Five Stans Budget Tour: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan – April 2027

Friday 2nd April – Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (Group A begins)

• Arrive at your convenience in Ashgabat – the capital city of Turkmenistan, which is well connected to many countries within the Stans, Middle East, Europe and Asia.
• Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Ashgabat.
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at our hotel lobby at 6:00pm to discuss the tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
• Head out for drinks and dinner for your first taste of the local cuisine.
• Overnight in Ashgabat Hotel.

Saturday 3rd April – Ashgabat – Gates of Hell

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a full day city tour.
• The day’s first stop is at Independence Park with its long array of monuments, including the Neutrality Arch, a 75 metres high rocket-shaped tower with a gold statue of former leader Niyazov.
• Drop by the Monument of Constitution – standing 185 metres tall, it is the second tallest structure in the nation.
• Visit the outside of the Saparmurat Turkmenbashy Olympic Stadium and Park – an architectural wonder with cohesive white marble aesthetics. It was recently reconstructed for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. The same colours are used on the national football teams’ jerseys.
• The Olympic complex is home to the famous Horse Stadium – the largest structure in the shape of a horse in the world. You’ll hear plenty more of these records throughout your tour.
• Head to the Alem Centre to ride the Wheel of Enlightenment – the largest indoor Ferris Wheel in the world. Entrance is $1.

Afternoon

• Lunch at the biggest shopping centre in Turkmenistan!
• Begin our 250km journey to the Darvaza (The Gates of Hell) on the way stopping at a lesser-known crater. This one is full of water and was formed the same way as the Gates of Hell.
• Driving the last few kilometres off-road through the Karakum Desert, we’ll arrive at the fiery crater just before sunset, and in time to experience dusk turn to dark at this breathtaking site.
• Dinner and overnight camping in yurts near the crater.

Sunday 4th April – Gates of Hell – Ashgabat

Morning

• Breakfast in camp and take a morning stroll around the crater measuring 69 by 30 metres.
• Begin our journey back to Ashgabat with photo stops and refreshments along the way.

Afternoon

• Upon arrival in Ashgabat, we’ll head for a Turkmen lunch
• Visit the National Museum of Turkmenistan, where exhibits cover the country’s ancient civilizations, Silk Road heritage, and modern national identity. An excellent introduction to Turkmen history and culture.
• Stop by the Russian Bazaar – one of the country’s largest and oldest covered markets.
• Take a walk down communist lane in true YPT style as we visit Lenin Park – now called Ashgabat Park located in the very heart of the city. A Lenin and Pushkin monument still stands nearby.
• Visit the University Bookshop – here you can find a multitude of books written by and about the president of Ashgabat and Turkmenistan. Postcards and stamps are available, as well as posters of the president holding dogs and riding horses. If you’re lucky, they might even have a copy of the Ruhnama in store – the religious textbook written by Turkmenbashy.
• We’ll head a little north to Kipchak to visit the resplendent Turkmenbashy Mosque and Mausoleum – the resting place for Saparmyrat Nyýazow, the leader of Turkmenistan from 1985 to 2006. This Mausoleum was built and completed two years before his death.
• Dinner and drinks at a local pub popular with locals. Here they serve tasty shashliks and cheap local frosty draught beer.
• Enjoy a night tour of Ashgabat, which turns bright at night due to the use of neon lights!
• We will visit the Wedding Palace viewpoint, an iconic Ashgabat landmark, to enjoy panoramic views over the city’s striking white-marble architecture.
• Overnight in Ashgabat

Monday 5th April – Ashgabat – Turkmenabat – Farap – Bukhara, Uzbekistan (Group B begins)

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Group A members: tour concludes with airport transfers to Ashgabat Airport
• Early morning transfer to Ashgabat airport to board an hour-long flight to Turkmenabat, located right on the border to Uzbekistan.
• Once arriving in Turkmenabat, we’ll drive to the Farap border to cross into Uzbekistan.
• Once border formalities are completed, we’ll continue driving onwards to Bukhara – an ancient Persian city that was previously a vital economic hub and holds rich Islamic culture. This is also Central Asia’s holiest city, retaining its atmosphere of an ancient Silk Road city. Along the way you’ll notice the scenery changing from greenery landscapes to icy blue rivers.

