Five Stans tour from Bishkek to Ashgabat
15-Days Five Stans from Bishkek to Ashgabat
TOUR OVERVIEW
FIVE STAN TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Experience the highlights of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan on an exciting 15-day journey through the heart of Central Asia. From the alpine landscapes of Kyrgyzstan and a boat trip on the stunning Issyk-Kul Lake, to the spectacular Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan to the legendary Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara, this tour combines dramatic scenery, ancient history, vibrant cultures, and unforgettable local experiences.
The adventure reaches its unforgettable finale in Turkmenistan, where you explore the ancient ruins of Merv and Nisa, discover the striking marble capital of Ashgabat, and venture into the Karakum Desert to experience the legendary Darvaza Gas Crater. Spend the night in the desert beside the glowing “Gates of Hell,” making this Five Stans Express an ideal choice for travelers looking for a perfect balance of culture, nature, adventure, and iconic Central Asian experiences.
Guaranteed Tour Dates 2027
| Start Date | End Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, 10 Apr 2027 | Sat, 24 Apr 2027 |
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| Sat, 24 Apr 2027 | Sat, 08 May 2027 |
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| Sat, 08 May 2027 | Sat, 22 May 2027 |
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| Sat, 22 May 2027 | Sat, 05 Jun 2027 |
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| Sat, 28 Aug 2027 | Sat, 11 Sep 2027 |
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| Sat, 11 Sep 2027 | Sat, 25 Sep 2027 |
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| Sat, 25 Sep 2027 | Sat, 09 Oct 2027 |
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| Sun, 10 Oct 2027 | Sun, 24 Oct 2027 |
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| Sat, 23 Oct 2027 | Sat, 06 Nov 2027 |
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5 STAN TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1 Bishkek
Arrive in Bishkek at any time. Standard hotel check-in is after 14:00.
Enjoy some free time to relax or explore on your own before the group gathers.
At 14:00, meet your guide and fellow travelers for a welcome briefing covering the itinerary and travel plan, followed by a city tour of Bishkek.
In the evening, join a welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant to sample authentic Kyrgyz cuisine.
Meals included: Dinner
Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Note: Since most flights to Bishkek arrive late at night or early morning, we highly recommend booking an extra night at the hotel prior to the tour start date.
Day 2: Bishkek – Burana Tower– Cholpon-Ata
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.
Our journey begins with a visit to the Burana Tower, an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in northern Kyrgyzstan. The tower, along with funerary monuments, earthworks, castle remains, and three mausoleums, is all that survives of ancient Balasagyn, a town founded by the Karakhanids at the end of the 9th century.
Enjoy lunch in Iskra village with a local Dungan family, an ethnic group of Chinese Muslims who fled China, and taste their traditional cuisine.
We then continue to Issyk-Kul, the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and one of the deepest in the world, driving you to your hotel located right on the lakeshore.
Your first stop at Issyk-Kul is the Petroglyph Museum, spanning 42 hectares dotted with ancient stones, tombs, balbals, and petroglyphs dating from the 2nd millennium BC to the 4th century AD.
Enjoy free time to relax on the beach and swim in the lake.
Dinner at the restaurant is available at your own expense.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Lakeside Resort
Day 3. Cholpon-Ata - Issyk Kul Lake, South Shore (320 km, 4-5h)
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.
Take a boat trip on Issyk-Kul, the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and one of the deepest in the world.
En route, stop in the village of Bokonbaevo to meet a local eagle hunter and his bird of prey, a chance to witness eagle hunting, one of the nomads’ most ancient traditions.
Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at a yurt camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Yurt Camp
Day 4: Skazka Canyon – Barskoon Gorge – Jeti-Oguz – Karakol
After breakfast, visit the Skazka Canyons “Fairytale” in Russian, where wind and time have carved the rocks into surprising shapes and sizes. Keep an eye out for formations that resemble skyscrapers, castles, or animals.
Next, head toward Barskoon Gorge, famous for its waterfalls. The best known, “Tears of a Leopard,” sits near a monument to Yuri Gagarin, the first cosmonaut, who loved this spot and often rested at the nearby Tamga military sanatorium.
Continue to Jeti-Oguz Gorge. Its name means “seven bulls” in Kyrgyz, after seven giant red-brown rock formations that resemble bulls standing together. Take a walk here to enjoy the striking landscape.
Arriving in Karakol, visit the city’s landmark sights, including the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and the Dungan Mosque.
For dinner, try ashlan-fu, a specialty of Dungan cuisine unique to this region.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Day 5: Karakol – Charyn Canyon – Almaty | ~390 km, 6–7h
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing toward the border.
Border Crossing (Kyrgyzstan → Kazakhstan) ready for another stamp in your passport 🙂
After completing border formalities, meet your Kazakh guide and driver, and continue into Kazakhstan as the landscape gradually shifts around you.
Along the way, visit Charyn Canyon, one of Kazakhstan’s most striking natural landmarks. Explore its dramatic rock formations from several viewpoints — often compared to a “mini Grand Canyon” for its scale and color.
