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This one’s for the true explorer! Journey through Central Asia’s 5-Stans — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan — on an unforgettable Silk Road adventure. Discover ancient legacies, vibrant bazaars, striking architecture and the warm hospitality of a region few travellers ever reach. Designed for those who love going off-grid, this small-group tour features long road journeys, unusual sights and authentic cultural encounters where English is rarely spoken. Expect echoes of the Soviet era in both scenery and stays — all part of the charm of exploring these remote, remarkable destinations.
Why choose Bunnik?
With over 25 years of experience this award-winning, family owned business provides a better way of touring! Bunniks overarching aim remains simple, to provide a better way for travellers to see the world. This is made possible through providing small group tours.
We do this by creating a series of unique holiday experiences:
Small group tours of no more than 20 passengers, specifically designed to capture the essence of the places we visit.
Tours that provide the perfect balance between organised sightseeing and free time for independent discovery.
Holidays that visit the famous attractions but also wander off the usual tourist trail.
Complete and stress-free tour packages with accommodation, guides, tipping, meals and airfares included (and much more!).
Independent travel packages are a flexible way to visit one or more destinations. They can also be added onto our small group tours for a unique experience!
A strong belief in responsible travel and sustainable tourism.
Discover our passion for this incredible planet and its inhabitants, and experience your tour the ‘Bunnik Way’!
*Advertised price based on multiple departures in 2026, and correct as of 9 December 2025.
Highlights & Inclusions
Inclusions
Accommodation
25 nights in 3–5 star hotels
1 night in a local guest house
1 night in a traditional yurt (shared facilities)
Sample properties include:
Divan Hotel, Ashgabat
Zarafshon Boutique Hotel, Khiva
Shahriston Plaza Hotel, Bukhara
Kosh Havuz Boutique Hotel, Samarkand
Dushanbe Serena Hotel, Dushanbe
Parliament Palace Hotel, Khujand
Hyatt Regency, Tashkent
Novotel Bishkek City Centre, Bishkek
Guest House, Chong-Kemin Valley
Grand Khan Tengri Hotel, Naryn
Yurt Camp, Lake Issyk-Kul
Green Yard Hotel, Karakol
Novotel Almaty City Centre, Almaty
Hotels are indicative and subject to change.
Meals
27 breakfasts, 18 lunches, 5 dinners
Includes welcome and farewell group dinners
Transport
Return economy flights from Australia, taxes included
3 internal flights within Central Asia
Bullet train: Samarkand → Tashkent
Touring by air-conditioned coach, minivan, bus & cable car
Sightseeing
All sightseeing, entrance fees & special experiences included as per itinerary
Group Size
Maximum 16–20 travellers (depending on departure)
Transfers
Airport transfers on first & last day
Tour Guides
English-speaking Uzbek national guide
English-speaking local guides throughout
Porterage
Included where available
No Hidden Extras
All touring, entrances & inclusions clearly listed
Highlights & Special Experiences
Turkmenistan
Explore the marble city and major monuments
Guided city tour of Ashgabat
Visit the National Carpet Museum
Explore Old Nisa Fortress
Visit Arkadash Stud Farm
Uzbekistan
Discover the walled city of Khiva on foot
Visit Tashauli Palace & Friday Mosque
Explore the Hunarmand UNDP Assisted Workshop
See Lyabi-Khauz ensemble, Khanaga Magoki Attori Mosque & Madrassah Aziz Khan
Visit Sitorai Mokhi Khosa, summer residence of Bukhara’s last Emir
Witness ceramic production in Gijduvan
Bread-baking & shashlik masterclass
In-depth exploration of Samarkand, including Registan Square
Explore the National Museum of Antiquities (incl. reclining Buddha)
Visit Hisor Fortress
Explore Istaravshan and local bazaar
Discover Khujand, one of Central Asia’s oldest cities
See Timur Malik’s Fortress & Sheikh Muslihiddin Complex
Wander Panjshanbe Bazaar
Visit the Arbob Cultural Palace
Kyrgyzstan
City tour of Bishkek
Stroll Ala Too Square
Visit Burana Complex, Boom Canyon & Dolon Pass
Lunch with a local family
Overnight at a guest house in scenic Chong-Kemin Valley
Visit Kochkor handicraft centre (felt carpet making)
Visit the Central Mosque of Naryn
Explore Koshoy-Korgon medieval Caravanserai
Visit Tash Rabat Caravansarai in Kara-Koiun Gorge
Lunch in a mountain village
Participate in a yurt workshop in Kyzyl Tuu Village
See Skazka Canyon “Fairy Tale” landscapes
Travel to Issyk-Kul Lake
Visit a Golden Eagle hunter demonstration
Explore Djety Oguz canyon’s river and red rocks
Explore Karakol, including Holy Trinity Church & Dungan Mosque
Kazakhstan
Explore Charyn Canyon & the Valley of the Castles
City sightseeing tour of Almaty
Cable-car ride to Kok-Tobe Hill
Visit the world’s highest ice-skating complex
Stop at Medeu Dam
Itinerary
Day 1 – Depart Australia
Fly from Australia towards Turkmenistan.