Afternoon

• Arrive in Bukhara and have local lunch and begin seeing the sights of Bukhara.
• Group B members: meet the group in Bukahra for lunch.
• Amongst your many stops today you will explore the Poi Kalon complex – the ensemble consists of 4 monuments: Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah – faced to each other with main fronts; between them is Kalyan minaret; to the south of Miri-Arab there is small Amir-Allimkhan Madrasah.  The scale and attention to detail is astounding and true to Timurid style.
• Continuing you will visit the Samanid Dynasty Mausoleum, Lyabi Hauz Square, Bolo-Hauz Mosque, the elegant blue-tiled Ulughbek Madrassa (Islamic school), as well as the summer palace of Bukhara’s last Emir, a glimpse into Nasrullah Khan Mokhi Khosa. There are many legends here and we will divulge you into them all.
• Check into our hotel to freshen up before heading out to dinner of Bukhara styled Plov in an incredible Miniature art house!
• Overnight in Bukhara

Tuesday 6th April – Bukhara – Giduvan – Samarkand

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel and begin our journey to Samarkand – as we exit Bukhara you won’t be able to miss the huge structure resembling a giant ark – known as the Ancient Ark Fortress, this was the Palace of Bukhara’s Emirs, and parts of it are still open for us to visit.
• We’ll also stop briefly at Gijduvan to visit a ceramist’s house-museum. This art form is passed down from father to son over many generations, we will meet 6th generation potters.

Afternoon

• Lunch in Giduvan with meals prepared on traditional turquoise blue dishes iconic to the city.
• Late afternoon arrival at Samarkand – once known as the “Pearl of the Muslim World”, Samarkand is a city synonymous with the Silk Road full of towering minarets, shimmering domes, and home to a unique technicolour bazaar.
• Check into our hotel and have dinner nearby
• Overnight in Samarkand.

Wednesday 7th April – Samarkand

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Start the day at the Ulugbek Observatory – once considered the finest in the Islamic world and today still one of the most famous landmarks. The name deriving from the famous ruler Ulugbek who was also an exceptional astronomer.
• Visit Shah-i-Zinda ensemble – a remarkable collection of tombs and mausoleums from the 14th and 15th centuries, and the eclectic central bazaar.
• Explore Bibi-Khanym Mosque – one of Central Asia’s most impressive historical mosques designed by conqueror Timur to symbolise his “conquest of the world”.

Afternoon

• Enjoy lunch from a stunning viewpoint overlooking the city, this is the best photo vantage point.
• From here you’ll have time to stroll through the city, learning about how the finest artisans, philosophers, and scientists once crossed this path.
• Visit the city’s most impressive site, Registan Square ‘Sandy Place’- flanked by three beautifully decorated blue mosaic madrassas. What was once the city’s commercial centre, Registan Square is now Samarkand’s centrepiece and pride of the Silk Road. According to legend it was here where Alexander the Great proclaimed, “I heard that Samarkand was beautiful but never thought that it could be so beautiful and majestic”. Picture are hard to convey this glorious square.
• Dinner and overnight in Samarkand.

