Overview
Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 26 Day The Five Stans of the Silk Road. See all the 'stans (well, most of them) on this comprehensive 26-day tour through Central Asia. Learn about nomadic life in Song Köl, explore natural landscapes like Kaindy Lake's sunken forest, and witness the hustle and bustle of capital cities and their bazaars, cathedrals, and historical sites. Along the way, you'll sleep like the locals do in homestays and yurts to get even closer to this underexplored destination.
Trip Length
26 Days
Trip Starts
Bishkek
Trip Ends
Ashgabat
Departures
May 2026 to Sep 2028
Countries Visited:
Operator
G Adventures
Trip Style
Classic
Budget
Affordable
Age Range
6-99 Years
Max. Group Size
16
Pace
Moderate
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
AYBA
Itinerary
Arrive at any time. Stay: Grand Hotel Bishkek
After breakfast, embark on a city tour of Bishkek before travelling to the serenity of Chong-Kemin Valley. Along the way, stop at one of Kyrgyzstan's oldest sights, the Burana Tower and learn about this ancient structure, rare in nomadic culture. Tonight, stay in a cozy guest house run by Karal Dobo Villagers. Soak in the stunning scenery while exploring the village and savour a home-cooked traditional dinner. Stay: Chon Kemin Guesthouse (B/L/D)
In the morning, opt for a hike to the nearby mountains or explore the famous gorges of Chong-Kemin. In the afternoon, enjoy the scenic drive along the Kalmak-Ashuu mountain pass to Song Kul Lake. Immerse yourself in Kyrgyz culture with an overnight stay in a traditional yurt. Experience daily nomadic life and wander the breathtaking landscape. With an altitude of 3,016 meters above sea level, it's possible to experience four seasons in one day! Indulge in delicious home-cooked cuisine for dinner, then get cozy in the yurt around the stove. (B/D)
Spend the morning soaking in all the beauty of Song Kul Lake before departing for Kochkor to enjoy lunch together with a local family. After lunch, head to the breathtaking Skazka Canyon, also known as Fairytale Canyon. Walk through the striking rock formations and take some beautiful photos. Afterward, head to Tamga village in the clutches of the Terskey Ala-Too and celestial Issyk-Kol’ Lake, where you'll spend the night at a village guesthouse and get to know the local community members. Stay: Anyutaika Guesthouse (B/L/D)
This morning we head to Ak-Orgo Workshop Centre, a G for Good supported organization, to observe how traditional yurts are built and learn about the importance of this Kyrgyz craft. Continue the drive to Jety Oguz, where we stop to visit the beautiful Seven Bulls rock formations, enjoy a picnic lunch with a stunning view and hike to the Jety Oguz viewpoint. Finish the drive to Kyrgyzstan's 4th largest city - Karakol and enjoy a city tour upon arrival, visiting notable sites like the Russian Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and the pagoda-style Dungan Mosque, built by Chinese Muslims in the early 20th Century. Stay: Caravan Hotel Karakol (B/L/D)
Cross the border into Kazakhstan on the journey to Saty Village, part of the Kolsay Lakes National Park. On arrival, jump in a 4x4 vehicle for the ride to Kaindy Lake, then embark on a trek to explore the sunken forest. Soak in the bright hues and marvel at the eerie sight of submerged trees. Spend the night in a homestay and indulge in traditional Kazakh meals for a true Kazakh experience. Stay: Saty Village Guesthouse (B/D)
Depart early this morning for Almaty, the former Kazakh capital, stopping along the way to marvel at Charyn Canyon. Boasting stunning shades of red, orange, and brown, the Charyn Canyon is a natural wonder comparable in beauty to the Grand Canyon. On arrival in Almaty, join your CEO for an orientation walk around your hotel. Stay: Otrar Hotel (B)
Explore the amazing city of Almaty on a city tour, visiting sights such as Independence Square, Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilov's Park, and the striking WWII memorial. Enjoy a free afternoon to continue the adventure through Almaty. Opt to climb Green Hill for panoramic views, visit the local markets, or sip coffee in one of the plentiful cafés. Stay: Otrar Hotel (B)
