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- Gold Operator
- Penguin Travel
- In-depth Cultural
- Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
- Group Tour
- Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
- Fully Guided
- An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
- Medium Intensity
- Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
- Guided in English
- Group Size 6 - 16
- Ages 18+
Highlights
- Explore Bishkek, the greenest city in Central Asia
- Stay in a yurt by the Issyk Kul lake
- Witness traditional eagle hunting near Issyk Kul
- Tour the ancient city sights of Samarkand
- Visit the burning Darvaza gas crater
Itinerary
- Introduction
- Day 1 Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)
- Day 2 Bishkek - Burana - Chon Kemin Valley(Kyrgyzstan)
- Day 3 Chon Kemin - Issyk Kul Lake (Kyrgyzstan)
- Day 4 Issyk Kul Lkae - Jety Oguz - Karakol (Kyrgyzstan)
- Day 5 Karakol (Kyrgyzstan) - Charyn Canyon (Kazakhstan) - Almaty
- Day 6 Almaty (Kazakhstan)
- Day 7 Almaty (Kazakhstan) - Dushanbe (Tajikistan)
- Day 8 Dushanbe - Iskander Kul - Penjikent (Tajikistan)
- Day 9 Seven Lakes (optional tour)
- Day 10 Penjikent - Istarafshan - Khujand (Tajikistan)
- Day 11 Khujand (Tajikistan)
- Day 12 Khujand (Tajikistan) - Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
- Day 13 Tashkent - Samarkand (Uzbekistan)
- Day 14 Samarkand - Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
- Day 15 Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
- Day 16 Bukhara - Khiva (Uzbekistan)
- Day 17 Khiva
- Day 18 Khiva (Uzbekistan) - Darvaza Gas Crater (Turkmenistan)
- Day 19 Darvaza - Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)
- Day 20 Ashgabat - Goekdepe - Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)
- Day 21 Departure
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Guide
- Meals
- Additional Services
- Transport
- Free eSIMTourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Optional
- Additional Services
Customer Photos
Operated by
Penguin Travel
Number of tours
40
Age Range
18 to 80 years old
Response time
within 1 day
Response rate
84%
Established in 1989 in the heart of Copenhagen (Denmark), Penguin Travel rose...
Read moreCustomer Reviews
- Overall RatingExcellent
- ItineraryExcellent
- GuideExcellent
- TransportExcellent
- AccommodationExcellent
- FoodExcellent
- MFMeron· November 21st, 2025On average I would rate this tour a 3/5. I would give the 5 Stans 5/5. I would absolutely recommend it. Very good itinerary. Local guides ranged between good to bad, so average of 3/5. Tour leader ranged between bare minimum to very bad in terms of customer service, professionalism, planning, consistent and clear communication, problem solving...The tour could have been better if the tour leader had the skills, experience and desire to do this kind of job. It's very disappointing that Penguin would assign this guide to this type of complex tour, especially considering it's outside the normal season for this location. At times it felt and looked like she was on vacation and not actually working....Show moreTrip date: September 2025
Ljubomir· November 19th, 2025The tour is well conceived and managed. Kristina, our tour guide, did her best to make everyone feel happy and safe. We were also lucky with the tour group, consisting of indidividuals from all corners of the globe but the dynamics and interpersonal exchange within the group were very motivating. Technical part of the tour (logistics, accomodations) was good. The only complaint is that the organiser (Penguin) didn't want to cover the early check-in cost at the beginning of the tour. All the participants came to the venue (hotel in Bishkek, Kyrgizstan) early in the morning due to their flight schedules, but they had to pay the early check-in contribution by themselves although it was the official Day 1 of the tour for which the tour operatoir already paid the first night accomodation.Show moreTrip date: October 2025- SSSheryl lynn· November 5th, 2025It was amazing! Penguin was well organised and the sites were incredible. The frontier of travel. Highly recommend the 5 Stans with penguin travel!Show moreTrip date: October 2025
- JMJeffrey· October 31st, 2025The tour certainly opened my eyes to the little known region of Central Asia. The history of the region, the architecture, the natural beauty of the landscape and the very friendly people helped create a memorable experienceShow moreTrip date: October 2025
