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Overview

The 4 'Stans Tour
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Jun 4 - 22, 2026
John Ward image
John Ward
$5,399
Deposit: $500

About your trip

We are running our first ever Silk Road mega tour in June 2026, and it’s going to be wild! This is three trips stitched together: a Kazakhstan prequel, a Kyrgyzstan mountain adventure, and a Silk Road journey through Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

You can join for one country, two countries, or go all-in for the full FOUR COUNTRY 19-day ride across 4 stans! (if you do the whole package, SAVE $600!)

So the trip can be as short as 4 days if you prefer, or as long as 18 days, and anywhere in between ( you can choose which countries when you select the package). We recommend the whole shebang of course.

Why Visit the 'Stans and the Silk Road?

Why hit the 'stans?! Well, because this is where history, culture, and adventure collide. The Silk Road is the ancient highway between East and West. It's one of those spots that hasn't been ruined by mass tourism yet! You still get that romantic idea of travel. Once walked by traders, warriors, monks, and explorers. Today, it’s a region few outsiders really get to see.

Think:

  • Canyons in Kazakhstan that rival the Grand Canyon.

  • Kyrgyzstan’s mountains, lakes, and nomadic culture.

  • Uzbekistan’s UNESCO Silk Road cities: Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand.

  • Tajikistan's EPIC Fann mountains

This is a true overland adventure. Uncomfortable but rewarding

Is It Safe to Visit the 'Stans?

SUPER SAFE!!! Yes! All FOUR countries are open, welcoming, and stable. Tourism is still underdeveloped here, which is what makes it so exciting.

Of course, this is adventure travel. That means bumpy roads, unpredictable schedules, and plenty of surprises. But that’s half the fun, right?

How about the charity work you do?

When I run trips through my Mudita Adventures foundation, it's all about responsible travel. Where a large portion of what would normally be profit for a tour company, is donated to grass roots projects in the country we're exploring. And this silk road odyssey is no different. (You can see how we've donated over $300k through our trips HERE).

As part of our trip through Kyrgyzstan, we’re doing something special. We’ll be making a big donation to a grassroots NGO just outside Bishkek who’ve asked us to help supply their community with much-needed essentials.

But instead of just writing a cheque and moving on, we’re going to do it our way — out in the sunshine, with a bit of movement, and side-by-side with the people we’re supporting.

So we’re organising the Mudita Adventures 5km Community Walk (or run!). Don’t worry, it’s nothing hardcore — walk it, jog it, run it, whatever feels good. The important part is that the local community will be joining us too.

At the end of the 5km, we’ll head over together and see the real impact your trip fees and donations have made. You’ll meet the families, visit the projects, and see first-hand where the money has gone.

So, not only do we get to stretch our legs, share a laugh or two, and encourage some healthy living with the locals — but we also get that rare privilege of connecting directly with the community and seeing the difference we’ve made together.

What's included

All accommodation

Gers, night trains, and pretty decent hotels (think air-con, wifi, hot water, all the time - almost!)

All breakfasts

Also some dinners etc when we're somewhere remote

All transport

Trains crossing countries, transfers, even an international flight!

A Western guide througho

Josh will join you. I'll also try to join for a bit, but depends on my TV show filming!

A local guide

You'll always have a professional local, helping with culture, language etc too.

All tours

All entrances etc, we don't play the game that other companies do where we charge you every day, don't worry!

What's not included

International airfare

You have to get to your starting country

Travel Insurance

It's mandatory

Airport transfers

We can help if you need

Visa fees

Super easy visas for these countries, most people just simply bookt thier flight and get it upon arrival in the airport

Tips

We like to give our local teams extra at the end of each country. Completely at your discretion (normally $10 per day).

DAY 1

DAY 1 image

Arrive in Almaty, welcome dinner

Touchdown in Kazakhstan’s coolest city, meet the crew, share laughs over local food, toast the start of our Silk Road adventure.

DAY 2

DAY 2 image

Almaty city tour (Soviet & modern mash-up)

From leafy boulevards to brutalist Soviet blocks, markets, cable cars, and epic mountain backdrops. Almaty’s got a crazy unexpected vibe.

