Central Asia Itinerary: A Complete Two-Week Guide to the 5 Stans
Table of Contents
- What Are The 5 Stans?
- Planning The Trip
- Day-By-Day Central Asia Itinerary
- Central Asia Itinerary Budget Breakdown
Planning a trip to the five “Stans” of Central Asia is an incredible adventure. This Central Asia Itinerary—spanning Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.
I’d just come back from a cruise to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao—all turquoise water and island breezes—but this time I wanted something different.
More grounded. More road dust and mountain passes than buffets and deck chairs.
This trip to the Five Stans was a few years in the making. It finally became a reality when Lupine Travel made it happen for us in two weeks.
They’re one of the few travel companies I know that can take you through all five countries in less than 14 days affordably.
It’s a full-on journey, with daytime temperatures often hitting 100 degrees.
This guide breaks down a whirlwind 14-day trip, highlighting the best of each country and providing essential travel tips to help you navigate this unique and breathtaking region.
What Are The 5 Stans?
The Stans refer to the five key Central Asian countries whose name “Stan” comes from the Persian origin meaning “land of” or “place of.” They were all former Soviet Republics.
The Stans Map
Here’s a quick rundown of each one:
- Turkmenistan: Known for the city of Ashgabat, which has the most marble architecture on the planet, and the largest indoor Ferris wheel. Many travelers visit this country for the Darvaza Gates of Hell Gas Crater.
- Uzbekistan: The heart of the Silk Roads, famous for its ancient trade cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva.
- Tajikistan: Known for its breathtaking mountains and the Pamir Highway, a key corridor to the Silk Road.
- Kyrgyzstan: Characterized by a nomadic lifestyle and stunning Tien Shan mountain ranges.
- Kazakhstan: The largest by area and the richest in natural resources among the five.
Planning The Trip
Choosing the right tour company
When planning a Central Asia tour, starting in the right place matters.
We went with Lupine Travel, one of the few companies able to cover all five Stans in two weeks and they start in Turkmenistan, the trickiest country for visas.
That alone made a huge difference. Other tours we heard about began at the opposite end, and several travelers told us they felt let down by the pacing and logistics.
Lupine handled everything smoothly. About two months before departure, they sent a detailed itinerary listing all the hotels, border crossings, and included meals.
For around $2,300 per person, the package covered:
- All accommodations with breakfast
- All meals in Uzbekistan
- Daily bottled water
- Ground transportation and airport pickups
- Local guides and visa support
Travel to Central Asia: Getting to Turkmenistan
To begin our journey, we flew into Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The main international airlines that fly into Ashgabat are Turkish Airlines and Air Dubai.
For our trip, we traveled with Turkish Airlines, flying from Atlanta to Istanbul and then on to Ashgabat.
The total travel time, including airport layovers, was around 20 hours. We were even served a nice meal during the final 3.5-hour leg of the flight to Ashgabat.
We arrived around 2:30 a.m., where a Lupine driver met us along with two other travelers flying in from London.
Visa on Arrival Tips (Turkmenistan)
Getting your Turkmenistan visa on arrival isn’t difficult, but it’s not a quick process, we waited about an hour in a line with over 20 people.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Letter of Invitation: This is a non-negotiable requirement. Your tour company must arrange a Letter of Invitation (LOI), and your name must be on it.
- Cost: The fee was $130 USD, which covered the visa, entrance fees, and a COVID test.
- Payment: Make sure your U.S. bills are crisp and printed after 2013; worn or older notes may be rejected.
- Airport Security: Be prepared to show your passport multiple times. We had to present ours at four different checkpoints before even leaving the airport: the visa on arrival area, passport control, baggage claim, and the final exit doors.
- Pro Tip: Do not take pictures in governmental areas or where officers are present. The Ashgabat airport itself is an architectural marvel, designed to look like a falcon, but it’s eerily empty—it looks five-star but with no people around.
Packing Tips
Based on our experience, here are a few essential tips for your journey:
- Pack Lightly: Don’t overpack; you can easily wash clothes at most hotels.
- Stay Cool: Bring a portable fan, as the temperatures can be intense.
- Be Self-Sufficient: Carry your own toilet paper and tissues for “happy stops” and border crossings.
- Dress Comfortably: Simple, long-sleeved shirts and breathable pants are ideal for the weather and for respecting local customs.
- Cash is King: Credit cards are often useless, so make sure to have plenty of cash.
