Central Asia Tours & Trips
4.6 stars on(8,574 reviews)- Choose from 350+ Central Asia tours
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Table of contents
- The best Central Asia tour packages
- What people love about Central Asia Tours
- Travel Central Asia your way
- Best tour companies for Central Asia tours
- Discover Central Asia tours for every budget
- Central Asia tours for every type of group
- Top Central Asia travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Central Asia
- Contact our Central Asia travel experts
- What our customers ask about Central Asia Tours & Trips
The best Central Asia tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaCentral Asia travel expert at TourRadar
Central Asia: Five Stans Express
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The Central Asia tour was extremely enjoyable and included a varied mix of history, old and new cities along the Silk Road.”
YELENA, traveled in October
This 24-day journey across 5 countries stretches from Ashgabat's marble streets to ancient Silk Road cities. Admire Uzbekistan's stunning Samarkand mosques, trek Kyrgyzstan's alpine lakes, and venture into Kazakhstan's Charyn Canyon. Unique accommodations include yurts, homestays, and camping at the 'Door to Hell' crater.
Duration 24 days Destinations Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$10,365
This 23-day exploration costs approx. $380 per day, featuring Khiva's perfectly preserved Itchan Kala, Bukhara's 157ft Kalyan Minaret, and Samarkand's grand Registan Square. Nomadic culture comes alive in traditional yurt camps, while remote wonders like Turkmenistan's burning Darvaza crater await discovery.
Duration 23 days Destinations Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $12,537
10% Off- NZ$11,330You save $1,207
Duration 23 days Destinations Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $12,537
10% Off- NZ$11,330You save $1,207
Trip to the Five Stans - Exploring the Wonders of Central Asia
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour is rich in culture and the people are very friendly. Food is amazing.”
Samia, traveled in May
Central Asia's Silk Road unfolds at approx. $240 per day, connecting 13 cities across 5 countries. Stand in awe at Samarkand's Registan Square, hike Kyrgyzstan's Ala-Archa National Park, and gaze into Kazakhstan's 300m-deep Charyn Canyon. English guides lead the way with stays at comfortable 3-4* hotels.
Duration 15 days Destinations Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Central Asia Travel LP From
10% Off- NZ$5,973+$279 local payments
Duration 37 days Destinations Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
10% Off- NZ$14,535
What people love about Central Asia Tours
- Central Asia: Five Stans Express
The Central Asia tour was extremely enjoyable and included a varied mix of history, old and new cities along the Silk Road, varied nature of canyons, mountains, lakes, deserts, and a mix of city and rural life. Wonderful people. Special thanks to our guides Svetlana and Ejesh. Our drivers, local guiedes and hosts. Thanks you, Intrepid.
- Trip to the Five Stans - Exploring the Wonders of Central Asia
I had some very excellent time with Central Asia Travel Company. Overall, the programme is well-designed, the execution smooth, and the tour guides knowledgeable and considerate. Special thanks to the tour guides Max in Turkmenistan, Maxi in Kyrgyzstan and Anzar in Kazakhstan. They were extremely friendly and went to extra lengths to tailor the itinerary to my preferences. For example, Max brought me to a first-rate carpet shop in Ashgabat knowing my love of carpets. Maxi offered me a taste of truly extraordinary fresh honey from Osh. Anzar toured me around the State Museum in Almaty, taking into account my preference for city tours (following 15 days on the road!). The Tajikistan trip could have been made better. The Tajik guide had a poor sense of time management, having spent 7-8 hours on our way to the Seven Lakes (vs 3-4 hours as promised). At the ancient ruins, I was told that the bearded men in the mural paintings were women and the saints with halo were 'just normal people'! But this is just a minor disappointment in an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable journey. Highly recommended!
- Private Tour The Ultimate 5 Stans Tour: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan – Discover Central Asia in 16 Days
The journey through the 5 Stans was enlightening and filled with cultural gems. While the overall experience was fantastic, there were moments when the pace felt a bit rushed, especially in cities like Bukhara. Nonetheless, the beauty of Issyk-Kul Lake and the historical sites in Khiva made up for it. A few tweaks to the schedule would make this tour perfect
Travel Central Asia your way
The Pamir Highway expedition really opens up Tajikistan's hidden corners, where you can spot wild markhor goats and discover old fortresses tucked into the Wakhan Valley. For a proper local experience, there's a solid 7-day trek through the Nuratau Mountains, moving between small villages like Sentob, Hayat and also Asraf. The 22km hike to Lake Fazilman is a favorite among our guests - you climb through mountain passes until you reach crystal clear alpine waters, perfect for a lunch stop with quite a view. Over in the Fann Mountains, the Seven Lakes trek lets you see how each glacial lake has its own distinct color and character. If you're after something more relaxed, the day walks around Son Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan give you plenty of chances to meet local nomads and watch traditional eagle hunting in action.
