Have you ever wondered what it is like to travel the ancient Silk Road? You don't have to wonder anymore as you can travel the Silk Road by yourself with this ultimate Central Asia travel guide, complete with an epic one-month itinerary that will let you travel back through time and see why Central Asia is one of the most incredible regions in the world.
Without further ado, here's a complete 1-month itinerary for Central Asia and all the information you need to plan an epic trip in one of the least-traveled regions in the world.
- One Month Central Asia Itinerary Map
-
One Month Central Asia Backpacking Itinerary
- Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
- Kadji Say, Kyrgyzstan
- Kochkor and Song Kul, Kyrgyzstan
- Osh, Kyrgyzstan
- The Pamir Highway, Tajikistan
- Dushanbe, Tajikistan
- Samarkand, Uzbekistan
- Bukhara, Uzbekistan
- Khiva, Uzbekistan
- Darvaza Crater, Turkmenistan
- Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
- Yangykala Canyon, Turkmenistan
- Flying back from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
- Central Asia Travel Video
- Why Go to Central Asia?
- When to Go to Central Asia?
- Visas for Central Asia
- How to Get to Central Asia?
- How to Get Around Central Asia?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Central Asia?
- What to Pack for Central Asia?
- Further Reading for Central Asia
One Month Central Asia Itinerary Map
| โ๏ธ Day 1-2: | Almaty, Kazakhstan |
| โ๏ธ Day 3-5: | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
| โ๏ธ Day 6-9: | Karakol, Kyrgyzstan |
| โ๏ธ Day 10: | Kadji Say, Kyrgyzstan |
| โ๏ธ Day 11-12: | Kochkor and Song Kul, Kyrgyzstan |
| โ๏ธ Day 13-14: | Osh, Kyrgyzstan |
| โ๏ธ Day 15-21: | The Pamir Highway, Tajikistan |
| โ๏ธ Day 22-23: | Dushanbe, Tajikistan |
| โ๏ธ Day 24-25: | Samarkand, Uzbekistan |
| โ๏ธ Day 26-27: | Bukhara, Uzbekistan |
| โ๏ธ Day 28-30: | Khiva, Uzbekistan |
| โ๏ธ Day 31: | Darvaza Crater, Turkmenistan |
| โ๏ธ Day 32-33: | Ashgabat, Turkmenistan |
| โ๏ธ Day 34: | Yangykala Canyon, Turkmenistan |
| โ๏ธ Day 35: | Flying back from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan |
One Month Central Asia Backpacking Itinerary
Day 1 - 2: Almaty, Kazakhstan (2 Nights)
Almaty is a great place to start your journey in Central Asia since it is the travel hub of this region, with many flights flying to and from Almaty via Air Astana and other international airlines. Getting here should not be a problem.
Almaty is also known as one of the liveliest cities among all the cities you will be visiting here, with a ton of cool things to do, such as visiting the beautiful Zenkov's Cathedral. It is probably one of the most impressive structures, if not the most impressive, in the entire city.
Places like the Green Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in the city that is always bustling with people and shopkeepers selling all kinds of products, Kok Tobe Hill, a prominent hill located not too far from Almaty that offers an incredible view of the city from above, and the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, will allow you to become acquainted with the culture of this region and prepare you for an incredible trip across Central Asia.
- Central Asia - 5 Stans (19 days)
- The 5 Stan-s - Follow in the footsteps of Genghis Khan (21 days)
- Multi-Stan Adventure - Bishkek to Tashkent (23 days)
If you can spare a few more days, you can also go on a day trip and visit places like Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake, and Kaindy Lake, which are some of the most beautiful spots in Southern Kazakhstan, all in one day.
After you are done with Almaty, you can either catch a bus from Sayran Bus Station or organize a private or shared taxi from Almaty to take you to Bishkek from the bus station. The journey should take anywhere between 4 and 10 hours, depending on the traffic and delays at the border. For a more detailed guide on how to cross the border, please check out: Crossing the Kazakhstan โ Kyrgyzstan Border.
Day 3 - 5: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (3 Nights)
Bishkek may seem like a small city in comparison to Almaty in Kazakhstan, but the place has more to offer than you might think. First, spend the day walking around the city, checking out the many brutalist architectures like the Manas statues and Ala Too Square.