Today, we'll transfer to Almaty airport and board a flight to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, on the Varzob River. Upon arrival enjoy a tour of Dushanbe, visiting the main monuments, museum, and mosque. Stay: Vatan Hotel (B)
Enjoy a morning drive through the valleys and mountains to Kuli Iskandarkul. Pass along Alexander the Great's lake and go on a short hike to Iskander Darya waterfall. After lunch continue the drive to our overnight stay at a Community Guest house in Ghazza Village. Meet the local people and explore the gorgeous landscape of the Fann Mountains. Upon arrival to Ghazza village the group will set out on a walk followed by dinner at local family's home. Stay: Ghazza Village Guesthouse (B/D)
After breakfast, embark on a hike alongside Voru River to visit Voru village (one of the oldest Villages of the Fann Mountains). Visit the local blacksmith's workshop. We'll learn about the different products they make, like knives and horseshoes. After the village exploration, head back to to Community guest house. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Opt to enjoy the roof top terrace at the guest house. Have dinner in a community guest house with the group in the evening. Stay: Ghazza Village Guesthouse (B/L/D)
Continue on to Khujand, stopping first in Istaravshan to explore a local mosque the largest bust of Lenin. Enjoy an optional lunch in a local chaikhana (teahouse) before continuing the drive to Khujand. Wander the city in the afternoon, visiting the Historical Museum of Sughd, resembling a castle, and the Mausoleum of Sheik Muslekheddin. Stay: Sugdiyon Hotel (B)
Visit the Khujand market (largest in Tajikistan) before continuing on to the border. Cross into Uzbekistan and drive to the capital city of Tashkent, where modern skyscrapers mix with Soviet-era architecture and mosaic mausoleums. Enjoy a short orientation walk in the evening before an optional dinner. Stay: Harris Hotel (B)
Spend the day freely exploring this unique bustling city. Check out one of the many museums, wander the streets admiring the modern, Soviet-era architecture, venture up Tashkent Tower (which offers city views from its observation deck), or wander through the bazaar. Stay: Harris Hotel (B)
Travel on to Samarkand, known for intricately beautiful mosques and mausoleums, situated on the Silk Road. Take an orientation walk to familiarize yourself with the neighborhood before embarking on a city tour, visiting Shaki Zinda complex, the bazaar, Bibi Khanum, and Registan Square. We'll also visit the famed Amir Timur Mausoleum, dedicated to the famous conqueror who once hoped to rebuild the empire of Genghis Khan. Stay: Karvon Hotel Samarkand (B)
With a free day in Samarkand, continue exploring the amazing sights, have a cuppa in a local tea house, or wander around the bazaar. Opt to explore the Tomb of Prophet Daniel, famous for the Biblical story of Daniel and the lions. Stay: Karvon Hotel Samarkand (B)
Travel out into the desert to visit Chashma Complex, a pilgrimage site in the territory of Nurata, dominated by ruins of Alexander the Great's fortress, Juma mosque, a bath-house, and the ancient Panjvakta mosque. All of this, hiding a holy spring believed to heal diseases. After exploring the complex, head to Aidarkul Lake and opt for a swim before continuing on for an overnight stay in a local yurt camp. Enjoy an authentic Uzbekistan dinner and an evening Kazakh singing show. Stay: Yurt Camp Stay Aidarkul (B/D)
Travel to Bukhara, known as one of the most charming cities in the country, and get your bearings on an orientation walk. Opt to visit the old city bazaars, enjoy a traditional dinner cooked by a local family, visit a hammam (bathhouse), or just relax in the pleasant atmosphere of this Silk Road city. Stay: Hotel As-Salam (B)
Explore Bukhara on a half-day guided walking tour around the beautifully restored mosques, madrassas, and covered markets, or trading domes, that make up the Old City. A centre for pottery, cloth, and carpets, Bukhara is centered around Lyabi-Hauz, a delightful pool of water surrounded by ancient mulberry trees. Wander the artisan shops and narrow twisting streets and alleyways, or sit at a café table and let the evening drift by. Opt to watch a local puppet show held in an old caravanserai, or indulge in a rejuvenating hammam bathhouse. Stay: Hotel As-Salam (B)