See all Hiking & Trekking toursGo outside your comfort zone on an adventure tour in Central Asia. With 36 adventure packages full of bucket list experiences and outdoor activities and lasting anywhere from 3 days up to 27 days, you're sure to find an unforgettable adventure holiday for you!
Want to really explore Central Asia? Our longest tours cover the whole Silk Road through all five countries, usually taking 2-3 weeks. Most people start in Bishkek before heading into the Tian Shan mountains. Our travelers tell us they love spending a day learning how locals make their yurts and felt carpets, then settling in for an evening of traditional music. The route takes you through some pretty remote spots like the Wakhan Valley with its old fortresses, and into Charyn Canyon which looks a bit like Mars. You'll catch traditional horseback wrestling and polo matches in Tokmok, and meet eagle hunters who show off hunting techniques that go back centuries - these are the moments our customers talk about the most.
Select from our extensive range of 257 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Central Asia with our expert guides leading the way.
More travel styles:
Best tour companies for Central Asia tours
Travelers consistently rate East Site as one of the better choices for exploring Central Asia, with guides Alexander and Ilyas earning special mentions for their knowledge and attentive service. Their tours run smoothly with reliable transport and thoughtful organization. Kolpak Travel's guide Tatiana Potanina stands out for going the extra mile - she really takes care of her groups and adapts plans to match what travelers want to see and do. Penguin Travel's Five Stans tour has more mixed feedback. While their route planning and most hotels hit the mark, their guide Emil didn't meet expectations - several of our customers found him difficult to work with and not very helpful. The Seven Hotel in Bishkek needs improvement, and there were issues with their backup hotel choice in Ashgabat as well. If you're looking at Central Asian tours, East Site currently offers the most reliable experience from start to finish. Their guides know how to handle the occasional bumps that come with traveling through these regions, and they've worked out solid partnerships with local hotels and transport companies.
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Discover Central Asia tours for every budget
Several Central Asian routes work well for budget-minded travelers. A 10-day Uzbekistan trip lets you explore Tashkent's interesting mix of Soviet and Islamic buildings before heading into the old Silk Road cities. If you've got two weeks, there's a smart Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan combo where you'll sleep in local homes and yurt camps while hiking the Fann Mountains. Our customers really like learning how to make felt in Kochkor village and meeting eagle hunters near Bokonbaevo. There's also a shorter 7-day Uzbekistan cultural route that works well - people who've taken it praise the efficient train connections and also the cooking classes in Khiva and Bukhara.
Our premium tours blend comfort with real local experiences. The full 5-stans journey takes 20 days with top hotels and private transfers throughout. Nice touches include sipping champagne at sunset on Khiva's old walls and watching master craftsmen at work in Samarkand's silk paper workshop. A 14-day three-country option opens doors to special archaeological site access and private concerts in restored madrasas. What our luxury travelers value most are the intimate dinners in local family homes and having the freedom to shape each day around their interests.
Central Asia budget tours45 tours
Starting from
$92
per day
Central Asia tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
241 tours in Central AsiaExplore Central Asia on a pre-planned itinerary and meet like-minded travelers
Small Group
203 tours in Central AsiaOur most popular Central Asian journey spans all five "stans" across 20 days, with spots filling fast on every departure. Travelers often tell us how much they enjoyed watching traditional horseback games in Tokmok, setting up camp by Turkmenistan's flaming Door to Hell crater, and wandering through Khiva's ancient minarets. The 14-day route through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and also Uzbekistan lets groups discover traditional felt-making, connect with eagle hunters near Lake Issyk Kul and explore Bukhara's historic trading domes. For those seeking a deeper cultural experience, our week-long Nuratau Mountains trek connects you with local families who open their homes each night, as you hike between remote villages like Sentob, Hayat and also Asraf. What sets these journeys apart is the perfect mix of cultural depth with hands-on experiences - from intimate family dinners, to nights under the stars in traditional yurt camps, and workshops where master artisans share their ancient crafting techniques.