Want to take it a little slow? You can also drop by Sierra Cafe to have a nice coffee. At night, if you are interested in experiencing the party scene, do check out No Name Bar for a nice beer or Tuman for a crazy psychedelic trance club. If you are looking for a rooftop bar, check out Bar 12.
The next day, go on a day trip to Ala Archa National Park with an organized tour and hike the valley along the river to immerse yourself in the amazing nature the country has to offer. The national park is only 30 minutes away from the city, so you can easily do it in a day.
If you couldn't find a tour to get to Ala Archa, you can also opt for a visit to Konorchek Canyon & Burana Tower with an organized day trip. You can also do them independently by asking your guesthouse to organize a taxi for you if you wish. Taxis are not overly expensive here.
After spending the morning exploring the canyon, you can then visit Burana Tower, another remnant of the Ancient Silk Road. If you do not want to manage all the logistics yourself, I recommend you go with this Konorchek Canyon & Burana Tower 1-day tour. It will save you a ton of trouble trying to manage your way around marshrutkas here.
Day 6 - 9: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan (4 Nights)
From Bishkek, you can take a marshrutka to Karakol, a base town to launch yourself into all the beautiful mountains around the Issyk Kul region. An unforgettable trail I would recommend is a 3-day trek to Ala Kul which will take you through one of the most stunning valleys and lakes in Karakol.
The highest pass you will have to hike is 3,800 m high, and that is where you will be able to see the true beauty of the mountains in Kyrgyzstan. The hike is tough, and the trail is not very well marked, but I can assure you that after you reach the pass, you will know why it is worth every drop of sweat.
Day 10: Kadji Say, Kyrgyzstan (1 Night)
After a crazy trek, don't you wish you could chill out at a beach, dipping your tired feet in the water? Well, this is the place to be. Kadji Say is a small beachside town in a remote part of Issyk Kul. It is the best place to have a quiet evening watching the sun set behind the Tian Shan mountain range and listening to waves crashing on the second-highest alpine lake in the world.
The next day, you can take a taxi to Fairy Tale Canyon and hike around the beautiful, jagged terrain for a few hours. You will see why it is named that when you get there.
Where to Stay in Kadji Say?
Day 11 - 12: Kochkor and Song Kul, Kyrgyzstan (2 Nights)
After Kadji Say, we continue onward to another highlight of Kyrgyzstan: Song Kul, an alpine lake 3000m above sea level. But before you get there, you will have to go to Kochkor and find a tour to go to Song Kul Lake. You can either go with one of the tourism organizations like CBT (Community-Based Tourism) and Shepherd's Life, which you can find in Kochkor, or organize it through your hostel. The more people you can find to join you, the cheaper it will be.
I did it alone, and even though it was not cheap, I had a great time going with the Shepherd's Life. I met other travelers up there, and we had a big party around a campfire, dancing to Kyrgyz dance music blasting out from a Toyota Yaris under the stars. It was a surreal experience.
Where to Stay in Kochkhor?
Day 13 - 14: Osh, Kyrgyzstan (2 Nights)
From Kochkor, it is best that you head back to Bishkek via a marshrutka and fly to Osh to save time. The flight from Bishkek to Osh can cost as low as 30 USD, so if you don't have a lot of time to spare, flying is the best way. If not, you can take an overnight bus or go with a shared taxi to Osh, which could take as long as 8 hours.
Osh is like another country to the rest of Kyrgyzstan. Its landscape is comprised mostly of desert, and Uzbek population, and the deliciousness of the food here makes it all worthwhile to come all the way down here. You can spend a day hiking the Sulayman Hill and planning for another highlight of your trip to Central Asia, the Pamir Highway.
Day 15 - 21: The Pamir Highway, Tajikistan (7 Nights)
For the Pamir Highway, as mentioned before, you will need to rent a jeep and hire a driver to traverse the road. One way you can organize this is through Osh Guesthouse in Osh. This is the hub where you can organize a trip to the Pamir Highway and find other backpackers to share the jeep with. You can also plan ahead and connect with other travelers online at Caravanistan Forum and plan the trip together. I personally used the forum and successfully found 3 more people to share the jeep with.
Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Tension: As of 2023, the Kyrgyz-Tajik Border has reopened in July after a two-year closure. However, to cross the border, you will still require an e-visa and a GBAO permit, both of which can be obtained in advance from here.