Day 2 – In Transit
En route to Ashgabat.
Day 3 – Arrive Ashgabat
Arrive early in Ashgabat and transfer to your hotel for some rest before an afternoon city tour, including Independence Park, Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque and the National Carpet Museum. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with a folk performance. Stay: Divan Hotel, Ashgabat Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 – Ashgabat & Nisa Fortress
Travel to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Old Nisa, former Parthian capital, before returning to Ashgabat for lunch and an afternoon at leisure, or join an optional evening excursion to the Darvaza Flaming Crater. Stay: Divan Hotel, Ashgabat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 – Ashgabat & Arkadash Stud Farm
Explore the countryside en route to Arkadash Stud Farm to see the famous Akhal-Teke “Golden Horses”, then return to Ashgabat for lunch and time to browse the colourful Russian Bazaar. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Stay: Divan Hotel, Ashgabat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 – Ashgabat – Daşoguz – Khiva
Fly to Daşoguz and cross into Uzbekistan, continuing to the atmospheric Silk Road city of Khiva. Wander its lanes and mud-brick walls, soaking up the old-world charm of the inner city. Stay: Zarafshon Boutique Hotel, Khiva Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 – Khiva Walking Tour
Discover UNESCO-listed Ichan Kala on foot, including Kalta Minor Minaret, Kunya Ark fortress, madrassahs, mausoleums, the Friday Mosque and ornate Tosh-Hovli Palace. Stay: Zarafshon Boutique Hotel, Khiva Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 – Khiva – Bukhara
Drive across the desert to Bukhara with rest stops and lunch en route. Arrive in the “Pearl of the Silk Road” and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Stay: Shahriston Plaza Hotel, Bukhara Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 – Bukhara City Highlights
Tour Bukhara’s historic core, including Lyabi-Khauz, Magoki Attori Mosque, Madrassah Aziz Khan, the Ark Fortress, Bolo Hauz Mosque and the mausoleums of Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub. Visit the Hunarmand Workshop to see artisans at work. Stay: Shahriston Plaza Hotel, Bukhara Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 – Bukhara at Leisure & Summer Palace
Enjoy a half-day excursion to Sitorai Mokhi Khosa, the elegant former summer residence of the last Emir, then spend the afternoon exploring Bukhara at your own pace. Stay: Shahriston Plaza Hotel, Bukhara Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 – Bukhara – Gijduvan – Samarkand
Visit Gijduvan, famed for its distinctive ceramics, with time in local workshops. Special Experience: Bread-baking and shashlik masterclass with traditional Uzbek lunch. Continue to storied Samarkand and enjoy an evening at leisure. Stay: Kosh Havuz Boutique Hotel, Samarkand Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12 – Samarkand Icons
Explore Gur-e Amir Mausoleum and magnificent Registan Square with its three madrassahs, then visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque. After free time for lunch, enjoy a tasting at a local winery before an evening at leisure. Stay: Kosh Havuz Boutique Hotel, Samarkand Meals: Breakfast
Day 13 – Samarkand Crafts & Cuisine
Visit Konigil village for a traditional paper-making workshop, then continue to the Ulugh Beg Observatory Museum, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis and the bustling Silk Road Bazaar. Special Experience: Plov demonstration and lunch at a local Rahman master’s home. Remainder of the day is free. Stay: Kosh Havuz Boutique Hotel, Samarkand Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 14 – Samarkand – Tashkent by Bullet Train
Enjoy a full free day to explore Samarkand’s boulevards, galleries, markets or a local hammam. This evening, board the high-speed bullet train to Tashkent and transfer to your hotel. Stay: Hyatt Regency, Tashkent Meals: Breakfast
Day 15 – Tashkent – Dushanbe
Fly to Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital, and tour key sights including the Ismoili Somoni monument, Rudaki Park, Kohi Navruz Cultural Palace and the National Museum of Antiquities with its reclining Buddha. Stay: Dushanbe Serena Hotel, Dushanbe Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 16 – Hisor Fortress Excursion
Travel to historic Hisor Fortress for a glimpse of Tajikistan’s past, then return to Dushanbe for lunch. The afternoon is free to wander boulevards, cafes or the peaceful Botanical Garden. Stay: Dushanbe Serena Hotel, Dushanbe Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 17 – Dushanbe – Istaravshan – Khujand
Drive through mountain scenery to Istaravshan for lunch and a visit to the local bazaar and blacksmiths, then continue to Khujand, a key ancient Silk Road city. Evening at leisure. Stay: Parliament Palace Hotel, Khujand Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 18 – Khujand – Tashkent
