Echoes of Empires: Five Stans Expedition, 19d

What our customers ask about this tour

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• M

  Marilyn

  Asked on August 7th, 2026

  Can you please confirm if the traveller arrives later at night on Day 1?

  Flights / Transfers
  • M

    Marilyn

    Traveler•Written August 2026

    What documents are required if arriving by land? What documents are required if arriving by airport instead? Would it be more secure or reliable to arrange the visa online in advance by sending passport details to the Turkmenistan embassy and completing the process online, rather than on arrival?
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    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written August 2026

    You can arrive on October 9 and check in after 14:00. Or you can arrive on October 10 and check in in the morning. For departure, you can leave Ashgabat on October 28, with check-out before 12:00. The airport transfer to the hotel on the arrival day and the transfer from the hotel to the airport on the departure day are included in the tour price. If you require an additional night, please see the rates below: Pre-tour accommodation: 110 USD per night (single room) / 130 USD per night (double room). Post-tour accommodation: 148 USD per night (single room) / 190 USD per night (double room).
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    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written August 2026

    Travelers to Turkmenistan need a Letter of Invitation (LOI) and a tourist visa. The LOI is arranged in advance through a licensed Turkmen tour operator and usually takes around 15 working days. A printed copy of the LOI must be presented upon arrival. Arrival by land: Travelers go through passport, health, and customs checks on both sides of the border. There is usually a 1–1.5 km neutral zone, which may be crossed on foot or by local shuttle. The process can take some time, so patience is recommended. Our local guide/driver will assist with the border crossing whenever possible. Documents and cash required: Passport valid for at least 6 months, Printed LOI, Approximately 100–120 USD for the visa, Approximately 30–50 USD for health/entry fees, Tour confirmation documents. Please note that entry and border procedures may change depending on local regulations.
  
  
  2 more answers
• T

  Tanya

  Asked on April 28th, 2026

  Do you give free tours for a group of 10pax?

  Group size

  Price / Availability
  • 

    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written April 2026

    What do you mean by "free tours". Were you looking to see if you can give one space free if 10 book?
• V

  Vicky

  Asked on April 27th, 2026

  Is this departure confirmed to run, and how many travellers are currently booked (what is the typical group size)?

  Group size
  • V

    Vicky

    Traveler•Written April 2026

    Could you please share the planned hotel list for this departure?
  • V

    Vicky

    Traveler•Written April 2026

    Are there any shopping/workshop stops included in the itinerary?
  • 

    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written April 2026

    Yes, this group is guaranteed, 4 people are already signed up.
  • 

    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written April 2026

    Yes, workshop and shopping stops are included (usually at bazaars), but they are rare and short. In case you are not interested in shopping, you my spen this time on your own.
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    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written April 2026

    Almaty Grand Sapphire Hotel 3* or similar
    Kolsay Lakes Alban / Taushelek guesthouse (twin room with private en-suite bathroom)
    Karakol Green Yard Hotel 3* or similar
    Kochkor Nomad Lodge Hotel 3* / Bagysh Hotel 3*
    Bishkek Bishkek Boutique Hotel 3* or similar
    Tashkent Human Hotel 3* or similar
    Khujand Khujand Deluxe Hotel 4* or similar
    Penjikent Panjakent Plaza Hotel 3* or similar
    Samarkand Arba Hotel 3* or similar
    Bukhara Rangrez Hotel 3* or similar
    Mary Mary Hotel Hotel 4* or similar
    Ashgabat Sport Hotel 4* or similar
  • V

    Vicky

    Traveler•Written May 2026

    As a Greek passport holder, which visas (if any) are required for this itinerary, and do you assist with the Turkmenistan visa/LOI process?
  • V

    Vicky

    Traveler•Written May 2026

    What would the Turkmenistan visa process include and how would it work? It's mentioned that it would cost approx. 100–120 USD per person, how/when would the payment take place? Do I need to do any preparation on my behalf in advance of the trip?
  • V

    Vicky

    Traveler•Written May 2026

    Are there any additional mandatory local payments/fees not included in the tour price that I need to know about?
  • V

    Vicky

    Traveler•Written May 2026

    What is the baggage allowance of the "Bishkek to Tashkent" flight included in the itinerary?
  • 

    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written May 2026

    For Greek citizens, only a visa for Turkmenistan is required. Entry to all the other countries along the route is visa-free.
  • 

    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written May 2026

    A Turkmenistan visa can be obtained upon arrival at a land border checkpoint (payment on the spot: approximately $100–$120 per person + PCR test fee of $33 per person). However, a visa is issued based on a visa invitation approved by the Turkmenistan Migration Service, and we will assist you with this process.
    
    To proceed, we will need the following documents from you:
    • A scanned color copy of your passport (high quality)
    • A recent passport-sized photo
    • A completed application form
    Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your departure from the region.
    
