The Five Stans of the Silk Road
From 5.250 €

The Five Stans of the Silk Road

holiday package
Created: Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Ref ID: 15153334
price per person From
5.250 €
Based on 2 adults
Created: Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Itinerary
Tours

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.


Day 1: Bishkek
Arrive at any time.

Day 2: Bishkek/Chong-Kemin
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 Ashuu villagers. Soak in the stunning scenery while exploring the village and savour a home-cooked traditional dinner.

Day 3: Chong-Kemin/Song Kul
In the morning, opt for a hike to the nearby mountains or explore the famous gorges of Chong-Kemin. After lunch, 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.

Day 4: Song Kul/Tamga
Spend the morning soaking in all the beauty of Song Kul Lake before departing for Kochkor to learn the importance of felt-making to Kyrgyz culture and local artisans. Learn the craft during a hands-on workshop creating a small version of the traditional carpet known as ala-kiyiz, and enjoy lunch together. 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.

Day 5: Tamga/Karakol
Enjoy a free morning getting to know this isolated village. Transfer to Ak-Orgo Workshop Centre to observe how traditional yurts are built and learn about the importance of this Kyrgyz craft. After Lunch at Ak Orgoo, drive to Kyrgyzstan's 4th largest city - Karakol. Stop for a visit at the Prejevalskiy Museum, dedicated to the famous Russian explorer Nikolai Przhevalsky, followed by a city tour. See the Russian Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and pagoda-style Dungan Mosque, built by Chinese Muslims in the early 20th Century.

Day 6: Karakol
After breakfast take a short drive to Jety-Oguz Gorge, located in the footsteps of Terskey Ala-Too Mountains, and visit famous unique red rock formations called “Broken Heart and “Seven Bulls”. Then, hike to the valley of wildflowers and reach a stunning view point overlooking the flower-filled valley. Return to Karakol and have a free afternoon to explore. In the evening enjoy dinner with local family

Day 7: Karakol/Saty Village
Cross the border into Kazakhstan on the journey to Saty Village, part of the Kolsay Lakes National Park. On arrival, jump in a Russian 4x4 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.

Day 8: Saty Village/Almaty
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 arrive in Almaty, take a city tour visiting sights such as Independence Square, Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilov's Park, and the striking WWII memorial. Time permitting, opt to climb Green Hill for panoramic views, visit the local markets, or sip coffee in one of the plentiful cafés.

Day 9: Almaty/Dushanbe
In the morning, 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.

Day 10: Dushanbe/Kuli Iskandarkul/ Gazza Village
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 Gazza Village. Meet the local people and explore the gorgeous landscape of the Fann Mountains. Upon arrival to Gazza village the group will set out on a walk followed by dinner at local family's home.

Day 11: Gazza Village
After breakfast, embark on a hike alongside Voru River to visit Voru village (one of the old Villages of Fan Mountains). After the village exploration, head back to to Community guest house. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Opt to join a hike to picturesque Khushtarita valley. Have dinner in a community guest house with the group.

Day 12: Gazza Village to Khujand
Continue on to Khujand, stopping first in Istaravshan to explore a local mosque and Mug Teppe, an ancient citadel fortress stormed by Alexander the Great in 329 BC. 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.

Day 13: Khujand/Tashkent
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.

Day 14: Tashkent
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.

Day 15: Tashkent/Samarkand
Travel on to Samarkand, known for intricately beautiful mosques and mausoleums, situated on the Silk Road. Take an orientation walk and opt to visit the Amir Timur Mausoleum, dedicated to the famous conqueror who once hoped to rebuild the empire of Genghis Khan.

Day 16: Samarkand
Embark on a city tour, visiting Ulugbek Observatory, Shaki Zinda complex, the bazaar, Bibi Khanum, and Registan Square. With a free afternoon, continue exploring the Samarkand 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.

Day 17: Samarkand/Aydar Kŭl Camp
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.

Day 18: Aydar Kŭl Camp/Bukhara
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.

Day 19: Bukhara
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.

Day 20: Bukhara/Khiva
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.

Day 21: Khiva
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 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 of the sand-coloured mosques and homes.

Day 22: Khiva/Dashoguz
Spend the morning in Khiva, enjoying your last moments here to experience anything you couldn't squeeze in yesterday, or do some last minute shopping. After lunch, drive to the Uzbek-Turkmen border and continue to Dashoguz. Take an orientation walk and opt for dinner in local café, or explore the city and it's Bai Market.

Day 23: Dashoguz/Darvaza
Drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kunya Urgench to visit the ancient capital of the Khorezmian Empire. After lunch, continue to the Kara-Kum desert and witness the fiery Darvaza gas crater, also known as the "Gates of Hell." This evening, enjoy a delicious barbeque dinner and spend the night camping under the stars at a yurt camp.

Day 24: Darvaza/Ashgabat
After breakfast, begin the journey to the capital of Turkmenistan - Ashgabat. On the way, stop near the community of Erbent 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.

Day 25: Ashgabat
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, opt to venture to the ancient ruins of Nisa, or continue exploring Ashgabat.

Day 26: Ashgabat
Depart at any time. Departure transfer is included.

Remarks:

Does not include:

* Tips.

* Personal expenses.

* No other services not specified in the previous section.