DAY 3

DAY 3 image

Charyn Canyon day trip — epic landscapes

Jaw-dropping canyons that rival the Grand Canyon, red rock valleys, hiking trails, endless photo stops — Kazakhstan in its wildest glory.

DAY 4

DAY 4 image

KAZAKHSTAN TO KYRGYZSTAN!

OVERLAND TIME! Easy road trip across the border, chatting, playlists, epic mountain views. Arrive in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. new country, new chapter begins.

DAY 5

DAY 5 image

Bishkek welcome dinner

Arrive in the Kyrgyz capital, meet the gang, clink glasses, and dive into Central Asian flavours. Adventure starts tonight.

DAY 6

DAY 6 image

Project day (charity/community focus)

Our Mudita Adventures project: community donation, 5km fun walk, meet locals, share stories, see exactly where your money helps.

DAY 7

DAY 7 image

Burana Tower → Issyk Kul Lake

Road trip east, stop at 9th-century Burana Tower, then roll on to Issyk Kul, the “Pearl of Central Asia.”

DAY 8

DAY 8 image

Skazka Canyon & Jeti-Ögüz Gorge, overnight Karakol

Hike the surreal Fairy Tale Canyon, then red cliffs of Jeti-Ögüz. By evening, we’re eating lagman noodles in Karakol.

DAY 9

DAY 9 image

Jyrgalan hike to Turnaluu-Kol Lake

Into the mountains: full-day hike near Jyrgalan, picnic lunch by an alpine lake, wild horses roaming, mountain air filling lungs.

DAY 10

DAY 10 image

Kök-Jaiyk Jailoo → Cholpon-Ata

Visit summer pastures dotted with yurts, learn nomadic traditions, then skirt Issyk Kul’s north shore to chilled-out lakeside town Cholpon-Ata.

DAY 11

DAY 11 image

Back to Bishkek, wrap up

Final drive back to Bishkek, last group dinner, big hugs all round. Kyrgyzstan chapter ends, but Uzbekistan adventure awaits.

DAY 12

DAY 12 image

KYRGYZSTAN TO UZBEKISTAN!

Touchdown in Uzbekistan’s buzzing capital, meet the crew, sample plov, sip green tea, and soak up that Silk Road energy.

DAY 13

DAY 13 image

Train to Bukhara, and time to explore

Board the train across Uzbekistan’s deserts, swap stories on the journey, arrive in mystical Bukhara in time to explore the city

DAY 14

DAY 14 image

Off to Samarkand

Markets, mosques, madrasas, tea houses. Silk Road magic everywhere. Bukhara is a labyrinth of stories — we’ll wander, eat, and absorb.

Then we head off late afternoon, overland, the the highlight of Uzbek - SAMARKAND

DAY 15

DAY 15 image

Samarkand tour

Arrive in Samarkand, legendary city of Tamerlane. The Registan Square at sunset will blow your mind — iconic Central Asia. Full-day tour of Samarkand, one of the Silk Road’s most atmospheric cities.

DAY 16

DAY 16 image

BORDER CROSS. Drive to Iskanderkul Lake, TAJIKISTAN

Cross Penjikent border, scenic Zarafshan Valley drive, winding mountain roads, alpine peaks, arrive late afternoon to shimmering turquoise Iskanderkul Lake.

DAY 17

DAY 17 image

The Fann mountains

Morning hikes to Snake Lake, waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints; relax by water and then an evening drive towards Dushanbe for evening drinks in the city.

DAY 18

DAY 18 image

Dushanbe city tour

visit Rudaki Park, National Museum, Hisor Fortress nearby; farewell dinner with Tajik cuisine, celebrate adventure before departure tomorrow

DAY 19

DAY 19 image

Leaving Tajikistan

That's all folks. 4 countrie and the 'Stans are almost complete.

Luckily, i'm running a tour to Turkmenistan in October, so come join me to complete the journey!

Location

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1. Almaty, Kazakhstan

Almaty, Kazakhstan

About your organizer

JW
John Ward
Irish blogger @ onestep4ward.com. Every country in the world, 7 summits, North and South Pole. Now helping some crazy friends go to places they probably shouldn't.

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© 2026 John Ward