I always wanted to go to Patagonia and prefer trips with a hiking focus. This trip exceeded my expectations. The scenery is superb and the organisation was such that we were able to make the most of every day. It was well organised with a good mix of activities. Sophia was most helpful, and I appreciated having local guides when we were hiking in Torres del Paine and El Glacier national Park.
Why you’ll love this trip?
- We have crafted this itinerary to take in off the beaten track authentic experiences along with the unmissable cultural highlights of the 5 Stans
- Experience five fascinating Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, each with its own unique landscapes, culture and history.
- Discover the legendary Silk Road – explore ancient cities, magnificent mosques, madrasahs, bazaars and historic trading routes.
- Experience authentic local culture – meet nomadic families, visit eagle hunters and yurt makers, and enjoy traditional Central Asian hospitality.
- Explore incredible landscapes and unforgettable sights – from alpine lakes and dramatic mountain valleys to Charyn Canyon, the Darvaza Gas Crater and the striking city of Ashgabat.
What’s the Activity Level?
- Designed for travellers who enjoy active sightseeing and exploring on foot.
- Expect regular walking through historic cities, bustling bazaars, ancient ruins and UNESCO-listed sites.
- Enjoy outdoor experiences including exploring the dramatic mountain landscapes of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan’s Seven Lakes.
- Be prepared for some long travel days, remote locations and basic facilities at some yurt camps and desert camps.
What’s the transport and accommodation like?
- Travel through all five countries by a mix of private vehicles, minibuses, train and domestic flights.
- Enjoy comfortable 3–4 star hotels, guesthouses and locally owned accommodation throughout the journey.
- Experience unique stays including traditional yurt camps in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
- Stay in a desert camp near the Darvaza Gas Crater, with an unforgettable night beneath the stars.
- Accommodation is selected for its location, comfort and local character, giving you a mix of modern hotels and authentic Central Asian experiences.
*All our tours are non-smoking
TRIP SUMMARY:
Duration: 5 Stans, One Epic Journey: 28 days starting in Almaty and ending in Ashgabat
Trip focus: Active sightseeing, cultural insights and off the beaten track landscapes
Accommodation: 24 nights in 3 & 4 star hotels, 1 night local guesthouse and 3 nights in tourist Yurt camps
Transport: Bus, flight, train
Group size: Maximum 14 + S.E.T. tour leader, Minimum 8
Single supplement: NZ$2,060
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- New Zealand tour leader who will accompany the group from Auckland, until day 28.
- Entrance fees for all excursions and activities as listed in the itinerary
- Meeting and transfer on arrival and departure airports
- English speaking local guides during the city tours and national park tours
- A/C vehicle in Central Asia. Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in each city or area by air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking driver.
- Vehicles: Mercedes Sprinter, coaster buses, minivans, 4×4 when when needed in remote areas
- All transportation on tour included
- Accommodation: Hotels are mostly 4 star with some 3 star. Yurt stays are a little more rustic, but most have on suite bathrooms except where mentioned
- Rooms based on twin sharing with double bed or a queen size bed; Please note twin bed room is on a request basis which is subject to Hotel’s availability and re-confirmation upon check-in.
- Flight from Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) on Day 13 economy class
- Train from Bukhara to Khiva on Day 23 economy class for your reference
- Flight between Ashgabat & Mary on Day 26 (round trip)
- Letter of invitation for Turkmenistan
- All tips, which your tour leader will take care of for the group
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- International Air Fares
- Travel Insurance – mandatory
- Meals other than indicated, Drinks, Laundry, Personal Expenses
- Any optional activities as mentioned in the itinerary as “optional”
- Visas
All prices are approximate and subject to currency fluctuations until final payment has been made.
DAY 1 – ARRIVE ALMATY
Welcome to Kazakhstan and the beginning of our journey through the Five Stans. On arrival in Almaty, we transfer to our hotel with time to settle in and relax. Set against the impressive Tien Shan Mountains, Almaty is a leafy, cosmopolitan city and a wonderful introduction to Central Asia.
