Uzbekistan & Turkmen Explorer

Ashgabat - Tashkent

15 days through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

FROM: $1870 USD + 610 USD Kitty

Transport:

Overland Expedition Vehicle

Crew:

Two Dragoman Crew Members, Local Guides where necessary, Local Crew Member in certain areas

Accom:

Comfortable Hotel 8 nights
Camping without facilities 2 nights
Basic Hotel 3 nights
Yurt Camp 1 night

Meals:

Breakfasts x 11, Lunches x 3, Dinners x 3

Physical:

Lifestyle:

Code:

STT

Deposit:

$260 USD per person

Foreign Travel Advice

TRIP OVERVIEW

This journey takes us deep into heartlands of the ancient Silk Route. Starting in the bizarre city of Ashgabat, we overland across the remote and inhospitable deserts of Turkmenistan to the incredible burning gas crater of Darvaza and the crumbling ancient ruins of Konye Urgench, before crossing into the fascinating country of Uzbekistan. It is in Uzbekistan that we'll discover the jewels in the crown of the fabled journey of the Silk Road, at the ancient cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. History and stunning architecture vie for prominence in each city, and the wealth of culture and local heritage is breathtaking; the bazaars and souks are fascinating. North of the Oxus River lies the Kyzylkhum Desert, where we will overnight in a yurt stay before heading to the great city of Tashkent for a bit of R&R and old fashioned night clubs.

HIGHLIGHTS

Explore the unique Turkmen capital of Ashgabat on a guided tour

Wild camp near the 'Door to Hell' Darvaza Crater

Overland in to the Karakum desert

Explore the ruined city of Kunye Urgench

Guided tour of the ancient and beautiful city of Khiva

3 nights in Bukhara with guided tour of the many unique sites

Overnight in the Kyzylkum Desert staying in yurts

Guided tour of the historic city of Samarkand and surrounding area

WHAT TO EXPECT

This is a comfortable trip, with only limited camping. It can be extremely hot and dry in the summer when we visit, however, which can be challenging; ideal for lovers of history and stunning monuments. It is great also for "eclectic shoppers" in the bazaars and markets of Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent.

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Explore the unique and bizarre Turkmen capital of Ashgabat on a guided tour of the city

See the bizarre and incredible burning gas crater at Darvaza popularly known as the 'Door to Hell'

Overland into the green Oxus Valley to the ancient ruined city of Kunye Urgench

Guided City Tour of Khiva

Explore the incredibly photogenic blue palace of Tash Khovli in Khiva

ITINERARY

EXPAND ALL CLOSE ALL

Day 1 - Ashgabat (18th April 2021)

Border Information: if joining in Ashgabat, you will most likely enter Turkmenistan at Ashgabat International Airport (IATA code: ASB).

There will be a pre-departure meeting at 10:00am - please look out for a note from your leader at the reception of the joining hotel upon arrival with more details about this important meeting.

After the meeting we will have an included tour of the city of Ashgabat using local minibuses.

Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Ashgabat before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Ashgabat. If arriving at Ashgabat airport you will also need to have a confirmed arrival transfer and representative from our local supplier to meet you at the airport. Please contact your sales agent for prices and to book.

*Important note - any tobacco products are practically illegal in Turkmenistan, so please do not bring them or use them in Turkmenistan. Also please do not bring any medicines containing tramadol, codeine, temazepam, morphine or opiates to Central Asia. These are illegal in all circumstances in most of Central Asia and you will risk arrest. If in doubt about a particular medicine, please do not bring it. See the notes at the bottom for more details.*

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Explore the unique and bizarre Turkmen capital of Ashgabat on a guided tour of the city

Included

Day 2 - Darvaza (19th April 2021)

Today we set off north from Ashgabat and head into the Karakum Desert. We will have an included side trip to the amazing flaming Darvaza Gas Crater (also known as the 'Door to Hell'!).

We will wild camp in the deserts near Darvaza Crater tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Daily Activities

Included Activities

See the bizarre and incredible burning gas crater at Darvaza popularly known as the 'Door to Hell'

Included

Day 3 - Kunye Urgench (20th April 2021)

Today we will continue our overland journey north across the Karakum. We will visit the Kunye Urgench ruins towards the end of the day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Overland into the green Oxus Valley to the ancient ruined city of Kunye Urgench

Included

Day 4 - Khiva (21st April 2021)

Border Information: Exit Turkmenistan at Shovot, enter Uzbekistan at Nijazov.

