Central Asia Tours & Trips
4.5 stars on(7,579 reviews)- Choose from 300+ Central Asia tours
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Table of contents
- The best Central Asia tour packages
- What people love about Central Asia Tours
- Travel Central Asia your way
- Top operators in Central Asia
- Discover Central Asia tours for every budget
- Central Asia tours for every group
- Top Central Asia travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Central Asia
- Contact our Central Asia travel experts
The best Central Asia tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaCentral Asia travel expert at TourRadar
Duration 18 days Destinations Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Premium From $6,300
10% Off- US$5,670You save $630
This 22-day adventure blends ancient Silk Road cities like Bukhara and Samarkand with natural wonders like Charyn Canyon and Seven Lakes. Local artisans share bread-making in Khiva, felt-making in Kochkor, and falconry in Bokonbaevo. Approx. $230 per day covers guides, most meals, and high-speed rail.
Duration 22 days Destinations Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan Age Range 10 to 85 year olds Operator Central Asia Travel LP From
10% Off- US$4,965
Trip to the Five Stans - Exploring the Wonders of Central Asia
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great scenery, architecture, and different culture. I would definitely come back and visit Bhukara, Samarkand, and Bishkek.”
Phillip, traveled in September 2023
Central Asia's Silk Road unfolds at approx. $240 per day, connecting 13 cities across 5 countries. Stand in awe at Samarkand's Registan Square, hike Kyrgyzstan's Ala-Archa National Park, and gaze into Kazakhstan's 300m-deep Charyn Canyon. English guides lead the way with stays at comfortable 3-4* hotels.
Duration 15 days Destinations Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan Age Range 10 to 85 year olds Operator Central Asia Travel LP From
10% Off- US$3,595+$168 local payments
A 27-day adventure from Bishkek to Ashgabat unfolds across 18 cities. Scale Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain, admire Samarkand's Bibi-Khanym Mosque, and camp at Turkmenistan's 'Gates of Hell'. Local homestays and yurt camps offer authentic experiences throughout Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan for around $7,200.
Duration 27 days Destinations Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $6,865
15% Off- US$5,835You save $1,030
Central Asia 16 days Start in Bishkek
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Excellent hotels, many in amazing 5 star locations, with wonderful staff. The variety of guides and drivers was superb.”
Jacquelyn, traveled in September 2023
This 16-day expedition spans 4 countries from Kyrgyzstan's Ala Archa National Park to Uzbekistan's ancient cities. Cultural highlights include Mary's Ethnography Museum and Ashgabat's white marble monuments. Daily breakfast and local flights from Mary to Ashgabat enhance the journey.
Duration 16 days Destinations Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan Age Range 1 to 85 year olds Operator Steppe Journeys From
15% Off- US$3,590+$90 upfront costs
What people love about Central Asia Tours
- Trip to the Five Stans - Exploring the Wonders of Central Asia
I had some very excellent time with Central Asia Travel Company. Overall, the programme is well-designed, the execution smooth, and the tour guides knowledgeable and considerate. Special thanks to the tour guides Max in Turkmenistan, Maxi in Kyrgyzstan and Anzar in Kazakhstan. They were extremely friendly and went to extra lengths to tailor the itinerary to my preferences. For example, Max brought me to a first-rate carpet shop in Ashgabat knowing my love of carpets. Maxi offered me a taste of truly extraordinary fresh honey from Osh. Anzar toured me around the State Museum in Almaty, taking into account my preference for city tours (following 15 days on the road!). The Tajikistan trip could have been made better. The Tajik guide had a poor sense of time management, having spent 7-8 hours on our way to the Seven Lakes (vs 3-4 hours as promised). At the ancient ruins, I was told that the bearded men in the mural paintings were women and the saints with halo were 'just normal people'! But this is just a minor disappointment in an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable journey. Highly recommended!
