The 5 Stan-s - Follow in the footsteps of Genghis Khan

Customer Reviews

• BD

  Brendan

  · May 28th, 2025
  A great tour and excellent job by Ivo the tour leader. I would rate it a five for otherwise a few minor details, including a desire for more definite/explicit communication from Penguin on the need to book the Kazakhstan to Tajikistan flight ourselves up-front before the tour (as I found out that it needed to be booked via email a week before the flight while on the trip), a desire for more time in Kazakhstan perhaps balanced by less days in Uzbekistan (the most tourist-trapped of all destinations), and a slightly repetitive itinerary at times (multiple bazaars and mosques/churches visited where seeing less of these is probably more; I would have enjoyed more museums and historical sights personally). Tips for local guides and drivers could also possibly be added/absorbed into the overall tour price at a set rate to avoid the need to constantly hold and change relatively small amounts of local currency (although I can admit that might be logistically tricky as not everyone wants to tip). Accommodation and food provided ranged from reasonably good to not-so-great, however I can accept that as part of the regional experience. I got the impression some local guides would at times direct us as a group to "their" preferred restaurants, i.e. where they're incentivised to bring us, with a few of these dining experiences frustrating some in the group. I did notice Ivo working with the local guides at all times to relay what would lead to a better experience for us as a group, whether it was dining options or managing inefficient border crossings, which I highly commend. Otherwise I highly recommend this tour and was thoroughly impressed with the service and experience provided by Ivo over the three weeks.
  Show more
  Trip date: May 2025
• A

  Anonymous

  · May 26th, 2025
  Real bonus is the tour leader Ivailo Donchev - 5 stars as for my 5 stans. English fluent, most open minded, top organisational skills, most helpfull, never missed a detail.. In general so far, reliable journey as for product - price. Some hotels are very basic, especially in Kirgistan - Karakol, which was more like hostel. The guest house in Kirgistan was less than basic. Hotel in Penjikent, Tajikistan very basic. Hotel in Hiva, Uzbekistan is actually a very old estate adapted to serve as hotel accomodation. Breakfast at most hotels is real basic with cheapest products available on market. Pretty much soviet times products quality. Transportation in Kirgistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan -basic mini vans for exact 16 persons or so, that are not designed for long distance trips. Small space for legs and seats as a whole. Sometimes luggage partly in cabin seat. Good and proper busses and 4×4 mini vans in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Sightseeings - unexpected sceneries in Kirgistan, Tajikistan. Ancient historical heritage as wonderful preserved architectures from muslim periods mostly in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and the hardest country to visit on this trip bar none Turkmenistan. Border time 4 hours in our case, with still PCR Covid test /most formal/. Visas and fees for the entire group handled by the turkmen guide. As for our group 107 US dollars per person no matter the nationality, no receit.
  Show more
  

  Penguin Travel commented on this review

  Thank you for your detailed and honest feedback! We're glad to hear you enjoyed the overall experience. We value your input regarding accommodations, transport, and logistics and will take it into account to improve future tours. Thank you again for... Show more
  Trip date: May 2025
• 

  MEI-FANG

  · April 27th, 2025
  Fantastic tour, every country is an unique experience. Great price and comfortable rides. Reliable tour operator. Georg, the tour leader, was very good.
  Show more
  Trip date: May 2024
• 

  Joaquim António

  · October 22nd, 2024
  From September 21st to October 11th it couldn't have been better. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience traveling through these five Central Asian countries on the Silk Road. Comfortable, well led and organized by Penguin Travel. Thank you very much for the experience.
  Show more
  
  Trip date: September 2024
• N

  Nick

  · October 22nd, 2024
  Highly recommend! What I saw, ate and heard was far beyond my expectations. The tour was well organised and covered all the most important sites and cities. Look up the pictures of sites and food online and they will not do it justice. The group was well structured and supported by our wonderful tour leader. She made sure we had a great balance of spending time as a happy group and breaking off into smaller groups when we felt like it. We made some really good friends from the group. Some of these countries are tricky to travel in. I ran into a couple of young travellers doing it for themselves in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and was very grateful for how little i had to think about or do. And they were not able to access Turkmenistan… Finally, i learnt so much about history and culture. I really believe a lot of these locations will be as flooded with tourists as the pyramids in the future. So now is the time.
  Show more
  

  Penguin Travel commented on this review

  Nick, thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted you had a great experience and look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon!
  Trip date: October 2024
• BL

  Bill

  · October 22nd, 2024
  This tour is perfect for those that want to see and explore roads less traveled. You will be less comfortable for part of the travel, you will be inconvenienced at time, you will not always eat what you are used to. But you will experience a trip most people have not. You will have a tour guide that make sure you are safe, see and do everything that was planned. We stayed an authentic yurts, be up close with a hunting falcon, see amazing sites, eat strange and interesting foods. Be part of amazing Silk Road.
  Show more
  

  Penguin Travel commented on this review

  Hi Bill, Thank you for sharing your experience—we're thrilled you embraced the adventure of exploring the Silk Road with its unique challenges and unforgettable moments! We're looking forward to having you on another exciting trip with us in the future. Show more
  Trip date: October 2024
• 

  Michelle h

  · October 14th, 2024
  I’m a world traveler myself. Been to 175 countries so far. Had tours with many companies. This was the worst tour I’ve ever had. Tour leader is a director of Penguin Travel company. He had no experience at all as a tour leader! More like an actor. He smoked anytime anywhere among us. He discriminated throughout the tour. He had party till 6am and got drunk, caused all 5 trucks waiting for him to board. One of tour member went to his tent woke him up 15 minutes from our departure time. After I reported him to Penguin Travel, He even threatened me! Tour Radar customer service promised me to investigate, I never got any answer from it.
  Show more
  

  Penguin Travel commented on this review

  Dear Michelle, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We genuinely value all input, as it helps us improve our services. We’d like to address your comments about Lyuboslav. He has been a dedicated tour leader with Penguin Travel... Show more
  
  Trip date: September 2024
• 

  Janet

  · October 14th, 2024
  Wonderful tour that capturea the beautiful kaleidoscopic nature this region is famous for! All the sights, food, people were incredibly warm and awesome inspiring!
  Show more
  Trip date: October 2024
• A

  Anonymous

  · October 14th, 2024
  Amazing tour that captured the kaleidoscopic nature of all 5 central Asian countries seamlessly and most comfortably! You will see all that this region is famous for and hope you get to enjoy the wonderful warmth of the people, sights, and food like i did!
  Show more
  Trip date: October 2024
• 

  Nguyễn

  · September 25th, 2024
  I have a great experience in the Central Asia, thank you 🙏
  Show more
  
  Trip date: August 2023