Magic of Central Asia: Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan

From

1225$

  • 9 Days
  • 4 - 20
  • Registan Square (Samarkand): Explore the historic center of Samarkand, home to three magnificent medieval madrasahs.
  • Ancient Ark Fortress (Bukhara): Visit the 5th-century residence of the Emirs of Bukhara, which served as a symbol of power for centuries.
  • Ichan-Kala (Khiva): Discover the "living museum" of the Silk Road, a perfectly preserved inner city containing ancient mosques, minarets, and palaces.
  • Darvaza Gas Crater: Witness the "Door to Hell," a natural gas crater that has been burning continuously in the heart of the Karakum Desert.
  • Ancient Merv: Walk through the sprawling ruins of the "Queen of the World," once one of the most important Islamic capitals in historical Central Asia.
  • Akhalteke Horses: Visit a horse farm to encounter the world-renowned "heavenly horses," a national symbol of Turkmenistan.

Included and Excluded

  • Accommodation in DBL/Twin room
  • Train tickets: Tashkent-Samarkand/Samarkand-Bukhara (economy class)
  • Transfer Bukhara-Khiva
  • Transport in air-conditioned vehicles. For 4 pax – Hyunday Grand Starex (8 seats), For 8–10 pax – Toyota Hiace (14 seats), For 15 pax – Toyota Coaster (22 seats), For 20 pax – Yutong (33 seats)
  • Tickets for museums, monuments and historical sites mentioned in the itinerary.
  • English-speaking escort guide
  • 1l water per person every day
  • Letter of Invitation to Turkmenistan
  • Garagum Yurt Camp (Yurt/Tent) – 1 night (incl sleeping mats, sleeping bags, pillows, light)
  • Entrance fee: per program
  • Flight ticket: Mary-Ashgabat
  • Meals: BF at hotel, BBQ dinner and Picnic-style breakfast at Darvaza
  • International flights
  • Cost of Turkmen visa w/border fees (70 – 100 USD)
  • PCR test (33 USD)
  • Payment for photo and video
  • Meals: L & D
  • Tips for guide and driver
  • Medical insurance
  • Services not shown in the program
  • Flight to / from Uzbekistan
  • Airport taxes for international flights

Itinerary

Flight to Tashkent. After arrival in Tashkent, our driver will meet you at the airport exit. We start with the old part of the city: Visit the Khast Imam Complex, including Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Friday Mosque, and the Muyi Muborak Madrassah.

Next a walk through the lively and colorful Chorsu Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in Tashkent, known for its local crafts, spices, and traditional atmosphere.

Continue with the modern part of Tashkent: Ride the Tashkent Metro, known for its Soviet-era architecture. Explore Independence Square, Amir Temur Square, Theatre Square, and the Monument of Courage, dedicated to the 1966 earthquake.

Transfer to the hotel, check-in and rest.

After breakfast, transfer to the railway station for the train Tashkent–Samarkand (07:30–09:43). Upon arrival in Samarkand, We start the city tour. First, we visit the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, then continue to Registan Square, the historic center of Samarkand. We walk along Islam Karimov Street to the Bibi-Khanum Mosque, followed by a visit to the lively Siab Bazaar. In the afternoon, the Shakhi-Zinda necropolis, a sacred pilgrimage site. Overnight in Samarkand.

Breakfast. Тransfer to the railway station for the train Samarkand - Bukhara (08:33–10:10). Start the sightseeing tour of Bukhara. We visit the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, the Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum, and the Bolo-Khauz complex with its mosque, minaret, and reflecting pool. Next, we explore the Ark Fortress, the former residence of the emirs of Bukhara, followed by the impressive Poi-Kalon complex, including the Kalon Minaret, Kalon Mosque, and Miri-Arab Madrassah. Along the way, we see traditional trading domes and historic madrassahs. The tour continues at Lyabi-Hauz Square, one of the most charming places in Bukhara, with its historic buildings and peaceful atmosphere. Overnight in Bukhara.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, we depart for Khiva, driving through the Kyzylkum Desert. On the way, we stop to enjoy the view of the Amu Darya River.

Arrival in Khiva in the late afternoon. Free time to rest at the hotel. 

Overnight in Khiva.

Breakfast at the hotel. We start our sightseeing tour of Khiva from the main gate of the old town Ota Darvoza. We visit the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassah and the iconic Kalta Minor Minaret, which was planned to be the tallest in Central Asia but remained unfinished. Next, we explore the Said Alauddin Mausoleum, one of the oldest monuments in Ichan-Kala, followed by the Kunya Ark Citadel, the former residence of Khiva’s khans. The tour continues with the Muhammad Rahim Khan Madrassah and the Juma Mosque, known for its impressive forest of carved wooden columns. In the afternoon, we visit the Islam Khodja Minaret and Madrassah, a symbol of Khiva, and the Tash-Khauli Palace, famous for its richly decorated reception halls. We end the tour at the Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, the spiritual heart of the city. After, we will transfer to the Shavat border to continue the journey to Turkmenistan.

Turkmen representative will meet you at the border. Transfer to your hotel in Dashoguz (15km). Overnight at the hotel 

Breakfast at the hotel. Afternoon drive to Darvaza Burning Gas Crater, one of the top international tourist destinations. The area is rich in natural gas. Burning over 50 years, Darvaza Gas Crater shines like a pearl in the Karakum desert. One of the most vivid and addictive features of this trip is the fresh air of the desert and experiencing the nomadic life in person. At night, while the light of the Gas Crater hits the sky, you will camp in the Turkmen national yurt or private tents and have a barbecue for dinner. This unique landscape will fascinate you and you will want to come again

Picnic-style breakfast in Darvaza. After breakfast, drive to Ashgabat (276km). Afternoon you will have an Ashgabat city tour. You will see the Wedding Palace, modern “Yildyz” Hotel, Ferries Wheel, Constitution Monument, Arch of Neutrality, Monument and Park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Ashgabat Olympic Stadium and Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex. Overnight in Ashgabat

BF at hotel. Morning drive to Mary. On arrival, visit a horse farm in Mary to see the world-famous Akhalteke horses, the national pride of Turkmenistan and one of the oldest and most unique horse breeds in the world.

Then continue to Merv to explore ancient Merv – the “Queen of the World,” once one of the most important capitals of Islam alongside Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus. Sightseeing includes Greater Kyz Gala & Lesser Kyz Gala, Complex of Askhabs, Erk Gala, Gyaur Gala, Hoja Yusup Hamadani complex, Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, and Muhamed Ibn Zeid Mausoleum.

After sightseeing, transfer to Mary Airport for the return flight to Ashgabat. Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for the flight home.

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