Expeditions
ModerateKazakhstanKyrgyzstanTajikistanUzbekistan
Five Stans Grand Circuit: The Ultimate Central Asia Overland
Duration
24 days / 23 nights
From
€4,800
Best Season
May-September
Overview
Experience the full diversity of Central Asia on this epic overland journey through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. From cosmopolitan Almaty to the Pamir Highway, from nomadic yurt camps to Silk Road masterpieces, this comprehensive tour showcases the best of the 'Stans'. Travel by comfortable 4x4, stay in a mix of hotels and traditional accommodation, and experience the incredible cultural and geographic diversity of this fascinating region.
Highlights
- —Five countries in one epic journey
- —Pamir Highway (M41) - world's 2nd highest road
- —UNESCO sites: Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva
- —Nomadic yurt stays at Song-Kul Lake
- —Dramatic landscapes: mountains, deserts, canyons
- —Ancient Silk Road cities
- —Diverse cultures: Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Uzbek
- —Small group (max 12 travelers)
- —Experienced English-speaking guide
Day by Day
1
Arrive Almaty, Kazakhstan
Airport pickup. City tour: Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral. Welcome dinner.
2
Almaty - Big Almaty Lake
Day trip to turquoise mountain lake (2500m). Return city for night.
3
Almaty to Bishkek (via Charyn Canyon)
Visit mini-Grand Canyon. Cross to Kyrgyzstan. Arrive Bishkek evening.
4
Bishkek City + Ala-Archa
Capital city tour. Afternoon hike in Ala-Archa gorge.
5
Bishkek to Issyk-Kul Lake
Drive to world's 2nd largest alpine lake. Beach time. Lakeside hotel.
6
Issyk-Kul to Song-Kul Lake
Cross mountain pass to high alpine lake at 3016m. Stay in traditional yurt.
7
Song-Kul - Nomadic Life
Full day with herder families. Horse riding. Traditional meals. Yurt stay.
8
Song-Kul to Osh
Long drive south. Cross Kyrgyz mountains. Arrive Osh. Hotel.
9
Osh to Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Morning market visit. Drive/fly to Tajikistan capital. Hotel.
10
Start Pamir Highway - to Kalaikhumb
Begin legendary M41. Drive along Afghan border. Dramatic scenery.
11
Kalaikhumb to Khorog
Continue Pamir Highway. Visit hot springs. Arrive regional capital.
12
Khorog - Wakhan Valley Excursion
Day trip into Wakhan Corridor. Ancient fortresses. Afghan views.
13
Khorog to Pamir Plateau
Ascend to high plateau (4000m+). Sparse landscape. Basic guesthouse.
14
Cross Ak-Baital Pass (4655m)
Highest point on Pamir Highway! Arrive Murghab town.
15
Murghab to Karakul Lake to Osh
Visit turquoise lake. Cross back to Kyrgyzstan. Return Osh.
16
Fly Osh to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Short flight to Uzbekistan capital. City orientation. Hotel.
17
Tashkent to Samarkand
High-speed train. Arrive Silk Road jewel. Sunset at Registan Square.
18
Samarkand - Full Day
Registan, Shah-i-Zinda, Bibi-Khanym. Silk Road history immersion.
19
Samarkand to Bukhara
Travel across desert. Arrive ancient oasis city. Old town walk.
20
Bukhara - Full Day
Ark Fortress, trading domes, medressas. Evening rooftop dinner.
21
Bukhara to Khiva
Cross Kyzylkum Desert. Arrive intact Silk Road city.
22
Khiva - Full Day
Explore walled Itchan Kala. Climb minarets. Farewell dinner.
23
Khiva to Urgench to Tashkent
Flight back to capital. Final evening in Central Asia.
24
Departure Tashkent
Transfer to international airport. Journey complete!
What's Included
- +All accommodation (hotels, guesthouses, yurts)
- +All transport (4x4, domestic flights)
- +English-speaking guide
- +Most meals
- +Monument entrance fees
- +Border crossing assistance
- +All permits
Starting from
€4,800
per person
Duration24 days
DifficultyModerate
CountriesKazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Best SeasonMay-September
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Five Stans Grand Circuit: The Ultimate Central Asia Overland