- Trip to the Five Stans - Exploring the Wonders of Central Asia
Great scenery, architecture, and different culture. I found each country interesting. Our guides in each country were, for the most part, excellent. It was a very fast paced trip and we did get "mosque fatigue". ;-) I would definitely come back and visit Bhukara, Samarkand, and Bishkek.
- Trip to the Five Stans - Exploring the Wonders of Central Asia
By and large a very well done tour. The hotels were all above expectations except for Ashgabat where things were broken, dirty and non-functional. Guides were excellent except for the one in kyrgyzstan who relied on Google and tourist signs. Would have liked more time in Kazakhstan but the only thing I would have dropped was the burning gas pit in Turkmenistan--too hard and long a trip for little value. I will recommend this trip to others
Travel Central Asia your way
The Pamir Highway expedition really opens up Tajikistan's hidden corners, where you can spot wild markhor goats and discover old fortresses tucked into the Wakhan Valley. For a proper local experience, there's a solid 7-day trek through the Nuratau Mountains, moving between small villages like Sentob, Hayat and also Asraf. The 22km hike to Lake Fazilman is a favorite among our guests - you climb through mountain passes until you reach crystal clear alpine waters, perfect for a lunch stop with quite a view. Over in the Fann Mountains, the Seven Lakes trek lets you see how each glacial lake has its own distinct color and character. If you're after something more relaxed, the day walks around Son Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan give you plenty of chances to meet local nomads and watch traditional eagle hunting in action.
See all Hiking & Trekking toursGo outside your comfort zone on an adventure tour in Central Asia. With 47 adventure packages full of bucket list experiences and outdoor activities and lasting anywhere from 3 days up to 39 days, you're sure to find an unforgettable adventure holiday for you!
See all Active toursWant to really explore Central Asia? Our longest tours cover the whole Silk Road through all five countries, usually taking 2-3 weeks. Most people start in Bishkek before heading into the Tian Shan mountains. Our travelers tell us they love spending a day learning how locals make their yurts and felt carpets, then settling in for an evening of traditional music. The route takes you through some pretty remote spots like the Wakhan Valley with its old fortresses, and into Charyn Canyon which looks a bit like Mars. You'll catch traditional horseback wrestling and polo matches in Tokmok, and meet eagle hunters who show off hunting techniques that go back centuries - these are the moments our customers talk about the most.
See all Explorer toursSelect from our extensive range of 208 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Central Asia with our expert guides leading the way.
See all Fully Guided tours
More travel styles:
Top operators in Central Asia
Travelers consistently rate East Site as one of the better choices for exploring Central Asia, with guides Alexander and Ilyas earning special mentions for their knowledge and attentive service. Their tours run smoothly with reliable transport and thoughtful organization. Kolpak Travel's guide Tatiana Potanina stands out for going the extra mile - she really takes care of her groups and adapts plans to match what travelers want to see and do. Penguin Travel's Five Stans tour has more mixed feedback. While their route planning and most hotels hit the mark, their guide Emil didn't meet expectations - several of our customers found him difficult to work with and not very helpful. The Seven Hotel in Bishkek needs improvement, and there were issues with their backup hotel choice in Ashgabat as well. If you're looking at Central Asian tours, East Site currently offers the most reliable experience from start to finish. Their guides know how to handle the occasional bumps that come with traveling through these regions, and they've worked out solid partnerships with local hotels and transport companies.
- 5.0 (217 Central Asia reviews)
"I really enjoyed the 5 Stans tour! Everything was perfectly organized by East Site, and I didn’t have to worry about anything. The group I traveled with was so nice, and it made the whole experience even better. Overall, it was a fantastic trip, and I’m very happy I chose East Site!
