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The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road

Pack your bags and a serious sense of adventure — you’re about to blaze across four of Central Asia’s wildest and most underrated countries. This 26-day epic takes you deep into ancient cities and windswept canyons across Uzbekistan Tajikistan Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. One minute you’re wandering centuries-old Silk Road streets the next you’re hiking to neon-blue lakes or helping build a nomadic yurt. It’s gritty it’s gorgeous and totally unforgettable.

26 DaysTashkent to Almaty
Valid on May 5 2026Trip Code: AUTY
From $3734.1 USDIncluding taxes and fees

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: 18-to-Thirtysomethings

Fast, fresh, and fun adventures that never slow down, made for young, budget-minded travellers.

Service Level: Basic

Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.

Physical Grading: 3 - Average

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

Merchandising: New Trips

Trip Type: Small Group

Group trips average 12 travellers per departure, depending on the adventure. The maximum is usually no more than 16, but some can be smaller or bigger, depending on the trip. Check individual trips for details.

Age requirements: 18-39

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road - Itinerary

Trip Start: TashkentTrip End: Almaty

DAY 1

Tashkent

Arrive at any time. In the evening, meet your CEO and new crew that you'll be traveling with in a welcome meeting, followed by an optional dinner together. Then hit the town for your First Night Out, the chance to get to know your new travel buds!

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Connect With New Friends:
Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.

Xonpalace Hotel:
Xonpalace Hotel

The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road - Itinerary

Trip Start: TashkentTrip End: Almaty
DAY 1
Tashkent

DAY 1

Tashkent

Arrive at any time. In the evening, meet your CEO and new crew that you'll be traveling with in a welcome meeting, followed by an optional dinner together. Then hit the town for your First Night Out, the chance to get to know your new travel buds!

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Connect With New Friends:
Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.

Xonpalace Hotel:
Xonpalace Hotel

DAY 2
Tashkent/Khiva
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DAY 3
Khiva
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DAY 4
Khiva/Bukhara
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DAY 5
Bukhara
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DAY 6
Bukhara/Samarkand
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DAY 7
Samarkand
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DAY 8
Samarkand/Marguzor
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DAY 9
Marguzor
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DAY 10
Marguzor/Samarkand
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DAY 11
Samarkand/Tashkent
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DAY 12
Tashkent/Shymkent
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DAY 13
Shymkent
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DAY 14
Shymkent/Taraz
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DAY 15
Taraz/Bishkek
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DAY 16
Bishkek
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DAY 17
Bishkek/Chon Kemin
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DAY 18
Chon Kemin/Tamga
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DAY 19
Tamga
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DAY 20
Tamga/Karakol
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DAY 21
Karakol
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DAY 22
Karakol/Saty Village
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DAY 23
Saty Village/Altyn Emel National Park
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DAY 24
Altyn Emel National Park/Almaty
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DAY 25
Almaty
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DAY 26
Almaty
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What’s Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Yurt Building Demonstration, Barskoon
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
  • Your Big Night Out Moment: in Tashkent, Tashkent
  • Your Big Night Out Moment: Almaty, Almaty
  • Tashkent Orientation Walk
  • Free Time in Tahkent
  • Khiva Orientation Walk
  • Free Time in Khiva
  • Bukhara Orientation Walk
  • Free Time in Bukhara
  • Free Time in Samarkand
  • Panjakent Bazaar
  • Marguzor Lakes Visit
  • Marguzor Lakes 6 & 7 Hike
  • Free Time in Shymkent
  • Shymkent Orientation Walk
  • Sayram Su Lake Hike
  • Taraz Orientation Walk
  • Free Time in Taraz
  • Free Time in Bishkek
  • Bishkek Orientation Walk
  • Burana Tower Visit
  • Iskra Village Dungan Family Lunch
  • Shatyly View Point Hike
  • Free Time in Tamga,.Skazka "Fairytale" Canyon
  • Barskoon Waterfall
  • Yurt Building Demonstration
  • Karakol Orientation Walk
  • Free Time in Karakol
  • Kaindy Lake Hike Visit
  • Saty Village Stay
  • Charyn Canyon Visit
  • Singing Dunes
  • Almaty Orientation Walk
  • Free Time in Almaty
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Accommodations
  • Hostels (8 nts, twin share), Hostel (6 nts, multi-share), Overnight train (1nt), Guesthouse (7 nts, multi-share), Hotel (1 nt, twin share), Yurt Camp (2 nts, multi-share).
Meals
  • 18 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 8 dinners
Transportation
  • Metro, Private Vehicle, Train, Walking, Overnight Train, 4x4 Vehicle.
Staff & experts
  • CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road Departure Dates

