Silk Road Adventure: The Five Stans

Departures: September 2026 – September 2027

Tour Overview

Part of the Royal Geographical Society Collection, embark on an unforgettable 21-day adventure across the legendary Five Stans of Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

This captivating journey weaves its way through ancient Silk Road cities, breathtaking mountain landscapes and remote desert wonders.

Travel to UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Samarkand and Bukhara, watch demonstrations of eagle hunting in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, and experience the surreal ‘Door to Hell’ natural gas crater in Turkmenistan’s desert.

Along the way, connect with local cultures – dine with Dungan families, learn about the art of Uzbek plov and taste traditional bread.

From soaring canyons and historic madrassahs to bustling bazaars and serene hill villages, this tour offers a fascinating glimpse into one of the world’s most captivating and off-the-beaten-track regions.

The Royal Geographical Society Collection

The Royal Geographical Society has selected this tour as part of its joint collection with Travelsphere, immersing the modern-day traveller in the cultural heritage of the Silk Road, following in the footsteps of explorers and visiting landmarks shaped by history.

Your Tour Includes

• Return flights from your chosen airport
• 18 nights in 3, 4 & 5-star hotels
• 1 night in a traditional yurt
• 1 night in flight
• 40 meals: 19 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 17 dinners
• Overseas transfers and other transportation
• Porterage
• Travelsphere Holiday Director

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 – UK to Almaty

Your Silk Road Adventure begins today as you fly to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city. Nestled in the foothills of the Tien Shan mountains, Almaty has been a crossroads of cultures for centuries, offering a fascinating mix of modernity and tradition.

Get ready to immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes and vibrant local culture that will unfold over the coming days.

Day 2 – Arrive in Almaty

Arrive in Almaty and meet your guide and driver before checking into your hotel, where you’ll have time to relax.

This afternoon, explore the city’s historical and cultural highlights, beginning with Independence Square and the Golden Warrior monument. Stroll through Panfilov Park and visit the Kazakh National Musical Instruments Museum, housed in a charming wooden building dating from 1908.

See the famous Zenkov Cathedral before continuing to Green Bazaar, where local life is in full swing amongst stalls selling fresh fruit, dairy products, fragrant spices and silk products.

Conclude your tour with a stroll along lively Arbat Avenue before enjoying a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers.

Meals included: Dinner

Day 3 – Almaty, Charyn Canyon & Karakol

Start the day with an early breakfast before heading to spectacular Charyn Canyon, a dramatic landscape of towering cliffs and deep ravines carved over millions of years.

Continue to the Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan land border, where you’ll meet your Kyrgyz guide.

Journey onwards to Karakol, located at the eastern tip of Lake Issyk-Kul. The town’s unique architectural heritage reflects its position at the crossroads of Russian, Chinese and Central Asian influences.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 – Karakol & Jeti Oguz Gorge

After breakfast, head to Jeti Oguz Gorge, where Kyrgyzstan’s rugged mountains meet picturesque alpine pastures.

Witness the spectacular Seven Bulls rock formation before travelling by private minibus to the Kok-Jaiyk Valley, passing lush green pastures backed by snow-capped peaks.

Here, enjoy a traditional eagle hunting demonstration showcasing Kyrgyzstan’s centuries-old nomadic heritage.

Return to Karakol for a short city tour, visiting the wooden Holy Trinity Cathedral and colourful Dungan Mosque.

Later, visit a local Dungan family for an authentic dinner experience. Learn how to prepare traditional Lagman noodles and hear more about Dungan traditions and culture from your hosts.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 – Karakol, Cholpon Ata & Chon Kemin

Travel along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake to the picturesque town of Cholpon Ata.

Visit the Rukh-Ordo cultural complex and an impressive open-air museum featuring more than 2,000 ancient petroglyphs depicting hunting, daily life and religious rituals.

Continue to Chon Kemin, a tranquil valley surrounded by mountains. Check into a family-run guesthouse and perhaps enjoy a stroll through the village.

Before dinner, take part in a hands-on cooking class and learn how to make Borsok, a traditional Kyrgyz fried bread.

Enjoy dinner on the terrace with panoramic mountain views before gathering around a campfire beneath the vast Central Asian sky.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6 – Chon Kemin at Leisure

Enjoy a well-deserved free day in the idyllic surroundings of Chon Kemin.

Relax at your guesthouse or join a morning hiking tour to Kalmak Ashuu Gorge. This hidden gem offers beautiful views across the valley as you travel through lush scenery towards the mountain pass.

Return to the guesthouse for lunch before spending the afternoon at your own pace.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 – Chon Kemin, Bishkek & Tashkent

Embark on a scenic drive to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s vibrant capital.

En route, stop at the Burana Historical Complex, an 11th-century UNESCO-listed site featuring remnants of the Karakhanid State and ancient Turkic stone sculptures.

Continue to Bishkek for a sightseeing tour including Ala-Too Square, the National Flagpole, Erkindik Boulevard and the Peace and Friendship Monument.

Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Tashkent, Uzbekistan – the third country of your adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 8 – Tashkent

Discover Tashkent today, beginning in the historical heart of the city with a visit to the Khast Imam Complex.

Continue to the Museum of Applied Arts, housed in a grand 19th-century palace once owned by a Tsarist diplomat.

Enjoy a panoramic tour taking in Theatre Square, Amir Temur Square and Independence Square.

