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- Silver Operator
- Steppe Journeys
- Explorer
- Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
- Group Tour
- Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
- Fully Guided
- An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
- Low Intensity
- Travelers can expect some light physical activities
- Guided in English
- Group Size 2 - 10
- All Ages Welcome
Highlights
- Explore Ashgabat's futuristic architecture
- Witness sunrise at the Darvaza Gas Crater
- Discover ancient ruins at Kunya Urgench
- Experience traditional bread-making in Khiva
- Visit the Registan and mausoleums in Samarkand
Itinerary
- Introduction
- Day 1 Arrival in Ashgabat
- Day 2 Ashgabat to Darvaza drive through Karakul Desert 300 km
- Day 3 Darvaza to Khiva via Kenya Urgench
- Day 4 Khiva City tour
- Day 5 Khiva to Bukhara transfer (by van or by train optional)
- Day 6 Bukhara City tour
- Day 7 Bukhara to Samarkand by train or by car via Shahrisabz
- Day 8 Samarkand city tour
- Day 9 Samarkand to Penjikent
- Day 10 Penjikent to Dushanbe 350 km
- Day 11 Dushanbe city tour
- Day 12 Dushanbe to Khujand 350 km
- Day 13 Khujand to Tashkent 170 km
- Day 14 Tashkent city tour
- Day 15 Bishkek city tour and Ala Arhca national park
- Day 16 Bishkek to Sonkol Lake
- Day 17 Sonkol-Skazaka
- Day 18 Skazka Sonkol to Karakol
- Day 19 Karakol
- Day 20 Karakol to Kolsay lake
- Day 21 Kolsay to Almaty via Charyn canyon
- Day 22 Almaty city tour
- Day 23 Departure
What's Included
- Additional Services
- Transport
- Free eSIMTourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.
What's Not Included
- Insurance
- Additional Services
Adventure Type
- Group AdventuresJoin a group and forge lifelong friendships.What to expect
- Group of 10 travelers max.
- Fast booking confirmation
- Carefully planned itineraries
- Travel with like-minded people
- Personalized AdventuresCustomize an existing itinerary or create your own.What to expect
- Travel with your own group of min. 2 travelers
- Choose your preferred dates and duration
- Upgrade your accommodation
- Customize the itineraries
Operated by
Steppe Journeys
Number of tours
17
Age Range
1 to 89 years old
Response time
9 hours
Response rate
96%
Central Asia is a region of ancient cultures, fairy-tale cities, open...
Read moreCustomer Reviews
- Ann· September 18th, 2025I had a wonderful trip around Uzbekistan, the trip was very well organised and Bek was on hand to answer all of my questions and also advise on additional matters. The guides and driver along the way were all fantastic and very knowledgeable, passionate and kind. The hotels chosen were also all very good, especially in Khiva where I was able to stay within the old city in a converted madrasah. For my first trip to Uzbekistan this trip did not disappoint. Many thanks for a fantastic trip guys.Show more
- Mark· September 9th, 2025A fabulous holiday and I would do again.Show more
- Jinny· August 27th, 2025I went on the Central Asia combined Sile Road tour with Steppe Journeys in Sep 2024. Steppe Journeys is one of the few tour operators that go to all five Stans. All in all, it was well organised and the tour covered a large number of amazing sights in all five countries. All hotels were three or four stars. Some were excellent and some less so, but they were all clean and comfortable. Also the transportation was good and comfortable. Ilya, our guide in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan was a gem. Also Ahmed in Tajikistan was very good. Our experience of guides in Uzbekistan was not a good one. It was very disorganised and we had several guides in each city and some were with us for a few hours only. Often the English was not good and it was difficult to understand. Steppe Journeys is a good operator but will be better if they improve communications. My suggestion to the company is to create a WhatsApp group chat with each group so that the company can communicate directly with the members of the group and not through the guides, which is not always effective. Also, please give the group members the names and telephone numbers of the local guides, if possible. If you go on this tour, please bear the following in mind: 1) If you need a visa for Tajikistan, book well in advance as it takes time. the website crashes, payments do not go through etc. 2) If there are any problems contact Odyl (the owner) directly as the members of his team are not that quick and effective. 3) Get the contact details of the local travel agent in each country that Stepp Journeys works with and also the telephone numbers of Odyl and staff members. We were stuck in the Turkmenistan border for over two hours as the local guide did not turn up. It was not a nice experience. Our phones and internet networks did not work inside Turkmenistan. After a lot of attempts, one phone worked and we managed to contact Odyl. It would have been far easier if we had the local agents contact details. 4) In Turkmenistan, there are buses to take the passengers at the borders on either side and they charge a dollar or equivalent local currency per person. We did not have the right money as we were not aware. Therefore keep some local currency or one dollar notes for the buses. 5) Crossing the borders was a hard but interesting experience. You need to walk long distances on broken roads carrying your luggage. So, keep the suitcases light. 6) Download Taxi.Yandex app before you leave home. You cannot download it when you are there. I am so glad I went on this tour and Stepp Journeys did a lot to make us comfortable. A big thanks to Odyl. I will never forget Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva in Uzbekistan, the natural beauty of Kyrgyzstan and the amazing capital cities. I wish I had more time to visit these countries in more detail. Well worth going on this trip.Show more