Private / Personalized
128 tours in Central AsiaThe private tours give you complete flexibility, with our most requested being a 16-day route from Almaty. You can adjust the pace as you go - travelers often choose to spend extra time at places like the Konigil paper mill or exploring Bukhara's merchant domes. Another good option runs through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan over two weeks; your personal guide will explain everything from the ancient rock art at Cholpon-Ata to the star-gazing calculations at Ulugbek's Observatory. For hiking fans, we've got focused 7-day private tours in the Nuratau Mountains where you can explore quiet villages and enjoy home-cooked meals with local families.
Top Central Asia travel itineraries to fit your plans
Week-long tours in Central Asia offer some really interesting choices. Our nature-focused 7-day hike through the Nuratau Mountains connects you with local families who host you each night. You'll walk through Kadvan Valley where ancient Arabic inscriptions line the route and natural pools offer perfect swimming spots, then head up to Lake Fazilman for lunch with mountain views. For those interested in history and architecture, the 7-day Uzbekistan tour starts in Tashkent with its unique Soviet-Islamic blend, before taking the fast train to Samarkand. Here you'll explore the enormous Bibi Khanum Mosque and detailed Shah-i-Zinda burial complex. The tour includes practical workshops like making traditional silk paper and gives you plenty of time to explore the historic markets in both Bukhara and also Samarkand.
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Ten-day tours really let you understand Central Asia's cultural richness. Our most booked route explores Uzbekistan's UNESCO heritage sites, with a good mix of guided visits and independent exploration that our travelers really appreciate. You'll cook traditional Uzbek dishes in Samarkand, visit local artisans in their workshops and spend your evenings listening to regional music in historic madrasas. Another solid 10-day option takes you from Bishkek through the Tian Shan range to Lake Issyk Kul - you'll watch traditional eagle hunters at work, learn how nomads make felt and then continue to Uzbekistan's ancient Silk Road cities.
See all toursDemographics
The multi-country Central Asian tours give solo travelers natural ways to connect while discovering multiple destinations together. Popular routes blend Uzbekistan's historic Silk Road cities with Kyrgyzstan's mountain terrain, where travelers often share memorable moments during eagle hunting shows and traditional felt-making workshops. When you join longer trips across all five countries, you'll camp under stars at Turkmenistan's Door to Hell crater, pick up local crafts in village workshops, and venture through Tajikistan's Seven Lakes in the Fann Mountains alongside fellow explorers. Many solo guests appreciate how the itineraries balance guided experiences with independent time to wander through Bukhara's merchant domes and Samarkand's Registan Square. Small group sizes create natural connections, as travelers come together over shared meals in family homes, traditional horse games near Tokmok, and countless cultural encounters throughout Central Asia's richest landscapes and heritage sites.
The 20-day Silk Road journey works beautifully for couples, mixing cultural depth with quiet moments together. Our travelers tell us they love sharing traditional meals in local homes and watching the sun drop behind Khiva's medieval walls. The route includes boutique hotels across Uzbekistan's historic cities and something really special - camping beneath starlit skies near the Darvaza gas crater. Couples particularly value how we balance guided tours with free time; they can explore Bukhara's trading domes and Samarkand's Registan Square at their own natural rhythm.
Our 14-day routes attract younger travelers who want to stay active while diving into local culture. You'll join horseback games in Tokmok, watch eagle hunters at work and learn how locals make traditional felt. The pace keeps you moving - hiking Charyn Canyon one day, exploring Tashkent's bustling bazaars the next. Many guests highlight the nights in yurt camps by Lake Issyk Kul and genuine family dinners in mountain villages. With small groups crossing five countries together, solid friendships tend to form naturally.
Our autumn 15-day cultural tours through Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan suit seniors who appreciate comfortable pacing and quality arrangements. We use good hotels, air-conditioned transport and knowledgeable guides who make ancient sites come alive. Older travelers often mention how much they enjoy visiting artisan workshops in Rishtan and Margilan, where silk weaving and ceramic traditions continue. The schedule allows plenty of time to take in Bukhara's old quarter and Samarkand's monuments without feeling rushed. Our senior guests particularly value the relaxed local meals and genuine connections with welcoming families along the way.
