Turkmenistan · Uzbekistan · Tajikistan · Kyrgyzstan · Kazakhstan · 21 days

Central Asia grand tour: five countries in 21 days

AshgabatDarvaza gas craterKunya-UrgenchKhivaBukharaSamarkandSeven Lakes (Haft Kul)TashkentMargilanOshBishkekSong-KulIssyk-KulAlmaty

Duration
21 days
Price
From €2,935 per person
Route
14 stops · 5 countries
Style
Silk Road tours, Adventure
Difficulty
Moderate
Best time
May–Jun, Sep
Departures
On dates you choose

All five republics in one journey: Turkmenistan’s crater and ruins, Uzbekistan’s great cities, Tajikistan’s Seven Lakes, Kyrgyzstan’s pastures and Almaty.

Highlights

  • The Darvaza crater
  • Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand
  • The Seven Lakes of Tajikistan
  • Fergana Valley silk
  • Song-Kul yurt camp
  • Almaty and the Tien Shan

Route map

By airBy trainBy road

  1. AshgabatDays 1–2
  2. Darvaza gas craterDay 3
  3. Kunya-UrgenchDay 4 By road → Khiva
  4. KhivaDays 5–6
  5. BukharaDays 7–8 By train → Samarkand
  6. SamarkandDay 9
  7. Seven Lakes (Haft Kul)Day 10 By train → Tashkent
  8. TashkentDay 11 By train → Margilan
  9. MargilanDay 12 By road → Osh
  10. OshDay 13 By air → Bishkek
  11. BishkekDay 14 By road → Song-Kul
  12. Song-KulDays 15–16
  13. Issyk-KulDays 17–18 By road → Almaty
  14. AlmatyDays 19–21

Positions are exact; lines show the order of the route, not the road.

Day by day

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16
  17. 17
  18. 18
  19. 19
  20. 20
  21. 21
  1. Day 1Arrive in Ashgabat Ashgabat

    Arrival in Turkmenistan’s white-marble capital.

  2. Day 2Ashgabat and Nisa Ashgabat

    The city and the Parthian fortresses of Nisa.

  3. Day 3The Darvaza crater Desert camp

    North across the Karakum to the crater; night at the camp.

  4. Day 4Kunya-Urgench Dashoguz

    The old Khorezm capital, then Dashoguz.

  5. Day 5Into Uzbekistan: Khiva Khiva

    Cross at Shavat to Khiva.

  6. Day 6Khiva Khiva

    A full day in Ichan-Kala.

  7. Day 7To Bukhara Bukhara

    Across the Kyzylkum.

  8. Day 8Bukhara Bukhara

    The old town.

  9. Day 9Samarkand Samarkand

    Train to Samarkand; the Registan.

  10. Day 10Seven Lakes Samarkand

    Day in Tajikistan’s Fann Mountains via Penjikent.

  11. Day 11Tashkent Tashkent

    Train to Tashkent.

  12. Day 12Fergana Valley Fergana

    Train to the valley; silk in Margilan.

  13. Day 13Into Kyrgyzstan: Osh Osh

    Cross at Dostyk to Osh; Sulaiman-Too.

  14. Day 14Fly to Bishkek Bishkek

    Flight to Bishkek.

  15. Day 15To Kochkor Kochkor

    Drive towards Song-Kul via Kochkor.

  16. Day 16Song-Kul Yurt

    Yurt camp on the lake.

  17. Day 17Issyk-Kul south shore Yurt camp

    Skazka canyon and an eagle hunter.

  18. Day 18Karakol Karakol

    Jeti-Oguz and Karakol.

  19. Day 19Across to Kazakhstan Almaty

    Via the north shore and the border to Almaty.

  20. Day 20Almaty mountains Almaty

    Big Almaty Lake and Kok-Tobe.

  21. Day 21Depart from Almaty

    Transfer to the airport.

Hotels, transport & meals

Accommodation

Hotels are chosen to match your budget, from boutique guesthouses to the best available.

Transport

Private vehicle with driver, plus trains or flights where they save time.

Meals

Details are confirmed in your proposal.

Make it yours

Change the pace, upgrade hotels, add a night in a yurt camp or a day in the mountains. Tell us what to change and we’ll send a revised route and price.

Ask about this tour

Tap a question: WhatsApp opens with it already written. Our team in Khiva usually replies within a few hours.

Questions about this tour

How does booking work?

Tell us your dates, group size and interests through the trip builder, the request form on any tour, or WhatsApp. We reply with a proposed itinerary and price. Once you are happy with it, we confirm hotels, guides and transport.

Can I change an itinerary?

Yes. Every itinerary on this site is a starting point. It can be shortened, extended, upgraded or combined with another country.

Is there any obligation when I ask for a proposal?

No. Proposals are free and you pay nothing until you decide to confirm your trip.

What is your cancellation policy?

Our cancellation terms are included with every proposal, before you pay anything.

From €2,935 per person
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