Dates & Availability
Select departure month and travellers
- Instant Confirmation-5%From Tuesday31 Mar, 2026To Wednesday22 Apr, 2026EnglishFrom:$8,339NZ $7,922 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant Confirmation-5%From Sunday5 Apr, 2026To Monday27 Apr, 2026EnglishFrom:$8,339NZ $7,922 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant Confirmation-5%From Friday8 May, 2026To Saturday30 May, 2026EnglishFrom:$8,339NZ $7,922 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant Confirmation-5%From Tuesday2 Jun, 2026To Wednesday24 Jun, 2026EnglishFrom:$8,339NZ $7,922 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant Confirmation-5%From Sunday5 Jul, 2026To Monday27 Jul, 2026EnglishFrom:$8,339NZ $7,922 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant Confirmation-5%From Sunday2 Aug, 2026To Monday24 Aug, 2026EnglishFrom:$8,339NZ $7,922 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Tuesday1 Sep, 2026To Wednesday23 Sep, 2026EnglishFrom:NZ $8,339 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Monday5 Oct, 2026To Tuesday27 Oct, 2026EnglishFrom:NZ $8,339 per personMultiple Room Types
Why book with TourRadar?
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- Rated excellent on
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- 24/7 customer support
- Earn $100 in travel credits
- Free eSim with every purchase
To protect your payment and ensure your booking will be processed in Australia, never transfer or communicate outside of the TourRadar website or app.
What our customers ask about this tour
The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.- A
Andy
Asked on September 8th, 2025How can we get a visa for Turkmenistan? Do you help with the same? The other 4 stans seems to have evisa / waiver for Indian passport holders, but good to hear your perspective.
Steppe JourneysOperator•Written September 2025Yes, we assist all our travelers with the Letter of Invitation (LOI) required for a Turkmenistan visa. Once the LOI is approved (usually 3-4 weeks), you can collect your visa either on arrival at Ashgabat airport. We will guide you step-by-step with the documents needed. For the other four Stans (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan), Indian passport holders generally have access to e-visas or simplified visa regimes, and we will advise you on the easiest route depending on your residence in Thailand.
- A
Andy
Traveler•Written September 2025What are the next steps if we want to go ahead and book? Also on the LOI & visa, do we get it at Ashgabat airport or in Thailand?
- Steppe JourneysOperator•Written September 2025
You can book the tour and confirm it here then I will start booking the hotels, drivers and guides and start Turkmenistan visa privation process. Within 2-3 weeks or latest 4 weeks if it is approved I will email you the approved LOI which guarantees visa on arrival at Ashgabat airport. You will have a copy of the LOI with you when boarding on the plane and show it at airport of Ashgabat and visa will be staed on your passport for $100 pp and PCR test for $35 pp in cash USD. Other stand visa you will get online and I can send the links after you book the tour.
A2 more answers - N
Nicola
Asked on August 31st, 2025How many hours to Bukhara is the high speed train?
- Steppe JourneysOperator•Written August 2025
The new train has not been launched yet so the only option is till by van drive 500 km 6-7 hrs through the desert.
- J
Jenny
Asked on August 26th, 2025I am joining this tour on the understanding that it is a group tour. I am not traveling alone.
- Steppe JourneysOperator•Written August 2025
Yes it is a group tour, small group of 4-5 people not large group.
- J
Jenny
Traveler•Written August 2025In some instances . the tour duration is for 23 days; but at other places, it is for 21 days. Which is correct?
- Steppe JourneysOperator•Written August 2025
We have two different tours: 1) Central Asia 21 day combined countries tour 2) 5 Stans Central Asia 23 days you have selected the second one. Which one you would like?
J2 more answers - T
Tim
Asked on August 14th, 2025I am a Swedish national and i do not need visa for the 4 countries except Turkmenistan for which I need an invitation otherwise they may refuse me to board the plane. How does this work for me? They do say on arrival but online says before entering the country? Which is the right thing to do? Will you send me invitation?
