Travel to the "Stans?"

Frank, I have nothing to contribute (although it is my understanding that it's fairly easy to travel there independently). That said, I'm just going to tag along on this thread to see what appears as I am also interested in heading to Uzbekistan and possibly Kyrgyzstan at some point in the next few years.

Frank (and Mardee) - No firsthand experience here either, but I’ve been eyeing the Stans for a while, and we’re looking at a trip to one of them in the next couple of years (our travel dance cards are pretty much filled through the end of 2027, so we’ve got plenty of time to investigate and makes plans). That said, from my initial research, it seems clear that they vary quite a bit from one to another, and to some extent internally too. So I try to resist the temptation to lump them together and expect anything like consistency. These are big, complicated places.

Some are definitely more (and less) “easy” to do (relative to each other), especially on your own. I understand the easier ones include Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, the more challenging appear to include Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. At least that’s what I think I’m seeing. Worth noting: regional politics is delicate and subject to swings, so it pays to monitor current events (we’ve got a few days in Tbilisi, Georgia, next fall so I’m trying to follow events there…anyplace the the Russians consider “lost” provinces come with potential complications).

I’ve identified Uzbekistan as our likely “gateway Stan” to dip our toes into, before strapping in for one of the trickier ones on a subsequent trip.

We’re pretty committed to independent travel and from what I’ve read, that’s quite common in Uzbekistan (assuming you’re comfortable with that). Same for Kyrgyzstan. Can’t speak to the others, and YMMV.

The good news is that US passport holders don't need a visa for up to 30 days for Krygstan and Kazakstan. Starting in January, US passport holders won't need a visa for Uzbekistan. (Although if you were over 55, and a US passport holder, you didn't need one in the past for a stay up to 30 days.)

I've heard for Turkmenistan independent travel is almost non-existant. A visitor needs an invitation, must take certain tours, needs cash as cards are notaccepted, and very limited internet. It's one of the most closed countries in the world.

As above, no personal knowledge. But Uzbekistan seems to be the easiest to do - its somewhere I'm thinking of doing, but would go with a tour group (solo female traveler) - there is a UK solo traveler tour group that have introduce a tour there, but I doubt I will be able to do it in 2026 (too much other stuff booked, or semi-planned).

However, some good friends took a tour to various Stans a couple of years ago, and - overall - I think they were happy with their tour. They went with Voyages Jules Verne - UK tour group. Link attached, although I think this itinerary has changed a little from the tour they took. The prices quoted would assume a starting point and economy return flights from Heathrow or Gatwick.
www.vjv.com/asia-pacific-tours/kazakhstan/legends-and-empires

I know that Odysseys Unlimited and Road Scholar also offer tours to the area.

This is all very interesting, especially about Turkmenistan. I think that will probably be off my list especially since I just saw a video called Why Turkmenistan Makes North Korea Look Normal

Frank, that's good to know about the tours. Thanks.

John Henderson, an American who retired to Rome and writes a blog under the name "Dog-eared Passport", has traveled extensively to the "stans" and described them in detail, so you might want to look him up. He used to have a newsletter but I haven't seen it in the last year or two.

I’m looking at a tour to 5 Stans with Adventures Abroad. I’ve never used them but know people who have and their reviews were positive.

Frank, look at Inspiring Vacations out of Australia. They have a very popular 5 Stans tour. I took a tour with them in Japan and it was positive.

I'm doing this tour in April/May:

https://www.oattravel.com/trips/land-adventures/central-asia/the-silk-road-central-asia-ancient-trade-route/2021?icid=destcmp_slk_lk

I have a friend who did it last year and raved about it. The main trip is in Uzbekistan, but with the pre-trip and post-trip extensions, it also covers Tajikistan and a bit of Kyrgizstan and Kazakhstan.

This will be my 14th trip with OAT, so obviously I'm a fan of their tours. (I'm currently finishing their Nepal tour and about to start on the post-trip extension in northern India.)

I'll report back with impressions and a review of the tour, but also will be eagerly following this thread to hear of others' experiences.

I definitely look forward to hearing about your tour, Lane.

Frank, one nice thing about OAT is that they usually do not charge a single supplement.

ETA: I was just checking out the tour group that Carol NR mentioned and it gives a breakdown of the regulations that you need to fly into Turkmenistan. It's quite detailed and worth a read—just scroll down to "Essential Information." https://www.inspiringvacations.com/us/turkmenistan-tours/tour-package/22-day-five-stans-unveiled/43153?passenger-number=2&departure-city=5161

I haven't (despite the obvious motivation). But I did enjoy this book Sovietistan: Travels in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan (2020) by Erika Fatland. A Norwegian writer who made a solo trip through the region.

I read that book, too. Excellent!! Does not make me want to travel there, however!!

Frank - My wife and I took a tour of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in November 2023. We used a company called Lyuba Tours. The owner of Lyuba Tours was our Rick Steves guide for Bulgaria and has since formed his own company. The tour was great and I would recommend a guided tour over doing these countries independently.

This morning's podcast of BBC's 'The Documentary' - 'Stolen brides of Kazakhstan'

In plain sight, in a modern city, a colleague offers to drive you home after work. How would you respond? One woman in Kazakhstan accepted the lift only to find herself kidnapped or ‘stolen’ as a bride. She got away, rescued by the police, but for many Kazakh women kidnap leads to marriage. Human Rights lawyer Khalida Azhigulova reckons that thousands of women are forced into marriage each year in Kazakhstan, including many who are abducted. Some women even find that a wedding has already been arranged by the time a kidnapper gets her home. Now, after 20 years of campaigning by Khalida and other activists, legislators have passed a law making forced marriage a crime. Monica Whitlock and Roza Kudabayeva travel to Kazakhstan to meet women who have been kidnapped.

Wow Lane, what an adventure you have planned. I am hoping that anyone who travels to these countries does a trip report for us. I would go but my husband is a no on these places. I am not ready to travel alone yet, even on a tour.