Discover Khujand, including Kamoli Khujandi Square, Panjshanbe Bazaar, Timur Malik Fortress, Sheikh Muslihiddin Mausoleum, the Historical Sughd Museum and the Arbob Cultural Palace. After lunch, cross the border back into Uzbekistan and continue to Tashkent. Stay: Hyatt Regency, Tashkent Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 19 – Tashkent City Tour
Explore Old Town Tashkent, visiting Barak-Khan Madrasah, Tillya Sheikh Mosque and the lively Chorsu Bazaar. See Amir Temur Square and ride the ornate Tashkent Metro before an afternoon at leisure. Stay: Hyatt Regency, Tashkent Meals: Breakfast
Day 20 – Tashkent – Bishkek
Morning at leisure in Tashkent before flying to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time to begin exploring or simply relax. Stay: Novotel Bishkek City Centre, Bishkek Meals: Breakfast
Day 21 – Bishkek – Chong-Kemin Valley
Tour Bishkek’s highlights including Philharmonic Square, Ala Too Square, Old Square, Oak Park and Victory Square, then drive via Burana Tower, Boom Canyon and Dolon Pass into the beautiful Chong-Kemin Valley. Special Experience: Home-cooked feast with a local family in a rural village. Check in to your guest house and enjoy a relaxed evening in this rural setting with another traditional dinner. Stay: Guest house, Chong-Kemin Valley Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 22 – Chong-Kemin – Kochkor – Naryn
Visit Kochkor’s Altyn Kol Women’s Handicraft Workshop and local bazaar to see traditional felt crafts, then continue through dramatic mountain scenery to Naryn, including a visit to the Central Mosque. Dinner is served at your hotel. Stay: Grand Khan Tengri Hotel, Naryn Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 23 – Naryn – Tash Rabat – Naryn
Travel through At-Bashi Valley to Koshoy Korgon fortress and the well-preserved Tash Rabat Caravanserai in Kara-Koyun Gorge, once a key Silk Road stop. Enjoy lunch in this mountain setting before returning to Naryn. Stay: Grand Khan Tengri Hotel, Naryn Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 24 – Naryn – Lake Issyk-Kul (Yurt Camp)
Drive to Lake Issyk-Kul along the scenic southern shore, stopping in Kyzyl Tuu Village for a hands-on yurt-building workshop and then at Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon for its striking rock formations. Overnight in a lakeside yurt camp with shared facilities. Special Experience: Yurt-building workshop and insight into nomadic life. Challenging day: Includes extended walking on uneven terrain and possible altitude/heat. Stay: Yurt Camp, Lake Issyk-Kul Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 25 – Lake Issyk-Kul – Jety Oguz – Karakol
After breakfast at the yurt camp, meet a Golden Eagle hunter for a traditional hunting demonstration, then continue to the red sandstone formations of Jety Oguz. On arrival in Karakol, tour the Holy Trinity Church and Dungan Mosque. Stay: Green Yard Hotel, Karakol Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 26 – Karakol – Charyn Canyon – Almaty
Cross into Kazakhstan and visit spectacular Charyn Canyon and its Valley of the Castles, with time to walk or enjoy the views from the rim. Continue to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s cultural hub, for an evening at leisure. Challenging day: Extended walking on uneven ground and in variable conditions. Stay: Novotel Almaty City Centre, Almaty Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 27 – Almaty & Farewell Dinner
Enjoy a relaxed morning before touring the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen and wooden Zenkov Cathedral, then ride the cable car to Kok-Tobe Hill for sweeping city views and visit a local chocolate shop. Afternoon free, followed by a farewell dinner. Stay: Novotel Almaty City Centre, Almaty Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 28 – Medeu & Chimbulak
Visit the high-altitude Medeu ice-skating complex, then take the cable car to Chimbulak Mountain Resort, passing the protective Medeu Dam. Back in Almaty, tour the Central State Historical Museum before a final group lunch and free time. Stay: Novotel Almaty City Centre, Almaty Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 29 – Depart Almaty
Your 5-Stans adventure concludes after breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. Meals: Breakfast
Day 30 – Arrive Australia
Arrive back in Australia with unforgettable memories of Central Asia.
Itinerary is subject to change.
Dates/Prices
Departure date
End date
Price from
03 Apr 26
02 May 26
$18,795 pp
29 May 26
27 Jun 26
$18,795 pp
14 Aug 26
12 Sep 26
$18,795 pp
28 Aug 26
26 Sep 26
$18,795 pp
04 Sep 26
03 Oct 26
$18,795 pp
18 Sep 26
17 Oct 26
$18,795 pp
*Advertised price is based on per person, twin share and correct as of 9 December 2025.
Booking terms and conditions apply.
*
Term and conditions apply: All pricing subject to change and availability. Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise. Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change. Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies. Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.
