$5899—36% off 22-day tour of Central Asia’s Five Stans

Explore beyond the norm. To countries where caravans once carried silk and stories across empires. Yes, we’re talking about the Five Stans, Central Asia’s great mystery. Picture dazzling mosques rising from desert sands and turquoise lakes tucked into mountain folds. This 22-day journey is about connection—between past and present, traveller, and host. Everywhere you go, the warmth of the people will stay with you long after you leave. Meet nomads in the Kyrgyz mountains. Share plov with Uzbek cooks. Sleep beneath desert stars beside the blazing Darvaza crater. Wander Silk Road cities where time moves slowly and history whispers from every stone. With expert guides and transport all sorted for you, you’ll travel with no more than 23 fellow explorers. This is a journey few travellers ever experience, and one you’ll never forget.

Back by popular demand, Travelzoo members save 36% off Inspiring Vacations’ usual prices—that’s $3296 off 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 in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan

When

The featured $5899 price is valid for travel on 25 & 30 April; 11, 20-22, and 28 May; 4, 13 & 20 June; 5 August 2026; and 2 September 2026.

Prefer different dates? Choose from 15 more departures from 2 April 2026 to 30 August 2027, all discounted 31–34% just for Travelzoo members.

To find out more, see our partner's website.

Holiday snapshot

Ashgabat - Darvaza - Kunya-Urgench - Khiva - Bukhara - Samarkand - Seven Lakes - Panjakent - Iskanderkul Lake - Dushanbe - Khujand - Tashkent - Bishkek - Burana Tower - Kochkor - Naryn - Tash-Rabat - Bokonbaevo - Tamga - Djety-Oguz Gorge - Karakol - Charyn Canyon - Almaty

Itinerary highlights

Wander through the marble-lined avenues of Ashgabat, where grand monuments and futuristic architecture rise from the desert like a mirage.

Watch the fiery glow of the Darvaza gas crater illuminate the Karakum night, creating an unforgettable moment beside this natural inferno.

Trace ancient Silk Road footsteps through Kunya-Urgench, exploring mausoleums, ruined minarets and the legacy of once-powerful empires.

Lose yourself in the mud-brick alleys of Khiva, drifting between ornate madrasas, palace courtyards and the beautifully preserved Itchan Kala.

Uncover the old-world charm of Bukhara, where turquoise domes, quiet caravanserais and centuries-old trading streets bring the Silk Road vividly to life.

Stand in awe before the majesty of Samarkand, soaking in Registan Square’s shimmering mosaics and the poetic beauty of ancient Timurid landmarks.

Climb mountain paths above the Seven Lakes, watching alpine waters shift through shades of sapphire, jade and turquoise.

Step into the historic heart of Panjakent, wandering through archaeological ruins and fertile valleys once home to Sogdian merchants.

Feel the serenity around Iskanderkul Lake, where mirrored waters meet soaring rock faces in one of the Fann Mountains’ most peaceful settings.

Explore the cultural layers of Dushanbe, browsing lively bazaars, leafy boulevards and museums that reflect Tajikistan’s rich heritage.

Absorb the riverside atmosphere of Khujand, discovering its ancient citadel, bustling Panjshanbe Bazaar and long-standing trading traditions.

Experience the energy of Tashkent, moving between Soviet-era squares, modern boulevards and the vibrant, spice-scented chaos of Chorsu Bazaar.

Stroll leafy avenues across Bishkek, stopping at open-air cafés, Soviet monuments and the bustling Osh Bazaar beneath the Tien Shan peaks.

Climb the ancient Burana Tower, taking in sweeping steppe views and imagining the caravans that once crossed this Silk Road region.

Meet local artisans in Kochkor, learning traditional felt-making techniques surrounded by highland farms and mountain silhouettes.

Travel deeper into the Kyrgyz mountain country near Naryn, where vast valleys and endless sky create striking high-altitude scenery.

Wander the stone halls of Tash-Rabat, a remote caravanserai tucked into a dramatic gorge once used by Silk Road travellers.

Watch golden eagles soar above the shores of Bokonbaevo, witnessing traditional falconry against the backdrop of Lake Issyk-Kul.

Relax beside the peaceful lakeside village of Tamga, where turquoise water meets gentle beaches and distant snow-capped peaks.

Hike through the red-rock formations of Djety-Oguz Gorge, exploring dramatic cliffs, pine forests and the photogenic “Seven Bulls” escarpment.

Discover the multicultural charm of Karakol, visiting wooden mosques, old Russian cathedrals and markets filled with mountain produce.

Gaze into the wind-carved Charyn Canyon, where soaring ochre walls and the “Valley of Castles” reveal Central Asia’s wild geological beauty.

Savour the lively streets of Almaty, riding up to Kok-Tobe Hill for sweeping views over tree-lined boulevards framed by the snow-dusted Zailiysky Alatau range.