CENTRAL ASIA
Central Asia trip planner: countries, order and time
Plan a trip across Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan: which countries to combine, in what order, visa-free stays by passport and the border crossings.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Start with Uzbekistan for the cities and add one mountain country: Kyrgyzstan for lakes and treks, Kazakhstan for Almaty and its canyons, or Tajikistan for the Fann Mountains and the Pamirs. Uzbekistan's cities are best in spring and autumn, the mountains from June to early September, so in autumn go east to west (mountains first) and in spring west to east. US and EU citizens can travel without a visa in all four countries.
CENTRAL ASIA · ITINERARY · 14 DAYS
Central Asia in 2 weeks: Khiva to Issyk-Kul via Fergana
A one-way 14-day route: Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand by train, the Fergana Valley, the Dostuk border on foot, then Issyk-Kul and Karakol. Checked September 2026.
Read the guideCENTRAL ASIA · 21-DAY ITINERARY
Central Asia in 3 weeks: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan
A 21-day route from Almaty over the Karkara border to Karakol and Issyk-Kul, then by air to Tashkent for Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, with dated border and train times.
Read the guideUZBEKISTAN + TAJIKISTAN · ITINERARY
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in 10 days via the Seven Lakes
Ten days one way from Tashkent to Dushanbe: Bukhara and Samarkand by train, the Jartepa border on foot, the Seven Lakes and Iskanderkul. Legs, visas, dates.
Read the guideWhich order and which season
The season decides the order. Uzbekistan's cities are best in spring and autumn, while treks and yurt camps in Kyrgyzstan work from June to early September and the Pamir Highway from June to September. In late summer or early autumn, start in the mountains and finish in the cities; in spring, do the cities first and reach the mountains in June.
From Tashkent, Almaty is a daily overnight train or a short flight, Bishkek a 1 h 10 min flight, and the Tajik border is under an hour from Samarkand. The Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in 12 days route shows how two countries fit together.
Visa-free stays by passport
Each country sets its own limits. The table summarises our four visa guides; check the guide for your passport before booking: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan.
| Passport | Uzbekistan | Kazakhstan | Kyrgyzstan | Tajikistan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 30 days | 30 days (90 in 180) | 30 days in 60 | 30 days |
| United Kingdom | 30 days | 30 days (90 in 180) | 30 days in 60 | Visa needed (e-visa) |
| Germany, France and other EU states | 30 days | 30 days (90 in 180) | 30 days in 60 | 30 days |
| Japan, South Korea | 30 days | 30 days (90 in 180) | 30 days in 60 | 30 days |
| China | 30 days | 30 days | Visa needed | 14 days at 55 or over; otherwise visa |
| India | E-visa (exempt only with certain third-country visas) | 14 days | Visa needed | Visa needed (e-visa) |
| Russia | No limit stated | 90 days in 180 | 90 days in 180 | No limit set |
Border crossings between the four
Most overland trips use the crossings below. Hours and rules change, so check the linked guide close to your travel date.
| Between | Crossing | Status | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan (Tashkent) | Gisht Kuprik / Zhibek Zholy; Kaplanbek / Navoi | Gisht Kuprik closed since February 2025; Kaplanbek in use; daily Tashkent–Almaty train | Tashkent to Almaty |
| Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan (west) | Daut-ota / Tazhen road; Karakalpakstan–Beyneu rail | Road closed to people since 1 February 2025; train only | Nukus to Beyneu |
| Uzbekistan – Kyrgyzstan | Dustlik / Dostuk (Andijan – Osh) | Open; walk across | Tashkent to Bishkek |
| Uzbekistan – Tajikistan | Jartepa / Sarazm (Samarkand – Penjikent) | Used by foreigners (reports to late 2025); listed by Uzbek Customs as a bilateral post, open 24 h | Samarkand to Dushanbe |
| Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan | Korday / Ak-Zhol; Kegen / Karkyra | Korday 24/7; Karkyra daytime and not on the Kyrgyz e-visa list | Kyrgyzstan visa and entry |
| Kyrgyzstan – Tajikistan | Kyzyl-Art (Pamir Highway) | Open; Kyrgyz pre-notification abolished July 2025 | Pamir Highway |
What about Turkmenistan?
Our guides do not cover Turkmenistan and we do not arrange trips there. Its rules differ from its neighbours': according to its embassy in London, a tourist visa needs a letter of invitation obtained through a travel agency, and a transit visa is limited to 5 days on fixed dates (Embassy of Turkmenistan in the UK, read 24 September 2026).
We arrange the Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan parts of a combined trip and can advise on Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, where we do not book services. Plan a combined trip
Common questions
How many days do I need for Central Asia?
Two weeks fit Uzbekistan and one neighbour, such as Kyrgyzstan; three weeks fit three countries. The Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in 12 days route is a two-country plan you can follow as it is.
Do I need visas for the Stans?
US and EU citizens can travel without a visa in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. UK citizens can visit the first three without a visa but need an e-visa for Tajikistan. Turkmenistan needs a visa with a letter of invitation.
Which country should I combine with Uzbekistan?
Kyrgyzstan for lakes, yurts and treks; Kazakhstan for Almaty and Charyn Canyon; Tajikistan for Penjikent, the Fann Mountains and, for experienced travellers, the Pamirs. See the Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan pages.
When is the best time for a Central Asia trip?
Early September suits both the mountains and, a little later, the cities; in spring, do the cities in April and May and reach the mountains in June. July and August are best for the mountains but hot in Uzbekistan's cities.