- Solo Travelers260 tours
- Couples43 tours
- Seniors (50+)64 tours
Best time to visit Central Asia
- Summer 2025
Summer in Central Asia is all about mountain landscapes and nomadic life. Our most popular routes mix stays in traditional yurt camps by Song Kul Lake with visits to eagle hunters near Lake Issyk Kul. The summer festivals in Kyrgyzstan are a big draw - you can watch traditional horse games and try kumis (fermented mare's milk) with local families. The Fann Mountain trails offer great hiking with clear skies that are perfect for photographing the mineral-colored lakes and sharp peaks. Many of our customers choose tours that include Arslanbob's walnut forests - the biggest natural walnut forest in the world - and love escaping the summer heat up in the high pastures.
- 201 tours
- popular 255 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Fall brings ideal conditions for exploring Silk Road cities and desert landscapes. Our September and October tours consistently get top ratings - travelers love the comfortable temperatures for exploring Bukhara's old town and Samarkand's impressive squares. Over in Turkmenistan, camping by the Darvaza gas crater under clear autumn skies is quite an experience, while the markets are full of fresh harvest goods and traditional foods. Several routes take advantage of the mild weather for hikes in the Charyn Canyon, where the red sandstone cliffs show their richest colors. Fall visits to Ferghana Valley's artisan workshops are especially popular - you can try making traditional felt and watch expert potters working their craft.
- popular 252 tours
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- 130 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter tours in Central Asia focus on indoor cultural experiences that show off the region's heritage. Popular routes kick off in Tashkent with visits to the Khast Imam Complex, then connect to Samarkand and Bukhara via high-speed trains. Our customers particularly enjoy the winter festivals happening in Uzbekistan's ancient cities - you'll catch local musicians performing in restored madrasas and share traditional meals in family homes. The covered bazaars of Bukhara and Khiva let you explore centuries of trading history while staying warm, and over at Chimbulak resort near Almaty you can hit the slopes with amazing views of the snow-covered Tian Shan peaks.
- popular 108 tours
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- Spring 2026
Spring is when Central Asia really comes alive and our tours fill up quickly. You'll find wildflower meadows and snowy peaks around Lake Issyk Kul, plus perfect weather for wandering through Samarkand's grand plazas. The spring festivals in the Ferghana Valley are a highlight - our travelers love watching the master craftsmen working in traditional silk workshops and ceramic studios. It's also the ideal time for hiking the Fann Mountains to see the Seven Lakes, each one showing off a different color from turquoise to deep purple. May is especially popular since you can catch the nomads moving their yurt camps up to higher pastures, giving you a real look at traditions that have lasted centuries.
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- popular 131 tours
Contact our Central Asia travel experts
Laura
Expert in Central Asia at TourRadar
Laura is one of our seasoned Central Asia Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Central Asia tours answered!
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+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Central Asia Tours & Trips
What Makes Central Asia So Special for Travelers?
You'll discover this incredible crossroads where ancient civilizations meet right in the heart of the Silk Road. The region's just amazing with its mix of historical cities like Samarkand Bukhara and Khiva where you can really feel the past come alive. Between the soaring Tian Shan mountains and sprawling Kyzylkum desert you'll experience everything from authentic nomadic traditions to some of the most dramatic landscapes you've ever seen.
What Kind of Cultural Experiences Can I Actually Try?
There's so much hands-on stuff to do here! In Kochkor Kyrgyzstan you can learn how locals make those beautiful felt carpets and over in Tokmok you'll witness some really exciting horseback wrestling and traditional polo matches. Love food? You can join a bread-making class and learn to make Boorsok Kyrgyzstan's national bread. Head to Bokonbayevo to see incredible eagle hunters in action and spend nights in traditional yurts by Lake Issyk-Kul for that real nomadic experience. The ancient Burana Tower from the 11th century is pretty special too it's what remains of the old city of Balasagun.
How Do You Get Around the Five 'Stans'?
Getting around's actually pretty straightforward these days. The Afrosiyob high-speed train zips through Uzbekistan connecting places like Samarkand and Bukhara in just under 2 hours which is super convenient. For crossing borders and reaching those out-of-the-way spots like the Seven Lakes in Tajikistan or the Darvaza Crater in Turkmenistan we use private vehicles and buses. Our tours mix these different ways of traveling to make sure you get the full experience.
Any Hidden Gems Worth Checking Out?
Oh definitely! You've got to see the Seven Lakes region in Tajikistan it's absolutely stunning. The Skazka Canyon in Kyrgyzstan - they call it Fairytale Canyon and you'll see why when you're there. The Erbent Desert community in Turkmenistan is pretty special too really off the beaten path. Art lovers should definitely check out the Savitsky gallery in Nukus Uzbekistan visitors keep telling us it's just fabulous!