There are a few routes you can take to traverse the Pamir Highway, but I would recommend the 7-day one as follows:
- Day 1: Osh - Lenin Peak - Sary Mogul.
- Day 2: Sary Mogul - Crossed into Tajikistan - Karakul Lake
- Day 3: Karakul Lake - Murghab
- Day 4: Murghab - Bulunkul (Hiking possibility)
- Day 5: Bulunkul - Wakhan Valley - Langar
- Day 6: Langar - Hot spring - Ishkashim
- Day 7: Ishkashim - Khorog
- Day 8: Khorog - Dushanbe (public jeep)
One of the highlights of the Pamir Highway trip is the Wakhan Valley, which runs along the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, where you will be able to take a peek at the true beauty of Afghanistan's landscape. You don't get to do that very often in life. ๐
Khorog is the last town you will be traveling to with the rented jeep, so from here, you will have to get a marshrutka to Dushanbe, which can take up to 16 hours depending on the road condition. The marshrutka leaves early in the morning from the bus stop in Khorog. If the weather permits, you can also fly on a small aircraft back to Dushanbe, which will allow you to see the surrounding landscape from above.
Where to Stay on the Pamir Highway?
Day 22 - 23: Dushanbe, Tajikistan (2 Nights)
After the Pamir Highway, you can spend the day in Dushanbe relaxing, eating good food, and going for a walk around Rudaki Park to check out the second tallest flagpole in the world (the first is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia).
I like Dushanbe. The slow, quiet vibe of Dushanbe is a much-needed change from spending time with 7 other people for 8 days on the Pamir Highway (we were 2 jeeps traveling together). Before ending the day, talk to your hostel or guesthouse and organize a taxi to the Tajikistan and Uzbekistan border for the next morning.
Day 24 - 25: Samarkand, Uzbekistan (2 Nights)
It should take you the entire day traveling from Dushanbe to Samarkand through the Denau border. It is a long trip, but once you arrive in Samarkand, you will start to feel like you are traveling along the Ancient Silk Road.
Samarkand is one of the reasons why I decided to come to Uzbekistan. The entire city is like an open-air museum with multiple UNESCO sights all concentrated in one area, which makes it easy to explore. Right at the center of it all is Registan, a public square framed by three madrasahs (Islamic schools) with a distinct architectural style.
Registan is best seen during sunset with locals coming out in droves to enjoy the last light of the day and the beautiful structure lit up like fireworks. Be sure to check out Registan at sunset.
Another one of my favorite sights is Shah-i-Zinda, a necropolis that includes mausoleums and other ritual buildings. This cluster of buildings is most photogenic in the evening when there are fewer people.
Day 26 - 27: Bukhara, Uzbekistan (2 Nights)
After spending 2 days in Samarkand, continue westward to another important ancient city of the Silk Road: Bukhara. Some of the many beautiful ancient architectures that you shouldn't miss in Bukhara are the Kalon Mosque and its Minaret, as well as the massive Ark of Bukhara.
These architectures are nice and all, but the real beauty of Bukhara lies within the small alleys of the old town area where you can walk around, discovering local shops and houses while seeing local people living out their lives. There's no place quite like Bukhara.
Day 28 - 30: Khiva, Uzbekistan (3 Nights)
Khiva is another ancient city that played an important role during the Silk Road era. The entire city is a UNESCO site, surrounded by an ancient wall that has maintained its traditional look throughout the years.
The cool part about Khiva is that people are still living inside the wall, despite the place being turned into a tourist attraction. Within the boundary of the wall, you will find a minaret that you can climb to watch the sunset over Khiva. It was quite a sight to behold.
The next day, organize a taxi via your guest house to take you to one of the many ancient fortresses scattered around the desert of Khiva. One of the most impressive fortresses is Ayaz Qala, or what's left of it, at least since zero work went into maintaining the fortress. It is still fun to hike around the fortress though.
Day 31: Darvaza Crater, Turkmenistan (1 Night)
At this point, you should already have organized a tour to Turkmenistan, informing your driver that you will be crossing the border from Khiva at a certain time. If everything goes according to the plan, your driver should be waiting for you at the other end of the border where he will drive you to the Darvaza Crater, set up a tent, make you dinner, and then you are free to roam the desert.