- JJenna· October 21st, 2025This tour is fascinating and our group of 15 people all have fantastic experiences. We met friendly people, visited interesting places, explored different cultures and had unique memories. Special thanks to our tour leader, Andrey Asenov, very knowledgeable, very patient, arranged everything perfectly. Without him, we might not have such a smooth trip. We crossed borders between countries 5 times, each time, Andrey was over watching every detail of steps. He worked tirelessly for this group. We were very lucky to have Andrey.Show moreTrip date: September 2025
- Jeffrey· October 17th, 2025This tour is incredible value and provides a really good overview of the 5-stans. There are similar tours from better known operators, but these are often 2x the price or more. The tour offers a good mix of comfortable (but not luxurious) hotels, home stays, and yurts, so that you can experience the history Silk Road at multiple levels. Local guides are knowledable and passionate, and you'll have access to interesting food, folk shows (if that interests you), museums, and outdoor activities. Horseback riding in Kyrgystan and hikes in all countries were my favorites.Show moreTrip date: August 2025
- STSwee Hoe· October 16th, 2025Overall the tour was well organised. Except for the bus, which was too small to take the bags. So passanger seats were used to store bags. The trip up 7 lakes, the driver was speaking on the mobile while driving up the winding narrow road up hill and down hill. Driving only on one hand. Really dangerous. One mistake would plunge the vehicle down the hill slopes. The last night train ride from Samarkand to Bukhara was disappointing(too long waiting, from 12pm to 10pm. Then arrived Bukhara at midnight ) . Penguin should have organised a bus instead.Show moreTrip date: August 2025
- BDBarb· October 8th, 2025Just back from an amazing trip of the 5 Stan’s. Everything went off without a hitch and our tour leader Margarita was knowledgeable, well organized, and kind with a great sense of humour! Nice variety of city stays, rural towns, mountains, deserts, lakes, yurt camps and warm welcoming people. Definitely recommend!Show moreTrip date: September 2025
- RFRex· October 8th, 2025Enjoyed a fantastic tour of the 5 Stans with Penguin Travel, our tour leader Margarita was insightful & always helpful. The logistics of the tour are quite amazing & everything worked perfectly, the small group size of only 14 people ensures quick & easy access to all sites visited.Show more
Trip date: September 2025 - luiz· October 8th, 2025We had a very nice and relaxed tour, everything worked well, althought it is not a very easy tour to get done so easily. That means, of course, that from one side the work of the company, Penguin Tours, was very well done and from the other side, that the work of the leader of the tour, Biliana, matched our expectations as well. There were no problems that could not be overcome and the end result was that as a whole, the group was very pleased with the tour. I had a very nice and relaxed tour and by what I saw, so did the rest of the group. I'll most certainly travel again with Penguin! So, see you soon!Show moreTrip date: August 2025
Dates & Availability
Select departure month and travellers
- From Monday20 Apr, 2026To Sunday10 May, 2026EnglishAlmost Sold OutFrom:US $2,805 per personMultiple Room TypesLocal Payment$352
- 5 Other Unavailable Departures
- From Monday28 Sep, 2026To Sunday18 Oct, 2026EnglishFilling FastFrom:US $2,805 per personMultiple Room TypesLocal Payment$352
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What our customers ask about this tour
The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.- I
Ivan
Asked on November 5th, 2025Is accommodation included in the tour package?
Penguin TravelOperator•Written November 2025Accommodation is included in the price package. You have 16 nights in standard 2** and 3*** hotels with private facilities, 1 night in a homestay in Chon Kemin Valley (shared accommodation), 1 night in a guesthouse in Karakol (shared bathroom), 1 night in a yurt in Issyk Kul (shared accommodation), and 1 night in a yurt camp in Darvaza.
- A
Alexandra
Asked on November 1st, 2025What is the accommodation costs for this tour?
- Penguin TravelOperator•Written November 2025
The accommodation is included the price that you see on Tour Radar's webpage. If it is for 2 people sharing - 2390 EUR per person in a twin room sharing.
- E
Erin
Asked on October 30th, 2025What kind of payment is this? and in what Currency? If it is in USD, Why can't it be included into the price?
