Turkmenistan Combi with Uzbekistan

Arrival in Ashgabat by air (evening D1 or early morning D2, depending on airline used) or overland from Iran at Bajgiran-Gaudan land border. Transfer to hotel. Overnight.

Start with a city tour, including visits of Independence Park, Neutrality Arch, Ferris Wheel, Wedding Palace Viewpoint. In the afternoon visit the National Museum and Turkmenbashi Mosque and Mausoleum. Transfer to airport for evening flight to Mary. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in hotel.

Visit Merw UNESCO historical park and Mary town center. Afternoon transfer by road back to Ashgabat in approximately 5 hours. 1700h transfer to train station for the night train to Turkmenbashi. Overnight in bunk bed in 4-bed sleeper compartment.

On arrival in Turkmenbashi, visit the local Russian Orthodox Church and then head out by jeep in approximately 4 hours to the canyons of Yangisuw. Overnight in tent in the Yangisuw canyon area.

Visit Yangikala canyons and Gozli Ata pilgrim site. Return in approximately 4 hours to Turkmenbashi. Transfer to airport for evening flight to Ashgabat. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in hotel.

Head out into the Karakum Desert early morning. Drive by jeep to Damla remote tribal settlement. Afternoon carry on off road to Darwaza. Overnight in the yurt camp.

Drive in 4 hours to Kunya Urgench for a visit of the UNESCO historical park. Afternoon transfer to Dashoguz and to land border with Uzbekistan. Cross into Uzbekistan and drive to Khiva. Overnight in hotel.

Visit Ichan-Kala architectural complex (XII-XIX), the Residence of the last Khiva Khan including Ismail Khodja Mausoleum, Muhammed Amin Khan Madrassah, Kunya-Ark Castle (XVI-XVI). In the afternoon continue to Kalta Minor Tower, Tash-Hovli Palace (XIX), Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum(XIV-XVIII), Juma Mosque (X). Overnight in hotel.

Drive to Bukhara (490 km, 7-8 hrs). In old days, the route from Khiva to Bukhara lasted more than a month. Today it takes 7-8 hours by vehicle, through mysterious red desert “Kyzyl-Kum”, the territory of “Khorezm”, which was called in the past as a “State of Thousand and Hundred Cities”. Arrive in Bukhara, check-in to the hotel. Time for rest. Overnight in hotel.

Start sightseeing tour within Bukhara: Samanids Mausoleum, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, visit Poyi Kalon Architectural Ensemble that consists of Kalon Minaret, Kalon Mosque, and Miri Arab Madrasah, Lyabi Khauz Complex. Afternoon time to enjoy a shopping tour along the three Trading Domes, more famous as Coumpol Bazaar being existed here from the times of the Great Silk Road. Overnight in hotel.

After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Samarkand (260 km, 3.5-4 hrs.). On arrival in Samarkand transfer to the hotel, check-in (from 14:00) and freshen up. In the afternoon visit the famous Registan Square consisting of Ulugbek Madrasah, Sherdor Madrasah, and Tillya-Kori Madrasah. Overnight in hotel.

Continue city tour in Samarkand: visit Guri Emir Mausoleum – the graveyard of Amir Temur and his generation, Ulugbek observatory, Bibi Khanum Mosque, and Shakhi Zinda Complex.

Take a morning/asfternoon train from Samarkand to Tashkent. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Check-in and overnight.

Departure by air or overland to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan or Tajikistan.