Best of The Stans
From $6,749 Per person twin share | 20 Days
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan & more
Discover the ancient Silk Road's wonders on a small group tour & stay overnight in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt
Travel period: 29 May - 23 Oct 2025
- Return international full-service flights
- 16 nights of quality hotel accommodation
- Overnight in a traditional Kyrgyz Yurt
- 27 meals including 2 traditional dinners
- Family friendly (Children 16+ years old)
A bucket list destination three thousand years in the making, the Silk Road is one of the true icons of Central Asia. Follow the footsteps of the incredible discoverer Marco Polo as you cross vast deserts and towering mountain ranges, weave through exotic cities and remote villages untouched by the passage of time, every inch of this ancient trade route is potentially more beautiful than the last. Isn’t it time you experienced its wonders for yourself?
This 20 day tour is a chance to take in the historic cities and landscapes of four countries along the Silk Road - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan with the educated guidance of English speaking local tour leaders and guides. Enjoy two full days in Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan; witness dramatic rock formations in Charyn Canyon; go horse riding (optional) and make bread with a local family at a traditional Kyrgyz yurt camp; and admire the Russian-influenced architecture of Karakol on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul.
Journey to the iconic city of Samarkand, home to the exquisite Registan Square; see Poi Kalon and Kalon Minaret on a city tour of Bukhara; travel to the ancient city of Shakhrisabz; visit the Museum of Antiquities in Dushanbe - plus a whole lot more!
Package includes return international flights, 16 nights quality hotel accommodation, one night in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt camp, English speaking local tour leader, guides and more.
Want more? Add extra days to your itinerary with Arrive Early in Almaty, Kazakhstan, or Stay Behind in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in the checkout section.
Best of The Stans
HIGHLIGHTS
- Discover 4 countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
- Explore the historic cities and villages of the Silk Road
- See beautiful wooden Russian buildings on a city tour of Almaty
- Visit the unique Museum of Musical Instruments
- Enjoy a free day at leisure in Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan
- Witness dramatic rock formations in Charyn Canyon
- Cook ‘Lagman’ a traditional Uighur dish with an Uighur family
- Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Karakol, a city backdropped by alpine peaks
- See the red sandstone rock formations of Jeti-Oguz Gorge
- Travel along the beautiful Issyk-Kul Lake
- Go horse riding (optional) and make national bread Boorsok at a Kyrgyz yurt camp in Bokonbayevo
- Visit Burana Tower, a 9th century minaret built by the Karakhanids
- Explore Bishkek, ‘the greenest city in Central Asia’
- Visit Ala-Too Square, the main square of Bishkek
- Experience a demonstration of traditional Kyrgyz instruments and techniques
- Tour historic Osh, the oldest city in Kyrgyzstan
- Learn the cooking techniques of Central Asia’s most famous meals with an Uzbek family
- Visit the workshop of Zakir Aka, maker of handmade knives for almost 60 years
- Marvel at the centuries-old Sheikh Muslihiddin Mausoleum in Khujand
- Visit the city of Istaravshan, founded by Persian King Cyrus the Great in the 7th century
- Travel along the picturesque Varzob Gorge in Tajikistan
- Visit the Museum of Antiquities in Dushanbe, home to the UNESCO protected reclining Buddha
- Take in the excavation site of old Penjikent and Rudaki Museum
- Visit the fabled city of Samarkand, an icon of the Silk Road
- Explore Registan, the heart of the ancient Samarkand
- See Gur Emir, Ulug-Bek Madrasah and more
- Visit Shakhrisabz, one of most ancient cities in Central Asia
- See Poi Kalon and Kalon Minaret on a city tour of Bukhara
- Witness a folklore show in Nadir Divan Begi Madrasah
- Enjoy a discovery tour through Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan
- Visit Khast-Imam Square, beautiful Barak Khan Madrasah and more
FLIGHTS
- Return international flights (economy class), surcharges may apply
- 1 x internal flight in Kyrgyzstan: Bishkek to Osh
ACCOMMODATION
- 16 nights quality hotel accommodation
- 1 night in a traditional Kyrgyz Yurt
DINING
- Enjoy 32 meals including 2 traditional dinners with local families (2024 Departures)
- Enjoy 27 meals including 2 traditional dinners with local families (2025 Departures)
TOUR ESSENTIALS
- English speaking tour leaders and guides
- Airline taxes and surcharges
TRANSPORT
- Transportation by private A/C vehicles
TRANSFERS
- Return airport transfers
Day 1 Depart Australia (or New Zealand)
Day 2 Arrive Almaty, Kazakhstan
Day 3 Almaty Sightseeing Tour
Day 4 Almaty Free Day
Day 5 Almaty - Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan - Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Day 6 Karakol City Tour - Bokonbayevo
Day 7 Bokonbayevo - Burana Tower - Bishkek - Sightseeing Tour
Day 8 Bishkek - Osh - Sightseeing Tour
Day 9 Osh, Kyrgyzstan - Khujand, Tajikistan - Sightseeing Tour
Day 10 Khujand - Istaravshan - Dushanbe
Day 11 Dushanbe Sightseeing Tour
Day 12 Dushanbe - Penjikent - Sightseeing Tour
Day 13 Penjikent, Tajikstan - Bukhara, Uzbekistan - Sightseeing Tour
Day 14 Bukhara Sightseeing Tour
Day 15 Bukhara - Shakhrisabz - Samarkand
Day 16 Samarkand Sightseeing Tour
Day 17 Samarkand - Tashkent
Day 18 Tashkent Sightseeing Tour
Day 19 Tashkent, Uzbekistan – Australia (or New Zealand)
Day 20 Arrive Australia (or New Zealand)
This travel offer is valid for travel on selected dates until the 23rd October 2025.
