From (AUD)$17,495
Days29
Airfares included
Welcome to the enchanting realm of Central Asia’s 5 Stans — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This extraordinary journey will take you on a whirlwind exploration of the Silk Road, delving into the age-old legacies, vibrant bazaars, architectural marvels, and warm hospitality that define this untouched corner of the world. Designed for those who seek to venture off the beaten path, this small group tour promises thrilling odysseys where everyday life is vastly different to our own and English is not widely spoken. There will be some long road journeys, as well as sights and local culture that few other travellers have had the opportunity to witness. Along the way, you’ll fully immerse yourself in the bygone era of the Soviet Union, not only through what you see and learn but also through every aspect, including accommodation and service - all in the pursuit of reaching these remote and fascinating destinations.
Group Size — Max 20
Tips — Total cost includes - Tipping Made Easy, from $660pp pre-paid
Transport — Bus, Cable Car, Minivan & Plane
No Hidden Extras

Explore the sights of Ashgabat including the Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque and the Carpet Museum.

Discover Registan Square in Samarkand, a monument of medieval architecture located in the heart of the city.

Delve deep into the history and life of the Tajik people with a visit to the opulent gold adorned Ismoili Somoni monument.

In Kara-Koiun Gorge, encounter the timeless Tash Rabat Caravanserai, a 15th century stone fortress rich in history and allure.

Special Experiences

Immerse yourself in Uzbek cuisine with a masterclass on bread baking and shashlik preparation.
Indulge in an authentic culinary experience at a local Rahman master’s house. Witness the art of '‘Plov'’ preparation and delight in the creations for lunch.
Savour a home cooked meal of local dishes in the backyard of a welcoming family’s home in a small, rural village
Learn about the rich cultural heritage of Kyzyl Tuu Village by engaging in a yurt building workshop, gaining insights into the nomadic way of life.

Itinerary 5-Stans

Itinerary

Day

Inclusions 5-Stans

Inclusions

Sightseeing

Sightseeing icon

Explore the marble city and great monuments of Turkmenistan

  • Tour the city of Ashgabat
  • Visit the National Carpet Museum
  • Explore Old Nisa Fortress
  • Visit Arkadash Stud Farm

Observe Islamic architecture, ancient cities and Silk Road history in Uzbekistan

  • Discover the walled city of Khiva on foot
  • See Tashauli Palace and visit the Friday Mosque
  • See some local arts at the Hunarmand UNDP Assisted Workshop
  • Visit Lyabi-Khauz ensemble, Khanaga Magoki Attori Mosque and Madrassah Aziz Khan
  • Visit the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara the Sitorai Mokhi Khosa
  • Explore the Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum
  • Visit the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara the Sitorai Mokhi Khosa
  • In Gijduvan witness the ceramic production while observing day to day life of the locals
  • Partake in a bread baking and shaslick cooking masterclass
  • In depth look at the city of Samarkand
  • Savour wine tastings at a local winery
  • Visit a paper-making workshop in Konigil Village
  • Visit Bibi-Khanym, Silk Road Bazaar and Shah-i-Zinda necropolis
  • Learn all about the Ulugh Beg Observatory
  • Plov demonstration at a famous Rahmon's house

Explore Tajikistan with its culturally rich history dating back to 4th Millennium BCE

  • City tour of Panjakent
  • Excursion to the Seven Lakes, in the Fann Mountains
  • Travel to Dushanbe via Varzob Gorge
  • Visit the monument of Ismoili Somoni richly decorated in gold
  • See the cultural palace "Kohi Navruz"
  • In Hisor Town, visit the ancient fortress of Hisor
  • Visit the city of Istaravshan and walk through the Bazaar
  • Discover one of the oldest cities in Central Asia - Khujand
  • See Timur Malik's Fortress
  • Explore Sheikh Muslihiddin's legacy and Khujand's lively Panjshanbe Bazaar
  • Visit the Arbob Cultural Palace