Thursday 8th April – Samarkand – Penjikent – Iskanderkul Lake – Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel and continue the grand journey onwards to Dushanbe – the capital and largest city of Tajikistan by crossing the border at Jarteppa.
• Stop on the way at Penjikent, this city is a contrasting experience, with ancient settlements and modern complexes within the same vicinity. Penjikent means “five villages” in Tajik, which historians claim is around 5500 years old.
• Here you will visit the local bazaar full of friendly locals. Here you will exchange cash into Tajik Somoni

Afternoon

• Stop on the way for lunch before arriving at Iskanderkul Lake, which is situated 2255 metres in altitude within in the famous Fann Mountains. This scenic lake is claimed to be one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the former Soviet Union.
• Here there will be an opportunity to go for a 40-minute hike to the local waterfall after arriving at the lake, or if you’d prefer, you can just relax by the lake or go on a shorter walk around it.
• Enjoy dinner and a beer overlooking the incredible new buildings in Dushanbe!
• Overnight in Dushanbe.

Friday 9th April – Dushanbe – Khujand (Group C begins)

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Group C members: meet at the Dushanbe hotel in the morning and depart with the group towards Khujand.
• We’ll begin seeing the highlights of Dushanbe, by visiting the Museum of National Antiquities with the reclining Buddha in Nirvana.
• Continue to the Botanical Gardens, the Somoni Monument which is one of the most impressive monument in Tajikistan.
• Visit the Building of the National Spirit (it’s not permitted to go inside, but it’s still impressive from the outside).
• Take a stroll down Rudaki Prospect, visiting along the way the Madrassah Kuhna, Museum of Tajik Way of Life, and the Madrassah Mausoleum of Sufi Saint Mahdumi Azam.
• Group B members: tour concludes with airport transfers.

Afternoon

• Enjoy lunch on the road and continue onto Khujand via the Istiklol Tunnel, known as “Death Tunnel” to the locals, located 2,630m above sea level. The tunnel was constructed first by the Soviet Union and finished by Iran. The journey is roughly 6 hours of driving in total.
• Dinner on arrival in Khujand
• Check into our hotel and overnight in Khujand.

Saturday 10th April – Khujand – Tashkent, Uzbekistan 

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel and our first visit of the day is the Orient bazaar Panjshanbe – the famous Panjshanbe city markets is one of the most interesting sights of Khujand.
• Nearby we will stop at Sheikh Muslihiddin Mosque which has the tomb of Muslihiddin Khujandi – the rule of Khujand who was also a famous poet.
• The YPT highlight of Khujand is the massive Lenin statue, standing majestically on the side of a hill overlooking the city, this is now the largest statue of Lenin still standing.

Afternoon

• We’ll have lunch before crossing the border into Uzbekistan.
• Continue our drive to Tashkent not only known for its renowned mosques but the earliest written Quran. Despite certain likenesses between Tashkent and Ashgabat, with their wide boulevards, artificially manicured lawns and pristine Soviet facades in front of crumbling buildings, Tashkent is a vibrant capital city with lots to do.
• Head to dinner and overnight in Tashkent.

Sunday 11th April – Tashkent (Group D begins)

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Group D members: meet at the Tashkent hotel in the morning and depart with the group.
• Visit DreamPark – Central Asia’s answer to Disneyland. DreamPark has many rides for $1-$2 each as well as attractions to enjoy!
• You’ll most likely have tried plov by now, but nothing will prepare you for the Plov Centre. This gigantic hall, best decorated for the 1980s, is set up for large numbers of attenders to eat plov. Mixed and cooked just outside by an army of Uzbek women, it is one of our favourite experiences in Tashkent.

Afternoon

• Visit the Tashkent TV Tower for spectacular views of the city, and if it’s open, a coffee or a beer in the Soviet-built revolving restaurant.
• We’ll take several rides on the Soviet built Tashkent Metro, the first metro built in the Stans, and of only two metro systems in Central Asia (the other in Almaty). As with most Soviet built metros, the stations are lavish. Tashkent’s in particularly ornately decorated. Until June 2018 it was actually illegal to take photos inside it.
• Visit the Museum of Railway Techniques – this outdoor museum is full of all sorts of old locomotives, and they don’t mind us climbing all over them. We can even take a little train ride around the train museum. You don’t have to be a train lover to enjoy this charming Soviet museum.
• Group C members: tour concludes with airport transfers.
• Overnight in Tashkent.

