Silk Road: The Five Stans of Central Asia
Group Tour
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Overview
The five ‘stans of Central Asia - Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan – must rank amongst some of the world’s least visited and least well-known destinations, making this trip a true journey of discovery.
Offering an incredible diversity of both scenery and culture - from the architectural wonders of Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva to the epic scenery of the Tien Shan ‘Mountains of Heaven’ - we’ll cross vast deserts and mighty rivers ...
The five ‘stans of Central Asia - Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan – must rank amongst some of the world’s least visited and least well-known destinations, making this trip a true journey of discovery.
Offering an incredible diversity of both scenery and culture - from the architectural wonders of Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva to the epic scenery of the Tien Shan ‘Mountains of Heaven’ - we’ll cross vast deserts and mighty rivers and experience local hospitality in homestays in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. For much of the time we’ll be following ancient trade routes and discovering the remains of a bygone age but we will also experience the Central Asia of today from the bizarre white-marble city of Ashgabat to the cosmopolitan cities of Tashkent and Almaty.
This is the perfect trip for anyone who has ever looked at a map and wondered exactly what the area described by Colin Thubron as being The Lost Heart Of Asia was really like. Come and discover it for yourself.
Please note, this tour runs from west to east (Ashgabat to Almaty) in May and June, and east to west (Almaty to Ashgabat) in August and September. Please choose your specific date of travel, and then review the detailed itinerary.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use minibuses, train and domestic flights.
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip.
On this particular trip we will be in a combination of some comfortable hotels (particularly in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan) to some simpler hotels and guesthouses in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
We will also spend several nights in very modest and simple homestays where it may be necessary to share more than 2 to a room, have shared bathroom facilities and where there are long drop toilets. Please note, that if you do opt to pay for a single supplement it will cover you for all nights of the tour except at the homestays.
Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.
FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
Day 1 Tour starts in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)
Day 1 Tour starts in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)
Today, after checking-in to our hotel in Ashgabat, the rather bizarre capital of Turkmenistan (the first of our five ‘stans), we’ll settle ourselves in and have a gentle introduction to this “white-marble city”. Over the course of the day, we’ll see some fascinating reminders of the city’s rich and eclectic past, including the famous so-called Arch of Neutrality. Rooms will be available on arrival for anyone taking our suggested group flights (see the GETTING THERE section below) due to the early morning schedule.
Day 2 Ashgabat
Day 2 Ashgabat
With a full day to explore the city and its surrounds, we will travel out to Nissa, the 3rd Century BC capital of the Parthians, and visit the famous site of Geo Tepe where the Turkmens made their last stand against the Russians. We’ll also visit a nearby stud farm to see some of the beautiful pure-bred Akhel Teke, or ‘heavenly’ horses’, the Chinese desire for which gave birth to the original impetus for the Silk Road. Later we’ll visit the largest mosque in Central Asia and the mausoleum of the first Turkmen President “Turkmenbashy”. We plan to take dinner at a stunning rooftop restaurant back in the city.
Day 3 Ashgabat - Mary
Day 3 Ashgabat - Mary
A morning’s flight will take us to Mary, our base for the next two nights. Here we’ll drive out to Ancient Merv to see remaining traces of the glorious “Maru Shahu Jahan” – “Queen of Cities”. Due to its size and historical importance, Merv is one of the most significant sites in Turkmenistan, indeed in all of Central Asia. It consists of a series of towns each succeeded by another throughout the course of history. We’ll see the remains of several sites including the Erk Kala (6th C BC) with its citadel and the Mausoleum of Muhammed Ibn Zeid (12th C AD) before later returning to Mary to visit the local history museum, presenting a wide array of archaeological finds (dating back to the 3rd millennium BC through to the late 19th century) from both Ancient Merv and the Bronze Age sites of Margush, which we will visit tomorrow.
Day 4 Mary – Gonur Depe - Mary
Day 4 Mary – Gonur Depe - Mary
After an early breakfast we drive northeast from Mary to ancient Margush and the archaeological site of Gonur Depe (40km off-road). Fertile silt brought by waters of the Murgab River delta and a moderate climate created favourable conditions for Bronze Age settlements known as the Margiana Oasis deep in the desert. This is an amazing site said to be the fifth great civilisation of ancient times where, it is believed, the Zoroastrian culture was born. We’ll return to Mary in the afternoon.
