THE STANS TRAVEL ADVICE
“The roads in Central Asia are very bad and traveling between places by mini bus or private car can be a bit hell raising although your driver will be very adept at swerving around pot holes. You will keep to a schedule because lengthy road journeys will be taken into account and extra time allowed for by your tour operators, but people should be aware that the roads are bumpy and uncomfortable, so it’s best to keep calm and be patient.”
“The mountain scenery in Tajikistan tends to be more austere, more harsh than in Kyrgyzstan. The Pamirs are the ‘roof of the world’, and traveling through them in Tajikistan is more dramatic than what you would get in Kyrgyzstan. In Kyrgyzstan, there are better opportunities to interact with local people; a more accessible nomadic culture. The Pamirs in Tajikistan don’t lend themselves well to nomadic cultures because there’s no grazing. There’s more grazing in Kyrgyzstan.”
Our The Stans Vacations
The Silk Road small group tour
Discover the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China
The five stans silk road vacation
Step into the pages of history on a silk road tour
Silk Road vacation, small group
Discover amazing Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan
Small group tour of the Stans
Get under the skin of all five 'Stans'
Small group vacation to the Stans
Tread in the footsteps of the ancient Silk Road
Central Asia overland tour, the stans
An epic journey through the five 'stans' of Central Asia
Silk Road overland truck tour
Overland through Central Asia's highlights
Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan vacation, Silk Road explorer
Discover the fascinating ancient history of the Silk Road
Small group tours of the Stans
History and landscapes of the Stans beyond Uzbekistan
The Five Stans vacation, Ancient Silk Road Cities
Small group adventure through the fascinating Five Stans
Central Asia budget adventure tour
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan on a budget!
Highlights of the Silk Road overland tour
Visit the highlights of the 5 Stans in 3 weeks
The five Stans of the Silk Road vacation
Journey through the 5 Stans of Central Asia
Silk Road vacations, Central Asia
Journey along the Old Silk Road
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan tour
The ancient Silk Route vacation, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikstan
Silk Road vacation, five Stans of Central Asia
Journey through the 5 stans of Central Asia
Silk Road & Caucasus tour
Explore the secrets of Central Asia and the Caucasus
Uzbekistan to Iran overland tour
Trace the western section of the Silk Road
Kazakhstan tips
“Kazakhstan is probably the most developed in places. It had the strongest Russian influence in times of the Soviet Union because it borders it more closely. You go to somewhere like Astana and it’s a big bright, shiny modern capital. It’s quite different from somewhere like the nomadic camps in Kyrgyzstan.”
Kyrgyzstan tips
“Kyrgyzstan offers so much to those that travel there from hiking in the strikingly beautiful Mountains of Heaven, watching frantic games of buzkashi played by impossibly agile horseman, drinking glasses of kumis in toasty yurts overlooking crystal clear lakes, beguiling walks in dense walnut forests, marvelling at the history of the ancient but perfectly preserved caravanserai you’re standing in. You can create an amazing trip in Kyrgyzstan based around whatever your interest is: hiking, riding, family trips, the Silk Road. The warmth of the people and diversity of scenery will humble and awe in equal measure.”
Tajikistan tips
“Tajikistan is an adventure traveler’s dream; it’s so little travelled, you’ll be hard pressed to see another tourist the entire time you’re there. The country is nearly all mountainous, spectacular scenery is guaranteed throughout, from the azure blue lakes and waterfalls of the Fann Mountains to the snowy peaks of the Pamirs, and the raging rivers in the Wakhan Valley. The warmth of the people is so heartfelt, you’ll be offered bread and fruit wherever you go in communities that seem to be frozen in time. The sense of remoteness, and the reality of being in a country so removed from the world as we know it, creates one of the most genuine travel experiences that can be found.”
Turkmenistan tips
“If you think about Ashgabat, you would think it’s almost a Dubai or Las Vegas type place. It’s exceptional, especially the buildings – one in the shape of a lighter, one a book, another in the shape of a star. It’s almost Dr Seuss like. What really gives it a sense of difference from the West, though, is that there are so many restrictions in Turkmenistan. This is the second most controlled nation in the world after North Korea. When passing into the country you will sometimes have four officers looking at you, from front and back. I wouldn’t call it intimidating, unless you have something you shouldn’t have in your suitcase! Then you’re in trouble, as they will absolutely comb through everything. But there is a friendly side to the security guards, it’s just extremely controlled.
Uzbekistan tips
“I actually think that the food is the worst I have tasted in the world. I think I lost five kilos during my stay. And if you’re vegetarian, they really have no concept of it. If you are presented a meal with sausage in it and you say, no thanks I am vegetarian, they will take the sausage out and put it in the dish of the person sitting next to you. That sort of thing.”
“Uzbek fare is delicious and since the publication of the cookbook Samarkand, is experiencing something of a revival. Plov is the national dish but I prefer laghman which is a kind of Central Asian spaghetti bolognaise. Eating this delicious dish, it’s easy to see how food passed along the Silk Road, just as goods and ideas did.”
Our top The Stans Vacation
The Silk Road small group tour
Discover the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China
2021: 16 Jun, 14 Jul, 4 Aug, 23 Aug, 30 Aug, 8 Sep, 15 Sep
2022: 18 May, 25 May, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 20 Jul, 10 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep
HEALTH & SAFETY IN THE STANS
HEALTH
SAFETY
THE STANS TIPS FROM OUR TRAVELLERS
We have selected some of the most useful Stans travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.


“It was very hot throughout, so take loose, cool clothing.” – Gillian Urro, on our Silk Road Small Group Tour
“Enjoy. Do not bring so many things: it is not so cold, you do not need a slipping bag nor the sheet, nor gloves. All the stays, even yurts, are warm. Bring comfortable shoes for walking and a pair of slippers.” – Ana Maria Lopez, on our Silk Road Vacations, Central Asia


“Bring plenty of energy bars.” – Karen O'Driscoll, on our Silk Road Vacations, Central Asia
“Check what medicines you can take into the country with a doctor’s prescription info, otherwise may have problems at boarder control.” – Anne Higgins, on our Silk Road vacation, small group