Escorted Tour

The Five Stans of Central Asia

By popular demand and returning for a third time, this exclusive escorted tour explores the fascinating Five Stans of Central Asia. Once part of the USSR, these independent nations offer a rich blend of Silk Road history, ancient cultures, dramatic landscapes, and warm hospitality. Beginning in Xi’an, China – home of the famous Terracotta Warriors and the starting point of the ancient Silk Road – journey through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Discover the magnificent cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, marvel at stunning mountain scenery, and experience traditions that have endured for centuries. Highlights include an overnight stay in a traditional yurt, a home-hosted meal with a local family, visits to artisan workshops, meeting Turkmenistan’s prized Akhal-Teke horses, and the opportunity to witness a Golden Eagle hunting demonstration. A unique adventure through one of the world’s most intriguing and historic regions.

Your travel itinerary

Wednesday 14 April

Auckland – Xi’An, (China)

Depart Auckland on an evening China Southern Airlines, transit in Guangzhou.

Thursday 15 April

Xi’An

Dinner

Morning arrival in Xi’An. Check in early to your hotel to rest before a guided walking tour to the Bell Tower – one of the most iconic landmarks in China. Stroll the Muslim Quarter with the rest of the day at leisure before a Welcome Dinner tonight.

Friday 16 April

Xi’An

Breakfast Dinner

Today visit the extraordinary Terracotta Warrior Museum, home to thousands of life-sized soldiers built to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor and praised to be the eighth wonder of the world.

Saturday 17 April

Xi’An – Ashgabat, (Turkmenistan)

Breakfast

This morning visit Xi’an City Wall, one of China’s oldest and most intact fortifications. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to the airport for your late afternoon flight to Ashgabat.

Sunday 18 April

Ashgabat

Dinner

On arrival, transfer to the hotel, an early check-in is included. Rest of the morning is free to rest. This afternoon tour the country’s Capital including the Old Nisa fortress and the Park of Independence.

Monday 19 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. Continue on to visit the largest mosque in Turkmenistan and the National Carpet Museum.

Tuesday 20 April

Ashgabat – Dashoguz - Khiva (Uzbekistan)

Breakfast Dinner

An early morning 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 21 April

Khiva

Breakfast

Khiva is compact and made for walking. 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 continue to the Friday Mosque and Tashauli Palace, including the harem.

Thursday 22 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 23 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 24 April

Bukhara - Samarkand

Breakfast Dinner

A half day tour of Bukhara with an excursion to visit Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the summer residence of the former emir of Bukhara. Then visit the famous Mausoleum of the Sufi spiritual leader in the 14th century, before boarding your train to Samarkand.

Sunday 25 April

Samarkand

Breakfast Dinner

On the city tour of Samarkand, visit the famous Registan Square – for centuries the heart of Samarkand – and two beautiful madrassahs (higher education centres) built in the 15th and 17th centuries: the Tillya-Kori Madrasah and the Sher-Dor Madrasah.

Monday 26 April

Samarkand

Breakfast Dinner

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. 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. A visit to the Bagizagan winery with wine tastings included.

Tuesday 27 April

Samarkand - Penjikent (Tarjikstan)

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

After breakfast cross the border at Jartepa then continue travel in mini vans 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 28 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 29 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 30 April

Dushanbe – Tashkent, (Uzbekistan)

Breakfast Dinner

This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Tashkent. Arrive in the afternoon with free time before dinner.

Saturday 01 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 visit Independence Square in the heart of Tashkent and the Tashkent Metro decorated with local marble and granite like an underground palace.

Sunday 02 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 03 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 04 May

Naryn – Tashrabat – Naryn

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

A day excursion to visit the ancient Tash-Rabat caravanserai (a 15th 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 05 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 06 May

Bokonbayevo – 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” – a 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.

Friday 07 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 picnic lunch and have the opportunity to walk into the canyon. Continue on to Almaty.

Saturday 08 May

Almaty Victory Day

Breakfast Dinner

This morning, 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. Continue to Kok Tobe Park to enjoy a scenic cable car ride with magnificent panoramic views of the city. After lunch, explore the bustling Green Bazaar and enjoy the Victory Day celebrations at Central Park. Farewell Dinner tonight.

Sunday 09 May

Almaty - Auckland

An early morning departure for your flight via Urumqi and Guangzhou to Auckland.

Monday 10 May

Auckland

Mid-afternoon arrival in Auckland.

Inclusions

International economy airfares with China Southern Airlines Auckland - Xi’An // Guangzhou – Auckland
International economy airfares Xi’An – Ashgabat // Penjikent - Tashkent - Bishkek // Almaty – Urumqi - Guangzhou
Domestic economy airfare Ashgabat-Dashoguz
Airline and airport taxes $400 per person
Comfortable accommodation
Two nights’ accommodation in Xi’An
Tour of the Terracotta Warriors Museum
1 night Yurt stay with private facilities* (Yurt stay is twin share only. Single travellers will be required to share for this night.)
Meals as specified
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
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

ESTIMATED Cost Per Person * Auckland - Auckland	Twin Share	Single
	$16,995	$18,990

Business Class Upgrade	Price to be confirmed
Early Booking Discount ( 01 August 2026 )	$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)
Items not specified
Turkmenistan visa fee (USD 90) and immigration fee (USD45) to be paid by clients themselves on spot Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan – visa free for New Zealand passport holders.
Tips/Gratitude approx USD250 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 15 January 2027

Cancellations

From the date of booking to 15 January 2027 – loss of deposit
After 15 January 2027 – 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
Xi’An	22	10
Ashgabat	26	14
Bukhara	30	17
Dushanbe	30	15
Bishkek	30	12
Almaty	28	11

Currency / Money
China	Chinese Yuan (CNY)
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 New Zealand passport is required, valid six months beyond date of travel. Other nationalities please ask.

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

$16,995NZD

per person twin share

Travel Dates

Depart: Wed 14 Apr 2027
Return: Mon 10 May 2027
Duration: 26 nights

Early Booking Discount

Save $150 if your deposit is paid by 01 Aug 2026

Previous Client Discount

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