The Five Stans of the Silk Road

Vast deserts, rolling steppe, fertile valleys and majestic mountains form the backdrop to the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia which are commonly known as the five Stans. Amongst this changing and varied landscape are traditional villages, ancient towns and modern cities which tell a tale of advancing Greek and Persian armies, marauding Mongolian hordes, traders selling their wares along the Silk Road, philosophers, astronomers, Communist experiments and post-Soviet eccentrics. Journey past giant burning gas pits, intrinsically tiled mosques, alpine lakes bordered by yurt camps, grand monuments, rural villages and colourful markets on this epic trip through the heart of Central Asia.

Most nights are in standard hotels, though we also stay in homestays, cottages, yurt camps, and a guesthouse which will be more basic. Hot water is normally available but is not always reliable; toilets may be squat toilets; and toilets and/or showers may be outside in the more basic accommodations.



At the homestays in Arslanbob and Kyzyl Oi (days 15, 16 and 18), you may have to share with three/four people in a room. Similarly, for the two nights in the yurt camp at Son Kul (days 19 and 20), you may have to share with three people to a yurt. Every effort is made to ensure that men and women who are not travelling together don’t have to share a room, but this cannot be guaranteed. We stay in these places, however, as there are very limited options in some of the areas we visit.



Additional Accommodation



In Turkmenistan, hotels charge a daily tourist tax of around US$2 per person per day – this is included in the holiday price for the main tour, so you needn’t worry about it. However, if you book extra nights’ accommodation in Ashgabat before the tour, you will need to pay directly to the hotel yourself. If you book pre-tour accommodation in Turkmenistan (and will be staying in the country for more than three days plus your arrival day), you will be required by law to register your passport with the State Service of Turkmenistan – our local partner will assist with this.



Single Supplement



If you prefer to have your own room, a limited number of single supplements are available on a ‘first-come, first-serve’ basis on some nights of the tour – please request this at the time of booking. Please note, a single supplement is not available at the homestays (three nights) or the yurt camp (two nights) and in these locations you may have to share with three/four people per room. Single supplements are also not available at the cottages by Iskanderkul Lake (one night), which are on a twin-share basis.