    We will submit the visa invitation request for the entire group 30 days before the tour starts. The approval process takes approximately three weeks. Once the visa invitation is ready, we will send you a scanned copy, which you will need to print and present to immigration officials upon arrival to obtain your visa.
  • 

    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written May 2026

    The other mandatory expenses during the tour are meals, as only several meals are included in our package. Our local guides will gladly assist the group in choosing suitable places for lunches and dinners, with payment made on the spot. Of course, if someone prefers to skip a meal, the free time may be used at their own discretion.
    
    There is also one additional mandatory payment in Turkmenistan - a local tourism tax of 2 USD per night (3 nights total), which is not included in our package price.
    
    Apart from this, there are no other mandatory payments.
  • 

    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written May 2026

    On the flight from Bishkek to Tashkent, the baggage allowance is 8 kg of hand luggage and 23 kg of checked baggage.
  • V

    Vicky

    Traveler•Written May 2026

    Would it also be possible to share the approximate age ranges of the participants, just for my reference?
  • V

    Vicky

    Traveler•Written May 2026

    One question regarding payments throughout the trip: are card payments commonly accepted in the places we will be visiting? I understand that in more remote areas cash may be the only option, but generally would I be able to use my card for things such as food, drinks, souvenirs, etc.?
  • V

    Vicky

    Traveler•Written May 2026

    Also regarding cash, if cash is definitely required, would there be opportunities during the trip to withdraw money from ATMs (or possibly visit a bank with the guide's assistance), or would you recommend arranging and bringing sufficient cash in advance?
  • V

    Vicky

    Traveler•Written May 2026

    Approximately what time is the city tour expected to finish and return to the hotel? Also, if at any point I feel too exhausted from the long journey, would there be any issue if I left the tour independently and returned to the hotel earlier?
  • V

    Vicky

    Traveler•Written May 2026

    Regarding medical care and emergencies, what would generally be the furthest distance or travel time from access to a hospital, health centre, or doctor at any point during the expedition?
  • 

    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written May 2026

    Other confirmed travelers are about 50-60 years old.
  • 

    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written May 2026

    Along most of your route, card payments are generally accepted in larger cities such as Almaty, Bishkek, Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Ashgabat - especially in hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and many cafés. Visa and Mastercard usually work without problems in urban areas.
    
    However, in smaller towns and remote areas such as Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake, Karakol countryside areas, Seven Lakes region, or village guesthouses, cash is often preferred or sometimes required - particularly for small cafés, local shops, markets, drinks, snacks, and souvenirs.
  • 

    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written May 2026

    Regarding ATMs: yes, during the trip there will definitely be opportunities to withdraw local currency from ATMs in all major cities. Your guides can also assist if you need help finding ATMs or exchange offices. In Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, withdrawing money is usually straightforward.
    
    Turkmenistan is the exception. International bank cards are not always reliable there, and ATM access for foreign cards can be limited. For this reason, we strongly recommend bringing some USD cash for the Turkmenistan part of the trip. Your guide will assist with currency exchange locally if needed.
  • 

    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written May 2026

    Yes, the sightseeing program will finish approximately around 5-6 PM. Of course, if at any point you would prefer to return to the hotel earlier, simply inform the guide, and he will gladly assist you.
  • 

    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written May 2026

    Throughout the tour, access to medical care is generally reasonable, especially considering the remote nature of some parts of Central Asia. Most nights of the tour are spent in cities or larger towns where hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, or medical centers are available.
    
    The more remote sections of the journey are mainly:
    - the Charyn Canyon / Kolsay Lakes / Kaindy area in Kazakhstan,
    - some mountain areas in Kyrgyzstan,
    - and the Seven Lakes region in Tajikistan.
    
    During these portions, the furthest distance from basic medical assistance would usually be approximately 1.5-3 hours by road, depending on weather and road conditions. However, your guides and drivers will always have mobile communication where coverage exists, and they are experienced with assisting travelers in case of health issues or emergencies.
    
    In the larger cities along the route - such as Almaty, Bishkek, Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Ashgabat - there are good private clinics and hospitals available if necessary.
    
    In addition, if you have any known medical conditions or regularly take medication, we strongly advise bringing a sufficient supply of your personal medicines with you for the entire duration of the trip. Ideally, medications should remain in their original packaging.
    
    For prescription medications, we would recommend being especially careful and carrying a copy of the prescription or a doctor's note in English, as some countries may request supporting documentation at customs if the medication contains controlled substances.
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  22 more answers
• N

  Nicholas

  Asked on January 2nd, 2026

  Do we see Khiva on thsis tour?

  Tour Details
  • 

    Central Asia Travel LPOperator•Written January 2026

    Although it seems like your current tour doesn't visit Khiva, we have an exciting alternative for you! The "Four Stans Odyssey: Through the Heart of Central Asia" is an 18-day adventure that does include a stop in Khiva — a city known for its mesmerizing ancient architecture and rich history. This tour is a fantastic opportunity to dive deep into the heart of Central Asia, offering a blend of cultural heritage and stunning landscapes. If you're interested in exploring the Silk Road history and experiencing the enchanting atmosphere of Khiva, this could be the perfect adventure for you!