Best of the Stans and Silk Road adventures
Uncover Central Asia’s past and present
Since the collapse of the USSR, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have been steadily emerging as compelling destinations for off-the-beaten-track adventure travel. Today, World Expeditions offers more Central Asia and Silk Road tours than ever before.
These five former Soviet republics, collectively known as the ‘Five Stans’, form one of the most diverse and fascinating regions on Earth, shaped by centuries of history and cultural exchange.
Central Asia spans a spectacular sweep of mountains, deserts, valleys and steppe - from ancient towns to vibrant modern cities.
The entanglement of historic trade routes, widely known as the Silk Road, created corridors of cultural, economic, intellectual and religious exchange that connected the Orient with the Mediterranean, weaving a rich tapestry that links the past to the present.
Follow these legendary pathways along the Silk Road, visiting highlights such as Tashkent’s renowned museums, the fabled city of Samarkand, Merv’s vast archaeological site, the magnificent Summer Palace of Bukhara and the colourful markets of Kashgar.
Or venture deeper into Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan on trekking or cycling journeys through dramatic mountain landscapes and alpine meadows that few travellers have experienced.