Home Tours 5 Stans Autumn Whirlwind Tour

5 Stans Autumn Whirlwind Tour

Start
Sep 4, 2026
Bishkek
End
Sep 29, 2026
Ashgabat
Duration
26 days
Price
US$4295.00


TOUR OVERVIEW


We'll begin this tour in Kyrgyzstan's capital city - Bishkek. Linking up with the Nomad Games Tour ​​​​​, we'll make our way through the famously spectacular countryside of Kyrgyzstan, we'll sleep in yurts, wind through spectacular canyons and valleys, and explore some abandoned Soviet gems.

We'll cross the land border into Kazakhstan where we'll visit Almaty and the surrounds, and then hop on a flight down to Dushanbe in Tajikistan. From here we'll wind our way through the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan, spending a night at the difficult-to-describe Soviet-era sanatorium of Khoja Obi Garm. We'll visit Iskanderkul Lake and Khujand, and then cross the land border into Uzbekistan, where we'll do a few SAIGA favourites, including the world's second largest solar furnace and a Soviet mountain resort town. We'll make stops in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, and will eventually make it to the Turkmen land border.

Crossing into Turkmenistan, we'll fly on Turkmenistan Airlines to join up with the Turkmenistan Independence Day Whirlwind Tour , taking in the magic of Ashgabat, followed by the mind-blowing Gates of Hell, and a trip to the west of the country.


View the full itinerary


Parkent Solar Furnace, Uzbekistan
Song Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan



If you like the look of this tour but the dates don't work for you, or you'd like to do part of the tour, please get in touch and let us know. All our tours are able to be split into smaller sections, we're always scheduling new tours and your dates might work for one of them, or we can always organise an independent tour.

This tour can be done as a 4 Stans Tour or a 5 Stans Tour. For those doing all 5, you can choose from the Whirlwind , Original or Mega Tours . It also joins up to the Nomad Games Tour which is in Kyrgyzstan before the start of the 5 Stans Tour.

INCLUSIONS:

✓ Letter of Invitation for Turkmenistan

✓

Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels, breakfast included, except when other accommodation is mentioned in itinerary

✓

Where itinerary mentions yurt or homestay accomodation, single supplement and twin share may be affected

✓

Transport as per itinerary

✓

Entrance fees to most sites (as per itinerary)

✓

Western and local guides


SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1250

What is the single supplement? This is paid to guarantee a single room. If you are travelling alone and would like to be roomed with another single traveller, you do not need to pay this.


EXCLUSIONS:

⨯

Visa fees if necessary

⨯

Visa support if necessary, other than Turkmenistan

⨯

Some activities, eg. treatments at sanatorium (as per itinerary)

⨯

Meals other than breakfast

⨯

Transport to and from the start and end of tour

⨯

Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities


Samarkand bazaar, Turkmenistan
Gates of Hell, Darvaza, Turkmenistan


TOUR HIGHLIGHTS


Explore some little-known Soviet relics in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan

Navigate the moutains, valleys and lakes of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan

Go back in time in the Silk Road gems of Samarkand and Bukhara

Explore the white marble and gold city of Ashgabat



Itinerary
Day 1Fri Sep 4
Bishkek

  • We'll start the day by doing a walking tour of Bishkek, a quintessential Soviet city with an amazing mix of Stalinist and Brezhnev era architecture. The wide boulevards and Brutalist apartment blocks, in stark contrast to the snow-capped mountain backdrop. Nightlife in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

  • We’ll start with the Frunze Museum, dedicated to Mikhail Frunze, whom the city of Bishkek used to be named after (and why the airport code is still FRU!).

  • Making our way past Victory Square, the circus and Tsum, we'll visit the Lenin Statue and Ala Too Square, home to the National Museum of Kyrgyzstan and a large Kyrgyz flag. Although this flag isn't quite as famous as their world-record holding neighbours, Tajikistan and Turkmenista n, it is still impressive and every hour, on the hour, there's a changing of the guards. Flagpole, Ala-Too Square, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

  • We'll continue on to Osh Bazaar, passing the White House on the way, and we’ll finish off the day learning about some of the weird and wonderful produce and delicacies you’ll find in the market.

