel is a 25-minute drive from Almaty International Airport. It offers free Wi-Fi, and features an indoor pool, sauna, massage, gym, and cosy restaurant serving European and national cuisine.



Worth knowing



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 yurt camp (three nights) and in these locations you may have to share with four people per room.

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.

Food

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 where possible will be provided in large containers for you to refill your bottle from – please bring a reusable bottle with you.

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Check out our Q&As

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes, our local guides are English speaking.

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    International flights are not included with this tour.

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.

  • Who is Exodus Travels?

    At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

The 5 Stans

A great trip covering a wide range of experiences - from Turkmenistan [Ashgabat with its somewhat bizarre architecture (the Wedding Palace being a particularly good, if that's the right word, example) and the welcoming wedding parties at the Arch of Neutrality; the ancient ruins at Nisa and Merv; and the burning pit at Darvaza among particularly memorable sights - all in the presence of a great local guide Jabar]; through Uzbekistan [with spectacular sights and sites at Bukhara, Samarkand and Shahrisabz together with the ruins of one of Alexander the Great's fortresses by the River Oxus all with the guide, Bek, who is probably the best guide on any tour I've been on]; Tajikistan [wonderful journey through the mountains to the gorgeous Iskanderkul Lake]; back into Uzbekistan [to learn about ceramics and the mechanics, and smell (boiling silkworm cocoons), of the silk industry; Kyrgyzstan [marvellous mountain scenery, great homestays, and lovely yurt camp (though be prepared for all weathers in one day - from bright sun to hail and lightning in a matter of minutes)]; and a brief stay in Kazakhstan [could have stayed longer and got to see more of Almaty, etc]. Suzie, the British guide who accompanied the trip throughout was wonderful and made everything easy for us - without her it would have been a lot more difficult. Food was ok to very good (the meal at the family house in Samarkand and the meals at the homestays being favourites), but was very limited for the vegetarians generally. Hotels were good to excellent and the transport was fine, though the air-conditioning on the minibuses in Kyrgyzstan didn't cope with the high temperatures.

A remarkable trip

This was a trip full of variety and dramatic scenery, from the surreal Ashgabat, the amazing Darvaza crater, the beautiful mosques and madrasahs of Samarkand and Bukhara to the truly majestic and ever changing scenery of the Kyrgyzstan mountains. Each of the 5 countries had its own unique character. There are some long journeys but they are full of continuing interest with lots of worthwhile stops on route. 99% of the accommodation was very comfortable, spacious and spotlessly clean.

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!

From desert camels to mountain yak

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.

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.

Amazing!

If you want to discover 5 countries and their varied cultures, histories and scenery and meet some lovely people, all in three weeks, this trip is for you. We saw some wonderful, stunning scenery, met some amazing friendly people, found out about the past complicated history and the challenges they face today. It is fast paced, there are long journeys but totally worth it and loads to see and do on the way.

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.

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.

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!

Varied and Interesting Trip

A busy and varied trip covering five countries, encompassing a wealth of culture and history, and some amazing scenery.

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