Mythical Oasis of the Silk Road
From 1950 euro
Group size: 4 - 16 persons
Guaranteed departure from 4 persons
This tour takes place in two Central Asian republics: Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, which territory in ancient times there were powerful states of Bactria and Sogdiana. The ruins of ancient fortresses of Merv, Khorezm and Afrasiab survived to this day a living reminder of bygone power. Such ancient monuments as the Mausoleum of Timur, Registan Square, Kalyan minaret harmoniously blend and complement the color cities of modern East. You will discover the true sound of oriental bazaars, unique culture, unique traditions and endless hospitality of the local people.
Day 1 Ashgabat – arrival
Arrive in Ashgabat. Transfer to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 Ashgabat – Mary – Ashgabat
Meet with your group in the morning and transfer to domestic airport for the morning flight Mary (40 min). Explore ancient city of Merv, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site that was a major center of international trade and crafts located on the Silk Road. Return to Mary. Visit History museum of the region. Transfer to the airport for evening flight to Ashgabat at 19:00. Scheduled arrival is at 20:00. Transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours.
Day 3 Ashgabat – Darvaza gas crater
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, 4h.). On the way stop at Erbent village to witness life of locals surrounded by desert. Arrive at the crater, set up the camp. Enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater. Overnight in tents.
Day 4 Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench – Shavat border point – Khiva
In the morning depart Gas crater and drive to Kunya-Urgench. Visit mausoleums of Turabek-Khanym, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmuddin-Kubra, Sultan Ali. Discover the Kutlug Timur Minaret and Kyrk Molla Hill. After lunch drive to Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border point Shavat-Dashoguz. Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Cross the 1.5 km neutral zone (transportation may not be available). Meet your Uzbekistan driver and drive to Khiva (60 km, 1 h). Transfer to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours
Day 5 Khiva – Urgench – Bukhara
After breakfast sightseeing tour in Khiva. Visit Ichan-Qala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Ichan-Qala fortress visit Kunya-Ark, Sayeed Alauddin Mausoleum, Arab-Mukhamadkhan Madrasah, Oq-Masjid Mosque, Madrasah of Hodjan Berdi-biya, Shirgazikhan Madrasah, Abdullakhan Madrasah, Juma Mosque, Allakulikhan Madrasah, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islom-Khoja. At 19:00 transfer to domestic airport flight to Bukhara at 21:00 arriving in Bukhara at 22:00. Arrival in Bukhara, transfer to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours.
Day 6 Bukhara
After breakfast start walking sightseeing tour in Bukhara.
Visit Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Dinner and a national show at Nadir Divan-begi Madrasah.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours.
Day 7 Bukhara – Samarkand
Breakfast. Start the second day with a visit to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi and Chor-Bakr Necropolis. In the afternoon take the high-speed Afrosiyob train 15:52-17:20 or overland transfer. Arrive in Samarkand, check in to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours.
Day 8 Samarkand
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.
Day 9 Samarkand – Tashkent
Breakfast. Continue sightseeing tour in Samarkand. You will visit Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry.
At 16:30 transfer to the railway station to take the high-speed Afrosiyob train departing at 17:30 (300 km, 2 h 10 m) and arriving in Tashkent at 19:40. Pick-up and transfer to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours.
Day 10 Tashkent
Guided sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. You will start with exploring the Old City. Visit Khast-Imam Complex where the world famous Quran, holy book, of Caliph Uthman has been preserved. The complex consists of Barak-Khan Madrasah, Tillya Sheykh Mosque, Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Continue to Chorsu Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center to walk through Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and visit Applied Arts Museum. Farewell lunch in one of the restaurants in Tashkent. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours.
Day 11 Tashkent – departure
Check-out from the hotel till noon. Transfer to the airport. End of the tour.
- Accommodation in hotel 3* based on double/twin room breakfasts included;
- Transportation throughout the tour by confortable transports;
- Sightseeing tour program with a local guide in Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan;
- Entrance tickets to the sights as per itinerary;
- Meals: lunch-dinner;
- Economy class tickets for flights Ashgabat-Mary-Ashgabat, Urgench-Bukhara;
- Economy class tickets for trains Bukhara-Samarkand-Tashkent;
- Visa support letter for Uzbekistan visa;
- Visa support letter for Turkmenistan visa;
- International flights;
- Consular fees for vias;
- Supplement single 180 euros.
