Cross two 'stans off your travel map 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 Darvaza 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.
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Aydar Kŭl Camp. Amir Timur Mausoleum Visit. Samarkand City Tour. Shaki Zinda complex, the bazaar, Bibi Khanum, and Registan Square. Free time in Samarkand. Chashma Complex and Holy Spring Visit. Fortress of Alexander the Great Visit. Aidarkul Lake. Authentic Uzbekistan dinner. Evening Kazakh singing show. Overnight in a Yurt. Free time in Bukhara. Bukhara City Guided Tour. UNESCO-listed Khiva Ancient City Exploration. Free time in Khiva. UNESCO World Heritage Site Kunya Urgench. Guided tour of Dashoguz City. Gorogly Monument. Dashoguz Wedding hall. Kara-Kum desert. Fiery Darvaza gas crater, "Gates of Hell”. Mud Crater Visit. Sand Dunes of Karakum Desert. Ashgabat City Tour. Monument of Independence. National Museum of History and Ethnography. Arch of Neutrality. Gulistan market. Ancient Settlement of Nisa. Free time in Ashgabat.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Bargain your way through traditional bazaars, Stay overnight in a local yurt camp, Visit the desert community of Erbent, Marvel at the Darvaza crater (known as the "Door to Hell"), See the city treasures of Ashgabat
How large will the group be?
Max 16, avg 14
What meals are included in this trip?
12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private vehicle, walking.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (10 nts), yurt (2 nts).
Itinerary
Tashkent
Arrive at any time. Welcome to the eclectic capital of Uzbekistan, where modern skyscrapers mix with Soviet-era architecture and mosaic mausoleums. There are no activities planned until the evening welcome meeting, so get out there and explore.
Tashkent/Samarkand
Travel on to Samarkand, known for intricately beautiful mosques and mausoleums, situated on the Silk Road. Take an orientation walk to familiarize yourself with the neighborhood before embarking on a city tour, visiting Shaki Zinda complex, the bazaar, Bibi Khanum, and Registan Square. We'll also visit the famed Amir Timur Mausoleum, dedicated to the famous conqueror who once hoped to rebuild the empire of Genghis Khan.
Samarkand
With a free day in Samarkand, continue exploring the amazing sights, have a cuppa in a local tea house, or wander around the bazaar. Opt to explore the Tomb of Prophet Daniel, famous for the Biblical story of Daniel and the lions.
Samarkand/Aydar Kŭl Camp
Travel out into the desert to visit Chashma Complex, a pilgrimage site in the territory of Nurata, dominated by ruins of Alexander the Great's fortress, Juma mosque, a bath-house, and the ancient Panjvakta mosque. All of this, hiding a holy spring believed to heal diseases. After exploring the complex, head to Aidarkul Lake and opt for a swim before continuing on for an overnight stay in a local yurt camp. Enjoy an authentic Uzbekistan dinner and an evening Kazakh singing show.
Aydar Kŭl Camp/Bukhara
Travel to Bukhara, known as one of the most charming cities in the country, and get your bearings on an orientation walk. Opt to visit the old city bazaars, enjoy a traditional dinner cooked by a local family, visit a hammam (bathhouse), or just relax in the pleasant atmosphere of this Silk Road city.
Bukhara
Explore Bukhara on a half-day guided walking tour around the beautifully restored mosques, madrassas, and covered markets, or trading domes, that make up the Old City. A centre for pottery, cloth, and carpets, Bukhara is centered around Lyabi-Hauz, a delightful pool of water surrounded by ancient mulberry trees. Wander the artisan shops and narrow twisting streets and alleyways, or sit at a café table and let the evening drift by. Opt to watch a local puppet show held in an old caravanserai, or indulge in a rejuvenating hammam bathhouse.
Bukhara/Khiva
Enjoy a scenic drive through the desert on a full day's journey to reach UNESCO-listed Khiva, well worth the arduous drive. Get to know this peaceful, picturesque city on a late afternoon orientation walk, and pick your favourite spots to explore more in-depth tomorrow.
Khiva
Before exploring this historic town on your own, enjoy a guided tour to learn about local life here. Wander through the narrow labyrinth mudbrick alleyways of old town, bargain with locals at the bazaar, admire the madrassas, mosques, and blue mosaic domes, climb up towering minarets, and venture into the dark dungeons Khiva was infamous for back in the 10th century. Explore the inner walls of Ichon-Qala, and enjoy spectacular sunset views on the sand-coloured buildings.
Khiva/Dashoguz
Say goodbye to Uzbekistan this morning as we drive to the Uzbek-Turkmen border and continue to Dashoguz, Turkmenistan. Drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kunya Urgench to visit the ancient capital of the Khorezmian Empire.
Dashoguz/Darvaza
Enjoy a morning tour of the city of Dashoguz. This evening, enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner then we head out to witness the fiery Darvaza gas crater, also known as the "Gates of Hell." Venture through the Kara-Kum desert and spend the night camping under the stars at a yurt camp.
Darvaza/Ashgabat
After breakfast, begin the journey to the capital of Turkmenistan - Ashgabat. On the way, stop and admire its golden sand dunes that stretch out to the horizon. On arrival in Ashgabat, spend the evening at leisure. Opt to visit the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, also known as Gypjak Mosque, and capture the sun setting on the symmetrical minarets and golden domes.
Ashgabat
Spend the day exploring bustling Ashgabat. Enjoy a tour of the city in the morning, visiting several city treasures such as the Monument of Independence and the National museum or Neutrality Arch. Afterward, we'll venture to the ancient ruins of Nisa to explore the ruins. Enjoy the afternoon free to continue exploring Ashgabat.
Ashgabat
Depart at any time. Departure transfer is included.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
