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

What our customers ask about this tour

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• R

  Robyn

  Asked on August 13th, 2026

  Under "services not covered" in the cost is the Almaty-Dushanbe flight. Further down, under the question, "What is included in the tour price?", the answer given is "specified flights". Since that is the only specified flight this trip, it leaves uncertain which is true.

  Flights / Transfers

  Price / Availability
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written August 2026

    The Almaty-Dushanbe flight ticket is NOT included in the package price and is purchased separately. Excuse the confusion. We have taken note and will edit the information accordingly to avoid any future misunderstandings.
  • R

    Robyn

    Traveler•Written August 2026

    For the Almaty-Dushanbe flight, since you mention Air Astana in your write-ups, do you assist with making arrangements for us to fly on a particular flight, either individually or for us as group?
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    Robyn

    Traveler•Written August 2026

    Also, if I do this trip, I am thinking of arriving in Bishkek the day before the tour starts and departing at the end the day after the tour ends. Do we need to contact the hotels directly to do this, and if so what are their names and contact info?
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written August 2026

    The Almaty-Dushanbe flight can be arranged in two ways, and we always fly as a group.
    - The first possibility is for us to book the flight for you for a fee.
    - Or you can book the flight yourself, as we give you the exact date, time, flight number, and website from which you can book it.
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written August 2026

    As for the additional pre- and post-tour nights, you can organise them with us. For Bishkek, we can give you the hotel details, and you can book yourself, but for Ashgabat, the only possibility is to book through us, as the regime in the country is quite strict and the most secure option is to book through us.
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  Eric

  Asked on July 20th, 2026

  how long does Turkmenistan visa take, still enough time?

  Visa
  • E

    Eric

    Traveler•Written July 2026

    I have no fly on 10/8, have to take 10/9 flight, how much is additional hotel fee, do I still get transfer for it?
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    Eric

    Traveler•Written July 2026

    Is there any female wants to share room in this tour?
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written July 2026

    Regarding your Turkmenistan visa, there is still plenty of time, as the deadline is 8th August. To process it, you will need to provide:
    
    • A copy of your passport
    • A passport-style photo (white background)
    • A completed Turkmenistan visa form
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written July 2026

    Since the official tour departure from Ashgabat is on 8th October and you do not have a flight on that day, I can offer you an additional post-tour night in a single room for 90 EUR. Please note that the airport transfer for this extra day is not included, but we can arrange an airport transfer for 50 EUR.
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    Penguin TravelOperator•Written July 2026

    At the moment, we do not have another female traveler looking to share a room, so a single room will be required.
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    Eric

    Traveler•Written July 2026

    Photo copy of passport just first info page? Or full copy
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  Rachael

  Asked on July 20th, 2026

  your website states single supplement amount as: NZ$5,636 per person + $587 Local Payment Price based on Private Single Room. So total will be NZD$6,223?? Please advise if there will be any additional costs that I need to account for. Are airport transfers included as part of the package?

  Flights / Transfers

  Price / Availability

  Single supplement
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written July 2026

    These are the things not included in the tour: International flights, visas (depending on nationality & paid in cash), entrance fees (70-90 EUR), personal expenses, drinks and meals not mentioned, flight ticket Almaty-Dushanbe (ca. 130-150 EUR/to be confirmed upon request), insurance, tips, airport transfers on day 1. Regarding the airport transfer there is once included on day 21. Please note that there is an additional charge for transfers on different dates post-tour, it's not possible to arrange transfers to/from other places than airport-scheduled hotel-airport)
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    Rachael

    Traveler•Written July 2026

    I am a solo traveller so even if I book/confirm, does it mean tour will go ahead because you are short by 2 people i.e. you will need one more?
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    Penguin TravelOperator•Written July 2026

    We currently have one person looking to book this tour! If you decide to join, your booking will make it a guaranteed departure. Here are the pricing details: Tour Price: €2,390 + €300 local payment. Single Supplement: €490. We already have an international group joining, including travelers from Portugal.
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    Rachael

    Traveler•Written July 2026

    I am keen to reserve a spot for this one (including single supplement) but I am still confused with your pricing and what add-ons (additional charges will apply). On your tour details total is displayed as NZ$5634.13 plus there is an additional amount $586.89
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    Rachael

    Traveler•Written July 2026

    How many people have already booked so far for this and how many you require as minimum to guarantee the departure of a tour? Can you confirm the total amount I will pay for the tour with your company? I mean total including all mandatory local payments, taxes, and fees, entrance fees and any other additional for the tour but excluding only visas, personal expenses, and my international flights. You said earlier that if I book, it will become a guaranteed departure - how many in total would be or can be in this group?
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written July 2026