  • In the afternoon there will be some free time so you can do some exploring yourself.

read more read less
Day 2Sat Sep 5
Bishkek, Tokmok, Burana, Kochkor, Song Kol
  • MiG-23, Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan This morning we'll start our journey towards Issik Kol, and the venue for the World Nomad Games.
  • On the way though, we'll make a couple of stops. We'll start with the town of Tokmok, a stereotypical Soviet town and home of the former air force training base. To honour the town’s past, there’s a MiG-23 mounted as a memorial, which we'll have a quick photo stop at.
  • Continuing on, our next stop will be at Burana Tower, one of Kyrgyzstan's most famous sites. A 25 metre brick tower, this was once a 45 metre tall minaret, which was once the minaret of a mosque in Balassagyn city. Now you can climb to the top of it for some great views over the nearby landscape.
  • We'll arrive in Cholpon Ata in the afternoon and check into our hotel for the next few days.
  • Overnight in Cholpon Ata.
read more read less
Day 3Sun Sep 6
Song Kol, Kyzyl Oi
  • Kyzyl Oi, Kyrgyzstan Before leaving Song Kol in the morning, you'll have a chance to do any more horse riding, walking, swimming, or simple view-watching, that you might want.
  • Then we’ll continue on our way through rural Kyrgyzstan, driving through the Jumgal Valley and crossing the Kara-Keche Pass.
  • We'll arrive in Kyzyl Oi in the late afternoon, an old village located in the Suusamyr Valley in a narrow gorge of the powerful Kokomeren River.
  • At 1800 metres above sea level, and characterised by scattered reddish clay houses, it gets its name which means “Red Bowl” from the formation caused by the high red mountains surrounding it.
  • We'll arrive in the late afternoon at our destination for the day, and meet our favourite local family in Kyzyl-Oi.
  • A n old village located in the Suusamyr Valley in a narrow gorge of the powerful Kokomeren River, this is a place to get a real insight into rural living in Kyrgyzstan. At 1800 metres above sea level, and characterised by scattered reddish clay houses, it gets its name which means “Red Bowl” from the formation caused by the high red mountains surrounding it.
  • You should have some time to explore the town a bit if you like, or you can watch/help the ladies of the house prepare dinner.
  • If the grandfather of the house is around, he'll show you ordo (a tradtional game involving throwing animal knuckles at other animal knuckles), and his chicken rearing techniques, and tell you all sorts of stories about life in rural Kyrgyzstan during and after the Soviet Union.
read more read less
Day 4Mon Sep 7
Kyzyl Oi, Toktogul

  • Kojomkul Monument, Kyrgyzstan Leaving Kyzyl Oi, we’ll drive through the Suusamyr Valley towards Toktogul, with a few stops and detours on the way.

  • Our first small detour will be to the tiny village of Kojomkul, where you'll never guess what there is - a monument to Kojomkul! Kyrgyzstan's most famous strong man, who you'll a lot about during our trip.
  • Continuing on our way we'll stop in the very small village of Manas, where there's a wonderful, you guessed it - statue of Manas.
  • And our next slight detour will follow the Agar River and make a stop at Ozero Sazka - Reflection Lake. Named for good reason! Ozero Sazka, Reflection Lake, Kyrgyzstan
  • After a short walk past a yurt camp, a bunch of horses, and across a small stream, we'll come out at the edge of the picturesque lake.
  • Continuing on our way, we'll arrive at our destination for the day in the late afternoon. The town of Toktogul, 1000 metres above sea level, was originally named after Toktogul Satylganov, a well-known Kyrygz poet and musician. His contributions and talent were so extensive that he is featured on the 100 Som note.
  • You can go for a wander around the town if you want to, before we have dinner at our homestay for the night.
read more read less
Day 5Tue Sep 8
Toktogul, Osh
  • Naryn River, Kyrgyzstan Leaving Toktogul this morning, we'll continue our road trip through rural Kyrgyzstan.
  • We'll be driving along the extremely picturesque Naryn River for most of the day, as we wind our way through western Kyrgyzstan.
  • We might stop and buy a watermelon or a box of strawberries, so we can kick it local style and have a lake-side picnic at Toktogul Reservoir. A very popular place for locals to set up for an entire day, with makeshift tents, camp seats and tressle tables everywhere, we'll stop here for a refreshing swim and just to relax and hang out for a while.
  • If we've got time, we'll stop will be at the Uzgen Minaret just before arriving in Osh, an 11th Century, 27.5m tall tower, alongside three mausoleums.
  • Although in some ways it’ll feel like we’ve re-entered civilisation after a few days in the Kyrgyz countryside, Osh feels a lot different to Bishkek. Sulaiman Too Museum, Osh, Kyrgyzstan There’s a bit of a rugged, wild west sort of feel, that’s quite charming.
  • We’ll visit the sacred Sulaiman Too Mountain, the main attraction in Osh.
  • We’ll walk to the top of the rocky outcrop, no doubt meeting lots of local pilgrims happy to have a chat on the way.
  • Not only is the scraggy hill a site in itself, with amazing views out over the whole city, and also peppered with ancient petroglyphs, but it’s also home to Sulaiman Osh Bazaar, Kyrgyzstan Too Museum, one of those famous crazy Soviet buildings that appear on all the lists of weird Soviet structures.
  • If there's time we’ll go to the Osh bazaar, one of Central Asia’s largest open-air markets. This is a great opportunity to find some cool souvenirs – hats, coats, rugs, fabrics, ornaments, loads of the cool stuff you’ve been admiring on locals and in their houses since being in Central Asia.
read more read less
Day 6Wed Sep 9
Osh, Bishkek

  • Today we'll wake up in the Kyrgyzstan's southern capital - Osh.

