The 5 Stan-s - Follow in the footsteps of Genghis Khan

What our customers ask about this tour

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• T

  Theresa

  Asked on March 24th, 2026

  Im a US citizen. How do I get a visa in Turkmenistan? Will you assist me in getting it and I will pay the fee for the service rendered. And also upon checking all the other countries. I don't need visas prior entering their countries except Turkmenistan.

  Visa
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written March 2026

    Regarding your inquiry, please note that all nationalities require a visa to enter Turkmenistan. To facilitate this, we will apply for an official Letter of Invitation (LOI) on your behalf. Once this letter is approved, your visa will be issued and paid for upon arrival at the border. The cost typically ranges between $80 and $140 USD, payable in cash. Please ensure your banknotes are new, crisp, and free of any marks, as the authorities are very strict about currency condition.
• V

  Valerie

  Asked on February 23rd, 2026

  My tour ends in Ashgabat on June 14. The two available flights home depart at 3:15 am and 8:10am that day. Should I make plans to depart the following day - June 15.

  Flights / Transfers
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written February 2026

    You can book your flights for the 14th of June. Given that the 14th is your official departure date, we have nothing planned for that day. Your transfer to the airport will be organised regardless of the hour.
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  Kim

  Asked on February 16th, 2026

  Could you please advise if this tour is 100% departure on dates mentioned. Also how many people have confirmed their space for each May departure ? Also max number per trip ?

  Group size

  Price / Availability
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written February 2026

    We currently have three available spots left for the 25 May departure, which is a guaranteed departure.
    
    For the 4 May departure, we currently have three travelers confirmed. As May is one of the best months to visit the 5 Stans, we are hopeful that this departure will also be confirmed soon.
    
    Please note that the minimum number of travelers required for a guaranteed departure is 6, and the maximum group size is 15.
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  Gloria

  Asked on February 9th, 2026

  What is a local payment and why do we have it?

  Payments
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written February 2026

    The local payment is a predetermined amount (usually 100, 200 or 300 EUR per person depending on the tour/country) which is mandatory on some of our tours to be paid cash to the tour leader upon arrival. The local payment is part of the total cost of the tour, it is NOT an additional fee. This exact amount is deducted from your initial invoice that you pay pre-departure.
    
    Having a small part of the cost paid cash as a local payment is a standard practice in the tourism industry. During some of our tours in specific parts of the world, there are a lot of cash expenses that we as an agency need to cover (which are included in your travel package). That's why to make it safer and easier for our tour leader, they will collect a small amount in cash directly from you during the tour. Having a Local Payment also allows us to keep the cost of our tours competitive and save on operational and administrative costs, so we can pass the savings on to you. Please note that the local payment doesn't cover tips for the local guides, entry fees or other personal expenses.
  • G

    Gloria

    Traveler•Written February 2026

    Are there domestic flights included on this tour?
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written February 2026

    Yes, there are domestic flight on the itinerary (from Almaty to Dushanbe), but they are not included on the final price, which means the customer has to pay them separately. Usually the price is not more than 150-170 EUR per person with checked in luggage included.
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  Terry

  Asked on February 7th, 2026

  I see some bad reviews about the guides you used. Have you improved on that.

  Operator
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written February 2026

    We've taken past feedback seriously and have made improvements over time, including updating our guides and refining our processes to ensure a better experience overall. We also continue to review feedback closely so we can keep improving where needed.
    
    While experiences can vary, we're confident that the service we provide today reflects these positive changes, and we do our best to make sure our customers have a smooth and enjoyable experience.
• A

  Amanda

  Asked on February 2nd, 2026

  What is the best deal you can do further more. I do have few agent talking at the moment but don't know who to go with.

  Price / Availability
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written February 2026

    Unfortunately, as a budget-friendly company, we already offer the best deals on the market. So we cannot offer any additional discounts on this tour.
• E

  Erika

  Asked on January 29th, 2026

  If I choose this date, can I arrive in Bishkek on 5/24 at 8:45 am? Can I depart from Ashgabat on 6/14 at 8:10 am?