Day-By-Day Central Asia Itinerary
Days 1-3 Turkmenistan
Day 1: Arrive in Ashgabat
Our journey began with a 3 a.m. arrival into Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat. To recover from nearly 20 hours of travel, we booked an extra night at the Hotel Ak Altyn.
Where to stay:
Hotel Ak Altyn: This was one of the nicer hotels in the area, conveniently located next to a mini-mart.
The rooms were very hot, with daily temperatures exceeding 100°F, making cold showers a necessary part of our routine.
It was a basic but comfortable hotel, though photos were not allowed in the breakfast area.
We visited the mini mart several times for cold water, snacks & fruit. I especially love how biscuits were sold.
Where to Eat:
Uzum Cafe: Located right next to the hotel, this cafe was a nice spot for a meal after our long flight.
The next morning, we met our tour leader, Alex, who helped us exchange our U.S. dollars into the Turkmen currency.
A key tip for travelers: credit cards are not accepted in the country; only cash can be used. Be sure to bring crisp, new bills as this can affect the exchange rate you receive.
Day 2: Ashgabat City Tour & Darvaza Crater
We started the day with a three-hour walking tour of Ashgabat led by our guide, Alex, under the relentless 100°F sun.
It was a surreal experience; the city was clean and beautiful with hardly any people or cars.
Where to Eat:
British Bar: For lunch, we had a delicious meal of lamb with grilled veggies.
Be prepared to wait, as meals are prepared with care and can take up to an hour to be served.
Highlights in Ashgabat:
- Ashgabat has the most marble architecture on the planet and the biggest indoor Ferris wheel in the world.
- Only white, silver, and gold cars are allowed on the streets; dirty cars are fined.
- There is no social media like WhatsApp or Facebook, and Google works very briefly. I was grateful that my iMessages worked. The city is beautiful and clean with no one on the streets. It was an interesting feeling to have such beautiful places to go with no locals to enjoy it.
- We visited Memorial Square, the Ghazi Mosque, and the Ferris Wheel.
- “The Gates of Hell” – Darvaza Gas Crater
Ferris Wheel
Memorial Square
Visit to the Ghazi Mosque
After lunch, We drove close to five hours on bumpy roads to the renowned Darvaza crater, where we spent the night in yurts.
Thankfully, they had beds this time. The toilets were not bad, but there were no showers. We couldn’t sleep because it was so hot.
Being at the crater & spending the night at the desert was memorable. Because it was so hot, we left early in the morning.
Day 3: Konye Urgench (a UNESCO world heritage site) & Dashoguz
After breakfast at the yurts camp, we hit the road heading north to Konye Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing the remains of the ancient city of Khwarazm.
It was once the capital of the Khwarazm Empire.
Following our visit, we continued our drive to Dashoguz, where we had the evening at our leisure. We spent the night in Dashoguz before our border crossing the next day.
Where to stay:
Hotel Dashoguz, After the bad night at our first hotel & no sleep at the yurt, we were ready for a nicer hotel.
Hotel Dashoguz did not disappoint. It was a major step up from the first two nights. They had slippers, nice beds with strong showers. We slept very well.
Travel tip:
We did experience food poisoning and lost some weight from it. It’s a good tip to avoid chicken and stick with red meats, which are always best when traveling.
Days 4-7 Uzbekistan
Day 4: Turkmenistan to Khiva, Uzbekistan
Our day began with a visit to the Dashoguz bazaar in Turkmenistan before we headed to the border.
From there, we hit the road for seven hours of bumpy travel toward the Uzbekistan border
Max our driver for 8 hours to the border of Uzbekistan.
Along the way, we stopped at a very memorable local Tea House for lunch. We finally got to meet the real people of Turkmenistan.
They are special & we enjoyed seeing them eat and stare at us tourists in their town. The dumpling soup was very yummy.
Then came the border crossing adventure. The border crossing from Turkmenistan into Uzbekistan took about two hours, if you’re lucky.
We arrived at the gate at 10 a.m. to find a line of local people already there. We had to wait for about 45 minutes, but our incredible local tour guide made a call, and they let us in.
We then dragged our luggage in 105-degree heat and stood in line to be checked out by cheery and happy officers on the Turkmenistan side.
We had to push our way with our luggage as locals tried to cut the line. After a five-minute drive in no man’s land, we arrived at the Uzbek side, which was smooth.
Our local guide, DJ, was waiting for us with a very comfy bus.
Visa to Uzbekistan:
A visa is required for U.S. citizens below 55. The online process was an “online nightmare,” but my incredible sister-in-law, Abby managed to push it through. Having my printed visa with me made the process very smooth.
