The Five Stans of the Silk Road

Days 1-2  Ashgabat
Arrive into Ashgabat and transfer to your hotel. Spend a day at leisure before your welcome briefing the next day. Explore this impressive city, famous for its splendid white-marble buildings.

Day 3  Ashgabat to Mary
After breakfast, head to Mary, the gateway to discover the ancient city of Merv.

Day 4  Mary to Dashoguz
Return to Ashgabat and see the Magtymguly Monument, before visiting the Nisa archaeological site. Take a flight north to Dashoguz.

Days 5-6  Dashoguz to Khiva, Uzbekistan
Drive to Kunya Urgench to discover remarkable monuments dating from the 11th to 16th Centuries. After, leave Turkmenistan behind and travel to Khiva. The next morning, visit the walled Itchan Kala, Khiva’s meticulously preserved old city.

Days 7-8  Khiva to Bukhara
Venture across the arid plains of Khorezm, stopping at Ayaz-Qala fortress for views of the steppe. Board a train at Urgench for the rest of the journey through the Kyzyl-Kum desert to Bukhara, a 2,000-year-old city you’ll spend the next day sightseeing.

Days 9-10  Bukhara to Samarkand
Spend the morning at the Sitorai-MokhiKhosa Palace, before journeying by train   to Samarkand. Discover the stunning, bluetiled buildings surrounding Registan Square.

Days 11-12  Samarkand to Panjakent, Tajikistan
Cross the border to Tajikistan. Upon arrival in Panjakent, take a tour around the ccity’s ancientruins. The next day, head out to explore the scenic, nearby Fann Mountains.

Day 13  Panjakent to Khujand
Travel onwards to Khujand, an industrial city with a fascinating history.

Day 14  Khujand to Fergana, Uzbekistan
Return to Uzbekistan and head to Fergana, making several interesting stops along the way at palaces, mausoleums and villages.

Days 15-16  Fergana to Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan
After a short drive over the border, visit the city of Osh and historic town of Uzgen on the way to Jalal-Abad. The following day, explore the mountain village of Arslanbob.

Days 17-18  Jalal-Abad to Son Kul Lake
Leave the gorges behind and head for the high pastures surrounding Son Kul Lake. After a night spent in a yurt, relax and soak up the mesmerising scenery or perhaps opt for a walk.

Day 19  Son Kul Lake to Issyk-Kul Lake
Journey to Kochkor, a centre for handicrafts, then continue through the Tien Shan mountains to the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake.

Day 20  Issyk-Kul Lake to Karakol
Visit stunning gorges, waterfalls and rock formations on your drive to Karakol.  Upon arrival, take a sightseeing tour of old Russian-style houses, an Orthodox church and Dungan Mosque.

Days 21-22  Karakol to Almaty, Kazakhstan
Make the picturesque journey through Karkara valley, then pass Charyn River and Black Canyon en route to Almaty. Enjoy a day touring this beautiful city, visiting cathedrals, parks and monuments.

Day 23  Almaty
Your adventure comes to an end in Almaty after breakfast.