11 Day Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan Tour | Silk Road

Arrival in Ashgabat.

Your driver will meet you holding a sign 'YOUR NAME'. Transfer to the hotel.

Meeting with a company representative who will provide a tour package, and you will have the opportunity to discuss the details of the program.

Resting time.

Overnight.

Breakfast in the hotel.

08:30 Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to  Mary.

Excursion to Ancient Merv (UNESCO).  Discover the historical park with:

- Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum,

- Mohammed bin Said Mausoleum,

- Medieval castles – “Kesk” fortresses (6-7 centuries) and others.

Return to Mary. Visit the History Museum of the Merv region.

Transfer to the airport for evening flight to Ashgabat.

20:30 return to the hotel.

Evening at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Start the day with a sightseeing tour in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan that has recently been noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as having more white marble buildings than any other city in the world. During the city tour you will explore an archaeological site of Old Nisa included in UNESCO World Heritage list and Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. You will visit the National Museum of History, the Monument of Neutrality, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, newly built Independence Park and (Sunday) bazaar. Intense and interesting excursion also includes a stopover at the Akhalteke horse stables.
In the afternoon drive to Darvaza gas crater located in the middle of Karakum desert (280 km, 4 hrs) Arrive at the crater. Enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater. Overnight in yurts.
Note: We'll travel in 4x4 vehicles across the rugged Karakum Desert. The route is unpaved, so expect a bumpy and thrilling ride – it's the only way to get to this incredible, remote location.
At the camp, we'll enjoy an authentic stay in yurts with basic, shared outdoor washing and toilet facilities, putting us right in the heart of the desert landscape.
Internet access in Turkmenistan is limited. You may not have internet connectivity during your stay. Please plan ahead for your communication needs.
Lighting at the Darvaza Yurt Camp is very limited. We recommend bringing a handheld flashlight or a headlamp so you can move more comfortably and safely between the crater and the camp.

After a camp-style breakfast, drive to the Dashoguz–Shavat border point (270 km, ~4 hrs). Lunch at a local café en route. After lunch, proceed to the Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan border crossing. Complete border formalities at both checkpoints. Meet your driver holding a sign with your name at the border exit and continue to your hotel in Khiva for overnight.

08:00 Breakfast in the hotel.

09:00 Meet with your guide & driver and start a WALKING excursion in Bukhara.

- Ensemble Lyabi Hauz (Nadir Divanbegi Madrassa, Khanaka, Kukeldash Madrassa and the monument of Khodja Nasreddin);

- Magoki Attari Mosque is one of the oldest mosques survived in Bukhara from the time before the Mongolian invasion;

- Abdullakhan’s Tim with numerous handicraft shops of souvenirs, ceramics, national clothes, and carpets;

- Caravanserai Sayfuddin (the Center of Handicraft Development of Bukhara);

- There are three trading domes or so-called covered bazaars Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon and Toki Zargaron preserved from the XVI century and these bazaars were centers of the silk trade, selling jewelry and even for money exchange. Today as well, one can enjoy and purchase different souvenirs in a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets;

- Visit Ulughbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas or so-called Kosh (pare) madrassas opposite each other with a distinctive style of facade ornamental decoration;

- Poi Kalon Square with Kalon Minaret and Mosque, Mir Arab Madrassa – the heart of Bukhara, a monumental complex impresses the imagination of every visitor;

- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel dating back to I century BC where anyone can feel the history of the great fortress covered in beautiful legends and myths.

Optionally can be added by request: Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture. 

18:00 Supper at the Nadir Divan Begi Madrasah including a spectating folk show with dances and singing.

20:00 Transfer back to the hotel. 

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free day in Bukhara.

14:30 Transfer to the railway station in Bukhara.

15:50 Departure for Samarkand by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".

17:20 Arrival in Samarkand.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.

Transfer to the hotel. Check-in.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, Samarkand sightseeing tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, Gur Emir Mausoleum – the mausoleum of Amir Timur, remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory. Free time in the afternoon.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Breakfast in the hotel. 

09:00 Leisure, and for filling it we can suggest visiting the Japanese Garden and take a ride on the city cableway around Japanese Garden & Tashkent Disneyland. (up to weather and seasonal time)

or

- Visit the center of Plov where you can try 4 different types of plov and other national Uzbek dishes.

15:00 Transfer to the airport. Departure.

End of the tour.