Where to stay
Asia Hotel in Khiva, Uzbekistan
It took us an hour from the border to the Asia Hotel that is right across from the Old City, and the iconic domes & minaret that many globe trotters obsess over. It’s a cute & nice hotel.
It had slippers, a toothbrush, and a hot water heater in the room. The beds were a bit too small, but the air conditioning was good.
The hotel had a beautiful garden that overlooked the pool, and breakfast was included and very nice.
Where to eat
Tea House in Old City: Before our walking tour, we had a nice lunch here. The dill noodles were very tasty, tasting like a stroganoff. We also had a yummy eggplant and dill salad.
Day 5- Khiva
The morning began with a last walk through Khiva, a major port of the Silk Road & unfortunately the place that had the largest slave trade in Central Asia in the 19th Century.
We took a walking tour of the legendary Ichan Kala fortress, an ancient site that served as a resting place for caravans heading to Persia.
The fortress contains minarets, a madrassah, mosques, and mausoleums.
We enjoyed shopping and seeing the nightlife in Khiva, as the weather was much cooler in the evenings.
In the early afternoon, we departed on a seven-hour drive across the desert to Bukhara.
The drive to our hotel was a long one, but we were on a very comfortable bus with Wi-Fi, which was a special plus during our time in Uzbekistan.
Our hotel, Minorai Kalon, is in a great location with a nice terrace restaurant. I always think it’s a nice touch when a hotel greets you with snacks and amenities, which they did.
The bus dropped us off at the side of the hotel but we had to walk a few steps & they loaded our luggage in the van.
Dinner was simple but satisfying, though portions in Uzbekistan always seemed on the smaller side—most of us ended up craving a second round by bedtime.
Overnight:
- Hotel Minorai Kalon, Ibadov 11, Bukhara, Uzbekistan – Great location, welcoming staff, and a terrace with views over the city.
Travel tips:
U.S. dollars are widely used, but it’s important to have $1 and $5 bills. Public restrooms cost about 5,000 som, and I was ripped off by a kid who said $1 USD was the price, which actually equals 12,500 som.
Day 6: Exploring Bukhara & Drive to Samarkand
We started the day with a half-day walking tour of Bukhara, another key city along the ancient Silk Road.
We explored the city for over three hours under the blazing 100-degree sun, so staying hydrated was a must. Our guide, DJ, made sure we stuck to the shade whenever possible.
Highlights:
- We visited the Samanids Mausoleum, Poi Kalon complex, trading domes, the Lyabi-Hauz complex, and Chor Minor.
- One fascinating detail? The traditional baby cradles for first-born children—still used today so parents can work in the fields while babies nap comfortably.
- In the evening, we ended the day at Registan Square, enjoying the light show and the lively atmosphere, complete with locals and kids enthusiastically trying to sell us candy.
Where to Eat:
After the long walk, we were ready for lunch. Lupine Travel includes all meals in Uzbekistan, which was a nice perk. Lunch was Italian food—small portions but delicious, especially paired with endless cups of tea.
We had a delicious dumplings dinner & it’s always washed down by green or black tea. The bread is also very special called Non, the sacred bread known in Central Asia, deeply respected & never to be placed upside down or dropped on the floor. It is cooked in like a clay like oven.
We closed the night out in Rajastan Square with a light show. We got to experience the locals & pushy kids that want us to buy their candy. It was a fun experience. Cotton candy anyone?
Overnight:
Asia Hotel, 50 Kosh-khauz Str, Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Lupine Travel does an excellent job placing us in good hotels. It’s always central, walking distance to a grocery store or the square.
We had to change rooms due to the air conditioning not fully working. Breakfast was included & very nice.
Day 7: Full Day in Samarkand
After breakfast, we set out for a full day tour of Samarkand, one of the Silk Road’s crown jewels.
The weather was manageable, and our guide, “King,” made sure we stayed in the shade whenever possible—he knew we’d stop paying attention if we were too hot and miserable!
Highlights:
We visited Registan Square, the Gur Emir Mausoleum, Siab Bazaar, the Ulugbek Observatory, Afrasiab Museum wall paintings, and the Meros handicraft centre.
It was not terribly hot as our tour guide, King ensured we are under the shade & he was courteous to know that we stop listening if we feel miserable.
Each stop revealed another layer of Samarkand’s incredible history and artistry.
- Lunch was light and simple—perfect after a busy morning of sightseeing.