  Flights / Transfers
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    If you choose to join our group, which departs on the 25th of May, you can arrive and depart on these dates. Keep in mind that for arrival, you will have to organise your transfer to the hotel, plus an additional pre-tour night. Because the official start day of the tour is the 25th of May.
    
    Please do not buy any flight tickets before getting an official confirmation that your booking is official.
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    Erika

    Traveler•Written January 2026

    If you waive the single supplement, I will book today and pay the deposit!
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written February 2026

    Unfortunately, upon booking, the single supplement will automatically be added to your invoice. If we find you a male traveler who is willing to share a room, we will deduct the single supplement, and you will not pay. However, we cannot guarantee that there will be someone willing to share, so you might have to pay the supplement.
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  Linda

  Asked on January 26th, 2026

  I'm interested in your tour of the Stans. I was wondering what the average age on your tours is please?

  Age Range
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    Usually, our age range is between 40 and 65. There are some exceptions; we have seen an influx of younger people participating, too. But our groups are very diverse in terms of age and nationality.
  • L

    Linda

    Traveler•Written January 2026

    What airline is the internal flight too please?
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    Usually, people prefer to book with Turkish Airlines, but it really depends on your starting point. If you could give me your departing airport, I can tell you which way will be best for you.
  • L

    Linda

    Traveler•Written January 2026

    I meant the internal flight from Almaty to Dushanbe :) but I just read that it is air astana!
  • L

    Linda

    Traveler•Written January 2026

    What age bracket are the people on that tour please?
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    Yes, correct, Air Astana is the company from which you buy the Almaty-Dushanbe flight.
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    The age bracket is 18 - till the person feels comfortable and healthy to travel. We have had 80 y.o. people who travel with us with no worries.
  • L

    Linda

    Traveler•Written January 2026

    For the tour beginning 21st September , what is the average age?
  • L

    Linda

    Traveler•Written January 2026

    Also just was looking at booking and it says there is an additional fee of $514 AUD. What is this for please?
  • L

    Linda

    Traveler•Written January 2026

    I have looked at flights on the date we'd be flying from ALA do DYU. I am a nervous flier so want to confirm it is the Air Astana flight KC131 :) also do I book that myself or does the company?
  • L

    Linda

    Traveler•Written January 2026

    What is not included in terms of tickets? I note it's around 90 euro worth of tickets that need to be paid. Is there any other tickets I should budget for please?
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    As per the data I have on record for this group, currently, the age range is 50- 60 y.o.
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    The fee of 300 EUR is our Local Payment. This is NOT an additional fee to the tour, as it is subtracted from your invoice, and needs to be paid on the spot with cash. Having a small part of the cost paid in cash as a local payment is a standard practice in the tourism industry. During some of our tours in specific parts of the world, there are a lot of cash expenses that we as an agency need to cover (which are included in your travel package). That's why, to make it safer and easier for our tour leader, they will collect a small amount in cash directly from you during the tour.
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    The Almaty-Dushanbe flight can be covered by either you or we can purchase it for you. After making an official reservation, we send you a message that contains further details for the trip, and this ticket is explained there. Please do not purchase any tickets before having an official reservation with us!
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    The international tickets to Bishkek and from Ashgabat, plus the Almaty-Dushanbe tickets, are not included in the package price. The Almaty-Dushanbe ticket price depends whther you book it with us or decide to buy it on your own.
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  Renee

  Asked on January 21st, 2026

  I was wondering if there is any chance you could add one more person to the tour? Or if you perhaps already have another solo female traveller who would be prepared to share...it would reduce their costs if thats' an incentive...keeping my fingers crossed...

  Group size

  Single supplement
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    Unfortunately, we are at full capacity for this group, and we cannot accommodate your reservation. However, you are free to explore our other available dates, which for now are:
    - 25th of May, 2026
    -21st of September,2026.
• C

  Carol

  Asked on January 19th, 2026

  Cost of return International flights to Brisbane Australia return

  Flights / Transfers

  Price / Availability
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written January 2026

    Usually, we do not purchase international tickets for our travelers. The cost depends on your preferences, airline, etc. The fastest way to check the price for the flight Ashgabat-Brisbane will be throught google flights.