Continue toward Almaty, driving through scenic steppe and mountain scenery.
Arrive in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Day 6: Almaty City Tour – Kok-Tobe | ~65 km, 1–2h
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before setting out to discover Almaty on a light walking tour of the city’s main highlights. Visit Republic Square, stroll through Panfilov Park, and admire the beautiful Zenkov Cathedral. Then explore the lively Green Bazaar, where local colors, aromas, and flavors bring the city’s everyday life vividly to the surface.
Next, head to Kok-Tobe, the highest point in the city, known for its sweeping panoramic views in every direction. Getting there is part of the experience, a cable car ride starting near Hotel Kazakhstan, gliding over some of Almaty’s oldest neighborhoods and its lush fruit-growing gardens. At the top, you’ll find the iconic 372-meter TV Tower, visible from across the city, along with stunning mountain and city views and a handful of attractions to enjoy.
In the evening, dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Day 7: Almaty – Tashkent (Flight)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Tashkent.
Border Crossing (Kazakhstan → Uzbekistan) — ready for another stamp in your passport?
On arrival, you’ll be welcomed by our local team and transferred to your hotel (standard check-in from 14:00).
Begin your tour in Tashkent’s historic heart at the Khast-Imam Complex, home to the Barak-Khan Madrasa, the Tilla-Sheikh Mosque, and the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum.
Exploring the New City
Afterward, discover the modern side of Tashkent, starting at Independence Square, one of the largest public squares in the world and a powerful symbol of Uzbekistan’s sovereignty. Continue to the Memorial to the World War II Victims, honoring those who sacrificed during the war, followed by the Monument of Courage, commemorating the devastating 1966 earthquake.
Finish the day exploring the legacy of Amir Temur, the celebrated Central Asian conqueror and statesman, at the Amir Temur Museum and Square — learn about his life and achievements while admiring the striking statue built in his honor.
Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Flight times subject to change — Almaty–Tashkent flights operate daily at varying schedules.
Day 8: Tashkent – Samarkand (Train)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the train station at 07:30 for your 08:30 departure to Samarkand, arriving at 10:55.
Places to visit:
- Gur-Emir Mausoleum the authentic resting place of Tamerlane and one of the city’s most majestic complexes. Originally built as a khanaka and madrasa for Muhammad Sultan, Timur’s grandson, it later became the tomb of Amir Timur and his descendants.
- Registan Square the vibrant heart of Samarkand, whose name means “place of sand.” The square is framed by three madrasas: the 15th-century Ulugbek Madrasa, the 17th-century Sher-Dor Madrasa, and the Tillo-Kori Madrasa, famed for its golden dome.
- Bibi-Khanym Mosque the largest 15th-century mosque in Central Asia, built in honor of Tamerlane’s wife.
- Siyab Bazaar Samarkand’s oldest bazaar, a lively market to browse local produce and goods.
- Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis a stunning complex of eleven mausoleums built between the 14th and 15th centuries, adorned with shimmering blue tiles and home to the tombs of royalty and nobility. Its main mausoleum is attributed to Kusam ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad. “Shakhi-Zinda” means “The Living King” in Persian.
Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Day 9: Samarkand – Sarazm – Marguzor Lakes – Samarkand
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before meeting your driver at 09:00 for the transfer to the Jartepo–Sarazm border crossing.
Border Crossing (Uzbekistan → Tajikistan) ready for another stamp in your passport?
Around 10:00, meet your local Tajik team and continue to the Marguzor Lakes. En route, visit the Sarazm archaeological site and museum a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a history stretching back 5,500 years — followed by the old central market in Penjikent.
Drive along the lakes and villages, stopping for photos and to take in the scenery. (Note: in case of limited time, bad weather, or poor road conditions, the drive will continue only as far as Lake 6, the largest of the Marguzor Lakes, a visit to Lake 7 cannot be guaranteed.)
Optional lunch available near Lake 3 (own expense).
By 16:30, return to the border, where you’ll be met by your Uzbek team for the transfer back to your hotel in Samarkand.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Day 10: Samarkand – Bukhara (Train)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the train station at 09:00 for your 10:00 departure to Bukhara, arriving at 11:45.
Places to visit:
- Faizulla Khojayev House-Museum — the family home of a prominent statesman and politician, whose father was a wealthy 19th-century merchant, showcased in traditional national style.
- Chor-Minor Madrasa (1807) — meaning “Four Minarets,” its four uniquely decorated towers symbolically represent the world’s major religions.
- Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa — the summer residence of Bukhara’s last Emir, a striking blend of Eastern and Russian architectural styles.
- Bahauddin Naqshband Mausoleum — one of Central Asia’s most significant Muslim sanctuaries, often called the region’s “Mecca,” drawing devotees from across the Muslim world seeking blessings and healing.
After the excursion, transfer to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Day 11: Bukhara – Farab – Merv – Mary
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the Farab border at 08:00.