Day 5 Mary – Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Day 5 Mary – Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Leaving Mary we’ll head north and after lunch in Turkmenabat, we’ll have the thrill of crossing the great Oxus (Amu-Darya) River. From here we’ll arrive at the Turkmen border and enter Uzbekistan (the second of our five ‘stans). After customs formalities we’ll transfer to Bukhara, and check in to our guesthouse close to the famous Labi Hauz plaza and pool. This afternoon there will be free time to explore the streets and alleyways of this ancient town before meeting up for dinner.
*Approx driving time 6hrs
Day 6 Bukhara
Day 6 Bukhara
This morning we visit the famous Arc – or town citadel – in front of which the British officers Connelly and Stoddard lost their heads in what was one of the most infamous events of the Great Game. We’ll also visit the Kolan Minaret – or Tower of Death, from which Amir Nasirulla Khan threw his enemies – as well as the rest of the beautiful old town. The rest of the day is free to explore Bukhara at your leisure, with opportunities to wander through the bazaar and maybe do a little souvenir shopping.
Day 7 Bukhara
Day 7 Bukhara
With a second full-day in Bukhara, we’ll spend the morning visiting the Sitorai-Mokhi Hosa, the impressive summer residence of last Emir of Bukhara. Once more the afternoon has been left free for personal exploration of this endlessly fascinating place, which remains for many, the most evocative of all the Silk Road towns.
Day 8 Bukhara - Khiva
Day 8 Bukhara - Khiva
Today we’ll take a long drive across the desert towards Khiva. En route we’ll cross once more the famous Amu-Darya River before arriving in Khiva’s UNESCO-protected old town. This evening there will be time to take a first wander around the quiet streets of this wonderfully preserved Silk Road city.
*Approx driving time 6hrs
Day 9 Khiva
Day 9 Khiva
There’ll be ample time to soak up the atmosphere of Khiva today. We’ll visit some of the most colourful and sumptuous sites, including the Kukhna Arc and the Mohammed Khan Madrassa. In addition, there’ll be the opportunity to climb up the Kalta Minor minaret, explore the Jama Majid mosque with its amazing wooden pillars and the Alloquli Khan Madrassa, bazaar and caravanserai.
Day 10 Khiva - Tashkent
Day 10 Khiva - Tashkent
After a short drive to Urgench, we’ll take a morning flight to Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s vibrant capital which sat at the heart of the old Central Asian trading routes, gaining prominence under the Mongols and the Shabanids, before finally being absorbed by the expansionist policies of the Russian empire during the 19th century. Flattened by a devastating earthquake in the mid 1960s, the city was reinvented by the Kremlin to represent the very epitome of the socialist ideal. Today a prestigious working madrasah overlooks the sprawling Chorsu bazaar and nearby is the modern complex of the Khast Imam Mosque, which contains the oldest known copy of the Koran dating from 655. Tashkent is a colourful mixture of history and modern culture which we shall have a taste of today by visiting the Tashkent subway famous for its beautiful metro stations, if time permits we will visit the Museum of Fine Art to give an insight of regional decorative styles.
Day 11 Tashkent - Samarkand
Day 11 Tashkent - Samarkand
Early this morning we take a train ride to probably the most famous of all Silk Road cities, Samarkand. We have the rest of the day in this amazing town, wandering through the gargantuan sights and visiting Guri Amir (Tamerlane’s tomb), Bibi Khanym mosque, Shah-i-Zindar – the street of the dead - and the town’s excellent bazaar. Of course we will also visit the Registan Square, one of Central Asia’s most iconic sights.
Day 12 Samarkand
Day 12 Samarkand
Today there will be more time to explore some of Samarkand’s greatest sites including Ulug-Beg’s extraordinary observatory, built in 1437 whereby he calculated the length of a year to within 1 minute of what we now know it to be. The rest of the day will be free for personal exploration.
Day 13 Samarkand - Termez
Day 13 Samarkand - Termez
Heading south from Samarkand, we’ll drive on to Termez*, a city whose ancient heart dates back to the 4th Century BC. Built on the banks of the Amu-Darya River, the old city was located at the intersection of many Great Silk Road routes and has a long, rich history. There will be time this afternoon to visit the impressive Fayaz Tepa Buddhist Complex.
