$5548 & up—Save 50% on all 24-day Five Stans & Merv tours
Go beyond the usual Five Stans route with rarely included Mary and ancient Merv adding extra depth
Why We Love This Deal
Central Asia is increasingly on travellers’ radars, yet the Five Stans still feel thrillingly unfamiliar. History connects these countries: Silk Road trade, nomadic movement, empire and Soviet influence all left their mark. That is where the fascination lies. These neighbours do not blur into one another. Turkmenistan feels surreal and closed-off. Uzbekistan glows with Silk Road grandeur, from Samarkand and Bukhara to Khiva’s ancient trading quarters. Tajikistan brings mountain lakes, high passes and the turquoise Seven Lakes. Kyrgyzstan opens into nomadic country, with yurt-camp nights in alpine landscapes. Kazakhstan changes the pace again with Charyn Canyon and Almaty. Together, they show how much variety Central Asia holds. This 24-day tour includes the Mary Extension, which gives the story a stronger beginning. Before Ashgabat’s white marble and Darvaza’s fire, you start with Mary and Ancient Merv, once a great Silk Road metropolis shaped by trade, power and cultural exchange. That matters. Many tours rush through Turkmenistan before moving on. This one lets the country speak first. From there, Central Asia keeps changing character: ancient cities give way to deserts, mountains, yurt camps and modern capitals. Inspiring Vacations’ tour-only journey includes stays, guided touring and first- and last-day transfers, simplifying a region that is challenging to navigate independently.
Inspiring Vacations is offering Travelzoo members an exclusive 2-for-1 deal on this 24-day tour. Prices start at $11,095 for two travellers, equivalent to just under $5548 per person. That’s 50% off and the biggest saving we’ve featured on this member-favourite journey. There are 59 other dates available at higher prices, all with the same discount. Solo travellers also receive 50% off the tour price (excluding the single supplement). The offer is limited to the first 50 bookings.
What's included
- 21 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels
- Breakfast daily, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
- 2 nights in a traditional Yurt Camp
- Airport transfers on the first and last day
- Fully escorted by an expert guide in each region
When
This exclusive offer is valid for over 50 departures running from April 2027 through October 2028.
Book by 15 September 2026.
To find out more, see our partner's website.
Holiday snapshot
Ashgabat - Mary - Merv - Darvaza - Khiva - Bukhara - Samarkand - Panjakent - Seven Lakes - Dushanbe - Tashkent - Bishkek - Issyk-Kul - Karakol - Almaty - Charyn Canyon
Itinerary highlights
Ashgabat reveals Turkmenistan’s striking capital through grand monuments, museums and gleaming architecture. A visit to the stables introduces the prized Akhal-Teke horse breed.
The journey to Mary passes the Anau Ruins Mosque before exploring the local bazaar, Gurbanguly Haji Mosque and Russian Orthodox Church.
Centuries of Silk Road history unfold at Merv, where vast archaeological ruins include the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, ancient fortresses and the remains of once-great settlements.
Deep in the Karakum Desert, Darvaza delivers one of the journey’s most unusual experiences. Watch the fiery ‘Gates of Hell’ crater at sunset, then dine and sleep in a traditional yurt camp.
Behind the ancient walls of Khiva, explore Ichan Kala, ornate madrasahs, mosques and Tash-Khauli Palace. A traditional dinner and folklore show add music and dancing to the evening.
Silk Road treasures fill Bukhara, from the Ark Citadel and Po-i-Kalyan Complex to historic madrasahs and trading domes. A hands-on masterclass reveals the secrets of traditional Uzbek plov.
Few Silk Road sights rival Samarkand’s magnificent Registan Square, visited both at night and by day. Touring also includes Gur Emir Mausoleum, Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Shah-i-Zinda.
Crossing into Tajikistan leads through Panjakent, the base for exploring remote mountain communities and the colourful lakes beyond.
Each with its own colour and story, the Seven Lakes sit among Tajikistan’s spectacular mountains. Lunch at a local guesthouse offers an introduction to traditional village life.
Travelling through dramatic mountain scenery leads to Dushanbe, with a stop beside glacial Iskanderkul Lake. Touring includes ancient Hissar Fortress, the Botanical Garden and bustling Oriental Bazaar.
Modern boulevards meet centuries of history in Tashkent, where touring covers Independence Square, Amir Temur Square and the old city. Finish among the spices and produce of Chorsu Bazaar.
Set beneath the Tian Shan Mountains, Bishkek combines leafy streets with Soviet-era landmarks and Kyrgyz culture, with nearby Ala-Archa Gorge adding spectacular alpine scenery.
Mountain landscapes surround Issyk-Kul, one of the world’s largest alpine lakes. Along the way, traditional villages and local experiences reveal another side of Kyrgyz life.
In Karakol, discover the colourful Dungan Mosque, Russian Orthodox Cathedral and Przhevalsky Museum, surrounded by the soaring Tian Shan Mountains.
A full day in Almaty explores Green Bazaar, Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral. Cable-car journeys to Kok-Tobe and Shymbulak deliver sweeping views across the mountains and city.
Eroded cliffs and sculpted rock formations create the extraordinary landscapes of Charyn Canyon, a dramatic final natural highlight before reaching Almaty.