The Gateway to Hell (Darvaza Crater) is one of the most surreal places I've seen in my life. It is as hot, scary, and beautiful as it looks in photos. Apparently, the crater has been burning for the past 40+ years since its discovery and ignition in 1971.
The crater is most beautiful at night when it is lit up, illuminating the entire area under the stars, as it burns through its infinite gas reserve.
Where to Stay in Turkmenistan?
Day 32 - 33: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (2 Nights)
After spending a night in Darvaza, you will have to go to Ashgabat and register as a tourist. The whole process will be managed by your tour company; all you have to do is sign some documents, and then you are "free" to roam. You know, as free as a tourist can be in a place like Ashgabat.
Ashgabat, or the White Marble City, is a strange place that you may feel like hating at first (it felt like I was suffocating with all the "you can't walk there" and "you can take a photo here" rules). However, once you get the hang of it, the place is quite interesting to explore on your own.
There are several gigantic, alien-looking white marble monuments all over the city. The must-see places are the Wedding Palace (Bagt kรถลgi), Sculpture Of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Alem Center (รlem), Constitution Monument (Konstitusiรฝa binasy), Bitaraplyk Binasy, and Independence Monument (Garaลsyzlyk binasy). And I've checked, you can take a photo in these places without being nagged by the police!
After spending two full days exploring Ashgabat, you can either take a domestic flight to Turkmenbashi and meet your driver at the airport there or if you have time, you can opt for a land journey with your driver to Turkmenbashi and continue on to Yangykala Canyon.
Day 34: Yangykala Canyon, Turkmenistan (1 Night)
Another awesome place to camp under the stars, Yangykala Canyon is one of the most spectacular natural sights in Turkmenistan, showing off its unique red, pink, and orange bands that stretch across the canyon walls.
Your camping spot should be somewhere near the plateau that will allow you to climb up to see the 360ยฐ view of the canyon while having grilled chicken with your driver, watching the sunset turn the entire landscape orange. Turkmenistan truly shines when you are out and about, spending your time in nature away from all civilization.
Day 35: Flying back from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (1 Night)
After visiting Yangykala Canyon, you can either take a ferry to Baku to continue your journey to Azerbaijan or go straight back to Ashgabat, where you will fly back to Almaty or straight home.
Central Asia Travel Video
You can watch other Central Asia Video here: Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan
Why Go to Central Asia?
Central Asia is one of the last few regions of the world that is still considered to be off-the-beaten-path for travelers who are looking for a real adventure. The region also played an important role in connecting the East to the West during the Silk Road time, hence why there are so many ancient monuments, stunning old towns, and forgotten cultures for you to explore.
Not just that, the region is extremely diverse, making it the perfect area to backpack around for a month or more. With the stunningly beautiful mountains of Kyrgyzstan, the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan, the stunning architecture of Uzbekistan, the Gateway to Hell in Turkmenistan, and the rich culture of Kazakhstan, you will never get bored in Central Asia.
When to Go to Central Asia?
The best time to visit Central Asia is during Spring (April - May) or Autumn (September - November) when the weather is mild in all the countries in Central Asia and the shifting colors of forests and mountains are in full swing.
You can go during the mid-summer months, but be aware that Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are mostly deserts, so it will be very hot and uncomfortable if you plan to take public transportation.
Daily Budget
This location is moderately priced, with transportation, food, and accommodation averaging around $35 - $55 USD per day per person. It's not exactly cheap, but it's not overly expensive either.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
Visas for Central Asia
No matter where you are from, getting a visa for countries in Central Asia is complicated and requires you to plan ahead before you arrive.
Kazakhstan is easy if you have a European or American passport, but for the rest of us, you will need to get a visa prior to arriving in Central Asia. They only issue visas to tourists from the embassy in their home country. You cannot get your Kazakhstan visa abroad unless there is no Kazakhstan embassy in your country.
For more info: How to get a Kazakhstan visa.
Kyrgyzstan is the easiest, as it either offers visa-free entry or Visa-on-Arrival to most countries. For visa-on-arrival, you can only obtain it at the Mana International Airport. Therefore, if you are from a country eligible for visa-on-arrival, you will either have to fly into Bishkek or prepare your visa prior to starting the trip.