  • Today we'll get the chance to fly domestically flying back to Bishkek. It's a short flight of less than 50 minutes, but cuts off 11 hours of driving.

  • Once we arrive in Bishkek you'll have free time to explore the city again.

  • Overnight in Bishkek.

read more read less
Day 7Thu Sep 10
Bishkek, Almaty

  • Today we'll cross the border into our 2nd Stan of the trip, Kazakhstan.

  • Departing Bishkek, we'll make the 30 minute drive to Central Asia's busiest border crossing, Korday. We'll cross the border and then continue our drive to Almaty.
  • It's a 3-4 hour drive from the Korday border to Almaty, so we'll also make a quick stop along the way.
  • Arriving in the afternoon, we'll check into our hotel, located in the centre of the city, and have some free time to start exploring Kazakhstan's super cool former capital.
  • Overnight in Alamty.
read more read less
Day 8Fri Sep 11
Almaty
  • Zenkov Cathedral, Almaty We'll spend today exploring Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, and until 1997, its capital. As is becoming increasingly common in Kazakhstan, Almaty was formerly known as Alma-Ata and before that Verny.
  • We'll start exploring Almaty with a walking tour, beginning in Panfilov Park, named after the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen from Almaty, who died during the Battle of Moscow in 1941. Inside this park is Zenkov Cathedral, a Russian Othodox Church, its claim to fame is being the largest wooden structure in the world constructed with only joins, and no nails. Panfilov Park is also home to the very impressive 28 Guardsmen war memorial, a mammoth Soviet monument flanked by plaques to each of the Soviet Hero Cities, and this is also where you’ll find Almaty’s Eternal Flame. 28 Guardsmen WWII Memorial, Panfilov Park, Almaty
  • From here we’ll continue down the Arbat, the pedestrianised street that was the centre of all good Soviet cities. However, Almaty went through a lot of city beautification in 2017, and the old Soviet Arbat is now a lively and modern pedestrian mall, complete with hipster coffee trucks, cute cafes and upmarket restaurants.
  • We’ll make our way to Zhibek Zholy metro station, to take a ride on the Almaty metro. One of only two metros in Central Asia (the other being in Tashkent), it has just nine stations, so is largely useless to most people. However, like many metros in the former Soviet world, the stations themselves are ornately decorated, sparkling clean, and well worth a look at.
  • This particular station’s name translates to Silk Road, and there are several very impressive mosaics depicting the Silk Road.
  • Apple and Alma Ata sign with Kazakhstan flag, Panfilov Street, Almaty And we’ll use the metro to get to our next stop - something that isn't on other tour itineraries, and in fact most people in Almaty aren't even aware of this gem of Soviet history. Hidden in amongst medium density housing, there's a park which is now home to all the unwanted Soviet statues that were moved from their original places throughout the city and dumped unceremoniously here. Our favourite is the giant Lenin which used to be in Old Square, removed from his plinth and just standing flat on the ground with no sign or plaque to be seen.
  • Returning to the centre of the city, we'll pass Old Square and Republic Square, the two places where the Kazakh Parliament used to take place before moving to Astana in 1997. These are also where we recently saw fatal riots in January 2022, along with the images of the destroyed city hall and presidential residence.
  • If you like to have a night out of any type, whether it’s fine dining, a cosy bar, a noisy pub or even the ballet, Almaty is the city you’re going to want to do it in.
read more read less
Day 9Sat Sep 12
Altyn Emel National Park, Singing Dunes, Almaty
  • Today we'll take a day trip to the famous Singing Dunes in Kazakhstan’s Altyn Emel National Park. This is a journey into one of Central Asia’s most surreal landscapes.
  • Bidding farewell to the amazingly chic and cosmopolitan city of Almaty, we'll make the 3–4 hour drive across open steppe and rugged desert terrain. Along the way, the scenery shifts darmatically showing you the different colours of Kazakhstan.
  • Our first stop though, will be at a SAIGA favourite - one of the Soviet Union's main radio posts. Radio Centre Number 7 is located near the village of Shelek and was only decommissioned in the 90s. These huge radio towers were designed to block incoming radio signals from China and south from India and Afghanistan, while also sending Soviet radio across the globe.
  • Arriving at Altyn Emel National Park, we'll head straight to the main attraction — a massive sand ridge stretching over a kilometer long and rising up to 150 meters high. The real magic happens when you climb to the top: as the wind shifts or as you slide down, the dune emits a low, vibrating hum, like the sound of a distant organ — hence the name “Singing Dune”.
  • The Singing Dunes were formed as a result of geological changes in the Semirechye (Jetysu, Seven Rivers) region. About 200 thousand years ago, a part of the Ulken Kalkan (Big Kalkan) volcano shifted, forming the mountains known as Kishi Kalkan (Small Kalkan).
  • We'll then return back to Almaty where we can get the chance to enjoy dinner at our favourite Shashlichnaya , a traditional local restaurant specialising in kebabs.
  • Overnight in Almaty.
read more read less
Day 10Sun Sep 13
Almaty, Dushanbe