*Approx driving time 5-6hrs
Day 14 Termez – Dushanbe (Tajikistan)
Day 14 Termez – Dushanbe (Tajikistan)
This morning we’ll visit some of the city’s other notable sites including the Archaeological Museum and the Sultan Saodat Complex, before driving to the border and crossing into Tajikistan, the third our five ‘stans, and heading towards its relaxed capital, Dushanbe. We will stroll along Rudaki, the city’s main street and - depending on their erratic opening hours – a chance to visit one of the city’s impressive museums.
*Approx driving time 4-5hrs
Day 15 Dushanbe – Fan Mountains (2,400m)
Day 15 Dushanbe – Fan Mountains (2,400m)
After a relaxed morning in the capital, we’ll continue our journey north into the Fan Mountains, an area of outstanding natural beauty lying to south of the Zarafshan River.
*Approx. driving time 4-5hrs
Day 16 Fan Mountains (2,400m)
Day 16 Fan Mountains (2,400m)
We’ll have a full day to explore the famed alpine scenery of this rarely visited part of Central Asia. Abounding in deep blue lakes and sporadically inhabited by Tajik pastoralists, the area is still relatively undiscovered and allows for a fascinating insight into this gem of a country. We will have the opportunity to visit Snake Lake and a nearby waterfall.
Day 17 Fan Mountains - Khodjent
Day 17 Fan Mountains - Khodjent
Leaving the Fan Mountains, we will take a spectacular drive through the mountains and through the Shahristan tunnel to arrive in Khodjent, which once played host to Alexander the Great’s armies. After checking in to our hotel we can have an optional swim in the famous Syr-Darya river, which runs through the town. Before dinner we visit the citadel and local museum to learn city’s history.
*Approx. driving time 5-6 hrs
Day 18 Khodjent – Kokand (Uzbekistan)
Day 18 Khodjent – Kokand (Uzbekistan)
As our plan today is to stick as close as possible to the original Silk Road route along the Syr Darya River, we’ll cross back into Uzbekistan and head for Kokand, once a powerful independent khanate whose might once controlled this entire region. Here we’ll visit what remains of the khan’s palace.
Day 19 Kokand – Osh (Kyrgyzstan)
Day 19 Kokand – Osh (Kyrgyzstan)
Our drive today will take us through the Fergana Valley. This incredibly fertile region was the breadbasket of the Central Asian USSR and is still one of the wealthiest parts of the whole region. Our first stop today will be Rishton, renowned for its blue and green ceramics and later the town of Margilon, centre of the still thriving silk trade in the area. Here we hope to see the entire silk-weaving process from cocoon to end product. In the afternoon we’ll arrive at the Uzbek border and enter our fourth, and probably most beautiful of the ‘stans, Kyrgyzstan. Our night stop will be the ancient Silk Road town of Osh. Reputed to be 3000 years old, Osh is a place steeped in history and dominated by Solomon’s Throne which looms over the town. We plan to stay with our old friend, Imanjan and his family.
Day 20 Osh - Arslanbob (1,600m)
Day 20 Osh - Arslanbob (1,600m)
Heading into Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous interior we’ll make, by way of the 12th century Uzgen minaret, for Arslanbob village. Considered to be one of the country’s most attractive villages, it sits in the middle of a vast walnut forest. On arrival we will visit the local bazaar and settle in to our community-based homestay, where we stay for the next two nights.
Day 21 Arslanbob (1,600m)
Day 21 Arslanbob (1,600m)
Today we will have the whole day to explore on foot the surrounds of Arslanbob and to see its famous walnut forests, as well as some of the waterfalls and streams which dot the region. The walnut forests are believed to pre-date the 11th century and may even date back to the times of Alexander the Great. In fact legend has it that Alexander brought back large quantities of the nuts from Central Asia, but had to give them up once he reached Greece as payment to the boatmen who transported his troops. While this may just be the stuff of legend, what is certainly true is that Central Asian walnuts regularly formed part of the goods that were transported along the Silk Road, branches of which ran close to Arslanbob. Those preferring a less active day can take shorter walks and relax amidst the beautiful scenery of this small village.
Day 22 Arslanob – Sary Chelek (1,900m)
Day 22 Arslanob – Sary Chelek (1,900m)
Departing Arslanbob, we aim to arrive by mid-afternoon at Sary Chelek, which was included in the list of UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserves in 1978. This is one of Kyrgyzstan’s least visited but most striking locations. Centred around a spectacular lake, which sits at an altitude of 1873m, Sary Chelek is almost alpine in appearance and provides some of the finest scenery in Central Asia. We base ourselves here for two nights.