For more info: How to get a Kyrgyzstan visa.
Tajikistan visa is pretty simple to get if you are eligible for an e-visa. You can easily apply for an e-visa here. The visa costs 50 USD + 20 USD for a GBAO Permit, which is required if you are planning to travel through the Pamir Highway. Be sure to also print everything out before you start your journey from Osh, as there will be no place for you to print anything after that. If you are not eligible for an e-visa, you will have to apply for it at the embassy.
For more info: How to get a Tajikistan visa.
Uzbekistan has recently opened up the country to tourists. It is now easier than ever to travel here with the introduction to the eVisa portal as well as a number of countries no longer requiring visas to visit the country. If you hold a European or US passport, you should be able to enter the country without a visa. For other countries, you can check out the Uzbekistan Visa Requirement page on Caravanistan.
For more info: How to get a Uzbekistan visa.
Turkmenistan is the toughest one out of all. The country is one of the most isolated countries in the world, and in order to travel there, you will either need to get a tour (for the duration of the tour) or apply for a transit visa (5 days including entry and exit days). The criteria for visa approval are totally random, as I got rejected the first time and immediately approved the second time I applied, even though I was applying through a tour company. The same goes for transit visas.
The best way to get a Turkmenistan visa is via a tour company because you won't have to rush through the country, and they will manage the visa process for you so you can apply even while you are abroad. The cheapest tour company I found is Stantours. They are responsive and made the whole ordeal easy for me. I highly recommend them if you are looking to apply for a tourist visa.
How to Get to Central Asia?
The most connected airport to the international world in Central Asia is the one in Almaty, which is perfect since our itinerary begins there. Air Astana is the cheapest option and very well-connected throughout the world. Turkish Airlines is a great option as well. Make sure to browse through Skyscanner and Expedia to find the best deal that fits your itinerary before booking anything.
How to Get Around Central Asia?
No! Not by this.. unless you want to ๐
Like with all other post-Soviet states, marshrutka (minivan) is the cheapest way to get around the city or between cities in Central Asia. You can also fly domestically for a further route, such as Bishkek to Osh and Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi, at a low cost.
Trains are also a great way to move around in Uzbekistan without having to deal with the unreliability of buses and marshrutkas.
For the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan, you will need to hire a jeep with a driver since the highway is extremely remote, and not many people are traveling the route.
For more information on the rate of hiring a jeep with the driver, visit: How to Get Around the Pamir Highway.
For Turkmenistan, you do not need to worry about it as the tour will provide you with all the transportation you need to get to the places you want. It's all-inclusive. By land, they should provide you with a jeep and a driver. For some itineraries, you might need to fly and the tour company should provide you with transportation to the airport and the air ticket without you having to do anything.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Central Asia?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Central Asia without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Central Asia:
You have plenty of options for internet in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Having a local SIM card is the most reliable way to stay connected, but plenty of hotels and restaurants in big cities have fast WiFi available.
For the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan, you will not have any internet connection whatsoever throughout your road trip until Dushanbe. So, let people know you will be gone for a week.
Fast internet is also hard to come by in Uzbekistan, with the most reliable way to stay connected being to register and obtain a SIM card. Unfortunately, this can only be done in Tashkent, and since we are not passing through the capital city, we will have to rely on the hotel's Wi-Fi, which is passable but not reliable enough to stream YouTube videos on your phone or laptop.
Turkmenistan has extremely strict censorship when it comes to the internet, and you will only find free Wi-Fi in Ashgabat, specifically in international hotels like Hotel Oguzkent and Grand Turkmen Hotel. However, the Wi-Fi is slow. Make sure to get a working VPN before arriving if you want to access apps like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Orbot for Android works awesomely in Turkmenistan.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Central Asia?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Central Asia:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Central Asia in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Central Asia
Are you looking to dive deeper into Central Asia? Here is a selection of travel guides and itineraries for traveling in Central Asia.
- For a complete itinerary to Kazakhstan, check out: 10-Day Backpacking Kazakhstan Itinerary.
- Looking for things to do in Almaty, Kazakhstan? Check out the 10 Best Things to Do in Almaty.
- If you are staying in Almaty for a while and want to explore the city's culinary delights, be sure to check out our 10 Best Cafes and Restaurants to Try in Almaty.