  • Independence and Freedom Tower, Dushanbe, Tajikistan It's time to bid Almaty farewell and head south to our third Stan, Tajikistan. We will be flying to Dushanbe, the capital and largest city of Tajikistan.

  • Tajikistan is the only Persian speaking country in Central Asia, and you'll notice a huge difference from Kazakh and Kyrgz which are very similar to each other, with also a lot less Russian being used in general.

  • Despite being the poorest country in Central Asia, Tajikistan has developed a lot in the last few years and Dushanbe now feels like a bustling metropolis, compared with a few years ago when it felt like a sleepy little town.

  • You'll have some free time today to explore the beautiful parks and wide boulevards and start getting a feel for the city.

  • In the evening you'll have the chance to try the national dish of Tajikistan - Kurutob. Also spelt Qurutob, this is one of Central Asia's most unique dishes. Find out more about it here .

  • Overnight Dushanbe.

read more read less
Day 11Mon Sep 14
Dushanbe
  • Somoni Monument, Rudaki Street, Dushanbe, Tajikistan We’ll take a tour of Dushanbe's city centre, including Rudaki Street, the Somoni Monument, and the Building of National Spirit (unfortunately it’s not possible to go inside, but it’s still impressive from the outside).
  • We'll also walk through Ce ntral Park, where you can gawk at the huge flagpole which was the largest in the world from 2011 to 2014.
  • We’ll visit the largest teahouse in the world, which is actually a series of insanely impressive funtion rooms, all adorned with incredibly ornate, but very varied, decorations. From the room that is lined in entirely mahogony, to the mirror room, or the pastel detail of traditional Tajik decor, they all share one thing - the resplendence.
  • Then we'll visit the Museum of National Antiquities, where we'll see one of the biggest (literally and figuratively) objects of Tajik pride - the "Buddha in Nirvana" (Reclining Buddha), an impressive 13 metre long clay statue. ​​​​​


read more read less
Day 12Tue Sep 15
Dushanbe, Khoja Obi Garm
  • Khoja Obi Garm Sanatorium, Tajikistan Leaving Dushanbe, we’re going to spend the afternoon and evening at an amazing building which really encapsulates what we're all about.
  • Khoja Obi Garm is a Brutalist behemoth Soviet-era sanatorium that is still in operation. The drive there is like the opening scene from the film The Shining. It's run by the Tajikistan Trade Union organisation to provide workers with rest and relaxation. The treatments are a little unorthodox as they include radon baths, electric shock therapy, pulsating circulation treatment as well as mud baths and acupuncture (treatments not included in tour price). It’s an absolute dream for any lovers of weird Soviet stuff.
  • We'll spend the afternoon and evening soaking in everything that is Khoja Obi Garm, getting treatments, exploring the unimaginably insane buildings, and just generally enjoying the Soviet