Day 23 Sary Chelek (1,900m)
Day 23 Sary Chelek (1,900m)
Today we plan to head out with a picnic lunch and take an easy but exhilarating walk between and around two of the lakes of Sary Chelek. Being home to over 1000 species of plant, 160 species of bird and 34 different types of mammal we can never be sure of exactly what we might see, but the views all around are spectacular.
Day 24 Sary Chelek – Chychken Gorge (2,400m)
Day 24 Sary Chelek – Chychken Gorge (2,400m)
A beautiful drive takes us east towards Chychkan Gorge where there should be time on arrival to explore some of the impressive surrounding area. As we travel we should have the opportunity to observe nomadic herders living in their traditional yurts surrounded by huge flocks of sheep, as well as many horses. We may have the opportunity to stop to see them milking mares in order to make ‘kumys’, a popular drink for the nomads. This is a great introduction to the life of the nomadic shepherd.
*Approx driving time 5-6hrs
Day 25 Chychken Gorge - Bishkek
Day 25 Chychken Gorge - Bishkek
As we head towards the Kyrgyz capital today we will drive over the Ala Bel mountain pass (3184m) which in Kyrgyz means ‘colourful pass’. Finally we’ll arrive at Bishkek, one of the world’s more relaxed capitals.
*Approx driving time 5hrs
Day 26 Bishkek
Day 26 Bishkek
Today we’ll head to Ala-Archa, a grand, rugged but very accessible gorge situated about an hour's drive from Bishkek. In the Kyrgyz language, Ala-Archa means bright juniper and it grows in abundance here over the mountain slopes. Now converted into a national park, it also offers some good walking possibilities and is a favourite place with the citizens of Bishkek, who like to relax and enjoy picnics here.
Day 27 Bishkek – Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Day 27 Bishkek – Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Today we enter our fifth and final ‘stan, Kazakhstan. Depending on border formalities we should arrive in Almaty in time for a visit to the Holy Ascension Cathedral, which is made entirely of wood.
Day 28 Almaty
Day 28 Almaty
After a morning visit to Republic Square to see the Independent Monument and the State History Museum we’ll drive up to Medeo gorge, taking a funicular up to Chimbulak for some great views out over the highest ice-skating rink in the world. Later we’ll drive to Sunkar to learn about the old tradition of falconry – hunting with birds of prey, before returning to Almaty for our final night’s dinner.
Day 29 Tour ends in Almaty
Day 29 Tour ends in Almaty
The tour ends in Almaty.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Divan Hotel, Ashgabat
The decadent Divan Hotel, built in 1996, was renovated over the pandemic and is one of the few hotels located within near the Independence Monument and government buildings in the city centre. It has 128 rooms, all with air-conditioning, colour TV and ensuite bathrooms. There is also a restaurant on site, a lobby bar, a business centre and other leisure and fitness facilities including a health club with sauna, swimming pool and tennis courts. Other restaurants and cafes can also be found within a 20-minute walk.
Mary Hotel, Mary
Mary Hotel is a large, three-star hotel located in the heart of Mary, ideally situated opposite the town's bazaar. The hotel is made up of 175 spacious, ensuite rooms decorated in opulent colours of beige, cream and gold. Each room is fitted with air conditioning and comes with standard amenities. The six-floor building has a restaurant offering a variety of traditional dishes, a fitness centre, an outdoor pool and a sauna for guests to enjoy at their leisure. Additionally, the hotel has a hairdresser and chemist located on site. The pool is only open during the height of the peak season and services become limited towards the end. Although services and facilities at the Mary hotel are not what they once were, it remains the best option in the city.
Sasha & Son, Bukhara
Sasha & Sons was a 16th-century Jewish merchant’s house that has been renovated and converted into a beautiful, boutique hotel. Located in the heart of city, and within walking distance from ancient Labi-Hauz complex, the family-run hotel is decorated with art pieces and wall paintings hand made by well-known Uzbek craftsmen and painters, reminiscent of 18th-century Bukhara. Guests can walk through the peaceful, inner courtyard and up the ornate stairs to the guestrooms. With 20 rooms in total, each offers an individual interior design brimming with local character and comes with standard amenities including air-conditioning and a mini bar. Meals and refreshments can be enjoyed in the dining room or served in the property’s central courtyard.
