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

Customer Reviews

• EA

  Emily

  · September 22nd, 2025
  I just returned from an incredible tour through the five Stans, and it was an experience I'll never forget! The pace was fast, moving locations every day or every other day, but it allowed us to see and do so much in a short amount of time. Kyrgyzstan was definitely my highlight! Its nature and culture were absolutely breathtaking. I was also pleasantly surprised by Turkmenistan, which offered a unique experience I didn’t expect. One of the biggest reasons this trip was so memorable was our lovely guide Agni. She was patient, caring, and dedicated to making sure everyone’s requests were met. Her thoughtfulness and personal touch really made the experience stand out, and her experience growing up in the USSR brought such an interesting perspective to the trip. Highly recommend Agni and penguin if you are interested in a trip though central Asia!
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  Trip date: September 2025
• 

  Tracey

  · September 18th, 2025
  Penguin delivered a rewarding and action-packed three-week tour, covering the best sites in the region. Kyrgyzstan’s mountains and Uzbekistan’s architecture were standout highlights, and while more time in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan beyond the capital cities would have been perfect, the itinerary made smart use of the available schedule and budget. Our group of 12 was comfortable,though I feel 16 may have struggled on the smaller mini buses. The trip offered good value, with memorable experiences like the yurt camp in Kyrgyzstan and generally good accommodation. Some travel days were long, but the scenery and activities made them worthwhile. The local guides were enthusiastic and knowledgeable, though I sometimes found it challenging to fully understand them. Agni, the tour leader, brought invaluable language skills and a deep understanding of life in a former USSR country, which allowed us to connect more meaningfully with local people, gain greater insight, and resolve minor issues smoothly. She brought tremendous energy and enthusiasm to the group, and when several participants experienced stomach issues, she consistently checked in with everyone in her caring, thoughtful way. That said, communication was occasionally inconsistent, with changes to meeting times or locations not always clearly shared, and at times the group was unfairly blamed for resulting issues. With clearer organisation and more consistent updates, this would have been a five-star experience. Nevertheless, it was a highly enjoyable, worthwhile, and often exhilarating trip, which I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who, like me, enjoys travelling full-on. Thank you Agni and Penguin for such a great tour.
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  Trip date: August 2025
• 

  Frank

  · September 18th, 2025
  I’m a 27-year-old who loves backpacking and finding off-the-beaten-path experiences. With the help of my guide, Agni Tzvete, Penguin Travel, and their excellent local partners, I discovered a true gem in Central Asia through Penguin’s 5 Stans Express Tour. Penguin packed the itinerary to the brim with hikes, scenic viewpoints, local cuisine, cultural tours, and other unique experiences. The pace is fast, with significant time spent in mini-buses, but the breathtaking landscapes and engaging activities more than made up for the long drives. The local guides were knowledgeable and worked tirelessly to ensure we had a great experience. I also appreciated having free time to explore on my own in the places where we stayed. It’s clear that Penguin puts a lot of care into balancing activities and downtime, creating a well-rounded experience. As of this writing, I haven’t seen another company that offers so much at such a reasonable price point. For anyone who loves adventure, culture, and exploring a truly unique part of the world—and doesn’t mind a fast pace—this tour is for you!
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  Trip date: September 2025
• F

  FRobles

  · September 2nd, 2025
  This was a great traveling and learning experience. It was very well organized with a variety of activities. There was never a dull moment. Tour and tour organizer, Valentina, are highly recommended.
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  Trip date: June 2025
• JH

  James

  · August 25th, 2025
  very interesting and hot at the end of June
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  Trip date: June 2025
• 

  Dunja

  · August 8th, 2025
  Jedno od nezaboravnih putovanja. Organizacija na najvišem nivoutako i vodiči i smještaj . Vidimo se uskoro na još kojoj turi. Hvala
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  Trip date: June 2025
• G

  Gianluca

  · July 21st, 2025
  Absolutely excellent trip! In my opinion it was well planned and it gave us the opportunity to see many interesting places. I would recommend it if you want to explore the stans region enjoying it in a relaxed way and without worrying to carefully plan your trip. Our tour leader was also very well organized and we did not face any issues during the trip.
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  Trip date: May 2025
• LT

  Lynn

  · May 29th, 2025
  Just finished an unforgettable 5 Stans trip with Penguin travel. Truly enjoy the five stunning and historic countries. The mix of history, architecture, and natural wonders made this an incredibly rewarding experience. A heartfelt thank you to Ivaylo, our amazing tour lead—your knowledge, organization, and passion truly elevated this trip. Your caring nature made our travel more comfortable, I am especially grateful for your effort to recover my lost phone! On the other side, local tour guides of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan were not as organized with poor English, hope Penguin can select more qualified local guides. Grateful for the memories, new friendships, and the chance to explore such a remarkable part of the world. Highly recommend this tour to anyone with a love for culture and adventure!
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  Trip date: May 2025
• 

  Veselin

  · May 26th, 2025
  Real bonus is the tour leader Ivailo Donchev - 5 stars as for my 5 stans started at 03 of May 2025. English fluent, most open minded, top organisational skills, most helpfull, never missed a detail.. In general so far, cost worthy 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 turkman guide. As for our group 107 US dollars per person no matter the nationality, no receit. P.S. Flight Almaty - Dushanbe supposed to be clearly pointed out for self early byuing.
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  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.
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  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