Tour overview

This 37-day overland journey crosses all five of the Central Asian 'Stans' – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan – following the old Silk Road from the futuristic Kazakh capital to the marble city of Ashgabat. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 16 and over, with local leaders throughout and specialist guides at key sites. You stay thirty-six nights in small locally run hotels and guesthouses, with nights in yurt camps, family homestays and two overnight sleeper trains. Breakfast is included daily, with lunches and dinners on many days, including home-cooked meals with local families and a winery lunch near Almaty.

Your journey begins in Astana, a city of bold modern architecture, before a flight to Turkistan and the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, then an overnight train to Almaty. From there you hike to waterfalls in Turgen Gorge, stand on the rim of Charyn Canyon and walk to the Kolsay and Kaindy lakes, before crossing into Kyrgyzstan. In Karakol you visit the wooden Dungan Mosque, and after Bishkek you spend nights in yurt camps on the shores of Issyk-Kul and the high summer pastures of Son-Kul, where nomadic herders graze their horses, with a yurt-making workshop in Kyzyl-Tuu.

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Crossing the Suusamyr Valley, you reach Osh and the sacred Sulaiman-Too mountain, then enter Uzbekistan's Fergana Valley to meet the silk weavers of Margilan and the potters of Rishtan. In Tajikistan you explore Khujand, founded by Alexander the Great, and ancient Panjakent, before returning to Uzbekistan for the turquoise domes of Samarkand's Registan, with a plov cooking demonstration, and the grand city of Tashkent.

An overnight train brings you to the walled city of Khiva, with its minarets, palaces and madrasas. In Turkmenistan you drive into the Karakum Desert by 4WD to watch the sun set over the Darvaza gas crater, known as the Gates of Hell, and sleep in a nearby yurt camp. You stay with a family in the mountain village of Nohur, visit a farm breeding Akhal-Teke horses, explore the ancient Parthian city of Nisa and the UNESCO-listed ruins of Merv, and end among the white marble monuments of Ashgabat.

The physical rating is medium, with long travel days, border crossings and simple accommodation. This journey suits adventurous travellers with time to spare who want the ultimate Silk Road adventure.

Trip highlights

  • Charyn Canyon and Kolsay Lakes (Days 7–8)
  • Yurt camps on Issyk-Kul and Son-Kul (Days 13–15)
  • Sulaiman-Too in Osh (Day 19)
  • Samarkand's Registan (Day 25)
  • The walled city of Khiva (Days 29–30)
  • The Darvaza gas crater (Day 31)

Your route

37 stops from Astana to Mary

37-day route: Astana – Almaty – Karakol – Bishkek – Osh – Samarkand – Tashkent – Khiva – Darvaza – Ashgabat
  1. Astana Days 1–2
  2. Turkistan Day 3
  3. Otrar Day 4
  4. Shymkent Day 4
  5. Almaty Days 5–6
  6. Charyn Canyon Day 7
  7. Saty Village Day 7
  8. Kaindy Lake Day 8
  9. Karakol Days 8–9
  10. Jety Oguz Day 9
  11. Cholpon-Ata Day 10
  12. Bishkek Days 10–12
  13. Burana Tower Day 13
  14. Issyk-Kul Lake (Kyzyl-Tuu) Days 13–14
  15. Kochkor Day 15
  16. Song-Kol Lake Day 15
  17. Kyzyl-Oi Day 16
  18. Kök-Bel Day 17
  19. Uzgen Day 18
  20. Osh Days 18–19
  21. Margilan Day 20
  22. Rishton Day 20
  23. Kokand Days 20–21
  24. Khujand Day 22
  25. Marquzor Lakes Day 23
  26. Panjakent Day 23
  27. Samarkand Days 24–25
  28. Tashkent Days 26–28
  29. Khiva Days 29–30
  30. Dashoguz Day 31
  31. Darvaza Crater Day 31
  32. Ashgabat Day 32
  33. Nohur Day 32
  34. Ashgabat Days 33–34 & 36
  35. Nisa Day 34
  36. Ancient Merv Day 35
  37. Mary Day 35

Why choose this tour

All five Central Asian republics in one epic journey. Yurt camps, homestays and the great Silk Road cities.

Best suited to

  • Adventurous travellers with time
  • History and culture lovers
  • Solo travellers looking for a small group
  • Travellers who want somewhere new
Big Almaty Lake below snow-capped peaks

Day-by-day itinerary

37 days from Astana, Kazakhstan to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

  1. Day 1 · Astana Astana

    A welcome Kazakh dinner.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr Astana

    A tour of the modern capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Turkistan Turkistan

    Fly south to the spiritual heart.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Yasawi Mausoleum, Otrar Otrar

    A mausoleum and the night train.

    Hotel
    Sleeper train
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Lake Issyk, Turgen Gorge Almaty

    A lake, a waterfall and a winery.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  6. Day 6 · Zenkov Cathedral, Green Bazaar Almaty

    A city tour.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Charyn Canyon, Saty Saty

    A canyon and a mountain homestay.

    Hotel
    Homestay
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Kolsay Lakes, Kaindy Lake Karakol

    Lakes and into Kyrgyzstan.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  9. Day 9 · Dungan Mosque, Jeti-Oguz Karakol

    A town tour and a valley hike.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Cholpon-Ata, Issyk-Kul Bishkek

    Petroglyphs and a lake cruise.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  11. Day 11 · Bishkek Bishkek

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  12. Day 12 · Ala-Too Square, Osh Bazaar Bishkek

    A city tour.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Burana Tower, Issyk-Kul Issyk-Kul

    A family lunch and a lakeside yurt.