Orient Star Hotel (Khiva Madrasah), Khiva
Contained inside the 19th century Mukhamed Aminkhan Madrassah, the Orient Star enjoys a faultless location within the walls of Ichan Qala, the medieval citadel in the heart of Khiva. Only a short walk from the city's mosques, madrassas, palaces and hammams, the building used to be the biggest operational madrassah of the city and held up to 250 students. The traditional building now features 60 simply decorated but comfortable and clean en suite rooms. Once cells of the students who studied here, each room is a historical and architectural adventure. The restaurant and bar, situated in another madrasah next to the hotel, offers Uzbek meals and local wine.
City Palace, Tashkent
Located at a short walk to Amir Timur Square, the lively entertainment hub of the city, and the Amir Timur Museum, the City Palace Hotel is also just a 10-minute drive to most of the city’s main sites. A modern 15-storey hotel, City Palace offers 251 tastefully furnished rooms and suites, all featuring private bathrooms with bathtub and shower, satellite TV, a writing desk, a minibar, air-conditioning and standard amenities. During the summer, guests can lounge in the garden by the outdoor swimming pool and bar or head inside to the indoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Turkish bath and sauna in the winter. Other facilities include a tennis court, a gym and a beauty salon. The stylish Amudaryo restaurant serves a mixture of local and international dishes and you can head to the lounge bar or lobby bar and café for a drink.
Malika Classic Hotel, Samarkand
The Malika Classic Hotel is located in a quiet residential area, roughly 10 minutes by car from Registan Square and the old centre of Samarkand. There are 26 comfortable rooms surrounding the two courtyards and the rooms are furnished in a simple, local style. Each room comes with its own private bathroom, individually controlled air-conditioning, satellite TV and a telephone. Guests can enjoy an al-fresco breakfast on a national bench "supa" in the traditional central courtyard or can experience some authentic, local refreshments and cuisine in the hotel's restaurant and two bars. The restaurant primarily serves breakfast, and lunch and dinner can be prepared on request.
Asson Hotel, Termez
The four-storey building, located in Termez’s city centre, is surrounded by wonderful greenery and gardens. Rooms are simple but feature characterful classic-style interiors, patterned wallpaper and upholstery, and homely furniture. Mod cons such as air-con, Wi-Fi and flat-screen T.V.s provide a modern, Uzbek stay. With 83 rooms, it is a fairly large hotel that caters for business clientele as well as tourists. Facilities include a covered outdoor pool, a ubiquitous sauna, a billiards rooms and a restaurant serving European and Uzbek dishes, including culinary delights from the Surkhan region.
Shumon Hotel, Dushanbe
Shumon Hotel comes with all your standard hotel conveniences, including Wi-Fi, a bar and a restaurant serving national, European and Georgian dishes. Rooms are cosy with carpeted floors; simple, classic furniture; a comfortable dose of colour and elegant touches of local textiles. This great three-star option with a fantastic location opposite Rudaki Park and the National Museum of Tajikistan.
Hotel Khan (Khudayarkhan), Kokand
The Hotel Khan is a simple property, conveniently located in the centre of Kokand with 12 rooms and a real local feel. Rooms are small and simple but comfortable, with en suite bathrooms and air conditioning. There is a second-floor cafeteria overlooking the street where breakfast is served, and lunch and dinner can be provided on request. There are other local eateries within walking distance due to the hotel’s central location. can be taken and the hotel has views out over the town. This is a characterful hotel and good, local option during your stay.
Imanjan's Guesthouse, Osh
This simple but comfortable homestay-style guesthouse in a traditional suburban home in Osh is run by a friendly Uzbek family. The rooms are set across two buildings: half of the rooms are furnished with twin beds and the other half offer thick mattresses laid on the floor. Although simple, this remains the best guesthouse option in Osh and the family are constantly trying to improve guests' comfort and convenience. The majority of rooms provide shared bathroom facilities with a few en suite options. The main building houses six rooms on the first floor (all of which have fully raised beds) and four rooms on the second floor (equipped with comfy, floor mattresses). A separate building has four additional rooms, mostly offering floor mattresses. Traditional Kyrgyz rugs and decorations dot the accommodation throughout and there are large outdoor seating areas in the garden.
