Treasures of the Ancient Silk Road: Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan

Welcome to Uzbekistan, the starting point of your journey along the ancient Silk Road! Upon arrival at Tashkent International Airport, you will be met by our representative holding a sign with your name. After clearing passport control and collecting your luggage, you will be transferred to your hotel in the city centre. Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in Central Asia, with a history stretching back more than two thousand years.

Depending on your arrival time, the rest of the day is free for you to rest after your flight. Standard hotel check-in is usually in the afternoon, but early check-in can often be arranged on request. If you have energy left, you can take a walk around the nearby streets, parks and squares. Tashkent is known for its wide tree-lined avenues, fountains and a mix of modern, Soviet and traditional Islamic architecture. You may also want to exchange some money or buy a local SIM card for the trip. Your guide will contact you to confirm the plan for the following day. In the evening, you can enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and try Uzbek specialities such as plov and samsa. Overnight at your hotel in Tashkent.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will begin a full-day tour of Tashkent with your guide. Your first stop is Independence Square, the main square of the country, surrounded by government buildings, fountains and monuments. You will then walk along Broadway, a popular pedestrian street known locally as Sayilgoh, where artists and souvenir sellers display their work.

Next, you will take a ride on the Tashkent Metro, one of the most beautiful underground systems in the world. Each station has its own unique design, with chandeliers, marble columns and colourful mosaics. In the afternoon, you will explore the Old City, where narrow streets and traditional houses give a glimpse of life before the modern era. You will visit the lively Chorsu Bazaar, where locals buy fresh fruit, spices, bread and handmade goods. This is a great place to taste dried fruits and nuts and to experience the atmosphere of a real Central Asian market. In the evening, you will be transferred to the railway station to board a train to Samarkand. The journey takes about two to three hours, depending on the train. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Samarkand.

After breakfast, you will discover Samarkand, one of the oldest cities in the world and the jewel of the Silk Road. Your first visit is the world-famous Registan Square, surrounded by three magnificent madrasahs: Ulugbek, Sher-Dor and Tilya-Kori. Their richly decorated facades, covered with blue tiles and golden ornaments, are a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.

Next, you will visit the Shakhi-Zindeh necropolis, a street of beautiful mausoleums decorated with some of the finest tilework in Central Asia. According to legend, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad is buried here, making it an important place of pilgrimage. You will then see the Guri Emir Mausoleum, the resting place of the great conqueror Amir Timur and members of his family. Its ribbed blue dome and gilded interior are among the most impressive sights in the city. In the afternoon, you will visit the Siyob Bazaar, the largest market in Samarkand. Here you can taste famous Samarkand bread, fresh fruit and sweets. In the evening, you will board a train to Bukhara. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Bukhara.

After breakfast, you will explore Bukhara, a city with more than 140 architectural monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your first visit is the Ark Citadel, a massive fortress that served as the residence of the rulers of Bukhara for centuries. Next, you will see the Mausoleum of the Samanids, built in the 10th century and considered one of the finest examples of early Islamic architecture.

You will then visit the Poi Kalon complex, the heart of the old city. It includes the Kalon Minaret, the Kalon Mosque and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasah. The minaret, built in 1127, is almost 47 metres high and is said to have impressed even Genghis Khan so much that he ordered it spared. After lunch, you will drive to the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan border at Farap. After completing border formalities, you will be met by your Turkmen guide and driver. You will then drive through the Karakum Desert to the city of Mary, passing through the city of Turkmenabat along the way. The journey offers a first glimpse of the vast desert landscapes of Turkmenistan. On arrival in Mary, you will check into your hotel. Overnight in Mary.

After breakfast, you will travel into the desert to visit Gonur Depe, one of the most important archaeological sites in Central Asia. Gonur Depe was the centre of the Bronze Age civilisation of Margiana, which flourished around 2000 BC. The site was discovered and excavated by the archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi, who believed it may have been connected with early Zoroastrian traditions.

Here you will see the remains of a palace, temples, fire altars and a royal necropolis. Your guide will explain how this ancient city was built in an oasis, which later disappeared when the river changed its course. After the visit, you will drive to Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest cities of the medieval world. You will visit the fortresses of Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala, as well as the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar and the Kyz Kala mansions. In the evening, you will enjoy a cultural experience at a local ethno-guesthouse. Here you can watch traditional music and dance, see local crafts and taste home-cooked Turkmen dishes. This is a great opportunity to learn about the culture and customs of the Mary region. Overnight in Mary.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Mary airport for a short domestic flight to Ashgabat. On arrival, you will begin your tour of the capital, known as the "white marble city". You will see Independence Park, the Arch of Neutrality and other famous monuments that make Ashgabat one of the most unusual cities in the world.

