Journey through Central Asia
Travel from Bishkek to Ashgabat on this 28 day 'Five Stan' cultural experience. This in depth tour will see you visiting the Silk Road gems of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, the quirky Turkmenistan, colourful markets, fascinating villages and Swiss Alps type scenery. Retrace the footsteps of Marco Polo and Alexander the Great on this unforgettable Central Asian journey.
Wander the Lyab-i Hauz District - Stroll through Bukhara's Lyab-i Hauz district at twilight, admiring the spectacular architecture that surrounds one of the city's last remaining ponds (hauz), before sitting down to a delicious local dinner.
Visit an Akhal Tekes Stud Farm - Visit a stud farm to learn about the famous Akhal Tekes. A native horse breed with a distinctive metallic sheen. These majestic animals have played an essential role in Turkmenistan's history and are the emblem of the country.
Sleep in a Traditional Yurt - Get a true taste of the life of the Kyrgyz nomads at a shepherd's camp, where you’ll spend the night sleeping in a traditional yurt.
Bishkek (2N) - Chon-Kemin (1N) - Bokonbayevo (1N) - Karakol (2N) - Almaty (2N) - Dushanbe (2N) - Khujand (1N) - Tashkent (2N) - Samarkand (2N) - Bukhara (3N) - Khiva (2N) - Ashgabat (2N+2N) - Mary (1N)
- International flights and current taxes (prices may vary depending on departure city)
- All Meals (refer to itinerary)
- Breakfasts: 25 /Lunches: 24 /Dinners: 25
- Domestic transportation
- Touring with guides and entrance fees
- 3 – 4 star accommodation, guest house & yurt camp
- Visa assistance for Australian passport holders
Your fare excludes:
- Travel insurance
Days 1-2: Fly To Bishkek
Fly overnight to the city of Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. The rest of the days is yours to relax before dinner.
Includes: Dinner
Day 3: Ala Archa National Park
Start the day with a city tour visiting Manas Monument, the main national hero of the Kyrgyz people. Walk around Ala Too Square and Old Parliament Square before transferring to Victory Square. Drive to Ala Archa National Park for a leisurely hike, enjoying the picturesque scenery of snow-capped mountains and freshwater rivers. Return to Bishkek for an afternoon at leisure.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Chong Kemin National Park
Travel to Chong Kemin National Park, where you will have the chance to walk through the foothills as well as experience local village life.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Eagle Hunting
Today we drive to Kochkor village , the centre of Kyrgyz national felt handicrafts. Here you will be able to see how the traditional Kygyz wool carpets, called ‘shyrdak’, are made. Continue driving to Bokonbayevo village and watch a demonstration of Eagle Hunting.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Barskoon Gorge
Visit Skazka Canyon followed by and Barskoon Gorge to take a light hike to a waterfall named ‘Tears of Leopard’. Arrive in Karakol late this afternoon.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Karakol
Visit the Przhevalsky Museum and see the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Church. In the afternoon, travel to the Valley of the Flowers and Jety-Orguz where you can enjoy a light hike through the magnificent canyon of red sandstone.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Sunday Market
Rise early for the bustling Karakol Sunday Animal Market. In the afternoon, drive through breathtaking scenery to visit magnificent Charyn Canyon and its Valley of the Castles, before crossing the border into Kazahkstan, finishing the day in the countries largest city of Almaty.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Almaty
This morning, discover the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, dedicated to the Panfilov heroes of an Alma-Ata Infantry as well as the Ascension Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church made entirely of wood. In the afternoon, explore the Ili Alatau mountains and Medeu, an outdoor speed skating and bandy rink, located at the height of 1,690 metres. Go on to visit Shymbulak, a mountain resort located 2,260 metres above sea level. Continue to Kok Tobe, before taking a ride on a cable car for magnificent panoramic views of the city. You will return to your hotel afterwards, where the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Fly To Dushanbe
You have the day at leisure before flying late this afternoon to Dushanbe, Tajikistan's capital.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Dushanbe
Today vist the famous Museum of National Antiquities. Walk through the botanical gardens, Rudaki Park and stop at the Ismoili Somoni monument. After lunch visit the historical Fortress of Hissor, the Medrassah Kuhna and the Museum of Tajik Way of life
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Iskanderkul Lake
Visit the breathtaking Lake Iskander Kul on the way to Khujand.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Khujand
Enjoy a tour of Khujand, visiting Pushkin Square, Timur Malik's Fortress and the atmospheric Panjshanbe Bazaar. Travel to Tashkent this afternoon.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Tashkent
Take a step back in time in the old town and explore the Tila Shaikh mosque, home to rare copies of the Koran. Stop at Chorsu Bazaar. Visit the ceramic workshop of Akbar and Alisher Rakhimov, and explore the history of ceramics. Admire the opulently decorated Tashkent Metro.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: Arrive In Samarkand