* We inform you that in some countries there is a local tax known as "stay tax", "municipal tax", "tourist tax" (or similar denomination) that is not included in the price of the reservation and must be paid directly by each guest at the corresponding establishment and / or airport. Keep in mind that these taxes can change over time, therefore, it is necessary to check if the country of destination charges this type of tax and the current amount to be paid.



Very important:

* This document, obtained by the User through Compositor Panavisión Tours, does not constitute a confirmation of reservation or a firm reservation of any of the travel services described therein. Such confirmation will only be obtained when Panavisión Tours receives the total price of the reservation through the retail agency selected by the User among those associated with Compositor Panavisión.


* The booking of tourist services and product purchases contained in this document will be governed by the specific contractual conditions with which they have been offered and by the General Conditions applicable to travel services and products sold by Panavisión Tours that are published on this website, a copy of which is attached to this document.


* The confirmation of the reservation obtained by the User through the Composer Panavisión Tours www.panavision-tours.com or www.panavision-tours.es is also subject to availability at the time the User makes his payment for places in the means of transport, accommodation , or any type of service selected within the tariff selected or used for the offer.


* The final price obtained in the document generated through Compositor Panavisión Tours www.panavision-tours.com or www.panavision-tours.es may be subject to change at the time of requesting and confirming the reservation as a result of the companies' dynamic pricing policy aerial.


* Likewise, the final price is always conditioned to currency fluctuation, fuel price, taxes and tourist surcharges for airports, accommodation, airline tickets, maintenance services, visas and in general all those that apply to the services included in the travel, which may justify a price change, even after the reservation is confirmed under the terms and limits set by law.


* Confirmed the reservation, cancellation fees will be applied to those services that have previously been indicated in the reservation process, which are "Non-Refundable".


* This trip may not be suitable for people with reduced mobility. Check with your agency about its suitability based on your personal needs.


* We inform you that in some countries there is a local tax known as "stay tax", "municipal tax", "tourist tax" (or similar denomination) that is not included in the price of the reservation and must be paid directly by each guest at the corresponding establishment and / or airport. Keep in mind that these taxes can change over time, therefore, it is necessary to check if the country of destination charges this type of tax and the current amount to be paid.


* Group reservations are considered to be those reservations or blocks made by the agency of 5 rooms or more under the same or several locators with the same creation date, or made on different dates and the dates of stay of the reservations coincide on several of the days or at all. Therefore, in these situations, the wholesaler reserves the right not to accept said reservations, having to confirm the price and availability of said places expressly by it and after the quotation of places and prices through the department of groups.


* In the case of making the reservation, the rates do not allow modifications. You must cancel and make a new reservation. Cancellation expenses according to rate conditions.



INCLUSION INSURANCE IN COMBINED TRAVEL RESERVATIONS


With regard to our inclusion insurance, said insurance exclusively includes those people who have their residence and origin of the trip in Spain or Portugal.


CHAPTER I (Obligations of information and content of the combined travel contract), Article 153 (Pre-contractual information), point 1, section H:


"1. Before the traveler is bound by any package travel contract or corresponding offer, the organizer, and also the retailer, when the package is sold through the latter, will provide the traveler with the form with the standard information regarding to the package trip that appears in annex II, A or B, as well as the following information that is applicable to the package trip:

"h) Information on the subscription of an optional insurance that covers the expenses originated in the event that the traveler decides to terminate the contract or the expenses of assistance, including those of repatriation, in case of accident, illness or death."



Said section refers to the obligation to inform the client of the possibility of contracting insurance, not to the obligation to include insurance on the trip, that is, the client has the power (option) to contract insurance with the agency or not. . The agency has the obligation to inform that it is recommended that the client take out insurance that includes, at least, issues such as repatriation,... which is basically inclusion insurance.


Once the agency informs the client about the recommendation to contract insurance for the trip, it is the client who can contract insurance with the agency, or contract it directly with whoever they want.



price per person From
5.250 €
Based on 2 adults
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This idea includes
Destinations 7
Tours 1
Tour summary
Meeting point
Bishkek
Excluded
  • Your G for Good Moment: Yurt Building Demonstration, Barskoon,
    Your Welcome Moment: 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 Homestay, Kuli Iskandarkul,
    Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Aydar Kŭl Camp
  • Half-day city tour (Bishkek)
  • Burana Tower visit (Bishkek)
  • Przhevalsky Museum visit (Karakol)
  • Yurt building presentation (Kizil Tuu)
  • Saty village stay
  • City tour (Almaty)
  • Charyn Canyon Visit
  • City tour (Dushanbe)
  • Waterfall hike (Kŭli Iskandarkŭl)
  • City tour (Khujand)
  • Mug Yepe Visit (Istaravshan)
  • Market visit (Khujand)
  • City tour (Samarkand)
  • Walking tour (Bukhara)
  • Chashma Complex and Holy Spring Visit (Nurata)
  • Fortress of Alexander the Great visit (Nurata)
  • City tour (Bukhara)
  • Khiva Ancient City tour
  • City tour (Tashkent)
  • Felt-making workshop visit
  • Hikes and picnic lunch
  • Daravaz gas crater ("Door to Hell") visit
  • Erbent visit
  • City tour (Ashgabat)
  • Internal flight
  • Transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Departure Transfer