The Five Stans Tours 10 days. Discover the heart of Central Asia on this incredible 10-day journey through the Five Stans—Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and a glimpse of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. This tour offers a perfect blend of breathtaking landscapes, ancient Silk Road cities, and rich cultural heritage. From the majestic mountains of Kyrgyzstan to the futuristic cityscapes of Kazakhstan, the historic wonders of Samarkand, and the desert marvels of Turkmenistan, each day brings a new adventure.
Day 1: Bishkek
Your driver will pick you up at Manas International Airport and accompany you to the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, just a 30-minute drive from the airport. This entire day is dedicated to a city tour of Bishkek. It includes visiting Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, National Philharmonic, and many others places of interest. But no tour of Bishkek is complete without visiting our Asian Bazaar! We will show it to you today and you will be able to take a lot of dynamic photos of bustling local life. This bazaar is a noisy and colorful tapestry of fabrics, produce, and people selling and buying goods. Night is at the hotel.
Day 2: Bishkek – Ala Archa – Bishkek
Today we will visit Ala Archa gorge. It is a Natural Park. At the Soviet Time only V.I.P. people had permission to go for a walk here. The Ala Archa gorge is on a spur of the Tien Shan Mountain range. It is just 45 km from Bishkek. You can have a short hiking tour to see a panoramic view of the gorge. Return to Bishkek and visit History Museum. Night is at the hotel.
Day 3: Bishkek – Kazakh border – Almaty
In the morning is transfer to the border. After crossing the border your driver will pick you up at the border and accompany you to Almaty City. Today we will have a city tour. You will get acquainted with Almaty’s history and see the Ascension Cathedral – the second highest wooden building in the world. Then you will visit the Square of 28 Panfilov Heroes. Also we will visit the main Square of the city. Almaty was the capital of independent Kazakhstan from 1991 to 1997. In 1997, the capital moved to Astana; since then, Almaty has been referred to as the southern capital of Kazakhstan. Almaty remains the major commercial center of Kazakhstan. Almaty is the largest, most developed, and most ethnically and culturally diverse city in Kazakhstan. Night will be in a hotel.
Day 4: Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Almaty
Today you will have a day trip to Charyn Canyons. It is one of the unique natural monuments of Kazakhstan. The canyon is about 12 million years old and surprises with its vertical cliffs, reminding the ancient castles, created by wind, sun and rain. It will take about 3 hours to reach the canyon. Meanwhile, you will hear a lot of interesting about the history and nature of the region, about Kazakh people, their life and traditions. And as soon as you see Charyn Canyon you will forget about this long way at once – so much you will be impressed with the beauty and splendor of the canyon. You can admire the grand panorama and then have a walk through the maze of the Castles Valley with its inaccessible walls overhanging you. Night is at the hotel.
Day 5: Almaty – Airport – Dushanbe
Transfer to airport. Our driver will meet you in the airport and accompany to Dushanbe. The entire day is dedicated to a city tour. First of we will visit Rudake Park, National library, White House, National state seal, and House of parliament. After it we will walk in National park to make photos of Ministry of Inner Affairs and the biggest National Flag in the world – 165 m high pole, 30 m wide, 60 m long. Then you will visit to Gurminj Museum of traditional musical instruments. To feel real life you should visit Asian bazar. It has colorful goods, fruits and vegetables. We will see today the main highlights of Dushanbe and you will find out many interesting facts about Tajik people. Night is in a hotel.
Day 6: Dushanbe – Tashkent Fly from Dushanbe to Tashkent. Note: date might be changed.
Fly from Tashkent to Urgench and overnight in Khiva.
Day 7: Transfer from Khiva to Turkmenistan border.
After crossing formalities (1-3 hours), meet your local tour guide and start 3.5-hour drive to Darwaza – burning Gas Crater, known as “Door to Hell”. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 60 m and 20 m deep. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today. In the evening, watch the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater.
BBQ dinner & overnight in tents/yurt.
Day 8: Transfer Darvaza to Turkmenistan capital Ashgabat.
Transfer to Ashgabat (c. 4-5h). In the afternoon, have a short sightseeing tour (3-4 h) in Ashgabat. The tour includes a visit to the National Museum of History, the Arch of Neutrality, and the Independence Park.
Day 9: Ashgabat.
Visit a farm in Anau, about 8 km southeast of Ashgabat, the Ahalteke horse stable, where you can see the famous Turkmen horses called Akhal Teke. Then we drive back to Ashgabat.