Once an important Silk Road city, Almaty is known for its relaxed, friendly atmosphere and blend of European and Asian influences. With a vibrant mix of cultures, it’s a great place to experience local traditions and flavours. This evening, we’ll gather together for our welcome dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Note: That most flights arrive in the wee hours of the morning, so your hotel is booked for you from the night before.
DAY 2 – NOMADIC TRADITIONS & ALMATY
Our first full day introduces us to Kazakhstan’s nomadic heritage at the Nomad Ethno Centre on the beautiful Ushkonyr Plateau. Explore the authentic yurts, learn about nomadic traditions and enjoy the mountain setting.
Back in Almaty, visit the Central State Museum to discover more about Kazakhstan’s history and culture. Later, stroll along Arbat Street, browse local stalls, watch street artists and enjoy the city atmosphere. Dinner is at your own cost, with plenty of local cafés and restaurants to choose from.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 3 – DISCOVER ALMATY
Spend the day discovering Almaty’s fascinating mix of cultures. Visit the Central State Museum, Central Mosque, Green Bazaar, Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral and Folk Instruments Museum.
Finish at Kok-Tobe Hill, taking the cable car for sweeping views across the city towards the snow-capped Tien Shan Mountains. Enjoy the panoramic views, Beatles monument, souvenir shops and local dining, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 4 – CHARYN CANYON & KAINDY LAKE
Today brings our first taste of Central Asia’s spectacular wilderness. Explore Charyn Canyon’s Valley of Castles, where wind and water have sculpted towering red cliffs and rock formations, with the chance to spot local wildlife.
Continue by 4WD into the mountains to beautiful Kaindy Lake, famous for its surreal sunken spruce forest rising from the blue-green water.
Tonight we stay in a simple local guesthouse in Saty Village.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 5 – ACROSS THE BORDER TO KARAKOL
We leave Kazakhstan and cross the Karkara land border into Kyrgyzstan, continuing through beautiful mountain country to the charming town of Karakol. This afternoon, discover the town’s multicultural heritage with visits to the colourful Dungan Mosque, blending Islamic and Chinese architecture, and the Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral with its golden domes.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 6 – INTO ALTYN-ARASHAN, HOT SPRINGS & ALPINE VALLEY
One of our great mountain days! By off-road vehicle, we venture high into the Tien Shan Mountains to remote Altyn-Arashan, or “Golden Spa”. Enjoy a short walk through the valley before soaking in the natural mineral hot springs.
The afternoon is yours to explore, with options for a short hike or an optional one-hour horseback ride. Late afternoon, return by off-road vehicle to Karakol, arriving in the early evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 7 – JETI-OGUZ GORGE - TAMGA
After breakfast, depart Karakol for Jety-Oguz Gorge, meaning “Seven Bulls” in Kyrgyz. Admire its striking red rock formations, including the famous Seven Bulls and Broken Heart, before exploring deeper into the beautiful gorge.
Continue by road for around 1.5 hours to Tamga, where we’ll stay overnight.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 8 – FAIRYTALE CANYON, EAGLE HUNTERS & YURT MAKERS
Enjoy a wonderfully varied day of scenery and Kyrgyz traditions. Explore the fantastical rock formations of Skazka – Fairytale Canyon, overlooking Lake Issyk-Kul, before meeting a traditional eagle hunter in Bokonbayevo. Watch a golden eagle demonstrate ancient hunting techniques, then visit Kyzyl-Tuu to see skilled yurt makers creating these traditional nomadic homes by hand.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 9 – THE SILK ROAD TO TASH RABAT
Cross the 3,030m Dolon Pass before continuing into the remote mountain landscape of Tash Rabat, at 3,200m. This well-preserved 15th-century caravanserai was an important stop on the ancient Silk Road and offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s history.