read more read less
Day 13Wed Sep 16
Fann Mountains, Iskanderkul Lake, Khujand
  • Iskanderkul Waterfall, Fann Mountains, Tajikistan This morning you'll have a chance to get some more treatments, take some photos in different light, or just explore the buidlings and grounds some more, before we leave the Soviet splendour of the previous night behind us.
  • Today we will be doing a full day drive through the famous Fann Mountains to Khujand.
  • We'll be driving via Istiklol Tunnel, sometimes known as the “Death Tunnel”, 2,630m above sea level.
  • There will be plenty of stops on the way though for photos, toilets and of course lunch.
  • The best stop though will be at Iskanderkul Lake (2,255m above the sea level), wh ere there will be an opportunity to go for a 40 minute hike to the local waterfall after arriving at the lake, or if you’d prefer, you can just relax by the lake or go on a shorter walk around it.
  • Overnight in Khujand.
read more read less
Day 14Thu Sep 17
Khujand, Angren, Yangiabad
  • Lenin statue, Khujand, Tajikistan Start the morning with a sightseeing tour of Khujand including the Panjshanbe bazaar, Sheikh Muslihiddin Mosque and the Mausoleum of Khujand.
  • A highlight of Khujand will be the massive Lenin statue, standing majestically on the side of a hill overlooking the city, this is now the largest statue of Lenin still standing.
  • In the afternoon, cross the border back into Uzbekistan.
  • Leaving Osh this morning, we'll cross the border into Uzbekistan. Soviet mural, Angren, Uzbekistan
  • We’ll spend the morning driving through the Fergana Valley into the mountains to visit the town of Yangiabad. Before arriving at our final destinatition though, we'll make a few stops in Angren. Not famous, and certainly not in any way a "tourist spot", Angren has some excellent Soviet stuff in it, which we love to check out. There are several murals, a couple of statues and the House of Culture.
  • We'll arrive in Yangiabad in the afternoon. A closed town during the Soviet Union, not even appearing on maps, it was built as a mining town where exiles were sent. Yangiabad, Uzbekistan
  • Once home to about 10,000 people, the population got down to just over 300, and it felt like a crumbling little Russian enclave within Uzbekistan. However, in the past couple of years the mountain air and scenic views have grabbed the attention of Tashkentians, and the area has become a popular local tourism spot.
  • We'll spend the afternoon wandering the streets of the town, exploring the Soviet architecture, and soaking in the atmposphere - a difficult-to-describe mix of lively and summery, and decrepit and derelict.
  • We'll spend the night at a nearby Soviet “resort”. If it's hot you can go for a swim in the river, or if you just want to relax, we might be able to find the massage lady.
read more read less
Day 15Fri Sep 18
Parkent Solar Furnace, Tashkent
  • Setting Parkent Solar Furnace, Uzbekistan off from Yangiabad in the morning, we'll drive to Parkent, where we'll visit one of our absolute favourite examples of Soviet architecture. The second largest solar furnace in the world. "What's a solar furnace?" you might be wondering. Good question! Come and find out.
  • In the afternoon, we'll drive to Tashkent. Despite certain likenesses between Tashkent and Ashgabat, with their wide boulevards, artificially manicured lawns and pristine facades in front of crumbling Soviet buildings, Tashkent is a vibrant capital city with lots to do.
  • Arriving in the afternoon, we'll take a stroll from Independence Square, formerly Lenin Square, along the Broadway. On the way we'll also pass the statue of Amir Timur, the Romanov Palace and the Uzbekistan Hotel (a must for any Soviet architecture lovers). Soviet souvenirs, Broadway market, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
  • This is a great way to take in the atmosphere that is modern Tashkent around dusk, a city which is quickly becoming hip and modern. With myriads of food and drink stands, a small market, scooters for rent, and loads of cool Tashkentians, young and old, it's a great place to start getting a vibe for the city. We can stop and browse in the small market full of old Soviet trinkets, sit under a shady pagoda for a cold drink or ice cream, check out the miriads of food trucks and market stalls, and find somewhere nice to have dinner.
  • We'll have dinner in one of Tashkent's many up and coming restaurants, and if you're a bit sick of Central Asian food by now, this is a great chance to have something else. We might find something at the Broadway, or there's a great Korean restaurant that's one of our favourites for example.
  • Overnight in Tashkent.
read more read less
Day 16Sat Sep 19
Tashkent
  • Tashkent Metro, Uzbekistan We'll spend today exploring Tashkent, starting with the famous Chorsu Bazaar, with its iconic blue dome that's now home to meat, dairy and dried fruits. Exploring the stalls you'll learn about traditional bread-making methods, local remedies for everything including of course virility issues, and how Uzbek babies are taught to go to the toilet. Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