- Tours
- 5 Central Asia tours
- Age range
- 55 to 85 years old
- Adventure type
- In-depth Cultural
- Response time
- 34h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $509
- 4.5 (328 Central Asia reviews)
"Loved the Uzbekistan tour! It was well organized, and the tour group size was just right. Lochin Juraev was an excellent guide and we had a wonderful experience visiting Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva to learn about the rich history of the country. Some suggestions: The hotel choices were good to excellent, and were located well. The madrasa stay in Khiva, while interesting to experience, had tight quarters for two people. We enjoyed the food and the marvelous fruit/produce. We did note that the food choices are somewhat limited for people who are vegetarians. A quicker way to get to either Bukhara or Khiva (rather than via long bus rides) would have given us more time in these two historical gems. Also, allocation of some down time to wander around in the historical areas/ do shopping would enhance the overall experience!
- Tours
- 3 Central Asia tours
- Age range
- 5 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- In-depth Cultural
- Response time
- 11h
- Response rate
- 92%
- Average price
- $336
- 5.0 (22,798 Central Asia reviews)
"Just great experience overall.
- Tours
- 6 Central Asia tours
- Age range
- 12 to 90 years old
- Adventure type
- In-depth Cultural
- Response time
- 1h
- Response rate
- 96%
- Average price
- $212
Discover Central Asia tours for every budget
Several Central Asian routes work well for budget-minded travelers. A 10-day Uzbekistan trip lets you explore Tashkent's interesting mix of Soviet and Islamic buildings before heading into the old Silk Road cities. If you've got two weeks, there's a smart Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan combo where you'll sleep in local homes and yurt camps while hiking the Fann Mountains. Our customers really like learning how to make felt in Kochkor village and meeting eagle hunters near Bokonbaevo. There's also a shorter 7-day Uzbekistan cultural route that works well - people who've taken it praise the efficient train connections and also the cooking classes in Khiva and Bukhara.
Our premium tours blend comfort with real local experiences. The full 5-stans journey takes 20 days with top hotels and private transfers throughout. Nice touches include sipping champagne at sunset on Khiva's old walls and watching master craftsmen at work in Samarkand's silk paper workshop. A 14-day three-country option opens doors to special archaeological site access and private concerts in restored madrasas. What our luxury travelers value most are the intimate dinners in local family homes and having the freedom to shape each day around their interests.
Central Asia budget tours14 tours
Starting from
$95
per day
Central Asia tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
178 tours in Central AsiaExplore Central Asia on a pre-planned itinerary and meet like-minded travelers
Small Group
180 tours in Central AsiaVisit Central Asia with fewer travelers, ensuring more immersive activities.
Private / Personalized
104 tours in Central AsiaThe private tours give you complete flexibility, with our most requested being a 16-day route from Almaty. You can adjust the pace as you go - travelers often choose to spend extra time at places like the Konigil paper mill or exploring Bukhara's merchant domes. Another good option runs through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan over two weeks; your personal guide will explain everything from the ancient rock art at Cholpon-Ata to the star-gazing calculations at Ulugbek's Observatory. For hiking fans, we've got focused 7-day private tours in the Nuratau Mountains where you can explore quiet villages and enjoy home-cooked meals with local families.
Top Central Asia travel itineraries to fit your plans
Ten-day tours really let you understand Central Asia's cultural richness. Our most booked route explores Uzbekistan's UNESCO heritage sites, with a good mix of guided visits and independent exploration that our travelers really appreciate. You'll cook traditional Uzbek dishes in Samarkand, visit local artisans in their workshops and spend your evenings listening to regional music in historic madrasas. Another solid 10-day option takes you from Bishkek through the Tian Shan range to Lake Issyk Kul - you'll watch traditional eagle hunters at work, learn how nomads make felt and then continue to Uzbekistan's ancient Silk Road cities.
Don't miss out on visiting:
Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand, Penjikent, Dushanbe
See all toursDemographics
The 20-day Silk Road journey works beautifully for couples, mixing cultural depth with quiet moments together. Our travelers tell us they love sharing traditional meals in local homes and watching the sun drop behind Khiva's medieval walls. The route includes boutique hotels across Uzbekistan's historic cities and something really special - camping beneath starlit skies near the Darvaza gas crater. Couples particularly value how we balance guided tours with free time; they can explore Bukhara's trading domes and Samarkand's Registan Square at their own natural rhythm.