Drive to Samarkand, where after checking into your hotel you will visit the iconic Registan Square, the heartbeat of Samarkand. Admire the three beautiful madrassahs on the square's perimeter.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16: Samarkand
This morning, see Gur-e-Amir, the mausoleum of conqueror Tamerlane. Next continue to Bibi-Khanum Friday Mosque and Shah-I-Zinda before visiting Ulugh Beg Observatory. Later see the ancient settlement of Afrosiab.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17: Shakhrisabz
Head out of Samarkand to the town of Shakhrisabz where you will explore the remains of Ak-Sarai Palace, Dorus Tilavat Cemetery and KokGumbas Mosque. Continue your journey this afternoon as you make your way to Bukhara.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18: Bukhara
Explore one of the most famous spots on the Silk Road. Visit sites including Nadir Devanbegi Madrassah, Poi Kalon Minaret and Mosque and the Ark of Bukhara.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 19: Bukhara
Head out of Bukhara to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the summer residence of the former Emir of Bukhara. Visit Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum, a famous Sufi spiritual leader of this region in the 14th century. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 20: Journey To Khiva
Journey across the Kyzyl Kum Desert, to the fabulous Silk Road city of Khiva, unrivalled by its 10th century city walls. You will stop at Amudarya river bank before continuing to Khiva.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 21: Walled City Of Khiva
Explore ancient Khiva, discovering the sights of the UNESCO World Heritage inner-walled city of Itchan Kala including the mighty Kuhna Ark and the turquoise-tiled Islam-Khodja. In the afternoon see the Friday Mosque and Tash Hauli Palace
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 22: Explore Kunya-urgench
Transfer overland to Kunya-Urgench, the once-glorious capital of the Khorezm Empire in and now UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its magnificent mausoleums, the Kutlug Timur minaret and the fabled al-Mamun's Academy of Sciences. Fly to Ashgabat this evening, the nation's capital.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 23: Explore Ashgabat
This morning is free to relax before a visit to a local stud farm to learn about beautiful Akhal Tekes horses. Visit the Kipchak complex, the largest mosque in Turkmenistan then learn about the country's unique history at the National Museum of History and Ethnography.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 24: Ancient City Of Merv
Rise early for your flight to Mary. From the airport you will transfer overland to the ancient city of Merv; a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous archaeological sites in Central Asia. Return to Mary after to visit the local History Museum.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 25: Darvaza Gas Crater
Fly back to Ashgabat to explore both ancient and modern sides of the city. Visit the Monument and Park of Independence and see the Ertoghrul Ghazi mosque. In the afternoon drive to the Darvaza to witness its famous Flaming Crater. Enjoy a walk around the perimeter as dusk approaches. Enjoy a nomad-inspired dinner under the stars. Following dinner, you will return to Ashgabat.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 26: Ashgabat
Visit the Old Nisa Fortress; the former residence of the Parthian Empire. After lunch you will continue the fun at the colourful Russian Bazaar. Later, continue to the National Carpet Museum
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 27-28: Fly Ashgabat To Australia
Fly to Australia, arriving home the following day.
Includes: Breakfast
* The above itinerary is subject to change.
- 29 Sep 2024 - 25 Oct 2024
from$18,880$18,380 pp twin share /$21,420/ $20,920 pp solo - 18 May 2025 - 13 Jun 2025
from$18,980$18,180 pp twin share /$21,360/ $20,560 pp solo - 07 Sep 2025 - 03 Oct 2025
from$18,980$18,180 pp twin share /$21,360/ $20,560 pp solo - 14 Sep 2025 - 10 Oct 2025
from$18,980$18,180 pp twin share /$21,360/ $20,560 pp solo - 21 Sep 2025 - 17 Oct 2025
from$18,980$18,180 pp twin share /$21,360/ $20,560 pp solo - 17 May 2026 - 12 Jun 2026
from $18,980 pp twin share / $21,360 pp solo - 06 Sep 2026 - 02 Oct 2026
from $18,980 pp twin share / $21,360 pp solo - 13 Sep 2026 - 09 Oct 2026
from $18,980 pp twin share / $21,360 pp solo - 20 Sep 2026 - 16 Oct 2026
from $18,980 pp twin share / $21,360 pp solo
Advertised pricing subject to departure date and availability. Please call 1300 414 198 to confirm up-to-the-moment availability and pricing.
Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply.
- Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 1 August 2023. Please note supplements may apply if lead in economy rates are not available.
- Customary tipping amount of approximately US$150pp (AU$224pp) is paid locally in Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan.
- Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
- Flight Inclusive rates only: Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth. Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request.