Two destinations in one destiny on the Great Silk Road Uzbekistan - Turkmenistan

Travel itinerary: Tashkent – Urgench - Khiva – Dashoguz - Kunyaurganch – Ashkhabad – Mary - Turkmenabat – Bukhara – Shahrisabz – Samarkand – TashkentDuration: 12 days/11 nightsKind of route: airway tour and motor coach.Best time to travel: All yearAccommodation: Double/twin accommodations in hotels.Description: This combined tailor-made tour itinerary including Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan gives you a chance of visiting the most attractive places with rich history and traditions of two relative nations on the Great Silk Road. You will really enjoy this touritinerary having the combined city , desert and nature touristic points of two neighbouring countries.

 

DAY ITINERARY

0115.09

Homeland – Tashkent02:45 Arrival in the morning, transfer to hotel for early check-in. Breakfast. After breakfast, we begin the tour visiting the the monuments of medieval city, the capital of which is located on the Silk Road that ran between Europe and Asia. The scientists consider Tashkent to be 25 centuries old - from the first settlements till the modern megalopolis with the towering buildings, crowded avenues and heavy traffic. We start our excursion with the old town, the “Eski shakhar”, a maze of narrow streets dusty, overlooked by low houses of brick and mud, ancient mosques and madrasas (Islamic academies), which seems to have been spared by Soviet planners to show the original appearance of the buildings. It continues with the complex of Hazrat Imams, which includes the Barak Khan madrassah (XVI century), the old mosque Djami (Friday) still in the work, and the mausoleum of Kaffal Chachi - the tomb of a great philosopher, poet and teacher of Islam lived in the tenth century. It 'still a place of pilgrimage for the locals. Then we will stop at the bazaar Charsu, the city's most famous farmer's market and a great place to meet many locals coming from the surrounding countryside dressed in traditional costumes. Finally panoramic tour of the modern city: the Independence Square, the square of Amir Temur, the Theatre Square. Dinner.Overnight in Tashkent.

0216.09

Tashkent - Khiva   Early breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport. Flight to Urgench. Arrival in Urgench. Transfer to Khiva (30 km). The day will be dedicated to visiting Khiva. “Ichan Kala”, its old town dating from the fifth century BC was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The excursion starts from the West Gate Ata Darvaza, the statue of the great scholar Al-Khorezmi (Algorithme), founder of algebra; Complex Muhammed Aminkhan (XIX s) with the Madrassa Aiminkhan and Kalta Minor Minaret, the Fortress Kunya Ark, the residence of local rulers with the Reception Hall, Mosque Djouma (x, s) is the most beautiful Friday Mosque of Khiva with the 213 carved wooden columns, the Tash Khovli palace, the second residence of the rulers of Khiva with the Harem, the Reception Hall, the Hall of Justice, the Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud - poet, philosopher and legendary wrestler, patron saint of the city, one of the most sacred and beautiful places in Khiva, the Complex of Islam Khodja the Madrassa and Islam Khodja Minaret, the Royal Caravanserai with its fascinating bazaar. Free time. Dinner. Overnight in Khiva. 

0317.09

Khiva – border “Dashoguz”, Turkmenistan Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Uzbekistan - Turkmenistan border point. Border formalities on both sides. Meeting group on “Shavat” border and transfer to Dashoguz city where we lead our way to Kunya Urgench. Sightseeing tour of the historical places of "Kunya-Urgench" as Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh,The monument of Sultan Tekesh is located in south-eastern part of Kyrk Molla fortress. The sultan reigned here in XII-XIII centuries. Arslan is a monument located between Dashgala fortress and mausoleum of Tekesh. People call this monument mausoleum of Il Arslan. Mausoleum of Torebeg Hanum. This historical monument, built for the honor of Torebeg Hanum, is located in the north of ancient Gurgench. Minaret of KutlugTimur (XI-XII centuries) Minaret of Kutlug Timur is located in northern and southern part of minaret of Khoresmshah Tekesh. Then driving to Derwaza (300 km). The Derwaza area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 70 metres. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided the best solution was to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today. Locals have dubbed the cavern "The Door to Hell". Sighseeting famous Gas crater. Dinner. Rest & night in camp near crater.