Tonight, stay in traditional yurts, surrounded by green pastures and a peaceful river valley – a rustic but memorable experience.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 10 – HIGH INTO THE MOUNTAINS TO SONG KOL
Travel across the spectacular Moldo Ashu Pass to remote Song Kol, a vast alpine lake at 3,016m surrounded by mountains and summer pastures. Experience authentic nomadic culture as you settle into a traditional yurt camp and enjoy the peaceful surroundings and stunning sunset views.
Optional Horse Riding: Ride across the grasslands and rolling hills along the lake, taking in the spectacular panoramic views.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 11 – SONG KOL TO BISHKEK
Wake up to fresh mountain air and enjoy the sunrise over the lake before saying goodbye to Song Kol. Descend via the 3,400m Kalmak Ashu Pass and travel through the dramatic Boom Gorge, with its towering cliffs and rocky mountains.
Arrive in Bishkek with free time to explore a local market and pick up souvenirs.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 12 – BISHKEK TOUR & ALA-ARCHA NATIONAL PARK
Explore Bishkek this morning, visiting Ala-Too Square, leafy Oak Park and the lively Osh Bazaar, with its fresh produce, spices, handicrafts and local goods.
This afternoon, head to Ala-Archa National Park, a stunning alpine landscape of snow-capped peaks, pine forests and meadows. Enjoy a scenic light hike along the river before returning to Bishkek.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 13 – FLY TO UZBEKISTAN
Today we farewell Kyrgyzstan and fly to Uzbekistan, the next chapter of our Central Asian journey. On arrival in Tashkent we transfer to our hotel, with the remainder of the afternoon free to relax or head out and get our first taste of this fascinating city.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 14 – OLD & NEW TASHKENT
Explore Tashkent’s highlights, from the blue-domed Khast-Imam Complex to the bustling Chorsu Bazaar, filled with spices, fresh bread, dried fruits and local handicrafts. Discover the ornate Tashkent Metro, then visit Amir Timur Square, the heart of modern Tashkent. Finish the day with dinner at Besh Qozon, famous for Uzbekistan’s national dish, plov.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 15 – ACROSS THE BORDER TO KHUJAND
Cross the Oybek border into Tajikistan and travel to historic Khujand, a former Silk Road centre with over 2,500 years of history. Explore the Sheikh Muslihiddin Complex, colourful Panjshanbe Bazaar, and Khujand Fortress and its museum.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 16 – KHUJAND TO ANCIENT PENJIKENT
Travel south to Penjikent, known as the “Pompeii of Central Asia.” Visit the Rudaki Museum and explore the ruins of Ancient Penjikent, a former Sogdian city and important Silk Road centre.
Travel Note: As we head into the Fann Mountains, accommodation and facilities become more basic. Tonight’s hotel is the best available locally, offering a more authentic Tajik experience.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 17 – THE SEVEN LAKES TO SAMARKAND
Venture into Tajikistan’s stunning Seven Lakes, a chain of glacier-fed lakes surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery. Take an easy two-hour return hike from the sixth lake, Marguzor, to the seventh, Hazorchashma, followed by a lakeside picnic. Cross back into Uzbekistan at Jartepa and continue to Samarkand.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 18 – THE BLUE DOMES OF SAMARKAND
Discover Samarkand, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former capital of the Timurid Empire. Explore the magnificent Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, iconic Registan Square, Bibi Khanim Mosque, lively Siyab Bazaar, and the stunning turquoise mosaics of the Shahi Zinda Necropolis.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 19 – SAMARKAND: SCIENCE, FAITH & ANCIENT HISTORY
Discover another side of Samarkand with a visit to the Ulugh Beg Observatory, the Tomb of Saint Daniel, and the Afrosiab Museum, home to remarkable 7th-century frescoes revealing Samarkand’s ancient Silk Road heritage.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 20 – SAMARKAND TO SHAKHRISABZ TO BUKHARA