- Want to get off the beaten path in Kazakhstan? Shymkent is an awesome place to visit. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Shymkent.
- Want to visit Turkestan in Kazakhstan? Check out our Complete Travel Guide to Turkestan.
- If you want to witness the city of the future in Central Asia, Astana is definitely the place you want to be. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Astana.
- A great country to start your journey in Central Asia is Kyrgyzstan since it is the easiest country to enter the region. Here's a complete 3-week itinerary travel guide to Kyrgyzstan.
- Bishkek, the capital city, is a great place to use as a base for you to obtain all tourist visas for the surrounding countries like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and the city has a ton to offer. Here are the top 10 things to do in Bishkek.
- Kyrgyzstan is known for its mountains, and one of the best treks you can do is the Ala Kul trek. Here's a travel guide for trekking the Ala Kul trail and how you can do it in 2 days.
- The Pamir Highway is one of the best road trips you can do in your life, and it begins in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, and ends in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Here's a complete guide on how to plan your Pamir Highway road trip.
- If Kyrgyzstan is known for its mountains, then Uzbekistan is known for its culture and architecture. With several ancient Silk Road cities, there is a ton to see in Uzbekistan. Here's a 2-week itinerary and a travel guide in Uzbekistan.
- Last but not least, one of the hardest countries to visit in Central Asia is Turkmenistan, and you will require a lot of planning before you can visit. Hereโs a complete travel guide with a one-week itinerary for Turkmenistan.
- You can watch all my travel videos from Central Asia here: Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.
- Looking for more travel guides for Central Asia? You can find more on my Central Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit the All Destination Travel Guide page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
7 Comments
Hello Pete,
Great information on Central Asia.
Thank you very much for all the details. We are a group of four adults who would like to visit the 5 Stans between mid April to mid May 2020 and we are trying to come up with a very comprehensive itinerary for 21 days. I have some questions for you:
1. Is there a possibility of comprising your one month itinerary into 21 days, with out visiting Yangykala Canyon and including Tashkent? Would you not recommend visiting Tashkent?
2. Is there are way to do part of the Pamir Highway (highlighting the most scenic drives) in less than 7 nights skipping Osh, and maybe taking small planes domestic flights to see the beautiful mountains from above?
3. Would you skip Mary and the Ancient Merv in Turkmenistan?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
GREAT BLOG BY THE WAY!
Hi! I see that this itinerary is for 2023 so i'm curious if the route from Osh for the Pamir highway has been tested? There was the border war in 2022 and i've heard crossing the border betweek Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan isn't possible anymore.
Hey Natalie,
The border crossing has finally been opened in July 2023 so as long as you have the e-visa and GBAO permit, you should be able to cross just fine.
Hi Pete! Thanks for this amazing itinerary and all your tips! I am considering travelling there in April-may 2024 but had a few questions :
would you say it's safe for a female solo traveler ? did you do everything on your self on arrival or did you prebook some of the tours (the trekking parts particularly) ? if so, how much time in advance and with which company?
do you have an estimation of on overall budget for this 1 month trip?
Thank you very much in advance for your help!!
Hey! Thanks for this extensive guide, itโs super useful.
Iโm a female solo traveler planning to go in April to the Stans except Turkmenistan, but I have read a lot of mixed reviews about the weather. Iโm thinking of skipping the Pamir highway for something a bit safer and easier to plan.
What do you recommend?
Hey Anwesha, No problem. It will still be quite cold by then but towards May, the weather should be more manageable. You can skip the Pamir Highway and spend more time in Dushanbe and explore the Fann Mountains instead. There's quite a lot to see in that area.
Hello! I love your blog, thank you for mapping it all out. I am planning to do this route in October. I was wondering if you know how Issyk Kul and Song Kul will be like at that time. Would the two day hike be possible, and is it really hard (im not a big hiker)?
Also, I dont have as much time as you, so if you had to cut 3-4 days, where in the itinerary would you do so? Im not a big hiker but i did like the photo you had at issyk kul and id do it for that. i really want to do the turkmenistan itinerary, and i definitely want to hit each of the countries you listed!
lastly, you said you "went up" to Song Kul and it was expensive. what did you mean by went up? would you go into a bit more detail by and chance?