New
Escorted Tour

The Five Stans of Central Asia

This exclusive, escorted tour will allow you to explore the Five Stans all once members of the old USSR but are now independent nations each with a history, culture and landscape, shaped by centuries of trade along the ancient Silk Road pioneered by Marco Polo. The scenery is diverse, ranging from deserts to multi coloured and stunning mountains.

Turkmenistan is known for the gleaming white marble city of Ashgabat and where you get to meet their universally renowned horse breed Akhal-Tekkes (Golden Horse)

Uzbekistan is renowned for its magnificent Silk Road cities, a treasure trove of Islamic architecture and ancient history. Cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, boasting stunning mosques, madrasas, and mausoleums.

Tajikistan, like Kyrgyzstan is famous for its stunning mountain scenery and nomadic heritage while Almaty in Kazakhstan, the largest and wealthiest of the Five Stans was a key city on the Silk Road and today is one of the most popular cities in the whole region

You will get to experience, a night in a traditional yurt, cook and eat a meal with a local family. Workshop visits that create a wide range of their arts from gold embroidery to handmade paper.

The opportunity to ride a horse and watch a Golden Eagle perform the ancient art of hunting.

This exclusive and fascinating escorted tour is an adventure into the past.

Your travel itinerary

Friday 17 April

AUCKLAND - DUBAI

Depart Auckland on an evening Emirates flight to Dubai.

Saturday 18 April

DUBAI - ASHGABAT

On arrival early morning a day room is reserved for you to rest and relax. This afternoon we enjoy a Dubai City Tour before a late night departure on Emirates for Ashgabat.

Sunday 19 April

ASHGABAT (Turkmenistan)

Dinner

On arrival, transfer to our hotel, an early check-in is included. Rest of morning free to rest. This afternoon a tour of the country’s Capital that includes the Old Nisa fortress, National Carpet Museum and the Park of Independence. Welcome dinner tonight.

Monday 20 April

ASHGABAT

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Today visit Arkadash stud farm, a chance to take a close look at the “winged” Akhal-Tekkes, and even take a ride on them. We continue to on to visit the largest mosque in Turkmenistan.

Tuesday 21 April

ASHGABAT – DASHOGUZ - KHIVA (Uzbekistan)

Breakfast Dinner

This morning we fly to Dashoguz, then drive to the border crossing into Uzbekistan and continue by coach to Khiva, which is thought to date back more than 2,000 years.

Wednesday 22 April

KHIVA

Breakfast

Khiva is made for walking. It is compact. This tour takes in all the major sights of the Ichan Kala - the citadel - including the truncated Kalta Minor minaret, the Kunya Ark and the Madrassah Rakhimkhon. This afternoon we continue to the Friday mosque and Tashauli Palace, including the harem.

Thursday 23 April

KHIVA – BUKHARA

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Today, a full day drive to Bukhara across the famous KyzylKum desert (“Red sands”). The road more or less follows the path of the Great Silk Road with photo stops to see the desert flora and fauna.

Friday 24 April

BUKHARA

Breakfast Lunch

A day exploring fabulous Bukhara. This incredible city is one of the most famous names in medieval Islam and is home to hundreds of registered monuments. On today’s tour, visit some of the main highlights before exploring workshops to see block printing, metal chasing, suzani embroidery, carving and miniature painting.

Saturday 25 April

BUKHARA - SAMARKAND

Breakfast Dinner

Another half day tour of Bukhara with an excursion to visit Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the summer residence of the former emir of Bukhara. We continue onto visit the famous Mausoleum of the Sufi spiritual leader in the 14th Century, before boarding our train to Samarkand.

Sunday 26 April

SAMARKAND

Breakfast Dinner

On the city tour of Samarkand visit the famous Registan Square, for centuries the heart of Samarkand. Three beautiful madrassahs: (higher education centers) built in 15th/17t centuries; the Tillya-Kori Madrasah and Sher-Dor Madrasah. Later see the grandest structure of Amir Temur’s times - the chief Friday Mosque called Bibi-Khanum, the Silk Road bazaar and Shahi Zinda necropolis. We have included a visit to the Bagizagan winery with wine degustation.

Monday 27 April

SAMARKAND

Breakfast Lunch

Start the day at Konigil village to visit a paper-making workshop. Samarkand has been famous as a center of a high-quality paper manufacture. You can take part in the unique process of hand-made paper production: cleaning tree branches from the bark, polishing paper with a stone and painting it. Afternoon at leisure.