This morning we will visit the markets in the border town of Dashoguz, before driving across the border into Uzbekistan and continue to the beautiful historic town of Khiva.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Day 5 - Khiva (22nd April 2021)

After breakfast we have a guided tour of the ancient city of Khiva. In the afternoon we will have plenty of free time to further explore this wonderfully preserved Khanate town.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Guided City Tour of Khiva

Included

Explore the incredibly photogenic blue palace of Tash Khovli in Khiva

Included

Optional Activities

See the beautiful turquoise Kalta Minor Minaret one of the iconic symbols of Khiva

Entrance: Free

Day 6 - Bukhara (23rd April 2021)

Today we will have a full day's drive to the fascinating city of Bukhara, where will spend the next 3 nights.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Day 7 - Bukhara (24th April 2021)

Today we will have a guided tour of Bukhara and the surrounding area, including the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Kalon Mosque, Zindon Prison and the Ark Fortress.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Discover the ruins of the ancient 5th-century fortress of the Bukhara Ark

Included

Visit the magnificent 16th-centrury architectural ensemble surrounding the Lyab-i Hauz ponds, once the city\'s principal source of water

Included

Day 8 - Bukhara (25th April 2021)

Spend the day exploring this incredible historic city and its surroundings further and soaking up the atmosphere.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Daily Activities

Optional Activities

See the Indian-style Char Minar Minarets four towers nestled in a maze of alleyways in downtown Bukhara

Entrance: 8,500 UZS

Visit the gruesome museum at the old prison of Zindon

Entrance: 4,500 UZS

Day 9 - Kyzylkhum Desert (26th April 2021)

Today we will drive into the Kyzylkhum Desert near the town of Nurata. In the afternoon we will have the opportunity to head out on an optional camel ride into the desert!

In the Kyzylkhum Desert we will stay in a desert yurt camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Yurt Camp

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Day 10 - Samarkand (27th April 2021)

This morning we will spend some time exploring the Nurata Hills with the option of taking a dip in Lake Ajdar Kul. After lunch we will drive to Samarkand where we will stay for the next 3 nights.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Day 11 - Samarkand (28th April 2021)

Today we will have a guided tour of the incredible historic city of Samarkand and the surrounding area, including the Registan, Ulug Beg Observatory, Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Shah-I-Zinda.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Explore the stunning plaza of The Registan a world-famous and iconic symbol of Central Asia

Included

Learn about the area's scientific heritage with a visit to the 15th-century Ulug Beg Observatory once the finest observatory in the Islamic world

Included

Day 12 - Samarkand (29th April 2021)

We will have a free day today with the chance to wander the streets and delve into this beautiful city and its history further.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Day 13 - Tashkent (30th April 2021)

This morning we will have a little more free time to explore more of Samarkand. After lunch we will drive to the Uzbek capital of Tashkent.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Day 14 - Tashkent (1st May 2021)

Today we will have a free day to explore Tashkent.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Daily Activities

Optional Activities

Tashkent Chorsu Bazaar

Entrance: Free

Visit the religious centre of Tashkent at Hast Imam Square and see the Uthman Koran, believed to be the world\'s oldest extant copy of the Koran

Entrance: 45,000 UZS

Take in an opera performance at the neoclassical Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre

Entrance: 30,000 UZS

Day 15 - Tashkent - End Date (2nd May 2021)

Border Information: if finishing in Tashkent, you will most likely exit Uzbekistan at Tashkent International Airport (IATA code: TAS).

Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Tashkent. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact your sales agent if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.

DATES, PRICES & TRIP NOTES

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Departing

Finishing

Total Price (USD)

18 Apr 21 Ashgabat

02 May 21 Tashkent

$1,870 USD + 610 USD Kitty

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

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Duration: 15 days Add to basket

04 May 21 Ashgabat

18 May 21 Tashkent

$1,870 USD + 610 USD Kitty

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 15 days Add to basket

30 May 21 Ashgabat

13 Jun 21 Tashkent

$1,870 USD + 610 USD Kitty

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

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Duration: 15 days Add to basket

24 Jun 21 Tashkent

08 Jul 21 Ashgabat

$1,870 USD + 620 USD Kitty

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

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Duration: 15 days Add to basket

08 Jul 21 Ashgabat

22 Jul 21 Tashkent

$1,870 USD + 610 USD Kitty

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

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Duration: 15 days Add to basket

13 Jul 21 Tashkent

27 Jul 21 Ashgabat

$1,870 USD + 620 USD Kitty

Status: Open

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Duration: 15 days Add to basket

25 Jul 21 Ashgabat

08 Aug 21 Tashkent

$1,870 USD + 610 USD Kitty

Status: Open

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Duration: 15 days Add to basket

31 Aug 21 Tashkent

14 Sep 21 Ashgabat

$1,870 USD + 620 USD Kitty

Status: Open

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Duration: 15 days Add to basket

07 Sep 21 Tashkent

21 Sep 21 Ashgabat

$1,870 USD + 620 USD Kitty

Status: Open

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Duration: 15 days Add to basket

28 Sep 21 Tashkent

12 Oct 21 Ashgabat

$1,870 USD + 620 USD Kitty

Status: Open

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Duration: 15 days Add to basket

Contact Us

Uzbekistan & Turkmen Explorer

Ashgabat - Tashkent

USEFUL INFORMATION