Tamerlane’s Trail: The Five Stans of Central Asia

£3500 per person

The ultimate Central Asia adventure: an unforgettable journey through the vibrant cultures and stunning landscapes of all five stans.

Embark on a captivating journey through the historical marvels and natural splendors of Central Asia. Start in Ashgabat, exploring its unique sites and the breathtaking Darwaza gas crater. Travel through Uzbekistan’s ancient cities, including Bukhara and Samarkand, where you’ll delve into a tapestry of cultures along the Silk Road. Cross into Tajikistan to visit the stunning Seven Lakes and the historic city of Penjikent. Continue to Kyrgyzstan, discovering the beauty of Issyk-Kul Lake, the Djeti-Oguz Gorge, and the vibrant city of Bishkek. Finally, journey through Kazakhstan’s Charyn Canyon to the bustling city of Almaty. With expert guides leading the way, immerse yourself in the rich history, vibrant bazaars, magnificent monuments, and the serene landscapes of these Central Asian gems.
15 Days
12+ Age
Central Asia
Cultural Tours
  • Destination
    Central Asia
  • Departure
    Tour starts in Ashgabat and ends in Astana.
  • Departure Time
    There will be a welcome meeting in the morning on the first day.
  • Return Time
    The tour will end with breakfast on day fifteen.
  • Dress Code
    Clothes suited to hiking, camel riding, and visiting monasteries (modest inc. headscarves for women).
  • Included
    Airport Transfers
    Breakfasts
    Entrance Fees
    Local Sim Card
  • Not Included
    Flights
    Lunches and Dinners
    Personal Travel Insurance
    Spending Money

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Day One: Arrival in Ashgabat

Early in the morning, arrive in Ashgabat and meet at the airport for a group transfer to the hotel. After checking in and taking some time to rest, enjoy breakfast before meeting your local guide. Embark on a day trip to Nohur village, nestled in the Kopetdag Mountains. Here, you'll explore a tribal cemetery and a pilgrim site, as well as meet local craftsmen renowned for their silk weaving. En route to Nohur, visit the Turkmenbashi mosque-mausoleum, a significant spiritual site, and the Kow-Ata underground lake, known for its stunning natural beauty. Return to Ashgabat in the evening for an overnight stay at the hotel.

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Day Two: Ashgabat - Nissa - Darwaza
Start your day with breakfast before embarking on a half-day sightseeing tour of the city. Your tour includes visits to the National Museum of Turkmenistan, the ancient fortress of Nissa (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Independence Park, and the Neutrality Arch. After lunch, transfer to the most unique site in Central Asia - the Darwaza burning gas crater. Arrive in Darwaza before sunset to enjoy a barbecue dinner near the burning gas crater. Capture stunning photos of the crater during the nighttime. Drive back to Ashgabat (at a slower pace after dark), arriving at the hotel before or just after midnight. Overnight at the hotel.
 
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Day Three: Ashgabat - Mary - Merv - Bukhara
After breakfast, meet your guide and transfer to the airport for your flight to Mary. Upon arrival, transfer to visit the ancient city of Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the region before transferring to the land border with Uzbekistan. Complete border formalities, then meet your Uzbek guide and driver for the transfer to Bukhara. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. Rest and overnight stay at the hotel.
 
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Day Four: Bukhara
After breakfast, begin your guided sightseeing tour of Bukhara. Visit the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Khauz Mosque, Ark Citadel, and Po-i-Kalyan Complex, including the Kalyan Minaret. Explore the Ulugbek Madrasah and Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah. After lunch, continue with visits to the Lyab-i Hauz Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah, and the domed shopping arcade. Return to the hotel for rest and an overnight stay.
 
 
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Day Five: Bukhara - Samarkand

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before meeting your guide for a visit to Sitorai-Khosa, the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, located just a 20-minute drive from the city. Afterwards, transfer to the railway station to board a high-speed train to Samarkand. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and relax. 

 

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Day Six: Samarkand
After breakfast, begin a guided sightseeing tour around Samarkand. Visit Registan Square, which includes Ulugbek Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah, and Tilla-Qori Madrasah. Explore the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, Tamerlane’s sepulcher, and view the Rukhabad Mausoleum from the outside. After lunch, continue the tour with visits to Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, and Ulugbek Observatory. Return to the hotel for rest and an overnight stay.
 
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Day Seven: Samarkand - Tajikistan
After an early breakfast, embark on a day trip to Tajikistan, a significant part of ancient Sogdiana. In the morning, transfer to the land border with Tajikistan and complete border formalities. Meet your Tajik guide and driver, then head to the region of the Seven Lakes, located in the western Fann Mountains, where each lake boasts its own distinct color. Enjoy a picnic at the last of the Seven Lakes, Khozorchashma Lake. After lunch, drive to Penjikent for sightseeing, which includes visits to the Rudaki Museum, the local bazaar, and a mosque. Additionally, explore the ruins of ancient Penjikent, a major Sogdian city destroyed by Arab conquerors. In the evening, return to the land border with Uzbekistan, complete border formalities, and transfer to the hotel for rest and an overnight stay.
 
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Day Eight: Samarkand - Tashkent
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer by road to Tashkent. Arrive around lunchtime and begin exploring the capital city of Uzbekistan. Visit the Minor White Mosque, Independence Square, Amir Timur Square, and the Tashkent metro. Check into your hotel in the evening for an overnight stay in Tashkent.
 
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Day Nine: Tashkent - Kokand - Rishtan - Osh

After an early breakfast, transfer to the railway station for a train to Kokand, departing at 07:55 and arriving at 12:16, with clean carriages, normal speed, and seated places. Upon arrival in Kokand, one of the ancient cities of the Fergana Valley, begin your city tour by visiting the Palace of Khudayar Khan and the Juma Mosque. Then, transfer to Rishtan for lunch at a guesthouse and watch pottery making. After lunch, proceed to the land border with Kyrgyzstan and complete border formalities. Meet your Kyrgyz guide and driver, and transfer to Osh. Enjoy an evening sightseeing tour of Osh en route to the hotel. Check into your hotel for rest and an overnight stay.