Enjoy a scenic drive through the desert on a full day's journey to reach UNESCO-listed Khiva, well worth the arduous drive. Get to know this peaceful, picturesque city on a late afternoon orientation walk, and pick your favourite spots to explore more in-depth tomorrow. Stay: Hotel Muso To'ra (B)
Before exploring this historic town on your own, enjoy a guided tour to learn about local life here. Wander through the narrow labyrinth mudbrick alleyways of old town, bargain with locals at the bazaar, admire the madrassas, mosques, and blue mosaic domes, climb up towering minarets, and venture into the dark dungeons Khiva was infamous for back in the 10th century. Explore the inner walls of Ichon-Qala, and enjoy spectacular sunset views on the sand-coloured buildings. Stay: Hotel Muso To'ra (B)
Say goodbye to Uzbekistan this morning as we drive to the Uzbek-Turkmen border and continue to Dashoguz, Turkmenistan. Drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kunya Urgench to visit the ancient capital of the Khorezmian Empire. Stay: Hotel Dashoguz (B/L)
Enjoy a morning tour of the city of Dashoguz. This evening, enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner then we head out to witness the fiery Darvaza gas crater, also known as the "Gates of Hell." Venture through the Kara-Kum desert and spend the night camping under the stars at a yurt camp. Stay: Darwaza Camping (B/D)
After breakfast, begin the journey to the capital of Turkmenistan - Ashgabat. On the way, stop and admire its golden sand dunes that stretch out to the horizon. On arrival in Ashgabat, spend the evening at leisure. Opt to visit the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, also known as Gypjak Mosque, and capture the sun setting on the symmetrical minarets and golden domes. (B)
Spend the day exploring bustling Ashgabat. Enjoy a tour of the city in the morning, visiting several city treasures such as the Monument of Independence and the National museum or Neutrality Arch. Afterward, we'll venture to the ancient ruins of Nisa to explore the ruins. Enjoy the afternoon free to continue exploring Ashgabat. (B)
Depart at any time. Departure transfer is included. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Embark on the ultimate road trip across 5 countries in central Asia.
- Browse the stalls of markets and local shops.
- Stay overnight in traditional yurts and camps.
- Camp under the stars near the Darvaza crater and witness the Gates of Hell.
- Traverse mountains–forests and desert.
- Your G for Good Moment: Yurt Building Demonstration, Barskoon
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group, Bishkek
- Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Song Köl
- Your Local Living Moment: Tamga Village Stay, Tamga
- Your Local Living Moment: Community Guesthouse, Ghazza
- Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Aydar Kŭl Camp
- Bishkek City Tour
- Burana Tower
- Home-cooked traditional dinner
- Overnight in a Yurt
- Free time in Chong-Kemin
- Song Kul Lake
- Lunch with Local Family in Kochkor
- Skazka "Fairytale" Canyon
- Tamga Village Stay
- Yurt Building Demonstration
- Jety Oguz & the Seven Bulls
- Karakol City Tour
- Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- Dungan mosque
- Saty Village Stay
- 4x4 ride to Kaindy Lake
- Charyn Canyon
- Almaty City Tour
- Independence Square, Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilov's Park
- WWII memorial
- Free time in Almaty
- Dushanbe City tour
- Alexander the Great's lake
- Hike to Iskander Darya waterfall
- Fann Mountains
- Voru Village Hike and Blacksmith
- Free time in Ghazza Village
- Istaravshan Mosque and Lenin Bust visit
- Khujand City Tour
- Museum of Sughd
- Mausoleum of Sheik Muslekheddin
- Khujand market
- Amir Timur Mausoleum Visit
- Samarkand City Tour
- Shaki Zinda complex, the bazaar, Bibi Khanum, and Registan Square
- Free time in Samarkand
- Chashma Complex and Holy Spring Visit
- Fortress of Alexander the Great Visit
- Aidarkul Lake
- Authentic Uzbekistan dinner
- Evening Kazakh singing show
- Overnight in a Yurt
- Free time in Bukhara
- Bukhara City Guided Tour
- UNESCO-listed Khiva Ancient City Exploration
- Free time in Khiva
- UNESCO World Heritage Site Kunya Urgench
- Guided tour of Dashoguz City
- Gorogly Monument
- Dashoguz Wedding hall
- Kara-Kum desert
- Fiery Darvaza gas crater, "Gates of Hell”
- Mud Crater Visit