Tuesday 28 April

SAMARKAND - PENJIKENT (Tarjikstan)

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

After breakfast cross the border at Jartepa then continue to the beautiful Seven Lakes located in the west of the Fann Mountains; each of them has its own colour, which varies from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. Enjoy a picnic before continuing to Penjikent.

Wednesday 29 April

PENJIKENT – DUSHANBE

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

On the drive to Dushanbe you will visit picturesque Varzob gorge. The Gorge follows the Varzob River before climbing steeply over the Annzob Pass (3,373 m) to get to the Capital City.

Thursday 30 April

DUSHANBE

Breakfast Dinner

This morning visit the center of the city, the local bazaar and Botanical garden. Later a visit to the Cultural palace “Kohi Navruz” (Subject to permit), and witness the traditional architecture of Tajik people with woodcarving, painting and mosaic arts. In the afternoon an excursion to see the ancient fortress of Hissor - one of the most precious historical sites of Tajikistan.

Friday 01 May

Dushanbe –TASHKENT (Uzbekistan)

Breakfast Dinner

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Tashkent. We arrive in the afternoon with free time before dinner.

Saturday 02 May

TASHKENT

Breakfast Dinner

Tashkent is one of the oldest and largest cities in Central Asia. The tour explores the capital by going back in time visiting the old town including the oldest market in Tashkent and Kukeldash Madrassah. In the afternoon we visit Independence Square in the heart of Tashkent and the Tashkent Metro decorated with local marble and granite like an underground palace.

Sunday 03 May

TASHKENT – BISHKEK (Kyrgyzstan)

Breakfast Dinner

A free morning before transferring to the airport for your flight to Bishkek the Country’s Capital. Upon arrival transfer to your city hotel and enjoy a leisurely afternoon.

Monday 04 May

BISHKEK CITY TOUR – NARYN

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

The day starts with a walking tour of Bishkek which includes the main Ala Too Square to watch the ceremony of the changing of the Guard of Honor, Manas Monument (national hero of the Kyrgyz people) and the Old Square with Parliament House. On the drive to Naryn a visit to the “Burana” Architectural complex. It is the ruins of a medieval city Balasagyn, which was one of the most developed cities during the golden ages of the Great Silk Road.

Tuesday 05 May

NARYN – TASHRABAT – NARYN

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

A day excursion to visit the ancient Tash-Rabat caravanserai (a 15 century medieval inn for merchants and travelers on the Great Silk Road). It is a stone fortress situated in the beautiful Kara Koiun gorge at a height of 3500m. Today, lunch is in a local family yurt– a special experience before returning to Naryn.

Wednesday 06 May

NARYN – BOKONBAYEVO/TAMGA

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Today’s journey is to the second highest alpine lake in the world (1607m), Lake Issyk Kul. Enroute visit the handicraft center in the village of Kochkur. Then on to Kyzyl Tuu the village where 70% of villagers are engaged in the production of yurts. Here, you will visit a local family and their open-air wooden yurt workshop, where you can participate in the process of yurt installation. Tonight in Tamga village accommodation is in a yurt. (Private Toilet/Shower facilities. Singles will need to share a yurt).

Thursday 07 May

BOKONBAYEVO (TAMGA) – JETY OGUZ – KARAKOL

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

The drive to Karakol city continues along the shore of Lake Issyk Kul, here you will meet up with “Berkutchi” – Golden Eagle hunter and watch the process of hunting. Next, visit Djety Oguz canyon, (2200m) known for its rocky outcrops. Arrival at Karakol and a city-tour which includes the Dungan Mosque, which looks like a Mongolian Buddhist.

Friday 08 May

KARAKOL – “Kegen” - Almaty (Kazakhstan)

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Today’s drive is to the Kyrgyzstan/Kazakhstan border. After border formalities continue to Charyn Canyon for lunch and have the opportunity to walk into the canyon. We then continue on to Almaty.

Saturday 09 May

ALMATY (Kazakhstan) Victory Day

Breakfast Dinner

This morning, we visit the National Park in the Ili Alatau Mountains, where the altitude ranges from 600 to 5,000 metres. Medeo, located at an elevation of 1,690 metres, is the highest skating rink in the world. We then continue to Kok Tobe Park to enjoy a scenic cable car ride with magnificent panoramic views of the city. After lunch, we explore the bustling Green Bazaar and enjoy the Victory Day celebrations at Central Park. Farewell dinner tonight.

