The Five Stans Travel Guide - Central Asia’s Underrated Adventure
They all end in 'stan' (Persian for 'land of') - but each is entirely unique. We ventured across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan – a region bound by nomadic history, Soviet legacy, and wild contrasts.
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan – Yurts, Mountains & Goat Polo
Fun fact: Kok Boru (“goat polo”) is the national sport – played on horseback with a goat carcass.
We started in Bishkek, surrounded by Soviet relics like a massive Lenin statue and an old-school theme park. The city felt proud and understated – spotless plazas and fountains punctuated by mountain views.
After visiting Balasagun and the Buran Tower, we spent a night in Chon Kemin Valley before reaching Issyk Kul Lake – the world’s second-largest mountain lake. We stayed in a yurt camp by the shore, waking for a solitary sunrise over the Tian Shan mountains.
Bonus: an eagle hunter casually showed up with a giant bird, two dogs, and a horse.
We continued to Jety Oguz and Skazka Canyon for surreal sandstone formations. A perfect picnic spot – until pollen rained down like mustard. Our final stop was Karakol, where we caught a local music performance featuring traditional instruments.
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan – Apples, Space & Mega Canyons
Fun fact: The first satellite (Sputnik) and first human in space (Yuri Gagarin) launched from Kazakhstan.
We began in Charyn Canyon – a rugged mini version of the Grand Canyon, stretching up to 90km. Hike down, lunch, hike back. Rewarding and windswept.
The main stop: Almaty. Allegedly the birthplace of apples and the former capital of Kazakhstan, it’s now a commercial hub with leafy boulevards. That’s all we had time for – but considering Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world, it was just a teaser. Worth a return.
🇹🇯 Tajikistan – Mountains, Markets & Seven Lakes
Fun fact: 94% of Tajikistan is mountainous. Also? They grow 15 types of watermelon.
We flew into Dushanbe (meaning “Monday”), a city once central to Soviet trade. Think: grandiose monuments, neon-lit bridges, and a hilltop WWII tank that may or may not be aimed at the city.
The highlight: Haftkul (Seven Lakes), a chain of glacial lakes between 1600m–2400m. Each lake had a different hue – thanks to unique minerals. One of our most scenic days of the trip.
We passed through Istarafshan to see traditional blacksmiths forging knives, and ended in Khujand – home to another huge Lenin statue and a comically slow cable car crossing. The town’s roots go back to Cyrus the Great and Alexander the Great, though by now, we were admittedly a bit history-fatigued.
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan – Silk Road Cities & Blue Domes
Fun fact: Uzbekistan is one of only two double-landlocked countries in the world (the other is Liechtenstein).
We started in Tashkent, sampling the national dish plov and riding the mosaic-covered metro. Then came Samarkand – a key Silk Road stop and former capital of the Timurid Empire.
Registan Square was the highlight: three ornate madrassas with nightly light shows projected across the facades.
Bukhara followed, with the towering Kalyan Minaret (built in 1127), which Genghis Khan refused to destroy. Last up: Khiva, a walled city of tiled mosques and the stubby-but-stunning Kalta Minor minaret (abandoned mid-construction in 1855).
🇹🇲 Turkmenistan – Marble Cities & The Door to Hell
Fun fact: Turkmenistan has the 5th largest natural gas reserves in the world.
This one’s the wildcard. Only 15,000 tourists enter Turkmenistan each year – and only with a guide. We crossed the border into a bus with no doors and no rules, got COVID-tested by a man with a cotton swab, and paid arbitrary visa fees (UK fees were highest, naturally).
After hours in the desert, we reached the Darvaza gas crater – dubbed the “Door to Hell.” A drilling mishap turned into an endless flame that’s been burning for over 50 years. We camped in yurts nearby, braving the heat, gas, and wandering hedgehogs.
The finale was Ashgabat – a surreal city of white marble, empty streets, and monuments to the president’s dog. Think: indoor ferris wheels, gold statues, and enforced white car colours. It felt part theme park, part simulation.
🏆 Highlights from the Five Stans
- ✔️ Sleeping in yurts by Issyk Kul and Darvaza crater
- ✔️ Hiking Charyn Canyon and the Seven Lakes
- ✔️ Exploring Silk Road architecture in Samarkand and Bukhara
- ✔️ Seeing Genghis Khan’s spared minaret in person
- ✔️ Entering Turkmenistan – surreal, restricted, unforgettable
👕 Central Asia-Inspired Tees
Been there? Get the t-shirt!
🛍️ Browse the full Silk Road Cities travel t-shirt collection here
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Five Stans?
Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan – Central Asian countries with shared Soviet history and diverse cultures.
Do you need a visa for the Five Stans?
Yes – though requirements vary by nationality. Turkmenistan is the strictest; Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan now offer easier access for many passports.
Is it safe to travel in Central Asia?
Generally yes. Use standard travel precautions. Some border crossings (especially Turkmenistan) require planning and paperwork.
What's the best time to visit?
April–June or September–October offer comfortable weather across all five countries. Summer can be brutally hot in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.