Best of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Tour with 11 Reviews by G Adventures

13 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

12 - 100 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Ends

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Highlights

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

Itinerary

Tick off two of Central Asia’s most compelling nations in one seamless adventure with the Best of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan tour. This 13-day journey, crafted for experienced travelers seeking both cultural depth and moderate activity, guides you from the lively streets of Tashkent to the architectural splendor of Ashgabat. Alongside visits to UNESCO-listed cities like Bukhara and Khiva, stand in awe at the surreal Darvaza gas crater—famously known as the Door to Hell. The trip expertly blends the thrill of exploring bustling bazaars and ornate mosques with the peace of natural landscapes, all under the guidance of a skilled Chief Experience Officer who ensures safety without sacrificing adventure. This small group tour includes all accommodations, meals, and transport, letting you focus on experiencing the rich history and vibrant cultures. The standout feature: guided access to destinations that are often challenging to visit independently, ensuring an enriching and worry-free exploration.

day 1 - 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.

Accomodation:Harris Hotel (or similar)

Included Activity:Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Duration : 1.0 hr

Optional Activities:Welcome Dinner You've arrived! Why not share a meal and a drink with your new travel mates?

day 2 - 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.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Karvon Hotel Samarkand (or similar)

Transport:Train Duration : 2.5 hr Distance : 265 km

Included Activities:Orientation With CEO Duration : 0.5 hr - 1.0 hr, Amir Timur Mausoleum Visit, Samarkand City Tour Duration : 4.0 hr

day 3 - 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.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Karvon Hotel Samarkand (or similar)

Optional Activities:Konigil Village and Silk Paper Making Workshop , Tomb of the Old Testament Prophet Daniel Visit Enjoy a visit to the Tomb of the Old Testament Prophet Daniel, famous for the Biblical story of Daniel and the lions. A legend says that his body grows by half an inch every year!

day 4 - 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.

Meal:Breakfast and Dinner

Accomodation:Yurt Camp Stay Aidarkul (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 4.5 hr Distance : 280 km

Included Activities:Chashma Complex and Holy Spring Visit Duration : 1.5 hr, Fortress of Alexander the Great Visit, Overnight in a Yurt

Optional Activities:Kazakh Singing Sit back and enjoy some local culture with a Kazakh singing performance.

day 5 - 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.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Hotel As-Salam (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 4.0 hr

Optional Activities:Bukhara Hammam Visit

day 6 - 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.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Hotel As-Salam (or similar)

Included Activity:Bukhara City Guided Tour Duration : 3.0 hr

Optional Activities:Carpet Museum The Magok-i Attari Mosque (Museum of Carpets) offers information about the art of carpet making and some fine examples to boot. Perhaps more impressively, the building the museum is located in was once used for Jewish, Muslim, and Christian services, demonstrating the diversity and open-mindedness of this intriguing city., Bukhara Hammam Visit , Chor-Bakr Complex This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the burial site of Abu-Bakr-Said, one of the four descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. Wander around the necropolis of family tombs and enclosed courtyards while admiring the simple, yet intricate beauty., Jewish Area and Synagogue Visit

day 7 - 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.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Hotel Muso To'ra (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 6.5 hr Distance : 450 km

Included Activity:Orientation With CEO Duration : 0.5 hr - 1.0 hr

day 8 - 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.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Hotel Muso To'ra (or similar)

Included Activity:Khiva Ancient City Exploration Duration : 4.0 hr

day 9 - 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.

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch

Accomodation:Hotel Dashoguz (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 1.5 hr, Private Vehicle Duration : 2.0 hr - 2.5 hr, Private Vehicle Duration : 2.0 hr Distance : 100 km

Included Activities:Border Crossing (Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan) Duration : 1.0 hr, Kunya-Urgench City Visit Duration : 2.0 hr - 2.5 hr

day 10 - 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.

Meal:Breakfast and Dinner

Accomodation:Darwaza Camping (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle

Included Activities:Guided tour of Dashoguz City, Darvaza Gas Crater Visit

day 11 - 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.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Ak Altyn Hotel (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 5.0 hr Distance : 275 km

Included Activities:Mud Crater Visit, Sand Dunes of Karakum Desert

day 12 - 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.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Ak Altyn Hotel (or similar)

Included Activities:Ashgabat City Tour Duration : 5.0 hr, Ancient Settlement of Nisa

Optional Activities:Ertugrul Gazi Mosque With four minarets and a central dome, this mosque honours the founder of the Ottoman Empire, Osman I. Here, find a lavish interior and stained glass windows.

day 13 - Ashgabat

Depart at any time. Departure transfer is included.

Meal:Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotels (10 nts), yurt (2 nts).

Meals

12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Note: Allow USD295-385 for meals not included.

Transport

Private vehicle, walking.

Guide

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Included activities

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and GroupYour Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Aydar Kŭl CampAmir Timur Mausoleum VisitSamarkand City TourShaki Zinda complex, the bazaar, Bibi Khanum, and Registan SquareFree time in SamarkandChashma Complex and Holy Spring VisitFortress of Alexander the Great VisitAidarkul LakeAuthentic Uzbekistan dinnerEvening Kazakh singing showOvernight in a YurtFree time in BukharaBukhara City Guided TourUNESCO-listed Khiva Ancient City ExplorationFree time in KhivaUNESCO World Heritage Site Kunya UrgenchGuided tour of Dashoguz CityGorogly MonumentDashoguz Wedding hallKara-Kum desertFiery Darvaza gas crater, "Gates of Hell”Mud Crater VisitSand Dunes of Karakum DesertAshgabat City TourMonument of IndependenceNational Museum of History and EthnographyArch of NeutralityGulistan marketAncient Settlement of NisaFree time in Ashgabat

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

Read what other travelers have to say about Best of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan

4.8

based on 11 reviews

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