Sunday 10 May

ALMATY – DUBAI - AUCKLAND

An early morning start as we transfer to the airport for our flight home.

Monday 11 May

AUCKLAND

Arrive Auckland

Inclusions

International economy airfares with Emirates Airlines Auckland-Dubai-Ashgabat // Almaty-Dubai-Auckland
International economy airfares Penjikent - Tashkent - Bishkek
Domestic economy airfare Ashgabat-Dashoguz
Accommodation in 4 star hotels or best available
1 night Yurt stay with private facilities* (Yurt stay is twin share only. Single travellers will be required to share for this night.)
Daily breakfast
18 Dinners and 11 lunches
Transportation as per the itinerary
English speaking professional guides in each country
Entrance fees to museums and historical sites
Visit local Uzbek House of Rakhmon Toshev – embroided textile maker
Bagizagan Winery with degustation menu
Bread baking master class in Gijduvan and Khujand
Eagle hunting show in Bokonbaevo
Handmade paper construction demonstration
Felt carpets making process demonstration in Kochkor
Home hosted Yurt lunch
Kyzyl Tuu village visit to see Yurt construction
Invitation letter for visa to Turkmenistan
Entertaining program at Kazakh ethno-village
Dushanbe to Tashkent Flight
Tashkent to Bishkek Flight
Bukhara to Samarkand Train Journey
Pukekohe Escort subject to 15 people travelling

Cost

Cost Per Person * Auckland - Auckland	Twin Share	Single
	$15,795	$ 17,997

Business Class Upgrade	+$10,259
Premium Economy Class Upgrade (Auckland - Dubai - Auckland only)	+$3,833
Early Booking Discount ( 01 August 2025 )	$150
Previous International Pukekohe Travel Tour Discount	$100

*This is a cash price. Credit cards will incur a 1.5% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment

Exclusions

Items of a personal nature
Travel Insurance is essential (please ask us for a quote)
Airline and airport taxes (approx. $400)
Items not specified
Turkmenistan visa fee (USD 90) to be paid by clients themselves on spot Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan – visa free for New Zealand passport holders.
Tips/Gratitude to Drivers & Guides

Booking Conditions

A non-refundable deposit of $1,500 per person will secure a place on the tour
Full payment is due no later than 14 January 2026

Cancellations

From the date of booking to 14 January 2026 – loss of deposit
After 14 January 2026 – no refund

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend all clients purchase travel insurance to protect against cancellations, lost items, and delays that could lead to unexpected costs. Please ask us for a quote.

General Information

Temperatures ˚c	Max	Min
Ashgabat	26	14
Bukhara	30	17
Dushanbe	30	15
Bishkek	30	12
Almaty	28	11

Currency / Money
Turkmenistan	Turkmenistani Manat
Uzbekistan	Uzbekistani Som
Tajikistan	Tajikistani Somoni
Kyrgyzstan	Kyrgystani Som

Luggage

It is essential you can manage your own suitcase. A bag with wheels is an advantage when travelling through airports.

Documentation

• A current passport is required, valid six months beyond date of travel

Visas

• Turkmenistan visa fee (USD 90) to be paid by clients themselves on spot Tajikistan

• Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan – visa free for New Zealand passport holders.

Tour at a Glance

This is a soft adventure tour designed to experience the best of the five stans. We will travel by comfortable coach through incredible scenery and historic cities.

Health and Fitness

To ensure the tour is enjoyable for you and others in the group, a good standard of fitness and mobility is required. Walking on cobble stoned streets and the ability to negotiate stairs is necessary. Border crossings can be unpredictable—be prepared to carry or wheel your luggage 200–300 metres, sometimes over gravel or uneven ground, and expect to spend some time on your feet.

Terms and Conditions

For full terms and conditions please visit our website www.pukekohetravelco.nz/termsandconditions or ask our tour consultant for a copy

Note: Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change

Prices From

$15,795NZD

per person twin share

Travel Dates

Depart: Fri 17 Apr 2026
Return: Mon 11 May 2026
Duration: 24 days

Early Booking Discount

Save $150 if your deposit is paid by 01 Aug 2025

Previous Client Discount

Our previous International Tour clients can save a further $100 per person