Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan Highlights

The guide and the driver will pick you up at the airport exit. Then we will start at the most beautiful mosque in Turkmenistan - Ertogrul Gazy Mosque and Independence Park. Then head to National Museum of Turkmenistan to have a general understanding of the country's history and culture. Finally, we are going to Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum and an ancient city site - Ancient Nissa. After the tour, you will be transferred to the hotel for overnight stay.

Accommodation: Sport hotel

Today, we will drive to Darvaza. During the way, we will have a stopover at Anau mosque ruins and Anau culture remains, and watch the beautiful horses in Ahalteke horse stables. Then go on to drive to Darvaza Gas Crater. This burning gas crater is quite spectacular at night. In the evening, we will enjoy barbecue as dinner and spend the night in tents.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Darwaza yurt camp

Kunya-Urgench is our destination today. It is a crucial trade city in ancient Silk Road. A series of defensive forts built with mud and bricks are scattered there. The main remaining relics are the mausoleums built with bake bricks and the mosques decorated with glazed bricks, cutting bricks and plasters. Here, we will explore Nedjmeddin Kubra Mausoleum, Tyurabek-Khanum Mausoleum, Mamun Minaret, Kutlug Timur Minaret, Kyrkmolla Mausoleum and Il Arslan Mausoleum. Then, you will be escorted to the border with Uzbekistan to deal with the frontier formalities. The driver of Uzbekistan will wait for you there and guide you to Khiva.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Asia Khiva

Today the guide will accompany you to experience a walking tour in Ichan Kala, the inner city of Khiva. First, we are going to Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah and Kalta Minor. Kalta Minor is a short minaret outside the mosque. It is said that it could have reached 110 meters (360 feet) high after being finished. But due to the accidental death of Mukhammad Rahimkhan, its building was stopped. So the existing minaret is only 29 meters (95 feet) high. Afterwards, proceed to explore Juma Mosque, Toshkhovli Palace and Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum. Finally, climb up to Islom Khodja Minaret to enjoy a panoramic view of Khiva in Kunya-Ark.

Meals: Breakfast

Today, the driver will lead you to Bukhara 480 kilometers (298 miles) far away in 7 - 8 hours with a stopover at Kyzylkum Desert to watch the unique scenery of desert and Amudarya River. Upon arrival, check in a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Amulet Hotel

Today, the guide will show you around Bukhara on foot. First, we will go to Lyabi Hauz Ensemble. This architectural complex is located by the pool and surrounded by the green trees. Then head to Magoki-Attori Mosque. Magoki-Attori means the herbalist's pit. It is named after its location nearby the spice market. After visiting Chor-Minor Madrasah and the local market Trade Dome, we are going to Madrasahs of Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan. Ulugbek Madrasahs was the theological school with the most subjects in ancient time. It taught not only Islamic theology, but also physics, math, astronomy and other scientific knowledge. Next, we will travel to Poi Kalon Square to see Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah. Followed by are Ark Fortress and Bolo Khauz Mosque. This mosque was built in 1718 with quite abundant colors. Finally, explore Samanid Mausoleum and Chashma Ayub Mausoleum.

Meals: Breakfast

You will be led to Samarkand 280 kilometers (174 miles) away in 4 hours by the driver. When reaching Gijduvan midway, we will stop over to see the production of pottery in Gijduvan pottery workshop. Then continue to drive to Samarkand and check in the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Samarkand Superior

Today the guide will accompany you to explore Samarkand, one of the most ancient cities in Central Asia and a hub city on the Silk Road. The first stop is Registan Square which represents the most outstanding architecture of Timurid Dynasty in late 14th century. The next stop is Siyob Bazzar and the Bibi Khanym Mosque nearby. Afterwards, follow the guide to the largest observatory in Central Asia in Middle Ages - Ulugbek Observatory. In the end, we will go to Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur-Emir Mausoleum. After the tour, the driver will transfer you to the railway station for you to take the high speed train to Tashkent with a duration of 2 hours and 10 minutes. When arrive, you will be met and led to the hotel by the local driver.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Wyndham Tashkent

The Islamic religious center Khast-Imom Complex is our first stop today where we will tour Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tilla Sheikh Mosque, Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Then proceed to Chorsu Bazaar to experience the locals' life. Afterwards, we will go to downtown area by metro and see the characteristic metro stations in Tashkent. Finally, we will stroll around in Independence Square and Amir Timur Park, and appreciate the art works of the country in State Museum of Applied Art.

Meals: Breakfast

The driver will escort you to the airport according to your flight schedule and see you off. Our Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan tour ends here. Bon Voyage!

Meals: Breakfast