    The people for this group are 6 travelers. Here are the pricing details: Tour Price: 2,390 EUR, Local Payment: 300 EUR, Single Supplement: 490 EUR, Entrance fees (70-90 EUR). Optional: Flight ticket Almaty-Dushanbe (ca. 130-150 EUR/to be confirmed upon request) (you can either book it yourself or we can book it for you). One-day tour to Seven Lakes: 50 EUR (can be paid in cash 55 USD or 50 EUR added to your booking). Price Includes: 16 nights in standard 2** and 3*** hotels - rooms with private facilities, 1 night in a homestay in Chon Kemin Valley (shared accommodation/up to 6 people in a room), 1 night in a guesthouse in Karakol (shared bathroom facilities), 1 night in a yurt in Issyk Kul (shared accommodation/up to 4 people in a yurt), 1 night in a yurt camp in Darvaza, all meals according to the itinerary (B-breakfast,L-lunch,D-dinner), airport transfers on day 21 (there is an additional charge for transfers on different dates post-tour,it's not possible to arrange transfers to/from other places than airport-scheduled hotel-airport), All ground transport in local tourist buses according to the group size and train tickets Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara, complimentary invitation letter for Turkmenistan visa on arrival, Local English speaking guides and Penguin tour leader (at min. 10 people). Not Included: International flights, visas, personal expenses, drinks and meals not mentioned, insurance, tips, airport transfers on day 1.
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    Penguin TravelOperator•Written July 2026

    To confirm, the tour price listed on our website for this trip is the amount that will be paid in advance before the tour starts. Any items shown as a local payment, or listed under the "What's Not Included" section of the tour details page are additional costs that are not included on the listed tour price. The items mentioned are part of those extra costs to be settled locally or separately.
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  Leanne

  Asked on July 13th, 2026

  How much additional cost is included in this tour for the flight in Almathy? Is late Set to early October a good time to go? Weather won't be that cold?

  Flights / Transfers

  Price / Availability
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written July 2026

    The flight price depends a lot on the departure date. But usually it is somewhere between 150 and 200 EUR. After booking, we offer the option to book the Almaty-Dushanbe on your own, or we can do it for you. Regarding weather, October is mild, except in the mountain areas where it can become quite cold in the evening. We recommend our travellers to bring warm layers.
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  Carol

  Asked on July 13th, 2026

  Is it possible to extend for a day in Ashgabat for an excursion to Merv and Mary?

  Tour Details
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    Penguin TravelOperator•Written July 2026

    We do offer an extension to Mar/Merv, so it is a possibility to do that.
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  Jade

  Asked on July 7th, 2026

  Are flights from Almaty to Dushanbe included in the package?

  Flights / Transfers
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    Penguin TravelOperator•Written July 2026

    The flights from Almaty to Dushanbe are NOT included in the package price and are quoted separately. Depending on the flight date, the price will be different.
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  Veronica

  Asked on July 4th, 2026

  I see under visa information that you are not able to assist with this. But in Q&A you say that you will secure LOI and then we can get visa at border to Turkmenistan. Is this still true or do we need to obtain visa ourselves? I'm norwegian and only require visa at Turkmenistan.

  Visa
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    Penguin TravelOperator•Written July 2026

    We will apply for a pre-authorization Letter of Invitation (LOI) on your behalf. You will obtain and pay for the actual visa upon arrival at the border. The cost is approximately USD $80–$140 in cash.
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  Martin

  Asked on June 28th, 2026

  How much is airfare? Is this rate for one person staying in a single room? Is there an extension available?

  Flights / Transfers

  Price / Availability

  Single supplement

  Tour Details
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written June 2026

    The Almaty-Dushanbe flight prices, if you wish to book through us, will be 200 EUR per ticket with 23 kg of checked-in luggage. If you mean international airfare prices, please let us know your departure airport, and we can let you know the prices.
    
    When you book for one person in a single room, we have a single supplement, which you need to pay to remain in a solo room. If you are willing to share with a fellow traveller of the same gender, and we find a match, the supplement will be removed.
    
    We have possible extensions, such as Mary/Merv.
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  Tanya

  Asked on June 26th, 2026

  Do you also offer tour to Caucasus countries? We are planning to join the 5 Stans next year April 2027 and continue to Caucasus if you are offering it.

  Tour Details
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written June 2026

    We do offer a tour to the Caucasus countries. For the Caucasus trip, we have availability on the 10th of April and the 8th of May.
• S

  Sarah

  Asked on June 20th, 2026

  As an American, I like to know how ro know if you can help ma to get a visa in Tukmenistan. The rest of the countries. I don't need a visa About the domestic flights can you help to purchase the ticket?

  Flights / Transfers

  Visa
  • 

    Penguin TravelOperator•Written June 2026

    Actually, the visa application process is included in the price, and we 100% assist with that. After making an official booking, we will send you an additional message, which will require you to send some information, such as a passport scan, a photo of yourself, etc. This will help us to apply, through our local partner, for a Letter of Invitation (LOI). With this LOI, you get a visa on arrival at the border, after paying the visa fees, which are around 80-115 USD per person.
    
    The Almaty-Dushanbe flight ticket is not included in the package price. You have two options on how to proceed here. Firstly, you can have us book it for you, which will come with an additional service fee. Or if you wish to book it yourself, we will guide you to the website and let you know which flight to book.