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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
- Guided in English
- Group Size 2 - 10
- Age range 3 to 80
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 High speed 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
8 hours
Response rate
100%
Central Asia is a region of ancient cultures, fairy-tale cities, open...
Read moreCustomer Reviews
- Cecilia· June 12th, 2025I started planning a trip to Uzbekistan back in July 2024 for summer of 2025. I reached out to Odil at Steppe Journeys asking for information on tours/drivers since I wasn't sure if they would work with a solo traveler. He was always prompt and detailed in his communication. I worked with Odil on solidifying the trip earlier in the year. He provided good guidance on timeframes for travel as well as sights to see. The best part of the experience was the knowledgeable tour guides and drivers. The tour guides all seemed like academics. Their knowledge on their respective cities is vast. They were kind and provided excellent recommendations. My driver for most of the trip was a wonderful person. We communicated as best as we could with the little English he knew. He always made sure I was comfortable. I will never forget his kindness. My driver in Tashkent, Bek (Khostorbek) went above and beyond. He also spoke excellent English. Unfortunately, my luggage was delayed. He took me back to the airport at 2:00 in the morning to retrieve my baggage. He was very accommodating and service-focused. Anything I asked was no problem for him. He is also very knowledgable on Tashkent. The accommodations were excellent. I even stayed in a madrassa in Khiva. Uzbekistan is a beautiful country with an amazing culture. I hope more and more tourists visit this special place. I am hoping to go back one day. Thank you Steppe Journeys for a wonderful experience!Show more
- SueAnn· June 10th, 2025I especially appreciated the good communication, attention to details, and the important "extras" (like dropping me off at my other Tashkent hotel). Odil was prompt with responses; Beck was helpful, even showing up at midnight after our flight from Khiva; and Utkir was a great guide, even letting us use his wifi connection. The Inspira hotel was luxurious and the others were fine. As a travel agent for 30+ years, I highly recommend Steppe Journeys!Show more
- Piet-Hein· June 9th, 2025In April'25 we were participants on this fantastic 21-day trip. Since only the organization Steppe Journeys offers all 5 countries in Central Asia, we chose this trip. The group size of 9 participants (max. 10) was ideal. The trip was well organized except for a few points (postponed night flights, Almaty on Monday when everything is closed). To compensate for this, we were given delicious food. The tour guides and drivers were friendly, nice, punctual and well prepared in all countries/cities. In Uzbekistan, the tour guides changed for each city. The hotels/accommodation were good/very good and mostly centrally located. We also had good weather, only rain on 2 days and temperatures between 2 degrees in the mountains and 43 degrees in the desert. We had doubts about the departure on April 10th because we thought that it might still be cold in the "early season", but the weather was perfect and we didn't need a winter jacket. A transition jacket is still recommended for the mountains. The road conditions are sometimes very adventurous (maybe think of travel pills), at the border crossings you need a lot of patience. Only Uzbekistan was very touristy, but we saw few tourists in the other countries. From our point of view, the stay in Bukhara was far too long and in Kazakhstan (Almaty) and Dushanbe far too short. Thank you for a very good and varied trip! We recommend TourRadar to others.Show more
Dates & Availability
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- Instant Confirmation-5%From Wednesday2 Jul, 2025To Thursday24 Jul, 2025EnglishMultiple Room TypesFrom:$7,865$7,472
- Instant Confirmation-5%From Friday8 Aug, 2025To Saturday30 Aug, 2025EnglishMultiple Room TypesFrom:$7,865$7,472
- Instant Confirmation-5%From Saturday30 Aug, 2025To Sunday21 Sep, 2025EnglishMultiple Room TypesFrom:$7,865$7,472
- Instant Confirmation-5%From Thursday4 Sep, 2025To Friday26 Sep, 2025EnglishMultiple Room TypesFrom:$7,865$7,472
- Instant Confirmation-5%From Thursday18 Sep, 2025To Friday10 Oct, 2025EnglishMultiple Room TypesFrom:$7,865$7,472
- Instant Confirmation-5%From Sunday5 Oct, 2025To Monday27 Oct, 2025EnglishMultiple Room TypesFrom:$7,865$7,472
- Instant Confirmation-5%From Saturday1 Nov, 2025To Sunday23 Nov, 2025EnglishMultiple Room TypesFrom:$7,865$7,472
What our customers ask about this tour
The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.- 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 2025yes, 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
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Good to Know
Tour ID: 303899
