The Five Stans of the Silk Road

Days 1-3  Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Fly overnight to Ashgabat and upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. The next morning, take a tour of the city.

Day 4  Ashgabat to Darvaza
After breakfast, head to Nisa, the former capital of the Persian Parthian Empire. Enjoy dinner near the crater and stay overnight in a nearby yurt.

Day 5  Darvaza to Dashoguz
Today, transfer to Dashoguz, the capital city of northern Turkmenistan’s Dashoguz Province and later visit Kunya-Urgench,  also known as Old Urgench, was the capital of the Khorezm region, part of  the Achaemenid Empire.

Days 6-7  Dashoguz to Khiva, Uzbekistan
After breakfast, cross into Uzbekistan where you meet your Uzbek leader and drive to Khiva. Take some time to relax before a walking tour of the city. The next day, head to the arid plains of Khorezm and visit the 2,000 year old ruined city fortress of Toprak-Qala.

Days 8-9  Khiva to Bukhara
Today drive to Bukhara, one of the most ancient cities of the East. Spend the next day exploring the vibrant city, Bukhara.  

Day 10  Bukhara to Samarkand
The next morning, uncover more Bukharan history and culture and head to Samarkand.

Day 11  Samarkand
Samarkand has blue tiled buildings that dazzle in the bright sun and is home to the Registan Square.

Days 12-13  Samarkand to Penjikent, Tajikistan
Early this morning, cross into Tajikistan and the next day, take a trip into the heart of the Fann Mountains to enjoy the mountains, lake walks and a picnic in the village.

Day 14  Penjikent to Khujand
Leaving the Fann Mountains behind and head into the industrial and agricultural heartland city of Khujand. En route, visit the town of Istravashan and visit the bazaar.  

Day 15  Khujand to Ferghana Valley, Uzbekistan
Return to Uzbekistan via the border crossing at Andurkhan, say goodbye to Tajik crew and re-join the Uzbeks. Head to Ferghana town with several stops along the way.

Days 16-17  Ferghana Valley to Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan
A short drive takes you to the next border into Kyrgystan where you visit Osh, en route to Uzgen. The next day, visit Arslanbob and explore the village at leisure.  

Day 18-19  Jalal-Abad to Son Kul Lake
Leave the gorges behind and head towards the high pastures surrounding Son Kul Lake. The next day to take in the beauty of the landscape. After lunch, visit one of the Kyrgyz shepherd families close to camp to learn about their lifestyle.

Day 20  Son Kul Lake to Issyk-Kul Lake
Our journey today takes us to Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan’s most important centre for felt handicrafts. From Kochkor, travel through the mountains to Issyk-Kul Lake, the second largest salt lake in the world.  

Day 21  Issyk-Kul Lake to Karakol
This morning, journey to Karakol, stopping en route for a hike to the beautiful Bowl of Manas Waterfall.

Days 22-23  Karakol to Almaty, Kazakhstan
Altamy is a beautiful city with its backdrop of the Tien Shan Mountains. The next day, set off on a city tour.  

Day 24  Fly home