Discover the eclectic capital of Uzbekistan

  • Full day of sightseeing in Tashkent including Kukeldash Madrasah
  • Explore Tashkent Metro to see the underground gallery

Traverse the unspoilt mountainous country of Kyrgyzstan

  • Explore the capital of Kyrgyzstan on a city tour
  • Stroll Ala Too Square
  • See Burana Complex, Boom Canyon, OrtoTokoy Reservoir, and Dolon Pass
  • Enjoy lunch in the home of a local family
  • Explore the ruins of Koshoy-Korgon medieval Caravanserai
  • In Kara-Koiun gorge visit Tash Rabat Caravansarai
  • Lunch in a local mountain village
  • Visit Kochkor Village's handicraft centre to witness traditional felt carpet making
  • Stop at Kyzyl Tuu Village and participate in a yurt workshop
  • See the amazing 'Fairy Tale' landscapes of the Skazka Canyon
  • Travel to the seventh deepest lake in the world, Issyk-Kul Lake
  • Visit a Golden Eagle hunter and watch the process of hunting
  • Drive to Djety Oguz canyon, walk along the river and red rocks
  • Explore Karakol on a city tour, including the Holy Trinity Chruch
  • View the Dungan Mosque in Karakol

Visit the economic powerhouse of Central Asia, Kazakhstan

  • Explore the magnificent Charyn Canyon and its Valley of the Castles
  • Discover Kazakhstan on a city sightseeing tour of Almaty
  • Take a cable-car ride to the top of Kok-Tobe Hill
  • Visit the highest ice-skating sports complex in the World
  • Stop to see the Medeu Dam

Travel

Travel icon
  • Return economy-class flights from Australia to Central Asia. Taxes included
  • 2 economy class-flights within Central Asia
  • Airport transfers on the first and last day of tour
  • All touring in air-conditioned vehicles.           

Accommodation

Accommodation icon
  • 24 nights in 3-5 star hotels
  • 1 night in a traditional yurt with shared bathroom facilities

Properties include:

  • Divan Hotel, Ashgabat
  • Zarafshon Boutique Hotel, Khiva
  • Paradise Plaza Hotel, Bukhara
  • Continental Hotel, Samarkand
  • Panjakent Plaza, Panjakent
  • The Rumi Hotel & Residences, Dushanbe
  • Parliament Palace Hotel, Khujand
  • LOTTE City Hotel Tashkent Palace, Tashkent
  • Novotel Bishkek City Centre, Bishkek
  • Grand Khan Tengri Hotel, Naryn
  • Yurt Camp, Lake Issky Kul
  • Green Yard Hotel, Karakol
  • Sadu Hotel, Almaty

Hotels listed are an indication and are subject to change without notice.

Meals

Meals icon
  • 26 breakfasts, 18 lunches and 5 dinners, including group welcome and farewell dinners

Tour Guides

Tour Guides icon
  • English-speaking Uzbek national guide throughout
  • English-speaking locally based guides

Porterage

Porterage icon
  • Porterage included where available

Some things to note

Some things to note icon

Please note:

  • A Letter of Invitation is required to be able to obtain a Turkmenistan visa. The Letter of Invitation will be arranged for you as a part of this tour. Please refer the Passports and Visa section of our website for further information.
  • It is advised that women bring a scarf for travelling through this region to cover their head when going inside places of worship.
  • On day 23, there will be shared toilet and shower facilities when overnighting in the Yurts.
  • Single bookings will be required to share for one night, when staying overnight in the Yurt camp. It will be based on twin share (2 people) per Yurt.
  • This tour is best suited for adventurous travellers who are in good physical condition, as it involves remote and off-the-beaten-path destinations. It's important to be prepared for unexpected changes to the itinerary, as this tour explores one of the last frontiers of tourism. Additionally, please keep in mind that the standards and accommodations may not always match those to which you are accustomed. To fully enjoy this journey flexibility, a positive attitude, and a willingness to embrace the adventure are essential.
  • Western toilets are not common in this part of the world. Squat toilets are what you will come across majority of the time. Usually located outside of establishments, such as restaurants. There will also be some instances, on-route or border-crossings, where there are no facilities at all - meaning a ‘wildness’ stop! There are no facilities on the vehicles.
  • This tour involves some long travel days by private vehicle, where conditions may be uneven and dusty. Some smaller vehicles will be used due to the nature of the roads and some of the locations.
  • Navigating border crossings can pose challenges and may require some additional time and patience.
  • Expect a range of temperatures, from below freezing in the mountains to scorching highs exceeding 40 ºC in the desert and steppe regions. It's advisable to check the online weather forecast before your visit and pack your attire accordingly to cover a range of climates.