Monday 12th April – Tashkent – Kokand – Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Begin our drive to the city of Osh – the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan and legend has it that it was founded by King Solomon around 3000 years ago.
• On the way we will stop at Kokand through the striking Fergana Valley, the country’s agricultural beating heart.
• Visit Khan’s Palace – also known as the “Pearl of Kokand”, which is one of the glittering royal residences with 119 rooms!

Afternoon

• After a scenic lunch on the mountain, we cross the border and head directly to the city of Osh.
• Cross into Kyrgyzstan, our 4th country!
• Conclude the day with sampling local food – one of them being the famous Osh Samsa. Like a samosa but better with stuffed meat, onions, and spices.
• Overnight in Osh hotel.

Tuesday 13th April – Osh – Bishkek

Morning

• After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for our domestic flight to Bishkek – the capital of Kyrgyzstan with a population of 900,000. The city is a blend of modern buildings and marble Soviet blocks making it another fine addition for your Soviet collection.
• Head to the Chui Valley at the northern footsteps of Kyrgyz Ala-Too range at the altitude of 900 metres.

Afternoon

• Lunch before continuing to the National Natural Park Ala Archa Gorge in the Tian Shan Mountains, full of alpine meadows trees and a relaxing hike to the gorge. Here we will enjoy some free time and refreshments in the park.
• Head back to the City of Bishkek, check in to hotel and get ready to head out for dinner in the capital.
• You will experience some of Bishkek’s rapidly gentrifying nightlife, and dinner at Save the Ales.
• Overnight in Bishkek

Wednesday 14th April – Bishkek – Lake Issykkul – Kadzhi Sai Village (Group E begins)

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Group D members: tour concludes with airport transfers.
• Group E members: meet at the Bishkek hotel in the morning and depart with the group.
• Prepare for an exceptional sight – Lake Issykkul also, the world’s second-largest alpine lake. This is considered the “Pearl of Kyrgyzstan” surrounded by the snow-capped Tian Shan Mountain.
• Enroute we first visit Burana Tower, once the Capital of the Karakhanid dynasty as well as the Balbals, even crossing the magnificent Chon Kemin and Boom Gorge views. We’ll stop for photo opportunities along the way.

Afternoon

• Lunch at Lake Issykkul before going for a hike around the lake to take in the wonder. For the daring you can even swim if you are so inclined.
• Continue toward the tranquil lakeside village of Kadzhi Sai, renowned for its peaceful atmosphere and stunning setting between the lake and mountains.
• Upon arrival, check in at the yurt camp near Kadzhi Sai village. Enjoy dinner (included) followed by a relaxed evening stroll, taking) in the serene lakeside ambiance beneath a star-filled sky.
• Overnight and dinner at a yurt campsite by Kadzhi Sai Village.

Thursday 15th April – Kadzhi Sai Village – Karakol 

Morning

• Breakfast at the yurt campsite.
• Begin our day with visiting the colourful Skazka Canyon (Fairy Tale Canyon), famous for its whimsical rock formations shaped by wind and erosion. Continue onwards to Jety Ogyz Gorge, which is also known as the gorge of “Seven Red Bulls” and “Broken Heart”. This enormous and stunning gorge will leave you mesmerised.

Afternoon

• We’ll have lunch and continue our drive to Karakol – the fourth largest city in Kyrgyzstan crossing some of the most scenic roads of the country. Along the way, take some photo stops, and refreshments as required
• On arrival, we’ll grab some lunch and then visit the Dungan Mosque, and a Cathedral Church dating to pre-Islamic times with Buddhist elements.
• We’ll then arrive in Karakol to enjoy local music, traditional dishes and alcoholic beverages!
• Night at the hotel in Karakol.

Friday 16th April – Karakol 

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel and board our massive 6WD Soviet truck to visit the magnificent Altyn Arashan Gorge – located 3030 metres high up! Once arriving at the top here you can enjoy a hot spring bath.