- Dinner was the highlight: stuffed peppers, hands down our favorite meal in all of Uzbekistan. We ended the night with tea, as always, before heading back to the hotel.
Days 8-10 Tajiskistan
Day 8: Uzbekistan to Tajikistan Border Crossing
The border crossing by foot, while dragging your bags, is always a “fun experience” in the intense heat.
The Uzbek side was easy to leave, though the line was getting longer as locals tried to cut through.
Our team of 17 had learned to “barricade” so we all went through together. They did ask for our Uzbek visas again, which we had to dig out. After a 5-8 minute walk in no man’s land, we joined the crowded and slightly chaotic line to get into Tajikistan.
The passport control point was in a tiny office, so we had to wait outside in the heat for 20-30 minutes.
Once through, we had to put our bags through a security scanner before finally reaching the entrance gate.
Our tour guide Adib introducing himself
Highlights: The Silk Road & Ancient Penjikent
Tajikistan is one of the main corridors of the Silk Road, the ancient trade route that connected the East and the West.
Three Routes of the Silk Road
While silk was a prominent export from China, the route also facilitated the exchange of other goods like spices, precious metals, and even ideas, religions, and artistic styles, playing a crucial role in shaping civilizations.
We visited the Ancient Penjikent UNESCO Site, which is home to a Nestorian Church, a Zoroastrian temple, and a small village.
The Nestorians, whose roots are traced to the Apostle Thomas, were part of the Church of the East and were instrumental in evangelizing the East, with Christianity being introduced to China in the 700s by them.
Lunch & Drive to Dushanbe
We stopped for lunch at a local tea house before the 4–5 hour drive to Dushanbe, passing through dramatic mountain scenery and even the Tunnel of Hope, built by Iran.
Our guide Adib introduced us to the term “happy stops”—toilet breaks every two hours. Some were decent (about 25 cents in Uzbekistan), but others?
Let’s just say a few were rustic. At one point, a bird even flew out of the hole-in-the-ground toilet and startled one of our friends!
In Turkmenistan, the stops were simply in the desert: girls on one side, boys on the other.
Overnight: The Rumi Hotel, Dushanbe
Address: Mirzo Tursunzoda Street 10, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Tel: +992 446 107 744
This ended up being our favorite hotel in all the Five Stans—spacious rooms, a warm welcome, and yes, actual coffee in the room (a big deal on this trip!).
Day 9: Leisure Day in Dushanbe
After days of early mornings and long drives, today was a well-earned day of rest in Dushanbe.
Some of us chose to relax at the hotel while others headed out to explore the city’s bazaars, wide boulevards, and Soviet-era architecture.
We spend two nights in The Rumi Hotel, Dushanbe.
Day 10: Khujand
We left early in the morning for Khujand, driving through the Anzob Tunnel—nicknamed the Tunnel of Death—a 5 km stretch of road connecting Tajikistan’s two largest cities. It might sound intimidating, but it’s a vital lifeline through the mountains and an adventure in itself.
Highlights in Khujand:
- Shikh Muslihiddin Mosque: A beautiful and historic mosque right in the heart of the city.
- Oriental Bazaar: The largest in all of Central Asia! It was bustling with energy—locals selling everything from fresh fruit to spices.
- Arbob Palace: A grand Soviet-era building with fascinating history.
- Lenin Monument: A reminder of the region’s Soviet past.
After a local lunch, we headed to the ancient city fortress of Timur-Malik, a key stop along the Silk Road for centuries.
Standing on the old walls, it was easy to imagine merchants and travelers passing through here hundreds of years ago.
Days 11-14 Kyrgyzstan
Day 11- Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan Border Crossing
The border crossing from Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan was surprisingly smooth compared to some of the others on this trip—fewer people, less chaos.
Still, the 600+ meter walk through no man’s land under the hot sun was an experience in itself.
There was a small truck we could’ve hired to drive us across, but our team decided to walk it out.
Once through, we were met by two vans for our group and made a quick stop for money exchange before heading to lunch.
Lunch Stop in Kyrgyzstan
We stopped at a local place for lunch & meals are an hour long wait in the 5 Stans, unlike the western fast food places.
The kebabs were very good & we had very interesting lamb with fries
Arrival in Osh
The drive to Osh took close to five hours, so it ended up being an eight-hour travel day with all the stops. Osh is a city in Kyrgyzstan close to the mountains.
We stayed at Hotel Sunrise, was simple but comfortable—small rooms, working A/C, and a restaurant downstairs.
Thankfully, stocked vodka. (A few of us needed it… let’s just say our stomachs had been on quite the adventure by this point.)