Information 5-Stans

Information

Let's Talk Fitness

At Bunnik Tours, we pride ourselves on our ability to create unique, once in a lifetime small group tours that are filled with incredible experiences you might not be able to have on your own, or in a larger group. However, that does mean aspects of our itineraries can be challenging for some travellers.

We want to make sure all Bunnik Tours travellers enjoy their trip, not struggle through it, so let’s work together to ensure our tours are right for you!

Fitness to Travel Requirements

Within seven days of your booking you will need to complete a Passenger Registration form, which also includes a Fitness to Travel declaration.

In this declaration, you must confirm you’re able to do the following:

  • I can walk up to 4-5 hours intermittently every day at a group pace, often in direct sunlight, on uneven surfaces without using any walking aid.
  • I can walk up multiple flights of stairs (including buildings without a lift) and short, steep hills.
  • I can stand for extended periods of time without needing to sit down, often in hot/humid climates.
  • I can carry my own luggage (including to/from hotels which do not offer porterage).
  • I am comfortable using a shower over bath (please note that we cannot guarantee stand-alone shower facilities at all hotels).
  • I can get on and off various modes of transport multiple times a day without assistance, including small boats.
  • I can drive along very bumpy dirt and gravel roads for extended periods of time.
  • I can travel to high altitudes, such as 3,400m on our 5-Stans tour.
  • I can use squat toilets if necessary.
  • I understand that my dietary requirements may not be fully catered for in some locations

 

If you have a health condition, such as cognitive impairment, vision/hearing impairment, or other medical conditions (diagnosed or undiagnosed) that may affect your ability to fully participate in tour activities or manage your own well-being during free time on tour, you will need to provide us with more details. 

If you do not feel that you can confidently manage all of the requirements set out above, please work with our team of Travel Specialists to find an alternative that is better suited to your current level of fitness.

Please visit our Fitness to Travel page for full details on our fitness policy.

FITNESS TO TRAVEL

 In the itinerary, this symbol indicates a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

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Dates & Prices 5-Stans

Dates & Prices
Select a tour to reserve your place.

*Prices are in AUD, per person twin share.

*Prices are in AUD, per person twin share.

Start Date End Date Tour Price
Per person
twin share
Status    
11 Apr 25
09 May 25
$17,495
Guaranteed Departure
25 Apr 25
23 May 25
$17,495
Limited Seats
09 May 25
06 Jun 25
$17,495
Guaranteed Departure
23 May 25
20 Jun 25
$17,495
Available
15 Aug 25
12 Sep 25
$17,495
Guaranteed Departure
29 Aug 25
26 Sep 25
$17,495
Guaranteed Departure
12 Sep 25
10 Oct 25
$17,495
Available

Additional Information

Valid from
Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane & Perth
Booking Deposit
$750 per person
Tipping
Total cost includes - Tipping Made Easy, from $660pp pre-paid
Single Supplement
From $2,675
Visa Information

You may need to obtain visas for this tour. Please check with your travel agent for further details. For Australian passport holders you may wish to visit our Passports and Visas page here for indicative information on what may be required.

Terms & Conditions

All prices shown are per person based on twin share. Prices and itineraries correct at current time but are subject to change. Please call for more details. View our full terms & conditions here.

Taxes
Total cost includes air taxes

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