Afternoon

• After a picnic lunch surrounded by pristine environments, we will venture back down to the city of Karakol.
• We’ll visit Victory Park which is an alley full of monuments dedicated to the USSR heroes. Here you can also see sculptures of the Kyrgyz peoples struggle to flee persecution from the Russians and learn about how they did not join the army of the Soviets until 1924.
• Stop by a popular city restaurant to taste Uighur food and get acquainted with their culture and traditions.
• To celebrate our day, we’ll head to a local bar to enjoy fine food and beverages.
• Overnight in Karakol.

Saturday 17th April –  Karakol – Charyn Canyon – Almaty, Kazakhstan 

Morning

• Early morning breakfast and departure of Kyrgyzstan as we make our way to Kegen border to our final Stan – Kazakhstan. Along the way, you will see how most locals live, spot horses amongst the stunning valley flanked with snow-capped mountains.
• Once arriving at the border and covering all the formalities we continue our road trip. It will all be worth it as we will visit all the “must-see” places while visiting Kazakhstan.

Afternoon

• Our first major stop is Charyn Canyon, one of Kazakhstan’s famous and magnificent natural attractions 220 kilometres from Almaty city. Charyn is also called a “small brother” of the Grand Canyon in the USA, as, comparably, the length of the Kazakhstan Canyon is only 154 kilometres. Still, the beauty of Charyn is unique. We will learn of the many mysteries related to legends -“witches”, “red wolves”, “road to hell” – get ready to hear them all.
• Here, we will have a picnic lunch before starting our walk to the “Valley of Castles” – the main touristic point of Charyn. The walk takes about 40 minutes but is well worth it as we enter the canyon and reach Charyn River.
• Afterwards, we drive to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s capital, and the country’s most significant cultural and trading hub. Outside the laid-back vibe and great architecture is incredible nature, there is no surprise this city is the most developed and diverse in the stans.
• Once arriving in Almaty, we will check into the hotel and head out for dinner in the city
• Overnight in Almaty.

Sunday 18th April – Almaty (Group F begins)

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Group E members: tour concludes with airport transfers.
• Group F members: meet at the Almaty hotel in the morning and depart with the group.
• We have saved some of the best for last! Today you will explore central Almaty to cover the main sites that best highlight Almaty’s history.
• Your first visit will be to one of the most impressive Soviet war memorial of 28 Panfilov soldiers – named after the division of men from the Almaty region under the command of General Ivan Panfilov in WWII. Visitors will find the eternal flame, memorials of different heroic characters, and the Ascension Cathedral inside the park. This Russian Orthodox wooden church magically withstood a strong earthquake in the 20th century. Get ready to admire the collection of over 1000 exhibits, including rare shows dating back to the 17th century.
• Explore the Almaty Green Bazaar – this is a perfect way to experience an actual Eastern market, where you can find the main delicacies of different nations living in Kazakhstan. Here you taste the food and try your hand at bargaining and buying tasty local goods for a very nice price

Afternoon

• After lunch we will visit the Ili Alatau mountains, amongst the most beautiful mountain ranges we have seen.
• The first stop will be Medeo which is an essential part of the Ili Alatau Park and a historical object of Almaty’s development as a city. Located 1690 metres above, the Medeo skating rink is the highest in the world.
• However, our primary purpose of the visit is Shymbulak – a mountain resort located 2260 metres above sea level. In the 1950s, ski lovers descended the mountain for 3 hours and 15 minutes. Nowadays, it is a developed resort with high-level equipment and infrastructure.
• After a big day, we will return to Almaty and get refreshed before heading out to dinner.

Monday 19th April – Almaty 

• Breakfast in hotel
• Tour concludes with airport transfers according to your flight times.
• Kazakhstan Polygon Tour – Secrets of the USSR members: free airport transfer to the airport to intensify your Soviet adventure.