Your guide will explain the history of the city and the meaning of its many symbols and monuments. You will then drive to ancient Nisa, located just outside Ashgabat at the foot of the Kopetdag Mountains. Nisa was one of the first capitals of the Parthian Empire, and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will walk among the ruins of palaces, temples and treasuries, and learn about the powerful Parthian kings. Later, you will visit the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque in Gypjak, one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. With its golden dome and four minarets, the mosque is an impressive sight. The mausoleum of Turkmenistan's first president is located next to the mosque. In the evening, you will check into your hotel and enjoy dinner. Overnight in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, you will visit the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, one of the most beautiful mosques in Ashgabat. Built in the style of classical Ottoman architecture, it resembles the famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul. You will then explore one of the city's lively markets, where you can see local produce, carpets, textiles and souvenirs.

After lunch, you will begin your journey north into the Karakum Desert. The drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater covers about 280 kilometres and takes around four hours. Along the way, you will pass through small villages and see camels grazing among the sand dunes. Your guide will tell you about life in the desert and the history of the gas crater. The crater was formed in the 1970s during gas exploration and has been burning ever since. You will arrive in time to see the sunset, when the flames become more visible against the darkening sky. The view of the burning crater at night is truly unforgettable. You will enjoy a barbecue dinner at the camp. Overnight in a yurt or tent near the crater.

After breakfast at the camp, you will leave the Darvaza Gas Crater and drive north through the Karakum Desert toward Kunya Urgench. This ancient city was once the capital of the Khorezm Empire and one of the most important cities of the Islamic world. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the finest medieval monuments in Central Asia.

You will visit the Gutlug Timur Minaret, which is about 60 metres high and one of the tallest minarets in the region. Next, you will see the Mausoleum of Turabek Khanum, famous for its beautiful mosaic dome. The dome has 365 decorative elements, representing the days of the year, along with 24 arches symbolising the hours of the day. You will also visit the Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh, the Mausoleum of Il-Arslan with its unusual conical roof and the Mausoleum of Najmeddin Kubra, an important Sufi teacher. Your guide will explain the history of Kunya Urgench and its destruction by the Mongols and later by Timur. Many pilgrims visit the site, and you may see local customs and rituals. After the visits, you will continue to the city of Dashoguz. Overnight at your hotel in Dashoguz.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Dashoguz airport for a short flight to Ashgabat. On arrival, you will drive into the Kopetdag Mountains to visit Nokhur, a remote village with unique traditions. The people of Nokhur have their own customs, and some believe they are descended from the soldiers of Alexander the Great.

You will see the old cemetery, where graves are decorated with the horns of mountain goats as symbols of strength. Your guide will tell you about the daily life of the villagers and their traditional way of living in the mountains. Next, you will visit the Kow-Ata underground lake, located inside a cave about 60 metres below the surface. The warm, mineral-rich water is a pleasant place to swim, regardless of the season. On the way back to Ashgabat, you will stop at Gokdepe to visit the fortress, the site of a famous battle in 1881. You will also visit the Saparmurat Hajji Mosque, which was built as a memorial. Finally, you will visit an Akhal-Teke horse farm to see the famous golden horses of Turkmenistan. In the evening, you will return to Ashgabat for dinner. Overnight at your hotel.

Today your journey along the ancient Silk Road through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan comes to an end. After breakfast at the hotel, you will have some free time depending on your flight schedule. You may wish to visit a souvenir shop or take a final walk through the parks of Ashgabat.

Please make sure to check out of your room by the agreed time. Your guide and driver will meet you in the hotel lobby and transfer you to Ashgabat International Airport. Our team will assist you with your luggage and check-in for your departure flight. If you have purchased carpets or other handicrafts, please keep your receipts and certificates ready, as they may be needed at customs. Over the past ten days, you have explored the great cities of Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, as well as the ancient sites of Merv, Nisa and Kunya Urgench. You have also seen the burning crater of Darvaza and the traditional village of Nokhur. We hope you have enjoyed this unforgettable journey through the heart of Central Asia. Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to see you again soon.