This travel offer is priced per person based on a twin share.
Single Traveller Supplement
For solo travellers, a mandatory single supplement of $990 applies.
Departure Dates
See checkout for live dates and availability.
Surcharges
See checkout for live dates and availability.
Departure Cities
Melbourne, Sydney*, Brisbane*, Adelaide*, Perth* or Auckland*
Departure City Surcharges
• Sydney: $100 per person.
• Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth: $300 per person.
• Auckland: $500 per person.Full-Service Airline(s) Used
• Cabin Class: Economy Class
Please note: One-way flights can not be accommodated. Travellers must take all included flights within the package, and any flights intentionally forfeited will result in later flights being subject to cancellation.
Arrive Early & Stay Behind Options
Arrive Early
Almaty, Kazakhstan - From $300 per person, subject to availability.
Stay Behind
Tashkent, Uzbekistan - From $300 per person, subject to availability.
Please note:
• This fee does not include extra nights' accommodation, meals or airport transfers.
• Flight booking changes or cancellations after air tickets have been issued are not guaranteed and may incur additional fees and fare difference, subject to the airline cancellation and change policies.
• Flight changes are subject to availability at the time of booking.
• A high-season Arrive Early or Stay Behind can be purchased for an additional charge, subject to availability. For pricing, please refer to the cart.
• An Arrive Early or Stay Behind can only be booked up to 60 days prior to your package’s start date, or after your package's end date. Should you wish to arrive earlier or stay behind for more than 60 days, please contact us to request availability. Additional costs may apply.
• High season surcharges apply to flights departing between the below date ranges:
• 6 December 2024 - 31 January 2025
• 28 March 2025 - 27 April 2025
• 16 June 2025 - 20 July 2025
• 15 September 2025 - 12 October 2025
• 1 December 2025 - 31 January 2026
• 3 April 2026 - 20 April 2026
• 26 June 2026 - 17 July 2026
• 18 September 2026 - 9 October 2026
• 12 December 2026 - 26 January 2027
Stopover Packages
Not available.
Flight Class Upgrades
• Business Class (international sector only): For pricing, please refer to the payment cart upon checkout
Please note:
• All Business Class upgrades are subject to availability (if we are not able to fulfil your request the upgrade cost will be refunded).
• On any upgrade purchase, short-haul flights and domestic flight sectors are not guaranteed in a Business cabin; subject to aircraft configuration.
Domestic Flight Information
Baggage allowance per person
15kg of checked baggage with extra charged at $4USD per kg
Combined carry-on weight: Max 8kgAccommodation Used
3 & 4-Star Properties (Self-Rated)
• Almaty: Kazzhol Hotel Almaty or similar
• Karakol: Green Yard Hotel or similar
• Bishkek: Garden Hotel Bishkek or similar
• Osh: Sunrise Osh or similar
• Khujand: Firuz Hotel or similar
• Dushanbe: Atlas Hotel or similar
• Penjikent: Panjakent Plaza or similar
• Bukhara: Hotel Malika Bukhara or similar
• Samarkand: Registon Hotel Samarkand or similar
• Tashkent: Rakat Plaza or similar
No Star Rating
Bokonbaevo: Almaluu Traditional Yurt Camp or similar
Please note: Accommodation/rooms offered are based on a lead-in room type, and are subject to availability based on seasonality. Properties will be confirmed no later than two weeks prior to travel.
Extra Nights
Not available at check-out.
Please note: If you are interested in booking additional nights of accommodation pre or post tour, please wait until you receive your travel documentation approximately 6 weeks prior to departure for the confirmed list of hotels. If booking your own additional accommodation directly with the hotel please be aware that you may be required to change rooms at the start/end of your tour.
Maximum Room Capacity
2 people.
Child Policy
• No child discounts. The full price applies to all children travelling with their parents.
• Valid for Children 16 years old and over.
Please note: Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult 18 years old and over to travel. No unaccompanied minors are allowed.