- Steppe JourneysOperator•Written August 2025
You are correct - as a Swedish passport holder, you do not need a visa for the other countries on this trip, but Turkmenistan requires one. While Turkmenistan officially offers visas on arrival, in practice you must have a Letter of Invitation (LOI) approved by the Turkmenistan Migration Service before boarding your flight or entering the country. Without this LOI, airlines may refuse boarding. We will handle this process for you. Once you confirm your booking, we will apply for the LOI on your behalf and send you the official approval letter. You will then present this document upon arrival in Turkmenistan to receive your visa at the airport or land border.
- A
April
Asked on April 22nd, 2025Do you help with the visa for Turkmenistan? Do you supply the LOI- letter of invitation?
- Steppe JourneysOperator•Written April 2025
yes, we do provide LOI for Turkmen visa and you will obtain visa at the airport on arrival. Once you book the tour I will request you to email me passport copy, photo and personal information and we will submit the application on your behalf.
- S
Shelley
Asked on April 19th, 2025What is the room arrangement for solo travellers. Will solo travellers get their own single room? Is there a single supplement for this?
- Steppe JourneysOperator•Written April 2025
you can book a single room as solo traveler and you will get your own room.
- B
Brian
Asked on April 15th, 2025What rate hotels? the itinerary mentions only one of the hotel names and it looks like a 3 star
- Steppe JourneysOperator•Written April 2025
The hotels will be booked for the trip are mainly 4 star hotels in capital cities: Ashgabat - Sport, Tashkent - Inspira S or similar , Dushanbe - Atlas, Bishkek - Golden Dragon, Almaty-Kazzhol or Otrar. All other places in Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand and smaller cities are 3 star hotels or boutique hotels with national style.
- I
Irene
Asked on February 23rd, 2025Can you please tell me a little more about what is included in this trip - example standard of hotels/accommodation means of travel? What is the policy on return of deposit if cancellation is needed for unrest in the area?
- Steppe JourneysOperator•Written February 2025
The tour price includes: Accommodation in TWIN or DBL room, single room option available. Breakfast, transport for all pick up/drop off/transfers/sightseeing, local guides, entrance fees, local flight and train ticket, daily water during journeys, some special meals. All other meals are on your own expenses. Tipping guides and driver are not included. Visa fee for Turkmenistan visa US$95 pp at the border. If tour is canceled due to political instability or pandemic, deposit will be transferred for future trip or refunded except bank charges. If cancelled due to personal reasons less than 30 days before arrival, 100% penalty is charged. If cancelled 30-45 days before, 50% of total price will be refunded.
- R
Raymond
Asked on February 21st, 2025Would this tour be appropriate for a senior couple 87 years old? Reasonably good health, mobile and enthusiastic
- Steppe JourneysOperator•Written February 2025
It is little bit hectic tour because you will be transferring from Ashgabat to Darwaza crater through Kyzylkum desert 5-6 hrs on bumpy roads, sleep in a yurt with very basic conditions. Then a lot of walking tours in Khiva, bukhara, Samarkand. Driving on mountain roads in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, small hiking tours along the trip. If you dont have back pain, walking difficulties and fit I think it is okay for you.
- R
Raymond
Traveler•Written February 2025Yurts we can deal with... bumpy roads occur in Texas too... but just how far is the walking and hiking? Fast pace? Hiking? Long periods? Is it possible to opt out if unable to endure? I.e. stay in transport while group hikes? We are mobile but there are limits... just wouldn't want to hinder the group if one of us felt it too strenuous. Thoughts?
- Steppe JourneysOperator•Written February 2025
Hikings are not so long, half an hour or 1 hr walking. If you feel tired and exhausted you can stay in the van.
R2 more answers - B
Bill
Asked on February 8th, 2025How much is the single supplement? From my own research I know that hotels are VERY inexpensive in the 5 Stans so I would not be willing to pay a large supplement.
- Steppe JourneysOperator•Written February 2025
single supplement for this trip is $680 per person. in small towns and villages 3 star and boutique hotels and guest houses and Yurt in the desert in Turkmenistan.
- B
Bill
Traveler•Written February 2025How many meals are included in this tour? Do you provide the "invitation letter" needed to visit Turkmenistan? Do you pick me up at the airport when I fly in?
- Steppe JourneysOperator•Written February 2025
only breakfasts are included in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan part includes lunch and dinner also because you will travel in remote places. we will arrange Turkmenistan LOI for visa on arrival in Ashgabat airport.
B2 more answers
Price based on Cheapest Room
Price based on Shared Room
Price based on Private Single Room
Price based on Private Double Room
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Good to Know
Tour ID: 303899