- Sand Dunes of Karakum Desert
- Ashgabat City Tour
- Monument of Independence
- National Museum of History and Ethnography
- Arch of Neutrality
- Gulistan market
- Ancient Settlement of Nisa
- Free time in Ashgabat
- Tashkent Guided City Tour
- Free time in Tashkent
- Standard hotels (20 nts twin share), yurts (3 nts multishare up to 4 people per yurt), homestay (2 Night, multi-share room)
- Standard hotels/guesthouses (19 nts), yurts (3 nts), CBT homestays (2 nts), tented camp (1 nt). Please note that there will be shared bathroom facilities when staying in the yurts.
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout
- 25 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 9 dinners
- Private vehicles, plane, walking
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Operator
G Adventures came from a desire to deliver authentic and responsible small group travel adventures that were equally life-changing for travellers and the communities they visit. And we’re been doing just that for almost 30 years. Our award-winning trips span seven continents and over 100 countries, giving you meaningful more experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, as well as offering you the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own.
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Trip Style: Classic
Get the best of both worlds with G's Classic trips as your knowledgeable CEO (Chief Experience Officer) leads you to iconic highlights and hidden gems, while ample free time lets you discover what excites you most. Enjoy included meals showcasing local flavours, plus opportunities to dive deeper into the food scene independently. Stay in comfortable hotels, authentic homestays, and unique accommodations that capture the spirit of each destination.
Dates & Pricing
USD
Saturday
02 May 2026
02 May 26
Bishkek
Wednesday
27 May 2026
27 May 26
Ashgabat
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$5,599
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Tuesday
05 May 2026
05 May 26
Bishkek
Saturday
30 May 2026
30 May 26
Ashgabat
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$5,599
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Thursday
07 May 2026
07 May 26
Bishkek
Monday
01 Jun 2026
01 Jun 26
Ashgabat
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$5,599
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Saturday
09 May 2026
09 May 26
Bishkek
Wednesday
03 Jun 2026
03 Jun 26
Ashgabat
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$5,599
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Tuesday
12 May 2026
12 May 26
Bishkek
Saturday
06 Jun 2026
06 Jun 26
Ashgabat
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$5,599
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Thursday
14 May 2026
14 May 26
Bishkek
Monday
08 Jun 2026
08 Jun 26
Ashgabat
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$5,599
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Saturday
16 May 2026
16 May 26
Bishkek
Wednesday
10 Jun 2026
10 Jun 26
Ashgabat
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$5,599
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Tuesday
19 May 2026
19 May 26
Bishkek
Saturday
13 Jun 2026
13 Jun 26
Ashgabat
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$5,599
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Thursday
21 May 2026
21 May 26
Bishkek
Monday
15 Jun 2026
15 Jun 26
Ashgabat
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$5,599
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Saturday
23 May 2026
23 May 26
Bishkek
Wednesday
17 Jun 2026
17 Jun 26
Ashgabat
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$5,599
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Tuesday
26 May 2026
26 May 26
Bishkek
Saturday
20 Jun 2026
20 Jun 26
Ashgabat
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$5,599
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Thursday
28 May 2026
28 May 26
Bishkek
Monday
22 Jun 2026
22 Jun 26
Ashgabat
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$5,599
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Saturday
30 May 2026
30 May 26
Bishkek
Wednesday
24 Jun 2026
24 Jun 26
Ashgabat
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$5,599
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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