Overnight
Hotel Sunrise, 22a Masalieva Street, Osh, Kyrgyzstan.
Day 12- Toktogul
We started the morning with a short walking tour of Osh before embarking on a long but breathtaking 12-hour journey along the Pamir Highway, surrounded by the stunning Tien Shan Mountains.
Along the way, we stopped at a local guesthouse in Toktogul for the night.
Overnight
Kagan Guesthouse, Toktogul
We spent the night with locals here. Our room had air conditioning, even though I had to use a plastic bag to cover a hole in the door to keep the air in.
The host cooked us a yummy breakfast.
AA few team members stayed at the Arbat Hotel, 10 minutes away, as our entire group couldn’t fit into the guesthouse.
We had a nice walk to the grocery store with the Tien Shan mountains overlooking.
We also got to experience traditional yurt hospitality—sampling horse milk and freshly baked bread while surrounded by Tien Shan mountain scenery.
Day 13: Toktogul → Bishkek & City Tour
The next morning, we continued our journey with more breathtaking mountain views before arriving in Bishkek by noon.
City Tour & Lunch:
Before the afternoon walking tour, we stopped at Pishpek, a local restaurant about 15 minutes from the hotel, where I had the most delicious soup—exactly what we needed after days on the road.
The rest of the afternoon and evening were at leisure to explore Bishkek’s broad boulevards, Soviet architecture, and lively bazaars, soaking up the capital city’s unique mix of old and new.
Overnight:
Silk Road Lodge, 229 Abdumomunov Street, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
We spent two nights at this hotel and it had a distinct Soviet-era charm with a convenient café downstairs.
Breakfast was included and delicious, though the A/C struggled a bit (it even broke down one night, but thankfully got fixed quickly).
Day 14: Ala Archa National Park – Hiking in the Tien Shan Mountains
After breakfast, we drove out to Ala Archa National Park, a stunning alpine retreat in the Tian Shan mountain range, less than an hour from Bishkek.
We had the whole day to hike, explore the wild landscapes, The hike around the Tien Shan Mountains was very special.
It was a two plus hour hike & a few of us took the hard route by default because of the lack of communication from our guide. But we ended up on a small peak which had some incredible views.
By late afternoon, we headed back to the city, Bishkek.
Days 15-16 Kazakhstan & Fly Out
Day 15: Kazakhtan
Crossing the border from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan was a breeze, marking the final leg of this incredible Central Asia itinerary.
No long lines, no major waiting. We were relieved to be back in our van heading toward Almaty.
Before checking into our hotel, we did a quick walking tour of Almaty. We exchanged some currency along the way.
I was craving a burger, so I stopped at a place next to the hotel for a quick bite. Zuzanna joined the walking tour and got to visit a beautiful local church nearby.
Overnight:
Otrar Hotel, Gogolya Street 73, 050002 Almaty, Kazakhstan
That evening, we had our farewell dinner in Almaty. It was bittersweet—this was the last night of our journey.
Over dinner, we talked about how most of us had traveled to 30–140 countries, yet the Stans trip stood out as something truly special.
The heat, the long drives, the border crossings—none of it was easy, but it was worth it. A trip of a lifetime.
Day 16: Fly Out from Almaty
Our group left Almaty at 3:30 a.m. on Qatar Airways, connecting through Zagreb and landing in Atlanta at 3:55 p.m.
As I boarded the plane, one thought stayed with me:
“How would you like to be remembered?”
This trip gave me more than stamps in my passport—it gave me stories, friendships, and memories that will last forever.
I hope this Central Asia itinerary sparks something for you too—whether it’s the nudge to plan your own trip or simply a reminder that the best adventures often start as daydreams.
Central Asia Itinerary Budget Breakdown
Accounted For:
- Turkmenistan Visa: $300
- Tour Leader Tips: $150
- COVID Test (Turkmenistan): $66
- Turkmenistan Entry Visa Fee: $28
- Driver Tips: $80
- Local Guide Tips: $140
- Shopping & Souvenirs: $100
- Random Tips (small bills): $50
- Meals: $430 (all those kebabs, tea houses, and local dinners along the way!).
Everything else was covered, so the only major on-the-road expense from my misc fund ended up being meals and personal extras.
Meeting new friends while traveling have been truly enriching. Here are their Instagram accounts if you are looking for more travel inspiration.
- Grace & Aaron from Grace and Aaron Travel
- Kaelyn
- Mel
- Alex, our tour leader
- George Alexander
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