Our Team 
Our Tour Experts 
Heroes and Heroines Chris was born in Turkey and grew up in Ankara and war-torn Beirut. In 1998 he moved to Uzbekistan to work on a guidebook. He was adopted by a local family, fell in love with the place and people, and stayed. His book ‘A Carpet Ride to Khiva – Seven years on the Silk Road’ tells this story.
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![Amy Waters snow biking]()
Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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![William Dalrymple]()
Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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![Liz Bonnin]()
Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Five Stans
| Start date | End date | Days | Prices from | Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/19/21 | 06/04/21 | 17 days | $6,987 ex. flights | $796 | Chris Alexander | 15 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Travelling through Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, this is a journey full of remarkable contrasts to a region that is still largely undiscovered and explored.
Each ‘stan’ is quite different both in its physical geography, each has its own character, and this tour will allow you to discover this.
Begin in Bishkek, settled in the shadows of the imposing Tien Shan Mountains. Continue into Almaty, Kazakhstan’s trading and cultural hub. From here, fly to Dushanbe, situated on the Varzob River, is the capital of Tajikistan, also visit Khujand, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Next, cross into Uzbekistan, with its stunning architecture and hospitable people, this is sure to be a highlight of your journey. Finish the trip in Ashgabat in Turkmenistan, known for its white marble buildings and magnificent national monuments. Mountains and markets, sights and sounds, people and personal encounters make this journey a mosaic of experiences.
Introducing your expert
Chris Alexander
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
1Central Asian Stans
Enjoy remarkable contrasts of a region that is remains largely undiscovered.
2Alamaty and Khujand
Explore the historic cities of Almaty, former capital of Kazakhstan, and Khujand, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia.
3The Great Game
Discover the world of the intrigue of the Russo-British relations in Central Asia during the 19th century.
4Samarkand and Bukhara
Visit the colourful bazaars and architectural wonders of Samarkand and Bukhara.
Day 1
Bishkek
Day 2
Bishkek - Cholpan Ata
Day 3
Cholpan Ata - Bishkek
Day 4
Bishkek - Almaty
Days 5-6
Almaty
Day 7
Almaty - Dushanbe
Day 8
Dushanbe - Khujand
Day 9
Khujand - Oibek - Tashkent
Day 10
Tashkent - Samarkand
Day 11
Samarkand
Day 12
Samarkand - Bukhara
Day 13
Bukhara
Day 14
Bukhara - Turkmenabat - Mary
Day 15
Mary - Ashgabat
Day 16
Ashgabat
Day 17
Ashgabat
Day 1
Bishkek
Arrive into Bishkek at any time as this day is at leisure. The capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, was built on a grid system with many tree-lined streets. This approach to city planning has made central Bishkek a pleasant area to explore, with wide boulevards and impressive architecture.
Day 2
Bishkek - Cholpan Ata
Explore Bishkek and some of the various monuments that dot the city. In the afternoon, en route to Cholpan Ata, stop to see the conically shaped, 13th Century Burana Tower.
Day 3
Cholpan Ata - Bishkek
Visit the region’s renowned petroglyphs in the morning. Return to Bishkek in the afternoon. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 4
Bishkek - Almaty
Depart this morning and travel to Almaty, the border between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Cross the border where your Kazakhstan local guide will be waiting to meet you to drive to Almaty.
Days 5-6
Almaty
Explore the city of Almaty and take a day trip to Charyn Canyon. Red sandstone cliffs have been forged into imposing formations, offering dramatic landscapes and breath-taking views.
Day 7
Almaty - Dushanbe
Fly from Almaty to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. After lunch, travel outside the capital to see Hissor Fort, formerly capital of Eastern Bukhara province.
Day 8
Dushanbe - Khujand
Travel by road from Dushanbe to Khujand, the oldest cities in Central Asia dating back to the 7th century BC.
Day 9
Khujand - Oibek - Tashkent
Depart this morning and travel to Oibek, the border between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Cross the border where your Uzbekistan local guide will be waiting to meet you to drive to Tashkent.
Day 10
Tashkent - Samarkand
Depart by train from Tashkent to Samarkand. On arrival, explore the beautiful Shah-i-Zinda, before continuing to Ulugh Beg’s Observatory and the Shah-I-Zinda Ensemble.
Day 11
Samarkand
Samarkand full day city tour. Wander the vast Registan Square, arguably the most spectacular architectural ensemble in Central Asia.
Day 12
Samarkand - Bukhara
Travel by train to Bukhara. On arrival, visit Lyab-i-Khauz, meaning ‘ensemble near the pool’. Bukhara’s most spectacular and oldest square comprises of the Kukeldash Madrasa, the Nadir Devanbagi Madrasa and the Nadir Devanbagi Mosque.
Day 13
Bukhara
Full-day sightseeing including the Ark Citadel and Bolo Hauz Mosque.
Day 14
Bukhara - Turkmenabat - Mary
Depart your hotel in the morning and travel to Turkmenabat, the border between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Cross the border where your Turkmenistan local guide will be waiting to meet you to drive to Mary.