  • From here, we'll jump on the Tashkent Metro, one of only two metro systems in Central Asia (the other one being in Almaty). As with most Soviet built metros, the stations are unnecessarily lavish, but Tashkent's are particularly ornately decorated. Until June 2018 it was illegal to take photos inside them, but fortunately now pictures of these incredibly photogenic stations are allowed.
  • We'll get off at a couple of stations on the way to have a look at our favourites, but we'll use the metro to get to our next stop - the Museum of Railway Techniques.
  • This outdoor museum is full of all sorts of old locomotives, and they don't mind us climbing all over them. We can even take a little train ride around the train museum. You don't have to be a train lover to enjoy this charming museum. Tashkent National Plov Centre, Uzbekistan
  • You'll most likely have tried plov by now, but nothing will prepare you for the National Plov Centre, which will be our lunch stop for today. An absolutely massive operation, with an army of Uzbeks preparing multiple varieties of plov in unbelievably huge cauldrons, it is an exceptionally unique experience, and a great place to try the national dish if you haven't already. Tashkent Museum of Railway Techniques, Uzbekistan Coffee, ice-cream, salads, all sorts of juices and teas and of course super freshly baked bread are also available.
  • From here we'll make our way to the Tashkent TV Tower for fabulous 360 degree views of the city. Another iconic piece of Soviet architecture, the inside of the tower itself is just as interesting as the views or the outside.
  • And finally, we'll visit Tashkent Land, Central Asia's answer to Disneyland. With its faded welcome sign, crumbling gift shop and creaky rides, this is definitely a step back in time. Most tourists don't make it to this gem of Soviet infrastructure, but we just can't resist it. It's probably just as well that the exhilirating “Boomerang” rollercoaster has finally been decommisioned, but our favourite ride is still there - the “African tour”, a boat trip through the jungle land.
  • Tonight is another opportunity to eat in one of Tashkent's many great restaurants, before we have limited options again for the next few days.
  • Overnight in Tashkent.
read more read less
Day 17Sun Sep 20
Tashkent, Samarkand
  • No trip to Uzbekistan is complete without catching a train. Train travel in Uzbekistan has always been the most common form of transport for travelling the country, however, in recent years it has been taken to the next level, with high speed railway being extended all the way to Bukhara and Khiva. The quality and comfort of train travel in Uzbekistan will have you shocked, not to mention the grand, clean, soviet inspired train stations. Registan sound and light show, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
  • Upon arrival in Samarkand, we'll be taken to our hotel, before having some afternoon free time to explore the area.
  • We'll organise an optional wine tasting at one of the local wine factories for anyone who's interested - this can be a really fun way to see another side of Samarkand life.
  • After dinner we'll stop at the front of the Registan for the epic sound and light show that is put on every evening after dark. Some say it's tacky, others find it spectacular - whichever camp you find yourself in, it is definitely something!
read more read less
Day 18Mon Sep 21
Samarkand
  • Islom Karimov Mausoleum, Samarkand, Uzbekistan Once known as the “Pearl of the Muslim World”, Samarkand is a city synonymous with the Silk Road, full of towering minarets, shimmering domes and home to a splendid technicolour bazaar, which you will have time to wander around and discover for yourself.
  • We'll start with what everybody’s waiting for when they go to Samarkand –  the famous and spectacular Registan Square, which is flanked by three beautifully decorated, sparkling blue mosaic madrassas. Once the city’s commercial centre, Registan Square is modern Samarkand’s centre piece and a pride of the Silk Road. Registan, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
  • Having died in September 2016, Islam Karimov, the First President of Uzbekistan, now has his mausoleum on the newly renamed Islam Karimov Street. Often missed on Samarkand tours, we think this is a must-see site and an important piece of the jigsaw that is Uzbekistan's modern history. Romanenko Fashion House, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
  • We'll also pay visits to Bibi Khanum Mosque, Amir Timur's Mausoleum, Siyab Bazaar, and the grave of St. Daniel which is said to grow a foot in length every ten years.
  • In the afternoon we'll visit Romanenko House, a place that is difficult to describe. This small suburban house has been transformed into a completely unique textile workshop where thirty men and women redesign ancient Central Asian clothing into colourful, modern designs.