Our 14-day routes attract younger travelers who want to stay active while diving into local culture. You'll join horseback games in Tokmok, watch eagle hunters at work and learn how locals make traditional felt. The pace keeps you moving - hiking Charyn Canyon one day, exploring Tashkent's bustling bazaars the next. Many guests highlight the nights in yurt camps by Lake Issyk Kul and genuine family dinners in mountain villages. With small groups crossing five countries together, solid friendships tend to form naturally.
Our autumn 15-day cultural tours through Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan suit seniors who appreciate comfortable pacing and quality arrangements. We use good hotels, air-conditioned transport and knowledgeable guides who make ancient sites come alive. Older travelers often mention how much they enjoy visiting artisan workshops in Rishtan and Margilan, where silk weaving and ceramic traditions continue. The schedule allows plenty of time to take in Bukhara's old quarter and Samarkand's monuments without feeling rushed. Our senior guests particularly value the relaxed local meals and genuine connections with welcoming families along the way.
- Solo Travelers194 tours
- Couples42 tours
- Seniors (50+)65 tours
Best time to visit Central Asia
- Spring 2025
Spring is when Central Asia really comes alive and our tours fill up quickly. You'll find wildflower meadows and snowy peaks around Lake Issyk Kul, plus perfect weather for wandering through Samarkand's grand plazas. The spring festivals in the Ferghana Valley are a highlight - our travelers love watching the master craftsmen working in traditional silk workshops and ceramic studios. It's also the ideal time for hiking the Fann Mountains to see the Seven Lakes, each one showing off a different color from turquoise to deep purple. May is especially popular since you can catch the nomads moving their yurt camps up to higher pastures, giving you a real look at traditions that have lasted centuries.
- 127 tours
- 166 tours
- popular 209 tours
- Summer 2025
Summer in Central Asia is all about mountain landscapes and nomadic life. Our most popular routes mix stays in traditional yurt camps by Song Kul Lake with visits to eagle hunters near Lake Issyk Kul. The summer festivals in Kyrgyzstan are a big draw - you can watch traditional horse games and try kumis (fermented mare's milk) with local families. The Fann Mountain trails offer great hiking with clear skies that are perfect for photographing the mineral-colored lakes and sharp peaks. Many of our customers choose tours that include Arslanbob's walnut forests - the biggest natural walnut forest in the world - and love escaping the summer heat up in the high pastures.
- popular 206 tours
- 171 tours
- 200 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Fall brings ideal conditions for exploring Silk Road cities and desert landscapes. Our September and October tours consistently get top ratings - travelers love the comfortable temperatures for exploring Bukhara's old town and Samarkand's impressive squares. Over in Turkmenistan, camping by the Darvaza gas crater under clear autumn skies is quite an experience, while the markets are full of fresh harvest goods and traditional foods. Several routes take advantage of the mild weather for hikes in the Charyn Canyon, where the red sandstone cliffs show their richest colors. Fall visits to Ferghana Valley's artisan workshops are especially popular - you can try making traditional felt and watch expert potters working their craft.
- popular 217 tours
- 161 tours
- 99 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter tours in Central Asia focus on indoor cultural experiences that show off the region's heritage. Popular routes kick off in Tashkent with visits to the Khast Imam Complex, then connect to Samarkand and Bukhara via high-speed trains. Our customers particularly enjoy the winter festivals happening in Uzbekistan's ancient cities - you'll catch local musicians performing in restored madrasas and share traditional meals in family homes. The covered bazaars of Bukhara and Khiva let you explore centuries of trading history while staying warm, and over at Chimbulak resort near Almaty you can hit the slopes with amazing views of the snow-covered Tian Shan peaks.
- 72 tours
- popular 91 tours
- 79 tours
Contact our Central Asia travel experts
Rufus
Expert in Central Asia at TourRadar
Rufus is one of our seasoned Central Asia Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Central Asia tours answered!
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