Day 1 - Sunday

Arrive at Ashgabat airport early morning and transfer to the city centre to begin our tour. Visit the square and parks to see the huge monuments and statues of the leaders as well as Ertogrul Ghazi mosque.

We will then drive on to visit the Turkmenbashy mosque and mausoleum

In the afternoon we will drive to the incredible Darvaza Gas crater. En route we stop off for supplies in the desert village of Erbent. We then turn off road and drive across desert dunes.

Arrive at Darvaza early evening when the light is fading and all you can see for miles around is the glow of the crater.

Our guide will set up camp in tents at a safe distance from the crater before cooking dinner while you relax and stare in awe at the Gas crater.

Day 2 - Monday

After breakfast we leave Darvaza and drive North to Konye Urgench historical site. It is a UNESCO heritage site and contains the remains of the capital of Khwarezm, part of the Achaemenid empire.

In the afternoon we will drive onwards to the city of Dashoguz, check into our  hotel, and then take a tour of the city. Rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 3 - Tuesday

After breakfast we drive onto the border crossing and pass through into Uzbekistan. Our Uzbek guide will meet us here and drive to Khiva where we will check into our hotel. After lunch and some free time we will take a walking tour of the city visiting the Ichan Kala fortress with its minarets, madrassah, mosque and mausoleums. After a group dinner there will be free time in the city.

Day 4 - Wednesday

After a bit of free time for any last minute sightseeing we will depart on the 7 hour drive to Bukhara across the desert. We will have a packed lunch during the journey and also make a stop at a desert Chai Khanah (Tea house) in the early afternoon for tea and kebabs.


On arrival to Bukhara we will check into our hotel and after dinner have free time to enjoy the atmosphere around the Lyabi Hauz pool.

Day 5 - Thursday

In the morning we will take a half day sightseeing tour of Bukhara, visiting Samanids mausoleum, Ark fortress, Polkalon complex, trading domes, the Lyabi Hauz complex and Chor Minor.

After lunch we will drive onwards to Samarkand where we will check into our hotel and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 6 - Friday

Today we tour the historical city of Samarkand, taking in Registan square, Gur Emir mausoleum, Slab bazaar, Ulugbek observatory, Afrasiab museum wall paintings and the Meros handicraft centre.

We have dinner in Samarkand before departing on the 22:00 overnight train to Termez.

Day 7 - Saturday

Arrive into Termez at 9:30 and drop our luggage off at our hotel before starting a full day tour. We will visit the archaeological museum, Sultan Saadat complex, Kirk Kiz hanaka and Fayaztepa Buddhist monastery.

After a farewell dinner with our Uzbek guide, spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 8 - Sunday

At 9:00 we depart for the Sariosiyo border crossing. Pass the border and meet our Tajik guides.

En route to Dushanbe we will visit Hisor town to visit the Hisor fortress, one of the most important historical sites in Tajikistan. We will also visit the nearby 16th Century Kunha Medrassah, Museum of Tajik Life and the mausoleum of the Sufi Saint, Mahdumi Azam.

On arrival into Dushanbe we will visit the Museum of National Antiquities before checking into the 5 star Hilton and spending the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 9 - Monday

After breakfast we drive to Khujand, passing through the 5km Anzob 'tunnel of death' en route.

On arrival to Khujand we will visit the Shikh Muslihiddin mosque, Oriental bazaar (the biggest in Central Asia), the Arbob palace and the Lenin monument. Check into our hotel and have dinner at a local restaurant before spending the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 10 - Tuesday

After breakfast we take a further tour of Khujand visiting the ancient city fortress. We'll have lunch afterwards before driving to the border and then onwards to the Kyrgyz city of Osh.

Arrive in Osh and check into our hotel and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 11 - Wednesday

We have an early start today as we begin the longest drive of the journey - a 12 hour journey North up to the capital of Bishkek. This road rivals the Pamir Highway for the most beautiful and scenic journey in Central Asia. We pass huge mountains, canyons and valleys throughout the whole journey as well as crossing a host of different climatic zones and vegetation levels as we pass the natural and cultural divide of the country through the Fergana valley and Tien Shan mountain range.


Although we at Lupine are very passionate about the scenery during this long drive, we decided to poll all our clients who have taken this drive to help you make the decision of whether to fly or not. 75% of people who took the drive considered the scenery to be a highlight of the tour, 17% felt the drive was OK and 8% wished they had flown. Some comments on the drive...

"The views were unbelievable, I would definitely recommend taking the drive. It isn't the most comfortable but it's worth it."

"The scenery was a real highlight of the tour. To be honest when I booked, I thought of it as sleep/reading time - I didn't end up doing any of that - looked out of the window and chatted to the group the whole time! I'd highly recommend it unless you're especially car sick!"

After arriving in Bishkek early evening, we will check into our hotel before going out for optional meal and beers!

Day 12 - Thursday

We have a well earned day of rest today with the chance to spend your day at leisure around the capital, checking out the great Soviet architecture and monuments.

Day 13 - Friday

In the morning we will drive out to visit Ala Archa; a beautiful alpine National Park situated in the Tian Shan mountain range. The day is free to spend hiking or relaxing around the region before returning to Bishkek in the early evening.

Tonight is the final day of the 4 Stans tour before departure the following day.

Day 14 - Saturday

Today you can depart for your flight home or take an optional extension up into Kazakhstan. For those taking the extension, we will take a 5 hour journey up across the border and into the Kazakh city of Almaty. We will check into our hotel before taking an afternoon tour of the City.

Evening at leisure.

Day 15 - Sunday

Today the tour ends but you are welcome to add extra nights on request.