A holiday involving five epic underrated destinations usually involves heaps of planning and faff, but thanks to Travelsphere, Brits can now take on the legendary Five Stans without having to put in much effort at all.
That’s because the travel experts have launched an incredible new Silk Road Adventure: The Five Stans tour with an itinerary that’s jam-packed with bucket-list activities, not to mention your accommodation and transport is all sorted too.
The captivating journey includes the legendary Five Stans of Central Asia—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, which will see you weaving through incredible cities along the Silk Route, UNESCO-listed ruins, breathtaking national parks and remote desert landscapes.
There are approximately 24 once-in-a-lifetime experiences included across the 21-day tour (you can check out the full list below). Highlights include travelling to UNESCO World Heritage sites in Samarkand and Bukhara, watching demonstrations of eagle hunting in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, taking on the impressive Shahristan Tunnel and experiencing the surreal “Door to Hell” natural gas crater in Turkmenistan’s desert.
You’ll also get the chance to immerse yourself in local cultures, with opportunities to dine with Dungan families, learn about the art of Uzbek plov and taste traditional bread.
The tour offers unparalleled glimpses into one of the world’s most underrated regions, with everything from the bustling cities of Almaty and Karakol to lesser-known hill villages, as well as awe-inspiring landscapes such as the Charyn Canyon.
It’s therefore no surprise that this incredible getaway has been given the seal of approval by real-life explorers. In fact the Royal Geographical society have selected this tour as part of its collection with Travelsphere, “as it immerses the modern day traveller into the cultural heritage of the Silk Road following in the footsteps of explorers and visiting landmarks shaped by history”.
Prices start from £5,749 which includes your return flights from London, overseas transfers, other transportation and porterage, 18 nights in 3, 4 & 5-star hotels, one night in a yurt, 40 meals (19 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 17 dinners), and access to a Travelsphere Holiday director. Find out more and book on travelsphere.co.uk.
What activities are included?
- Almaty city tour
- Visit Charyn Canyon
- Kok-Jaiyk visit with traditional eagle hunting demonstration
- Karakol city tour
- Authentic dinner with a local Dungan family
- Explore the Rukh-Ordo cultural complex
- Learn how to make Borsok, a traditional Kyrgyz fried bread
- Visit the Burana Historical Complex
- Bishkek sightseeing tour
- Tashkent city tour including the Khast Imam Complex
- Explore the highlights of Khujand
- Visit the ancient city of Istaravshan
- Traverse the Fan Mountains and journey through the Shahristan and Anzob tunnels
- Discover the sights of Dushanbe
- Visit the UNESCO-listed Sarazm ruins
- Tour of Samarkand
- Wine-tasting at the renowned Khovrenko winery
- Explore Bukhara with a visit to a local tea house
- Learn how to make Plov – the Uzbek national dish
- Walking tour of Ichan Kala
- Visit “the Door to Hell” in Darvaza
- Panoramic tour of Ashgabat
- See the unique Turkmen Akhal-teke horses in Geok Tepe
Silk Road Adventures: The Five Stans starts from £5,749 for the 21-day holiday. Departure dates available between April-September 2026. Find out more and book on travelsphere.co.uk.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