    Hotel
    Yurt camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  14. Day 14 · Kyzyl-Tuu Kyzyl-Tuu

    A yurt-making workshop.

    Hotel
    Yurt camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  15. Day 15 · Kochkor, Son-Kul Son-Kul

    High summer pastures.

    Hotel
    Yurt camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  16. Day 16 · Kyzyl-Oi Kyzyl-Oi

    Along the Kokomeren River.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  17. Day 17 · Suusamyr Valley, Toktogul Kok-Bel

    Across a high plateau.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  18. Day 18 · Uzgen, Osh Osh

    To the capital of the south.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  19. Day 19 · Sulaiman-Too Osh

    A sacred mountain.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  20. Day 20 · Margilan, Rishtan Kokand

    Silk weavers and potters.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  21. Day 21 · Khudayar Khan Palace Kokand

    A khan's palace.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  22. Day 22 · Khujand Khujand

    Into Tajikistan.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  23. Day 23 · Marguzor Lakes, Panjakent Panjakent

    Alpine lakes and Sogdian ruins.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  24. Day 24 · Samarkand Samarkand

    Back into Uzbekistan.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  25. Day 25 · Registan, Shah-i-Zinda Samarkand

    The Registan and a plov dinner.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  26. Day 26 · Tashkent Tashkent

    By train to the capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  27. Day 27 · Tashkent Tashkent

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  28. Day 28 · Chorsu Bazaar, Khast Imom Tashkent

    A city tour and the night train.

    Hotel
    Sleeper train
    Meals
    Breakfast
  29. Day 29 · Ichan Kala Khiva

    A walled Silk Road city.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Lunch
  30. Day 30 · Khiva Khiva

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  31. Day 31 · Dashoguz, Darvaza Crater Darvaza

    The Gates of Hell at sunset.

    Hotel
    Yurt camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  32. Day 32 · Kopet Dag, Nohur Nohur

    A mountain village homestay.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  33. Day 33 · Gyz Bibi Cave, Ashgabat Ashgabat

    Akhal-Teke horses and the capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  34. Day 34 · Nisa, Anau Ashgabat

    Ancient Nisa and the white city.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  35. Day 35 · Merv Mary

    The ruins of Merv.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  36. Day 36 · Ashgabat Ashgabat

    A final evening.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  37. Day 37 · Ashgabat Trip ends

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The rock formations of Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan

Where you stay

  • Astana (2 nights) Hotel
  • Turkistan (1 night) Hotel
  • Overnight train (1 night) Sleeper train
  • Almaty (2 nights) Hotel
  • Saty (1 night) Homestay
  • Karakol (2 nights) Guesthouse
  • Bishkek (3 nights) Hotel
  • Issyk-Kul (2 nights) Yurt camp
  • Son-Kul (1 night) Yurt camp
  • Kyzyl-Oi (1 night) Guesthouse
  • Kok-Bel (1 night) Guesthouse
  • Osh (2 nights) Hotel
  • Kokand (2 nights) Hotel
  • Khujand (1 night) Hotel
  • Panjakent (1 night) Hotel
  • Samarkand (2 nights) Hotel
  • Tashkent (2 nights) Hotel
  • Overnight train (1 night) Sleeper train
  • Khiva (2 nights) Hotel
  • Darvaza (1 night) Yurt camp
  • Nohur (1 night) Guesthouse
  • Ashgabat (2 nights) Hotel
  • Mary (1 night) Hotel
  • Ashgabat (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 36 nights in hotels, guesthouses, homestays, yurt camps and trains
  • Meals 35 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 11 dinners, including daily breakfast, with selected lunches and dinners
  • A flight from Astana to Turkistan and two overnight trains
  • Private transport, 4WDs in the Karakum Desert and a boat on Issyk-Kul
  • Guided tours in all five countries, including Samarkand, Khiva and Merv
  • Hikes at Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lakes and Jeti-Oguz
  • Yurt-making workshop, winery lunch and home-cooked meals
  • Local leaders throughout

Not included

  • International flights
  • Visas and the Turkmenistan letter of invitation
  • Meals not included 1 breakfast, 24 lunches and 25 dinners
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A yurt camp in the high pastures of Naryn, Kyrgyzstan

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You dislike simple accommodation
  • You dislike long travel days
  • You want a short trip
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–28 and 30–37 · Lunch: Days 5, 8, 10, 13–17, 20, 23 and 29 · Dinner: Days 1, 7, 11, 13–17, 25 and 31–32
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Kazakhstan · UK FCDO travel advice for Kyrgyzstan · UK FCDO travel advice for Tajikistan · UK FCDO travel advice for Turkmenistan · UK FCDO travel advice for Uzbekistan
A gazebo over the clear water of Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £7,930 per person, twin share, tour only. 32 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Which countries do we visit?

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Do I need visas?

Requirements vary by country, and Turkmenistan needs a letter of invitation arranged in advance. Check the latest advice before booking.

What is the accommodation like?

Small hotels and guesthouses, with yurt camps, homestays and two sleeper trains. Some nights have shared facilities.

Can I have a single room?

A supplement is available, except on train, yurt and homestay nights.

Do the leaders change?

Yes, local leaders change between countries, with new travellers joining at Bishkek and Tashkent.

How many people travel together?

Up to 12 travellers.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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