Best of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan
13 days
From
$ 1999
Duration13 days
Cross two 'stans off your hit list with a 13-day tour through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. This well-rounded tour takes you through bustling bazaars and beautiful city mosques in Samarkand and Bukhara, as well as bucket-list natural landscapes like the Derweze gas crater known affectionately as the Door to Hell. Destinations less-ventured can be challenging to visit on your own, but with a skilled Chief Experience Officer (CEO) leading the way, you'll have incredible experiences without sacrificing safety or your sense of adventure.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 13 daysService level: Standard
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Physical Grading: Average
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Ages: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Tashkent
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting followed by an optional dinner.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Tashkent/Samarkand
Travel on to Samarkand. Take an orientation walk and opt to visit the Amir Timur Mausoleum.
Meals: B
Day 3: Samarkand
With free time, enjoy the Samarkand sights, have a cup of tea in a local tea house, or wander around the bazaar.
Enjoy a city tour and visit to the Registan. Opt to check out the Guri Amir Mausoleum, Tomb of the Prophet Daniel, and the Registan minarets. Use some free time to wander the bazaar or visit more sights.
Meals: B
Day 4: Samarkand/Aydar Kŭl Camp
Travel out into the desert to visit the Nurata Shrine and remains of the Alexander the Great fortress. Continue on for an evening in a local yurt camp. Opt to ride a camel or enjoy an evening Kazakh singing show.
Meals: B, D
Day 5: Aydar Kŭl Camp/Bukhara
Travel to Bukhara, one of the most charming cities in the country. Opt to visit the old city bazaars, have dinner with a local family, or visit a traditional hammam (bathhouse).
Meals: B
Day 6: Bukhara
There is plenty of time to explore the artisan shops and wander the narrow twisting streets and alleyways. A centre for pottery, cloth, and Turkmen carpets, the Old City is centered around Lyabi-Hauz, a delightful pool of water surrounded by ancient mulberry trees, where you can sit at café tables and let the evening drift by. There is also the option to take in a local puppet show held in an old caravanserai or indulge in a Turkish bath.
Take a half-day guided walk around the beautifully restored mosques, madrassas, and covered markets that make up the Old City.
Meals: B
Day 7: Bukhara/Khiva
Enjoy a full day's travel through the desert to reach UNESCO-listed Khiva. Get to know the place on a late afternoon walking tour.
Meals: B
Day 8: Khiva
Explore the old town surrounded by city walls, bargain with locals on the market, and wander through the madrassas, climb up minarets, and explore the dark dungeons Khiva was infamous for back in the 10th century. Wander through the inner walls of the Ichon-Qala and enjoy spectacular sunset views of the sand-coloured mosques and madrassas.
Enjoy a guided tour of the city with free time to experience the local life. Opt to browse the shops, wander the lanes, examine handmade silk rugs, or sit in a café in this ancient historical town.
Meals: B
Day 9: Khiva/Dashoguz
In the morning drive to the Uzbek-Turkmen border. After border procedures, drive to Dashoguz. Opt to explore the city and it's Bai Market with free time.
Meals: B
Day 10: Dashoguz/Darvaza
Drive to Kunya Urgench to visit the ancient capital of the Khorezmian Empire. Proceed to Darvaza, also known as the "Door to Hell". Enjoy a delicious barbeque dinner. Spend an evening camping under the stars.
End place: Darvaza
Meals: B, D
Day 11: Darvaza/Ashgabat
Start place: Darvaza
After breakfast transfer to Ashgabat. On the way, stop near the community of Erbent and admire its golden sand dunes that stretch out to the horizon.
Meals: B, L
Day 12: Ashgabat
Take the day to explore Ashgabat. Take a tour of the city in the morning and visit several city treasures such as the National museum or Neutrality Arch.
Meals: B
Day 13: Ashgabat
Depart at any time.
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Aydar Kŭl Camp
- Orientation walk (Samarkand)
- City tour including a Registan visit
- Nurata Shrine visit
- Alexander the Great fortress visit
- Guided walking tour (half-day, Bukhara)
- Walking tours (Khiva)
- Kunya Urgench visit
- Derweze crater visit
- City tour (Ashgabat)
- Transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private vehicle, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels (11 nts), Yurt (1 nt), Tented camping (1 nt)