All Years

StartEndingAvailabilityPrices from
Fri, Apr 10 2026Tue, May 05 2026Sold Out $3,749 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Fri, Apr 24 2026Tue, May 19 2026Sold Out $3,749 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Fri, May 01 2026Tue, May 26 2026Sold Out $3,749 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Fri, May 15 2026Tue, Jun 09 2026Sold Out $3,749 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Fri, Jun 12 2026Tue, Jul 07 2026Open (1)$3,949 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Fri, Jun 26 2026Tue, Jul 21 2026Sold Out $3,949 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Fri, Jul 10 2026Tue, Aug 04 2026Sold Out $3,734.1 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Fri, Jul 24 2026Tue, Aug 18 2026Open (3)$3,734.1 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Fri, Aug 07 2026Tue, Sep 01 2026Open (8)$3,734.1 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)

USEFUL INFO

Your G for Good Moment: Yurt Building Demonstration, Barskoon
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Your Big Night Out Moment: in Tashkent, Tashkent
Your Big Night Out Moment: Almaty, Almaty. Tashkent Orientation Walk. Free Time in Tahkent. Khiva Orientation Walk. Free Time in Khiva. Bukhara Orientation Walk. Free Time in Bukhara. Free Time in Samarkand. Panjakent Bazaar. Marguzor Lakes Visit. Marguzor Lakes 6 & 7 Hike. Free Time in Shymkent. Shymkent Orientation Walk. Sayram Su Lake Hike. Taraz Orientation Walk. Free Time in Taraz. Free Time in Bishkek. Bishkek Orientation Walk. Burana Tower Visit. Iskra Village Dungan Family Lunch. Shatyly View Point Hike. Free Time in Tamga,.Skazka "Fairytale" Canyon. Barskoon Waterfall. Yurt Building Demonstration. Karakol Orientation Walk. Free Time in Karakol. Kaindy Lake Hike Visit. Saty Village Stay. Charyn Canyon Visit. Singing Dunes. Almaty Orientation Walk. Free Time in Almaty. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Trek to bright blue alpine lakes in Tajikistan’s Marguzor Valley, Get sandy at Kazakhstan’s Singing Dunes and swim in Kaindy Lake, Learn to build a nomadic yurt from locals in Kyrgyzstan, Wander ancient cities like Bukhara Tashkent Almaty and Bishkek, Snap pics of wild rock formations in Fairytale Canyon and Charyn Canyon"

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

ACCOMMODATION NOTE:
Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.

CULTURE
Central Asia is a region which may be very different to anything you have experienced before. Mixture of Soviet heritage and Islam, summer heat and winter cold, religious conservatism, traffic and crowds can result in initial culture shock but should be seen as an exciting new challenge.

DRESS CODE
Though you can see lots of people in traditional clothes, Central Asia has adopted western style clothing as well. Don't hesitate to pack your usual travel clothes: in summer it can be shorts and t-shirts, sandals etc. We recommend not to bring tank tops/singlets and any types of clothes with bare shoulders and backs - it is unacceptable in most areas, even in bigger cities. Our tour takes us to many religious sights, where dress code is very strict. We recommend women to have a headscarf in their day bags to cover up when going inside mosques (it's also a great help in the heat in summer). Best things to pack for the hot Central Asian climate is loose, long clothing - long trousers and sarongs or long skirts for women. In colder months (from the end of October through the end of April) it can rain and snow - bring warm clothes, jackets and comfortable warm shoes for walking.

ALTITUDE CONSIDERATIONS
This trip operates at altitudes over 800m (max altitude 3016m at Song Kul ). Whilst we travel slowly allowing plenty of time to acclimatize you may experience headaches, nausea, lethargy, especially when visiting Song Kul & Iskanderkul. It is important to be aware of the affects of altitude on one's tolerance especially on long driving days.

MONEY
Due to the restrictions on changing money in Central Asia region, only notes/bills printed after 1996 and in good condition will be accepted for exchange. Usually 50 and 100 USD/EUR notes get better exchange rate. We recommend to bring smaller denominations as well - many vendors accept them if you don't have local currency.


RAMADAN
According to the lunar cycle, Ramadan will fall between Feb 28th - Mar 29th 2025, and Feb 17th - Mar 19th 2026. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-Muslims throughout the day. It is very important to display increased cultural sensitivity during Ramadan. Please wear loose fitting clothes, that cover knees and shoulders, and try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public out of respect for those who can't at that time.

COMBO TRIP
Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes.

All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.

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