$5549—Our best Five Stans deal yet: save up to 43%
Five countries reveal dramatically different landscapes, cultures and traditions in one journey
Why We Love This Deal
Central Asia is moving from obscure to aspirational, but it still feels like discovery. For travellers who have done the obvious bucket-list trips, this is the next great one. Inspiring Vacations’ 22-day tour crosses Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, with local guides, internal flight, rail, coach transport and airport transfers included. Each country feels distinct, yet connected by centuries of trade, migration and history. This brings a big, hard-to-plan journey within reach, without the specialist price tag. The journey starts with real theatre. By night two, you’re sleeping near the fire-lit Darvaza crater. Then come Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, where Silk Road history still glows in tiles, towers and ancient squares. But this is not just minarets and mosaics. Soviet monuments, mountain lakes, nomadic traditions and red-rock canyons all share the route. Tajikistan brings high passes. Kyrgyzstan adds alpine roads and yurt-camp nights. Kazakhstan closes with Charyn Canyon and Almaty. This is built for travellers who still want the world to surprise them.
Starting at $5549 per person, this is the strongest Travelzoo offer we’ve had on this tour. Members enjoy up to 43% off Inspiring Vacations’ usual prices, with savings of up to $4446 per person.
What's included
- 19 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels throughout Central Asia
- 2 nights in a traditional yurt camp
- Breakfast daily, plus six lunches and five dinners
- One-way flight from Tashkent to Bishkek
- Travel by train from Bukhara to Samarkand
- Dedicated coach transportation, as per the itinerary
- Fully escorted by a dedicated local guide in each region
- Airport transfers are included on the first and last day
- Early hotel check-in on Day 1
- Sightseeing highlights include:
- Turkmenistan: Explore Ashgabat, visit Akhal-Teke horses, and witness the fiery Darvaza ‘Gates of Hell’
- Uzbekistan: Wander Khiva, marvel at Bukhara’s medieval streets, and stand in awe at Samarkand’s Registan
- Tajikistan: Hike the Seven Lakes, traverse Panjakent’s mountain passes, and discover Dushanbe and Khujand’s historic sites
- Kyrgyzstan: Experience Bishkek, meet artisans in Kochkor, explore Tash-Rabat, Fairytale Canyon, and Djety-Oguz Gorge
- Kazakhstan: See Charyn Canyon, and enjoy Almaty’s Kok Tobe panoramic views
When
The featured $5549 price is valid for travel on 5, 19 and 21 October 2026. Prefer different dates? There are 47 more departures from 6 April 2027 to 28 October 2028, with savings of up to 41% for Travelzoo members.
Book by 14 July 2026.
To find out more, see our partner's website.
Travelzoo tip: Ancient Merv is one of the Silk Road’s great crossroads, with ruins spanning 4000 years of history. If you’re already exploring the Five Stans, this is the chapter worth adding. That’s why we negotiated an exclusive deal on the 24-day itinerary. Starting from $6399 per person, Travelzoo members save up to 41%, with savings of up to $4896 per person.
Holiday snapshot
Almaty - Charyn Canyon - Karakol - Issyk-Kul - Bishkek - Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara - Khiva - Dushanbe - Seven Lakes - Ashgabat - Darvaza
Itinerary highlights
In Almaty, broad boulevards, mountain backdrops and leafy parks create an elegant introduction to Central Asia, blending Soviet-era architecture with Kazakhstan’s modern cultural capital.
At Charyn Canyon, rust-coloured rock formations rise from the desert floor in dramatic layers, creating a landscape often compared to a miniature Grand Canyon.
Through Karakol, the scenery shifts towards alpine forests and snow-capped peaks, with Russian influences, wooden architecture and access to some of Kyrgyzstan’s most spectacular mountain landscapes.
Along Issyk-Kul, one of the world’s largest alpine lakes stretches between mountain ranges, where deep blue water and open landscapes create a striking contrast to the surrounding peaks.
In Bishkek, grand Soviet avenues, lively bazaars and distant mountain views reveal the heart of modern Kyrgyzstan before the journey continues west.
Through Tashkent, wide boulevards, ornate metro stations and bustling markets showcase Uzbekistan’s blend of contemporary life and Silk Road heritage.
At Samarkand, the legendary Registan Square, turquoise domes and monumental madrasas create one of the most recognisable and awe-inspiring sights along the ancient Silk Road.
In Bukhara, centuries of history unfold through labyrinthine alleyways, trading domes, minarets and beautifully preserved architecture that feels largely unchanged by time.
Through Khiva, towering mud-brick walls enclose a remarkably intact old city, where minarets, palaces and courtyards create the atmosphere of a living Silk Road museum.
In Dushanbe, tree-lined avenues, grand public buildings and mountain views offer a glimpse into Tajikistan’s capital and its unique cultural identity.
Across the Seven Lakes, a chain of brilliantly coloured alpine lakes winds through rugged mountain valleys, with each lake revealing a different shade of blue or green.
In Ashgabat, gleaming white marble buildings, monumental squares and extravagant architecture create one of the world's most unusual capital cities.
At Darvaza, the journey reaches its most surreal moment as the famous "Door to Hell" burns in the middle of the Karakum Desert, its flames illuminating the night sky from deep within the crater.