Day 15
Mary - Ashgabat
Drive to Merv. Once known as the pearl of the East, between the 8th and 13th centuries, Merv was the second city of Islam after Baghdad, before it fell victim to the most horrific slaughter by the Mongols. In the evening fly to Ashgabat.
Day 16
Ashgabat
Full day sightseeing of Ashgabat. Visit the Carpet Museum and the new National Museum of History and Ethnography.
Day 17
Ashgabat
Depart Ashgabat and transfer to the airport.
Includes / Excludes
Important Information
Activity Level
Very ActiveSingle Supplement
Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
Flexibility
To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf, please get in touch with our travel experts for a quote. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.
What is included
- Accompanied by Dr. Richard McClary throughout
- Accompanied by English speaking local guides
- Airport transfers
- All accommodation as detailed in the itinerary
- All meals mentioned in the itinerary
- Transport as detailed in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to sites visited
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers and porters
- £25 to help fund the communities, conservation agencies and NGOs that we work with
- £25 contribution to ‘Trees and Science’ in mitigation of your carbon emissions
What is excluded
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Drinks with meals
- Items of a personal nature
Kyrgyzstan
The mountain vistas alone are reason enough to visit Kyrgystan but, while visitor numbers are increasing gradually, a short tourist season and the relative difficulty of reaching it have ensured that Kyrgyzstan is unlikely to ever become a mainstream travel destination. This means that those adventurous travellers who do make the effort to come are guaranteed a unique and unforgettable experience.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is a mineral-rich country with a tiny population in relation to its size, and yet it has built itself a new capital, Astana. However, most visitors to Kazakhstan prefer to visit the more interesting old capital of Almaty, meaning valley of apples, which sits nestled under the snowy peaks of the mighty Tien Shan (Celestial) Mountains. The splendid Zhenkov Cathedral is made entirely of wood, interlocked with such skill that no nails have been used in the construction. The markets are a delight and there is a fine museum of musical instruments.
Tajikistan
Lying along Afghanistan’s northern border, most of Tajikistan’s population belong to the Persian-speaking Tajik ethnic group, who share language, culture and history with both Afghanistan and Iran. Starkly beautiful, remote and beguiling, mountains cover more than 90% of the country and include such famous names as Peak Lenin and Peak Communism both over 7,000m. While accommodation is at best adequate and the roads diabolical, all is made up for by the hospitality of the local people.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan possesses the cream of Central Asian architecture, epitomised by the magnificent ensemble in Registan Square in Samarkand. Its buildings and architecture, dating from the 13th and 15th centuries, are truly magnificent and one can only wonder at the skills of the craftsmen who laboured with such primitive tools. The markets are a delight and a photographic paradise while outside the cities the dusty, isolated villages with their flocks of woolly, fat-tailed sheep have changed little over the years.
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan has transformed itself from a forgotten Russian satellite state to a major player on the world stage. The wealth is obvious and the contrast between life in the cities and life in the remote villages is striking. Much of Turkmenistan is desert, but you will find lush green mountains, natural gorges and a diverse range of fauna and flora ranging from the bustard to the Central Asian gazelle. Ashgabat is a relatively new city, but Kunya Urgench was one of the greatest cities on the Silk Road, and along with Merv and Nisa, provides some insight into the vast wealth that once defined the region.
Why should I travel with Steppes Travel to Central Asia?
Our group tour to Central Asia has been created to allow you to see the highlights of each of the five countries visited. For the geographer, this region offers everything from congregations of mountains, steppe grasslands and deserts. There will also be the opportunity to meet the local nomadic peoples, who call this region home.
What are the roads like in Central Asia?
Generally, good tarmac roads throughout but there may be times where roads are slightly bumpy.
What is the standard of accommodation on this tour?
Accommodation will vary along the route. There are a couple of smaller guesthouses, with private bathrooms, through to larger more sophisticated 4-star hotels in the major towns and cities.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places does provide security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
If you are willing to share, we will always do our best to match you up with another solo traveller of the same sex so that you do not have to pay for a single room.
If you would prefer the privacy of your own room and would like this guaranteed, then the single room price supplement will apply.
Is there a dress code in Central Asia?
No, there is no dress code for any of the countries visited. You should be prepared for possible colder weather when crossing the mountains. You should dress for comfort taking some additional clothes so these can be layered. Good, worn-in shoes are advised.
What is the food like in Central Asia?
Meals will vary throughout and will include western-style breakfasts and local cuisine in all countries for lunch and dinner. Therefore, you will not need to worry about the ‘extreme’ dishes you may have read about.
Do I need to be physically fit to enjoy this tour?
You do not need to be particularly fit to participate, there are no long walks involved but there will be a certain number of stone steps and uneven surfaces.
Can I extend my stay in Central Asia?
Yes, this can easily be arranged at the end or the beginning of the tour. Private travel arrangem