0418.09

Derwaza – Ashkhabat Breakfast and drive to Ashgabat (360 km). Ashgabat is the capital of Turkmenistan, it becomes more beautiful and pleases to the eye with its modern achievements of the national architecture. Here you will see that the natural oasis between sands and foot- hills are improved by man, urban environment harmoniously interact with the natural land-scape. Combination of unique architectural buildings, numerous museums, exhibition halls and theaters attracts attention of guests of the capital. Five-star hotels are at the service of the guests, service of these hotels meets world standards. Hotel accommodation and having lunch at the Turkish restaurant. “Nurana”. Visiting National Carpet Museum. Recreational center “Alem”. Arch of Neutrality. The Neutrality monument and etc. Route excursion “Ashgabat at night”. Dinner. Rest & night at hotel.

0519.09

AshkhabatBreakfast. One of the major historical and cultural sites inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List is Ancient Nisa. The ruins of the ancient cities of Old and New Nisa lie in the picturesque valley near Baghir settlement located 18 kilometres from Ashgabat. These ruins are a reminder of the Parthian Empire that competed with Great Rome for supremacy in the ancient world by military strength and cultural development. City tour: Old and new Nissa; Ancient capital of Parthian kings; National museum of Ethnography & history; In Nisa the archaeologists found the evidence of the ancient civilization such as coins, priceless ivory rhytons, dishware, pieces of gold and silver jewellery and marble statues, rare specimens of the Parthian wall paintings and stone architectural decorations. These artefacts are exhibited nowadays in the Main Museum of Turkmenistan.Drive to the hotel. Dinner at the restaurant “Merdem” in the real Turkmen yurt. Overnight in Ashgabat. 

0620.09

Ashgabat – MaryBreakfast at hotel. Meeting tourists. Transfer to the airport of Ashgabat. Domestic flight Ashgabat - Mary. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. Tour of the Old Merv: Mausoleum of Soltan Sanjar; Big and small Gyz Gala; Merv as for historical value and significance, Ancient Merv is one of the major districts. It is located in the lower riverbed of the Murgab river. Lunch at the local restaurant. Continuation of the tour: The museum of History and Ethnography. Free time. Dinner. Night at the hotel.

0721.09

Mary – Farap border - Bukhara Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast driving to Farapborder (around 200 km) Lebap region. Border Passing & Customs formalities. Drive to Bukhara. Bukhara, most likely paid attention to the strange "shaggy hats" on the top of minarets. These are storks` nests. And the white bird of hope can serve as a city's symbol, symbol of its firmness and stability. More than once throughout its history this rich city suffered the invasions of various enemies. The most devastating invasion was that of Mongols. But each time Bukhara revived and which is more. It always revived on the same place as if keeping loyalty to its roots. Over centuries the city was a fertile oasis in the valley of the river Zerafshan on the Great Silk Road, the leading center of science and culture. Hotel accommodation. Dinner. Free time. Overnight in Bukhara.

0822.09

Bukhara Breakfast at the hotel. We start our tour from the Mausoleum of the Samanids, and architectural jewel of the ninth century, the Mausoleum of Tchashma Ayoub "Source of Job", Mosque Bolo Khaouz "mosque over the bath," the Citadel Ark the heart of the old town, was the official residence of the rulers of Bukhara. Then we continue our tour from the Kalon Complex occupies a central part of the city of Bukhara with its impressive Kalon Minaret of the twelfth century, Poi-Kalyan Complex including: Minaret of Kalyan (XII), Medrese of Mir-Arab (XVI), Kalyan Mosque (XV), The Old Covered Market (Bazaar) belong to civil architecture of the sixteenth century Taki Zargaron (jewelers), Taki Telpakfurushon (hatters), Taki Sarrafon (currency exchange), the Jews of Bukhara. The Madrasse twins: the Madrassa of Ulugbek and that of Abdoulaziz and Tchor Minor '4 minarets "a small madrasa with four minarets strange architecture, the complex Lyabi Khauz (XVI-XVII). Dinner. Overnight in Bukhara.

0923.09

Bukhara – Shahrisabz - SamarkandBreakfast at the hotel. Morning transfer to Samarkand via Shakhrisabz (250 km, 3,5 hrs). Shakhrisabz – Tamerlane’s Hometown. Shakhrisabz is one of the most beautiful and colorful Uzbekistan cities, which is located 90 km south of Samarkand. Excursion program over Shahrisabz: Visit Mausoleum of Jakhongir in Dor-us Saodat Memorial Complex, remains of Ak-Saray Palace, Dor-ut Tilavat Ensemble with Kok-Gumbaz Mosque and burial vault of Tamerlane’s father. Driving to Samarkand (90 km, 1-2 h). Accommadation in the hotel. Dinner.Overnight in Samarkand. 

1024.09

Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion program over Samarkand.

"The town of Blue domes". The history of Samarkand dates back to 2500 years and more from now landmarks dated back to the times of the Timur’s Dynasty and of the same importance as architectural masterpieces of ancient Egypt, China, India, Greece and Rome. Visiting Ulugbek Observatory and Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, Afrosiab Museum. The Afrasiab Museum displays the model of ancient city and fortress walls, pottery, weaponry, coinage, altars and most of all the mural painting of the 7th century.

Registan Square with the three Madrasse completely covered with tiles and mosaics of lapis lazuli is one of the most extraordinary monuments of Central Asia with the Ulugbek Madrassa, the Sher Dor Madrassa and Tilla Kari Madrassa. Dinner.

Overnight in Samarkand.

1125.09

Samarkand – TashkentBreakfast at the hotel. Visit Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Visiting Bibi- Khanum mosque built by Timur for his favorite wife and world famous Siyab Bazaar. Siyab Bazaar - the city’s biggest and the most ancient market. It welcomes the customers with abundance of fruit and vegetables growing in the fertile of Zarafshan valley. Pyramids of water-melons and melons, bags with walnuts, seedless raisins and dried apricots, bunches of grapes and alluring piles of figs attract the visitor with sweet tooth. Red apples and sweet-scented pears lay on counters next to leathery fruits of a pomegranate. The air is fragrant with a strong smell of spices - pepper and saffron, cardamom and nutmeg, zeera (cumin) and caraway seeds. A lot of counters are occupied with a special local delicacy - salty apricot stones baked in ashes. And, of course, a flat bread row offers seventeen kinds of brown Samarkand flat bread for choice.14:00 Transfer to Tashkent (300km). Arrival in Tashkent and check in the hotel. Dinner. Overnight in Tashkent.

1226.09

Tashkent - Homeland 01:45 transfer to Tashkent International Airport for 04:45 the flight to homeland. With great impressions and unforgettable experiences you will leave home!

Hotels in Cities

Tashkent Hotel Shodlik Palace 3*Khiva Hotel Old Khiva 3* or similarDerwaza Overnight in tentsAshgabat Hotel Ak-altyn 4*Mary Hotel Margush 3* Bukhara Hotel Minzifa Boutique 3*Samarkand Hotel Ideal 3*

4 peoplePer pax

6 peoplePer pax

10 people Per pax

16 people Per pax

SGL Suppl.

Budget option

Tour price included:·   Visa support to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan;·   Accommodation in shared double/twin hotel room, including breakfast + early check-in;· Accommodation in shared single trekking tent (including sleeping mat, sleeping bag and pillow), including breakfast and dinner;- Transportation with A/C, throughout the whole

trip; ·    Air-tickets for domestic flights (Ashgabat-Mary);·    Air-tickets for domestic flights (Tashkent -

Urgench);· English speaking escord guide.

Tour price does not include:·    Consular fees paid upon collection of the entrance Visas to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan;- Full board (lunches and dinners) (**** USD per person);·    Hotel charges for additional services;·    International flight tickets;·    Personal insurance and any items not mentioned above.