After lunch, enjoy free time to explore independently or relax at your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 9 – Tashkent to Khujand, Tajikistan

Transfer to the Uzbekistan/Tajikistan border, where you’ll meet your Tajik guide before continuing to Khujand, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia.

Visit the Historical Museum of Sughd and Kamoli Khujandi Square before experiencing the bustling Panjshanbe Bazaar, where stalls overflow with spices, textiles and fresh produce.

Finish at the Mausoleum of Sheikh Muslihiddin before enjoying dinner with your fellow travellers.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 10 – Khujand to Dushanbe

Travel towards Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe.

Along the way, visit the ancient city of Istaravshan, once known as Cyropolis and an important trading hub on the Silk Road.

Discover Istaravshan Fortress, Mug Teppa, Kok Gumbaz and the magnificent Hazrat-i Shah Mosque.

Continue through the Shahristan Tunnel before approaching Dushanbe, enjoying panoramic views towards the spectacular Pamir Mountains – often called the Roof of the World.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 11 – Dushanbe

Spend the day discovering Tajikistan’s fascinating capital.

Begin at the National Museum of Antiquities before visiting Kokhi Navruz, a striking palace representing the country’s architectural heritage.

Explore Mehrgon Market and the Gurminj Museum of Musical Instruments before enjoying some free time.

This evening, stroll around Dushanbe’s main attractions, including the Ismoili Somoni Monument, Rudaki Park and the city’s enormous flagpole.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 12 – Dushanbe to Samarkand

After breakfast, travel towards the Tajikistan/Uzbekistan border.

Stop at Penjikent, home to the UNESCO-listed Sarazm ruins dating back to the 4th millennium BC.

Continue to legendary Samarkand, one of the most famous cities on the Silk Road and renowned for its spectacular Islamic architecture.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 13 – Samarkand

Explore Samarkand’s incredible architectural treasures, beginning at the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of legendary conqueror Tamerlane and his descendants.

Continue to spectacular Registan Square, surrounded by the Ulugbek, Sher-Dor and Tilla-Kori madrassahs.

Visit the Necropolis Shakhi-Zinda before enjoying some free time for lunch.

This afternoon, visit the renowned Khovrenko Winery for a wine tasting, sampling wines from the region while learning about Samarkand’s long history of winemaking.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 14 – Samarkand to Bukhara

Travel aboard the high-speed Afrosiyob train to another legendary Silk Road city – Bukhara.

On arrival, explore the sights and bazaars of the ancient city centre.

During your tour, stop at a local tea house to sample traditional tea and coffee enriched with aromatic spices.

Enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers this evening.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 15 – Bukhara

Continue exploring fascinating Bukhara.

A special lunch has been arranged with a local family, where you’ll learn how to prepare Plov, Uzbekistan’s famous national dish.

The afternoon is free for you to explore Bukhara and make your own discoveries.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 16 – Bukhara to Khiva

Embark on a relaxing drive through the vast Kyzylkum Desert to Khiva, another historic Silk Road city.

Travel through dramatic, empty desert landscapes as your Central Asian adventure continues.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 17 – Khiva

Take a walking tour of Ichan Kala, Khiva’s UNESCO-protected inner town.

Enclosed by impressive fortress walls and four gates, this extraordinary open-air museum contains more than 60 architectural monuments, including palaces, mosques, madrassahs, minarets and mausoleums.

Spend the afternoon at leisure before dinner.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 18 – Khiva to Darvaza, Turkmenistan

One of the most unique days of your adventure awaits.

Transfer to the Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan border before continuing through the desert to Darvaza.

Known as the ‘Door to Hell’, the enormous gas crater has been burning continuously in the Turkmenistan desert and creates an unforgettable sight after dark.

Watch the sunset over the desert before enjoying a local barbecue dinner.

Tonight, experience something completely different with an overnight stay in a traditional yurt camp.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 19 – Darvaza to Ashgabat

After breakfast, travel by road to Ashgabat, stopping along the way to see desert sights including water and mud oases.

Arrive in Turkmenistan’s remarkable capital for a panoramic tour of a city famous for its striking white marble architecture.

See the Earthquake Monument and Ertogrylgazy Mosque before exploring Gulistan Bazaar, also known as the Russian Bazaar.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 20 – Ashgabat

Visit the ancient ruins of Old Nissa, once the capital of the Parthian Empire more than 2,000 years ago.

Continue to a local horse stable in Geok Tepe, where you’ll meet a Turkmen Akhal-Teke horse breeder and see these beautiful horses – one of the world’s oldest and rarest breeds.

Visit the Turkmenbashi Spiritual Mosque before returning to Ashgabat to explore the National Museum of History.

A further panoramic tour includes the Park of Independence, Arch of Neutrality, Rukhnama Statue and Palace Square.

Tonight, sit down for a farewell dinner with your travelling companions and reflect on an epic adventure across the Five Stans.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 21 – Ashgabat to the UK

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Travelling west, you’ll arrive back in the UK later the same day.

Meals included: Breakfast

Additional Information

Please note that this tour is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility.

Travellers must be able to walk at least 1km at a time and carry their own luggage at border crossings, where porterage is unavailable.

Some journeys are long and may involve roads that are not fully paved, although regular stops will be made. Some sections of the journey will also be completed by 4×4.

Entry requirements and associated costs for Turkmenistan and the other countries visited can change. Please ensure that current passport, visa, health and entry requirements are checked before travel.

Travellers should also ensure their passport contains sufficient blank pages for the required entry and exit stamps.