Triple Share
Not available
Bedding Configuration
2 x Singles or 1 x Queen (subject to availability).Minimum group size 8, maximum group size 20 per vehicle.
Please note: A small group tour is defined as a tour with no more than 20 travellers per vehicle.
Optional Tours/Activities
Day 4: Half-Day Madeo Gorge & Kok-Tobe Tour - $170 AU per person
Please note:- The optional tours listed above must be purchased on checkout or over the phone prior to submitting your passenger information form (subject to availability)
- Some tours require minimum numbers to operate.
- Visa fees and requirements
- Domestic transfers and flights not stated in the deal offer
- Meals/beverages not stated in the deal offer
- Recommended gratuities/tipping
- Kazakhstan tourism tax (approximately $12 USD total per person, payable on check-in)
- Optional activities/tours
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
Australian passport holders can travel to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan for up to 60 days without a visa.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan has introduced a visa-free regime for a period of 30 days for citizens of Australia & New Zealand.
Tajikistan
Australians can enter Tajikistan under a new visa-free arrangement. The arrangement covers single-entry stays of up to 30 days.
South Korea (Only applicable if flight transits through Seoul with a layover)
Australian & New Zealand travellers no longer need to apply for a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA), under a temporary exemption being put in place from 1 April 2023 until 31 Dec 2024.
Please note: this is only applicable if your flight transits via Seoul
Important:
Visa rules may have changed since Covid-19.
Some countries and airlines may also require you to obtain an additional visa prior to arrival. Please check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.
Please note: Passengers who are not Australian citizens must also check with the respective consulate or visa agency to determine what their visa requirements are and what personal identification is required.
It is also important to note that some areas of employment such as journalism, government authorities and charity organisations may have additional restrictions in applying for Visas. This may in turn affect the type of application required.Planning your next adventure is thrilling! While we hope for smooth travels, preparing for the unexpected is always smart. We highly recommend getting travel insurance when you book. Whether it's a medical emergency, a flight cancellation, a delayed suitcase, or an unforeseen event, ensure you're covered. For more info and advice, please visit: www.twac.com.au/travel-insurance or talk to your TWAC travel consultant.
Voluntary Changes
Includes booking changes requested by you, including but not limited to those changes requiring an airline ticket or a Purchase Confirmation reissue.
• Changes - $100.00 per booking + additional charges from the airline/cruise company/accommodation/other travel providers.
Name Changes Due To Passenger Error
• If the incorrect name has been advised to TWAC, charges of $100.00 per booking + any additional charges applied by the airline/cruise company/accommodation/other travel providers.
Supplier Fees
In the event the Travel Offer you have purchased is unable to proceed, and/or a travel Supplier is unable to fulfil the Travel Offer due to external circumstances (Limitation of Liability e.g. a Force Majeure event), there may be a fee or amount of money that is withheld by our Suppliers and is unrecoverable. This may be due to non-refundable airline tickets, cancellation penalties with cruise cabins or unrecoverable payments with our land/accommodation partners. TWAC has committed to these costs as your Agent and will endeavour to recover all funds committed and/or paid for your Travel Offer, but this may not be possible in all circumstances. If refunds are unavailable from Suppliers, we will endeavour to obtain a travel credit on the best terms available and communicate these outcomes to you. If TWAC cannot obtain a refund or travel service credit, or part thereof, this cost is passed on to the customer as a Supplier Fee. This fee is not revenue-raising and is paid to or withheld by our suppliers when recovering payments.
Although you should read all of the terms and conditions, the following is a summary of the most important:
- Our travel package is non-refundable, however you will receive a travel credit to be applied to our travel services.
- You, as our client, agree to check all documentation immediately for errors. Travel With A Cause (TWAC) does not take responsibility for incorrect dates or names supplied.
- Prices, including, in some cases, of confirmed bookings, may be subject to change.
- Some confirmed bookings are non-refundable if cancelled by you and it is your responsibility to check if this applies.
- We will be entitled to retain our service fees even if a booking is cancelled or does not proceed for any reason which is not our fault.
- It is your responsibility to make yourself aware of all information relevant to your travel plans, including but not limited to visa requirements and health precautions.
- There may be some additional fees or other incentives from Suppliers.
- We are not liable for the recent updates of any published Supplier content including websites and brochures
CANCELLATION POLICY
Tour packages are non-refundable. If your tour package is affected by Covid-19 related travel restrictions and you are unable to travel, you will receive either a free date change (credit that is specific to your original package and purchase value) or an open credit less any non-recoverable supplier fees to the value of your original purchase for use on any other tour or package available via the TWAC website.
Please note: Date change credits are subject to availability and not guaranteed until confirmed by TWAC, not the tour operator you are due to stay with.
We recommend you consider purchasing travel insurance with Covid-19 protection. The standard cancellation policy will apply if you cannot travel because you have tested positive for Covid-19.
Please note: All additional charges are payable in AUD (unless otherwise stated).