  • In the late afternoon we will return to the hotel for a well needed rest.

  • In the evening we will head to one of our favourite local restaurants, Samarkand Restaurant, to try some national foods of Uzbekistan. The Samarkand Restaurant is an institution with its huge halls and court yard being filled with happy full patrons every night. There is live music and dancing, so make sure you bring your dancing shoes.

read more read less
Day 19Tue Sep 22
Samarkand, Bukhara
  • Dinner at Lyabi Hauz, Bukhara, Uzbekistan This morning we'll head off from Samarkand and drive to Bukhara.
  • Arriving in the afternoon, you will have an opportunity for some free time.
  • We'll be staying very close to the centre of the old town, so anyone who wishes to start exploring, you can, or for those who need some down time to catch up on laundry, messages, sorting photos, sleep, or whatever else you might be running behind on this is a great chance for that too.
  • In the evening we'll meet up with anyone who wants to have dinner together at our favourite spot in Bukhara, next to the lake in Lyabi Hauz square - a beautiful setting right in the centre of the old town.
  • In the evening we'll sit by the lake, chilling out and taking it all in over a cold drink and a chat.
read more read less
Day 20Wed Sep 23
Bukhara
  • Bukhara, Uzbekistan We've got the whole day to explore Bukhara, starting with a walking tour , strolling through the iconic streets of Bukhara's old town.
  • Of course we'll see all the famous minarets, mausoleums, mosques and madrassas, however listing these just doesn't capture Bukhara's charm.
  • Aside from the impressive brick and blue tiled buildings, at every turn there are shops selling interesting things you might not have seen before. This is a great place to buy all sorts of kinds of souvenirs. Bukhara, Uzbekistan
  • We'll have the opportunity to learn about and watch demonstrations of various local handicrafts, such as suzany (a local type of embroidery), blacksmithery, woodwork, cooking (usually of plov), and tons of other stuff. Bukhara, Uzbekistan
  • We'll end our walking tour at a huge structure that looks like a giant ark. Known as the Ancient Ark Fortress, this was the Palace of Bukhara’s Emirs, and parts of it are still open for visitors. This is probably the single most iconic building in Bukhara.
  • We'll spend the evening soaking in the atmosphere. Not only is the old town of Bukhara popular with tourists, but it's always absolutely buzzing with locals too, and there's a great lively vibe.
read more read less
Day 21Thu Sep 24
Farap, Turkmenabat, Ashgabat
  • Turkmenistan Airlines, Ashgabat Airport, Turkmenistan Today we will cross the land border at Farap, into Turkmenistan, our fifth and final Stan - another great item to add to your list of quitessential Central Asian experiences. And this in itself can be quite the experience. Hopefully there won’t be many locals crossing and it’ll be relatively quick, but you need to have your wits about you for this crossing.
  • Arriving in Turkmenabat in the afternoon, we’ll visit the Lebap Regional Museum. You wouldn’t expect much, but it’s actually a pretty cool little museum, with a fascinating array of taxidermy, multiple dioramas, and huge models and murals of the surrounding area, including depictions of dinosaurs making the footprints in the nearby Dinosaur Plateau. Not to mention some very informative displays about the wheat production and oil production of Turkmenistan of course.
  • We'll have a quick dinner at our favourite Fitchi House - a local hotspot. And you'd never believe it, but it's not the only one. They also have a branch in Seattle!
  • And then we'll head to the airport and you’ll fly on Turkmenistan Airlines! Departing from the very impractical, but equally as beatuiful star-shaped airport in Turkmenabat, we'll catch the evening flight to Ashgabat.
  • And if you thought the airport in Turkmenabat was unnecessarily impressive, just wait til you land in Ashgabat!
  • Arriving in the capital for the first time, we'll check into the hotel in Ashgabat and free time for the rest of the evening.
read more read less
Day 22Fri Sep 25
Ashgabat
  • Your first full day in Turkmenistan will be a slow moving day. We've just covered a lot of ground exploring the previous 4 Stans and we've made it to the grand finale.
  • We'll take today at a relaxed pace, with a lot of flexibility. We'll take a walk to the local bazaar. We'll catch a local bus and check out some small local sights such as the Alley of Inspiration and Tashkent Park.
  • In the evening we'll head to one of our favourite restaurants, Berk, which is a very popular restaurants for locals and expats alike.
  • Overnight in Ashgabat.

I love Turkmenistan sign, Tashkent Park, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan


read more read less
Day 23Sat Sep 26
Ashgabat
  • You’re going to be in awe of everything that the capital has to offer. We’ll spend the day taking in all the main sites of Ashgabat, including all those crazy monuments you’ve probably seen pictures of, as we begin explaining all the weird and wonderful aspects of Turkmenistan that make it such a special place.
  • Turkmenbashy statue and Independence monument, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan We’ll start with a driving tour of Ashgabat's main sites, including Independence Park and Independence Monument, the Monument to the Constitution, the Arch of Neutrality, Lenin Park, and a drive-by of the Olympic Complex which was built for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. The complex is home to the famous Horse Stadium ( the largest structure in the shape of a horse in the world – you’ll hear plenty more of these records! ), but unfortunately is closed to the public.
  • A highlight of the day will likely be the Alem Centre, which is the complex in which the Wheel of Enlightenment is, the largest indoor ferris wheel (yes, there’s another one). And YES, for just $2.50, you can even take a ride!
  • Stop for lunch at Berkarar Shopping Centre, where you can go ice-skating, play in the games centre, ride a miniature double-decker bus, and even have a cappuccino in a hipster café – bet you weren’t expecting that!
  • In the afternoon we’ll visit the state-run bookshop, a great chance to pick up some very cool, unique Arch of Neutrality, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Turkmenistan swag, including where you can find amazing coffee table books written by and about the president, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, as well as ones about Ashgabat and Turkmenistan. You can even get them in English! They also have postcards and posters, and if you're lucky they might even have a copy of the Ruhnama, the book written by Turkmenbashy.
  • Spend the night at the Ak Altyn Hotel.
  • We are here for Indepedence Day, however it is unfortunately very unlikely that tourists will be allowed to attend any special events. With the increase in use of social media and sharing things online, and a larger number of tourists trying to attend each year, the government has become stricter about outside access to high level events. When we first started doing this, getting a group of 10 people together felt like a massive achievement and our presence was so unexpected and confusing that we almost could get away with anything! But it has been getting increasingly more difficult over the years with more and more tourists going at this time of year. This is of course very frustrating after a decade of working to gain access to things, however this is just how it is. Of course, we will absolutely be attending anything that we are able to, however we cannot guarantee any specific events. However, luckily Turkmenistan is such an exciting and interesting place, that there's never a dull moment anyway, regardless of events or no events!
read more read less
Day 24Sun Sep 27
Nisa, Turkmenbashy Mosque, Ashgabat
  • Turkmenbashy Mosque, Kipchak, Turkmenistan Happy Independence Day!
  • Today we’ll start off by leaving the city, to visit Nisa, a UNESCO site which was once the capital of the Parthian Empire.
  • We’ll then continue on to Kipchak to see the resplendent Turkmenbashy Mosque and Mausoleum, where Turkmenbashy is buried beside his mother, father and two brothers in their white marble mausoleum. There aren’t too many Turkmenbashy related sites still around, but this one is truly spectacular.
  • Return to Ashgabat in the afternoon and you'll have some free time to enjoy a beer by the pool at the hotel or take a walk around the old part of the city where the hotel is located, before we set off in the evening. Arch of Neutrality at night, Ashgabat
  • Night tour of Ashgabat. With the white marble buildings lit up by brightly coloured neon lights, Ashgabat is a truly spectacular place after dark. We'll make a stop at the Palace of Happiness in the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains, from where you can get a fantastic panorama of the whole city.
  • For dinner this evening we’ll go to the Yyldiz Hotel – the newest and most expensive hotel in Turkmenistan, where you can have a real 5 Star restaurant experience for 1 Star prices, complete with 360 degree views of the city.
read more read less
Day 25Mon Sep 28
Ashgabat, Gates of Hell
  • This morning we will have free time, so you'll have a chance to organise yourself for the evening ahead. We'll be checking out of the hotel in Ashgabat, but you can leave luggage behind for the overnight.
  • In the early afternoon, we'll set off on our desert adventure, driving the 250km north to Darvaza, The Gates of Hell.
  • One the way we’ll make a few stops – including to see a salt lake, and two other craters (one full of mud, one full of water).
  • Our favourite stop on this drive though is the town of Erbent, where you'll get a real up-close look at how rural Turkmens live - very different to what you've seen so far in Ashgabat and other regional cities and towns. We'll patronise the village shop, no doubt take some photos of some dust, possibly an old motorbike or two, maybe even a camel, and if we're lucky we might bump into some school kids. We will also of course use their toilet (not a luxurious one!) before continuing on our way. Gates of Hell, Darvaza, Turkmenistan
  • Gates of Hell, Darvaza, Turkmenistan Crossing the sand dunes to get to Darvaza, we’ll arrive in time to watch the sunset over the fiery crater and experience dusk turn to dark at this breathtaking site.
  • We will either set up tents near the crater, or stay in one of the nearby yurt camps, depending on many factors, including weather. Either way though, we'll spend the evening viewing the fiery crater from every angle, seeing the colour change as the sun sets and the darkness creeps in, until the crater is in full glow. It's completely mesemerising.
read more read less
Day 26Tue Sep 29
Gates of Hell, Ashgabat, End of Tour
  • Gates of Hell, Darvaza, Turkmenistan We'll wake up this morning at the Gates of Hell. What a place to wake up!
  • Make sure you get your fill of fiery pits over breakfast, before we start heading back to Ashgabat, arriving around lunchtime.
  • Arriving back in Ashgabat, you will have some free time until you need to be driven to the airport for your departure flight.
  • If you'd like to see some more of Turkmenistan while you're there, why not join us on the 5 Stans Autumn Original , where we'll also visit Kow Ata, Nokhur, Balkanabat, Turkmenbsahy and Yangykala Canyon, or the 5 Stans Autumn Mega Tour , where we'll visit all those things plus the remote far east of the country.
read more read less

image/svg+xml Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Afghanistan Kazakhstan
Other Tours
4 Stans Autumn Tour
Old and new, big and small, up and down, this itinerary has something for everyone.
Sept. 4, 2026
21 days
US$3465.00
VIEW DETAILS
4 Stans Autumn Tour
5 Stans Autumn Original Tour
Taking the scenic route from Bishkek to Ashgabat, this tour covers everything that makes Central Asia so special, from mountains, canyons and gorges, to buzzing modern cities, and of course, the Gates of Hell.
Sept. 4, 2026
30 days
US$4995.00
VIEW DETAILS
5 Stans Autumn Original Tour
5 Stans Autumn Mega Tour
An in-depth expedition through all of Central Asia, from Bishkek to Ashgabat, through five of the most fascinating countries in the world.
Sept. 4, 2026
34 days
US$5695.00
VIEW DETAILS
5 Stans Autumn Mega Tour
Nomad Games Tour Kyrgyzstan 2026
The 6th edition of this fabulous, unique and totally charming event! We'll be there for the Opening Ceremony, along with a variety of the games and of course a few other things that we think make any good tour of Kyrgyzstan.
Aug. 30, 2026
7 days
US$1695.00
VIEW DETAILS
Nomad Games Tour Kyrgyzstan 2026
send subscription request

SAIGA Tours. Straight to Your Inbox.

ABOUT US
TOURS
DESTINATION GUIDES
OTHER
Email address: [email protected]
© SAIGA Tours

Filter

Type