Border Crossing (Uzbekistan → Turkmenistan)
Your Turkmen local team will meet you at the border for the transfer to Merv (255 km, ~5h). Explore Ancient Merv, once ranked among the most important cities of the Islamic world alongside Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus. Highlights include the Greater and Lesser Kyz Gala (6th–7th century), the Complex of Askhabs (8th–14th century), Erk Gala (6th century BC), Gyaur Gala (4th century BC), the Hoja Yusup Hamadani complex, and the mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammad ibn Zeid.
After sightseeing, continue to Mary (35 km, ~40 min).
Dinner and overnight stay in Mary.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel 4*
Day 12: Mary – Ashgabat
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before driving to Ashgabat (360 km, ~4h).
Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour of Turkmenistan’s striking capital. In 2013, the Guinness Book of Records recognized Ashgabat as the “white marbled city,” home to the largest concentration of white marble buildings in the world. Highlights include the Monument and Park of Independence, Ashgabat’s main flagpole, the Arch of Neutrality, the Constitution Monument, the Ferris Wheel, and the Wedding Palace, along with a panoramic view over the city from the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex atop the hill.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel 4*
Day 13 Ashgabat
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then visit the National Museum of History & Ethnography, home to a rich collection of over 500,000 ancient artifacts from Turkmenistan across nine themed halls. The Hall of Ancient History features flint tools from the Mesolithic era (roughly 50,000 BC) used by prehistoric peoples of western Turkmenistan, alongside Neolithic ceramics and ornaments from the earliest settlements along the northern slopes of the Kopet-Dag.
Next, drive to Nissa Fortress, the “Sanctuary of Parthian Kings” a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. The ruins of this ancient settlement lie 18 km from Ashgabat, in the village of Bagyr.
On the return journey, stop at the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque and Mausoleum, once the largest mosque in Central Asia at the time of its construction.
Finish the day at the Horse Stable, home to Turkmenistan’s national pride, the Akhal-Teke, widely considered one of the world’s most beautiful horse breeds. Bred by Turkmens for over 5,000 years, this unique breed has never been crossed with others and was once coveted by figures like Alexander the Great and Darius I. The farm is home to more than 35 of these striking horses.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel 4*
Day 14: Ashgabat – Darvaza
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then set off to visit the “Altyn Asyr” Oriental Bazaar (open Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun) at Jygyldyk, 20 km north of Ashgabat. One of the largest open air bazaars in the world, it’s packed with colorful rugs, jewelry, carpets, silk, traditional Turkmen costumes, and in other sections, livestock.
If the “Altyn Asyr” bazaar is closed on the day of your visit, you’ll instead visit Gulistan Bazaar, known locally as the “Russian Bazaar,” the oldest covered market in the city and a worthwhile stop in its own right.
In the afternoon, drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater (276 km, about 4h), one of Central Asia’s most iconic sights. Fed by the region’s abundant natural gas reserves, the crater has been burning continuously for over 50 years, glowing like a pearl in the heart of the Karakum Desert. Along the way, you’ll also have the chance to see nearby water and mud craters, and take in the fresh desert air and a glimpse of nomadic desert life.
As night falls and the crater lights up the sky, settle in for a barbecue dinner and an overnight stay in a Turkmen yurt or private tent camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Yurt Camp
Day 15: Darvaza to Ashgabat, Departure
Start the day with a picnic style breakfast in Darvaza before driving back to Ashgabat (276 km, about 4h).
Upon arrival, enjoy some free time for last minute shopping and packing.
End of service, with departure from Ashgabat.
Meals included: Breakfast
5 STAN TOUR INFORMATION
Price Includes
- Small group tour
- Private transportation throughout
- English-speaking guide
- Accommodation as per program
- Meals as per program (14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners)
- Flight: Almaty → Tashkent (economy)
- Train ticket: Tashkent → Samarkand (economy)
- Train ticket: Samarkand → Bukhara (economy)
- Visa support letters for Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan tourist visas
Price Does Not Include
- Airport transfer: $50 USD one way per person
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
- Extra night in Bishkek: $120 (double/twin room) / $90 (single room)
- Extra night in Ashgabat: $160 (double/twin room) / $120 (single room)
- Any services not listed above
- Visa fees (if required)
Good to Know
- Hotel check-in: after 14:00 | Check-out: before 12:00
- Set menus include salad, soup, main course, bread, tea & water
Group Tour Price
Single room supplement: $490
| City / Location | Type | Hotel Name |
|---|---|---|
| Bishkek | Hotel 3★ | My Hotel |
| Issyk-Kul Lake (South Shore) | Yurt Camp | Royal Gate |
| Karakol | Hotel 3★ | Hotel 78 |
| Almaty | Hotel 3★ | Kazzhol Hotel |
| Tashkent | Hotel 3★ | Art Deluxe Hotel |
| Samarkand | Hotel 3★ | Zilol Baht Hotel |
| Bukhara | Hotel 3★ | Al Hayat Hotel |
| Mary | Hotel 3★ | Taj Palace Hotel |
| Ashgabat | Hotel 4★ | Sport Hotel or similar |
| Darvaza | Yurt Camp | Darvaza Yurt Camp |
Hotel list is subject to availability and may vary depending on departure date.
Check visa policy to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan
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Page updated 7.9.2026