- Penguin TravelOperator•Written October 2025
The Local Payment is a predetermined amount that is mandatory on some of our tours to be paid in 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.
- S
Sean
Asked on October 30th, 2025AT THE BORDER CROSSING CAN YOU PAY WITH AUD OR C/CARD OR WOULD I NEED TO BRING US DOLLARS WITH ME
- Penguin TravelOperator•Written October 2025
at the Turkmenistan border crossing, travelers are required to pay in USD. Card payments are not possible, and the preferred method is with crisp new USD banknotes.
- G
Gail
Asked on October 29th, 2025the accomodations in this tour of 21 days is not included. do you have a supplement to pay for the accomodation separatedly? because it includes two nights in yurts as we are group, all of us are supposed to stay in the same place correct?
- Penguin TravelOperator•Written October 2025
Day 21 is indicated as the departure and the end of the tour, which is why the accommodation is not included for the night. If you would like, you can request a post-tour accommodation for the evening on Day 21, and we will arrange it. For the duration of your yurt camp stay, you are usually divided into two groups: women and men. And you sleep in two separate yurts. We do not mix men and women in the yurt camp accommodation.
- K
Kelly
Asked on October 27th, 2025can you please confirm if the tour guaranteed to depart? Reason I ask is because we will be booking our flight ourselves, so just want to make sure that we won't be left hanging in case you did not meet the required number of travellers.
- Penguin TravelOperator•Written October 2025
The 5STAN-s is one of our best-sellers for a reason. Almost every one of our groups is sold-out, and periodically we add new dates, because of the big interest for this tour. As for the group that departs on the 28th of September, in a month or two it will be sold out. The departure is guaranteed, so you can go ahead and make your booking without any concerns.
- L
Lesley
Asked on October 26th, 2025How much is your single suplment for this tour departing in September 2026
- Penguin TravelOperator•Written October 2025
The Single Supplement for this year's 5STANS tour is 490 EUR. So for our groups that departure in September the supplement is also 490 EUR.
- S
Susan
Asked on October 20th, 2025May i know the before and after tour hotel you are going to suggest so that i can check it early. And where is the starting meet up point at Bishkek?
- Penguin TravelOperator•Written October 2025
The hotel that we usually use in Bishkek is the following: My hotel Bishkek. That is also the meeting point where the group gather together and the tour itself starts. The hotel we use in Ashgabat is: Ak Altyn hotel. Unfortunately, for date of departure of 27th of April we do not have availability and it is already fully booked. Just today we opened a new date of departure 18th of May.
- S
Susan
Traveler•Written October 2025I would like make booking for two people for the 21 days 5 tans date 27 April, but the date not showing
- Penguin TravelOperator•Written October 2025
Unfortunately, we do not have availability for this date- 27th of April. That is why it is not showing and you cannot make an official reservation. Good news is we have a new date that we added - 18th of May 2026. If the date is suitable, you can go ahead and make an official booking for it.
S2 more answers - A
Allison
Asked on October 18th, 2025We are two active seniors from state of Oregon in USA and interested in your 5-stans tour for next spring 2026. I had emailed you last week to inquire more info but have not receive response. Your recommendations on flight travel from west coast USA?
- Penguin TravelOperator•Written October 2025
In order for us to give you the best option for a flight, we need the name of the airport or at least the closest city to you. Then we will be able to give you an offer for a flight ticket to Bishkek and from Ashgabat. Unfortunately, the date of 11th of May is already fully booked. We just put today a new date of departure - 18th of May. If that date suits your travel plan, you can go ahead and book it.
- M
Marc
Asked on October 18th, 2025Are we picked up at the airport or if not what hotel would we be staying at?
- Penguin TravelOperator•Written October 2025
Your tour package includes airport transfer only on the day of arrival, which is the first day of the tour. The arrival time does not matter — you will be picked up from the airport and taken directly to your hotel.
Price based on Cheapest Room
Price based on Shared Room
Price based on Private Single Room
Price based on Private Double Room
Best price guarantee Learn More
Good to Know
Tour ID: 181242
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