 

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Day Ten: Osh - Bishkek

After breakfast, meet your driver for a transfer to the airport for your flight to Bishkek. Upon arrival in Bishkek, meet your guide and head to Ala-Archa National Park. Following the park visit, explore the main sights of Bishkek, including Ala-Too Square, the flagstaff with the changing of the guard, the statue of Lenin, the Freedom Monument, and the Monument to Manas the Great. Transfer to your hotel for accommodation and an overnight stay in Bishkek.

 

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Day Eleven: Bishkek - Burana Tower - Issyk-Kul Lake

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and driver for a trip to Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world. En route, visit the ruins of the ancient city of Balasagyn and the Burana Tower. Upon arrival at Issyk-Kul Lake, check into your hotel and enjoy some rest.

 

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Day Twelve: Issyk-Kul - Djeti-Oguz Gorge - Karakol

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Karakol along the eastern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. En route, visit the Cholpon-Ata Petroglyphs Museum and the museum dedicated to the famous Russian explorer of Central Asia, N.M. Prjevalsky. Upon arrival in Karakol, take a city tour to visit the 19th-century Dungan Mosque, a unique structure built in Chinese style without using nails, and the wooden Russian Orthodox Cathedral of The Holy Trinity, built at the end of the 19th century. Stroll through the central bazaar to experience the local life of the city. Next, transfer to the Djeti-Oguz Gorge on the northern slopes of the Terskey Ala-Too Ridge, where you can view the striking red rock formations "Broken Heart" and "Rocks of Seven Bulls." The dark green forests spread over the red sandstone mountain slopes create an incredible color contrast. Return to Karakol and check in at your hotel.

 

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Day Thirteen: Karakol - Charyn Canyon - Almaty

Start with an early breakfast at the hotel before departing from Karakol at 08:00. Transfer to the land border with Kazakhstan and complete the border formalities. Continue the journey to Almaty, stopping en route to visit the spectacular Charyn Canyon. Located about 215 km east of Almaty, Charyn Canyon is a three-hour drive via the A351 and A352 highways. Often referred to as the Grand Canyon’s little brother, Charyn Canyon stretches approximately 150 km long and reaches depths of up to 300 meters. A notable area within the canyon is the Valley of Castles, a 2 km stretch with pillars and rock formations resembling imposing, man-made structures. Arrive in Almaty by the evening, check into your hotel, and enjoy an overnight stay.

 

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Day Fourteen: Almaty
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a full-day sightseeing tour of Almaty. Visit the Green Bazaar, Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, and the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame. Continue to Kok-Tobe Hill, home to one of the tallest TV towers in the world, and enjoy a short ride from the top of the hill to the city centre on the famous Almaty cableway. After lunch, transfer to Medeo, the world's highest skating rink, and Shymbulak, a mountain resort. Take a cable car up to an altitude of 3,200 meters to admire the breathtaking landscapes. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
 
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Day Fifteen: Departure from Almaty

Transfer to the International airport of Almaty. Departure from Kazakhstan.

TOUR LOCATION

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What to Expect

 

This tour spans five Central Asian countries—Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan—offering a deep dive into their cultural heritage and history. The tour days are full, typically lasting 7 to 8 hours, with extensive travel between key sites. While regular breaks are scheduled, participants should be prepared for long periods of walking and standing. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Weather conditions can vary greatly—summers can reach 40°C (104°F), while winter temperatures may drop to -10°C (14°F), so checking the forecast and packing accordingly is essential. Meals beyond those specified in the itinerary are not included, and travellers should budget around $25 to $40 per day for meals and incidental expenses. International flights, visa fees, and travel insurance are not included, and participants should check visa requirements for each country before departure.

 

Inclusions and Exclusions

 

This tour includes accommodation at the specified hotels or similar, in double/twin rooms with breakfast, as well as early check-in on the first day in Ashgabat. Meals provided include breakfasts at hotels, one camp-style dinner in Darwaza, and three lunches as per the itinerary. The tour covers all entrance fees to listed monuments and museums, services of English-speaking local guides, air-conditioned transport throughout, and airport-hotel-airport transfers. Several local flights and train transfers are included, such as the flight from Ashgabat to Mary, the high-speed train from Bukhara to Samarkand, the train from Tashkent to Kokand, and the flight from Osh to Bishkek. Bottled mineral water is provided daily, and a visa invitation for Turkmenistan is included. However, the price does not cover international flights, pre- and post-tour accommodation, meals not mentioned in the itinerary, medical expenses, insurance, porters at hotels, railway stations, and airports, tips and gratuities, or visa fees, including the mandatory Turkmenistan visa fee and the PCR test fee at Ashgabat airport. High-speed train tickets are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed in advance. Participants should review the visa requirements and plan ahead, as visas for Turkmenistan and Tajikistan require early processing. For more information regarding visa requirements, click here. We recommend allowing three months for visa processing to allow for any complications. While obtaining visas is the traveller's responsibility, we assist clients in ensuring a smooth application process.

 

Accommodation

 

Accommodation is based on double occupancy. The standard tour price includes stays at the below pictured hotels or similar. If a single room is required, an additional fee of approximately £375 GBP applies. Pre-tour accommodation is available at $138 per night for a single room or $175 for a double room, while post-tour accommodation costs $100 per night for a single room or $115 for a double room. Any upgrades or additional accommodations should be arranged in advance.

 

The standard accommodation will be comparable to the following images: