Turkmenistan – Uzbekistan

Between the desert and Sogdiana civilization

This roundtrip will take you through the legendary and picturesque sites of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The fascinating sceneries, historic-cultural monuments, exceptional traditions and interactions with the locals will grant you to extensive discoveries of these two countries.

ITINERARY

  

Day 1         Ashgabat
Arrival at Ashgabat Airport. Transfer to the hotel, check-in, leisure time.

Day 2         Ashgabat
At 09:00 meeting with the guide in the hotel’s lobby.
The day will start with a city tour in the Turkmenistan’s Capital - Ashgabat, which is famous for its gleaming white marble architecture. We will discover the Presidential Palace, the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, which is a place of worship for Muslims, and the newly constructed Independence Park. Later, we will visit the National Museum of History, which was built after the independence, as well as the Neutrality Monument. In the afternoon, we will explore the archaeological site of Old Nisa, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. All along our way, we will visit Gypjak (Kipchak), one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. Besides, we will head to Bedev Hippodrome in order to admire the famous Akhal-Teke horse breed, which is the pride of Turkmen nation.
Return to Ashgabat. Overnight.

Day 3         Ashgabat – Darvaza
In the morning, we will move to Karakum Desert and see the famous Darvaza gas crater in all its glory.
Picnic in nature’s embrace. Overnight in the tents.

Day 4         Darvaza – Ashgabat
On our way to the capital, we will visit the other two - the mud and the water craters.
Late in the afternoon, we will arrive in Ashgabat. Check-in at the hotel. Free time in the evening.

Day 5         Ashgabat – Mary
We will take the “Soviet” train to Mary, which will offer us more than a destination but also, a discovery of the Turkmen deserts “differently”. Upon arrival, we will check-in at the hotel and have a free time.

Day 6         Mary – Gonur Tepe – Merv – Mary
We will head directly to Gonur Tepe. It is the capital of Margush (Margiana) - the legendary country, which is among the most famous sites from the Bronze Age (2300-1600 BC). The ruins of the fortresses and temples are comparable to those of Assyria and Babylon, which were discovered by the professor Viktor Sarianidi in 1972. The on-going archaeological excavations until nowadays have revealed the settlements of the urban Mesopotamian civilization. In the afternoon, we will visit Merv, which is located several kilometers from Mary. It is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Therefore, we will explore the well-preserved urban centers and remarkable fortifications, dating back to the 3rd millennium BC.
In the evening, we will return to Mary. Dinner and leisure time.

Day 7         Mary - Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Today, we will leave Turkmenistan heading for Uzbekistan. We will cross the border after passing the customs through Alat Farab. We will meet the guide and go to Bukhara City.
Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Leisure time.

Day 8         Bukhara
The day will be dedicated to the discovery of the ancient Bukhara City: Kalan Architectural Complex, the 17th century Mir-i Arab Madrasah, the Magok-i- Attari Mosque, the Madrasahs of Ulugh Beg and Abdulaziz Khan. After, we will explore the ancient Citadel of Ark, the Lyab-i Hauz Ensemble and the 19th-century Chor Minor Madrasah.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9         Bukhara – Samarkand
In the morning, we will head towards Samarkand. Meanwhile, we will have a short stop at Rabati Malik Caravanserai of the 11th century - one of the largest medieval caravanserais in Central Asia. Upon arrival in Samarkand, we will check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon, we will have a city tour in the capital of Timur. First, we will visit the Mausoleum of the Prophet Daniel situated on the edge of the Afrasiyab Cliff. The tour will continue to Konigil Village, where we will see the manufacturing process of the silk paper. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10       Samarkand
The whole day will be dedicated to Sogdia - the capital of the famous historical region. The first stop will be at the spectacular Registan Square, which was the heart of the city, surrounded by three madrasahs. Afterwards, we will visit the Bibi-Khanym Mosque; it was named in honor of Timur’s wife. Later, we will continue the trip to Siab Bazaar, where we can admire the great variety of colors and spices. Later, we will arrive at the 15th-century mathematician Ulugh Beg Observatory. In the evening, we will discover the Mausoleums of Shah-i- Zinda and Gur-e-Amir, dedicated to Sultan Muhammad, Timur’s grandson. These monuments are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Day 11       Samarkand – Tashkent
We will have some free time at our disposal. Late in the afternoon, we will depart to Tashkent by TGV Afrasiab (the high-speed railway). The driver will meet us on the border and accompany to the hotel. Preparations for departure.

Day 12       Return flight
Transfer to the airport. End of our services.

PRICES / SERVICES

 

Price per person:

2990 €

Extra charge for single room:

310 €

Small group:

4-12 people

Included Services

  • Transport
  • • All transfers and transportation to the visiting places during the tour
  • • Train: Ashgabat - Mary
  • • Train: Samarkand – Tashkent
  • Accompaniment
  • • English-speaking local guide
  • Accommodation, meals and drinks
  • • 11 nights (comfortable hotels in double rooms, tents)
  • • Full board (breakfast and dinner from the 2nd day of the tour to the 11th day (excluding drinks))
  • • Mineral water
  • Visits
  • • All entrance tickets
  • Travel preparation
  • • Travel documentation
  • • Visa Fees

Excluded Services

  • Flight tickets
  • • International flight

DATES

STATUSDEPARTRETURNPRICE P/PEXTRA SGLNOTES
Available for inscriptions 10.09.18 21.09.18 € 2990 € 310  

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