Arslanbob Homestay, Arslanbob Village
Support local families by staying at their family-run guesthouses and homestays in Arslanbob. Most are set amongst lush vegetation and fruit orchards, offering the perfect environment to relax after a full day exploring the walnut forests. All have private rooms, often with shared bathroom facilities, and delicious home-cooked meals, providing a great opportunity to sample traditional Kyrgyz dishes around a communal table. Rooms and washing facilities will be simple but there are lovely communal areas with beautiful views of the snow-capped peaks and poplar trees surrounding the valley.
Sary Chelek Homestay, Sary Chelek
Staying in Sary Chelek is an opportunity to experience a rural Kyrgyz family home. This homestay is located on the village river with an outside dining area to enjoy your home cooked meals. Rooms and washing facilities will be basic and shared. Hot water is provided but should be used sparingly. Both a latrine and Western-style toilet can be found in the garden along with a sink. A no frills but a charmingly authentic experience.
Oson Motel, Chychkan Gorge
The two-star Oson Motel is located in a beautiful setting by the Chychkan River, half-way between Bishkek and Arslanbob village. The hotel comprises two separate cottages, a restaurant and a bar. All rooms are simply decorated but clean and feature en suite facilities. As well as yurt stays, the hotel can also arrange horseback riding, hikes and fishing.
B Hotel, Bishkek
B Hotel offers modern amenities and spacious guest rooms, all within a ten minute walk from Ala Toor Square. The décor is light and airy, making use of the large windows in each room. Some rooms also come with a private balcony, a great spot for a morning coffee. Just outside the lobby is a seating area leading out onto the street. The restaurant is known for its Italian menu from Chef Roberto Ricci using seasonal products and European imports, we recommend the pizza. Additionally, there are bikes you can use for exploring the city independently.
Kazzhol Hotel Almaty, Almaty
The hotel Kazzhol is a three-star property located in the centre of Almaty. A very welcoming hotel for international travellers, you will enjoy good service with an authentic Kazakh ambience. All bedrooms are en suite with clean modern bathrooms and offer TV and telephone. The hotel has a restaurant, laundry service and sauna for guests' convenience.
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Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Travel, Discover, Help
For every passenger that our local agent in Kyrgyzstan hosts, $1 per day is donated to their charitable project during your stay.
Travel, Discover, Help enables children from orphanages to learn more about Kyrgyzstan, by offering excursions to the countryside and events throughout the year.
Additionally, they provide 40,498 days of work for locals annually and support ecological campaigns - transporting waste from glaciers and mountain gorges across this beautiful country.
Homestays
In Tajikistan, we will stay in the homes of hospitable locals. This is a great way to meet and interact with the local people, understand their limited infrastructure, and be introduced to their culture and way of life. With the homestays we use, the money goes straight into these remote communities and so benefits the people directly.
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)
Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| TK 1980 | London Heathrow (LHR) 11:20 | Istanbul (IST) 17:10 |
| TK 322 | Istanbul (IST) 20:20 | Ashgabat Airport (ASB) 02:00 |
| TK 351 | Almaty Airport (ALA) 06:45 | Istanbul (IST) 09:50 |
| TK 1985 | Istanbul (IST) 12:50 | London Heathrow (LHR) 14:40 |
Visas & Vaccinations
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour, UK passport holders currently require visas for Turkmenistan and Tajikistan but NOT for Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan.
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan or Turkmenistan.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: Mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers on entry to Turkmenistan.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.
*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
For a tour which lasts almost a month in duration, covers five countries, crosses deserts & mountains and experiences changes in altitudes from 500m to 3500m it can be quite hard to give a brief summary of the anticipated climate. However as this trip has been scheduled to avoid the extremes of summer and winter, you should typically expect daytime temperatures to range from 15C – 30C and night-time temperatures from 5C to 10C depending on the location.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
This is an adventurous tour that offers an incredible variety of experiences and scenery as we travel through five very distinct countries. However with the exception perhaps though of Uzbekistan, this should not be considered as an in-depth tour of any of the individual countries, as it offers more of an ‘overview’ of the region.
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, especially as all walks are optional. Bear in mind, though, that the sheer length of the tour and distance covered means that it can be tiring and there are some long drives involved.
Please note that in certain places you will be staying in homestays so you should be prepared for very basic facilities for part of the trip (see 'Accommodation' and 'Travelling Solo and Single Supplements'). We think that what you will be witnessing will easily make up for any discomfort!
Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be catered for, but the selection and variety is likely to be limited.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour except in the homestays, where you may be required to share more than 2 to a room and use shared bathroom facilities.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 5882 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.