Travel to Shakhrisabz, passing through rolling hills and green farmland. Explore the impressive remains of Ak-Saray Palace, the peaceful Dorut Tilovat Complex, and Dorus Saodat Complex. Continue through scenic countryside on a longer drive to the historic Silk Road city of Bukhara.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 21 – BUKHARA & THE SILK ROAD
Explore atmospheric Bukhara on foot, where many of the city’s highlights are close together. Discover the distinctive Chor Minor, relax beneath the mulberry trees at Lyabi Hauz, and browse the historic Trading Domes, now home to traditional crafts, textiles and souvenirs. Finish at the magnificent Po-i-Kalyan Complex, featuring the iconic 47-metre Kalyan Minaret, grand Kalyan Mosque and beautiful Mir-i-Arab Madrasah.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 22 – BUKHARA'S ANCIENT HEART
Continue exploring Bukhara with the beautifully patterned Ismail Samani Mausoleum and sacred Chashma-Ayub spring. Visit the impressive Ark Fortress, an ancient royal citadel with thick walls, museums, a coronation mosque and panoramic views over the city. Finish at the elegant Bolo Hauz Mosque, famed for its intricately carved wooden pillars reflected in the adjacent pond.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 23 – TRAIN TO KHIVA
Travel by train across the desert to extraordinary Khiva, a living “open-air museum” where the medieval past comes to life. Explore Itchan Kala, the UNESCO-listed inner city of the Khwarezm Empire, enclosed by 10-metre-high mud-brick walls. Wander its maze of palaces, mosques, madrasahs, minarets and mausoleums, with the option to climb a minaret or walk the city walls for panoramic views.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 24 – KANYA-URGENCH & THE DARVAZA GAS CRATER
Cross into Turkmenistan and explore UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench, once a major Silk Road city, before travelling deep into the Karakum Desert to Darvaza. As darkness falls, watch the famous burning gas crater illuminate the desert while enjoying a barbecue dinner. Overnight in a traditional yurt camp, with basic shared outdoor bathroom facilities.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 25 – ACROSS THE KARAKUM DESERT TO ASHGABAT
After a picnic breakfast, cross the Karakum Desert to Ashgabat, a striking capital known for its gleaming white marble and grand architecture. Visit the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, see the renowned Akhal-Teke horses at the stables, and experience local life at Gulistan Bazaar, filled with fresh produce, spices and everyday goods.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 26 – ANCIENT MERV
Fly to Mary for our final great Silk Road site – Ancient Merv. Once known as the “Queen of the World”, this vast UNESCO-listed archaeological landscape encompasses more than 4,000 years of history and was once one of the largest cities on earth. Explore its ruined cities, fortresses and impressive Seljuk mausoleums before visiting Mary’s regional museum and flying back to Ashgabat.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 27 – EXTRAORDINARY ASHGABAT
Discover Ashgabat’s striking architecture, including the Neutrality and Independence Monuments, National Museum, indoor Ferris wheel and Palace of Happiness. Visit the Turkmen Carpet Museum, home to the world’s largest handwoven carpet, then admire the impressive Gypjak Mosque. Finish the trip with a traditional six-course “Altyn Asyr Turkmen Banquet,” of classic dishes in a single meal.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner
DAY 28 – FAREWELL CENTRAL ASIA
Today we farewell Central Asia after an extraordinary 28 days travelling through five countries, from high mountain lakes and nomadic yurt camps to desert landscapes and some of the greatest cities of the ancient Silk Road. We’re sure it will leave you with memories of a lifetime.
You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to your next destination or to return home.
Note: Most flights depart around 5.30am , so we will ask for a boxed breakfast, but they may not be able to provide it.
Meals Included: Breakfast (if time permits)
TESTIMONIALS
HIGHLIGHTS
DATES
| Start Date | End Date | Availability | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th Sep 2027 | 3rd Oct 2027 | WAITLIST ONLY | NZ$17,480 |
| 8th Sep 2027 | 5th Oct 2027 | WAITLIST ONLY | NZ$17,480 |
| 19th Sep 2027 | 16th Oct 2027 | AVAILABLE | NZ$17,480 |
