Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Explorer

Welcome to Tashkent! Upon arrival at Tashkent International Airport today, you will be met by our representative and assisted to board transfer to your hotel, where you can freshen up at the hotel and keep your stuff. After freshening up, meet your guide and driver and start sightseeing capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. Visit the Old City part of Tashkent with Khast-Imam Complex where the world-famous Quran of Caliph Uthman– Ottoman has been preserved. In Khast Imam visit Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tilla Sheik Mosque, Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Explore Chorsu Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center to visit Applied Arts Museum and walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square where you will end Tashkent city tour and head to the hotel for check-in process and rest at the hotel. Dinner at local restaurant.




Overnight in Tashkent

After a satisfying breakfast you will take journey (2-2,5 hours) to the mountain area and get acquainted with the nature of our country. Just over an hour northeast of Tashkent by car lies Ugam-Chatkal National Park, an outdoor haven loaded with hiking and adventure-sport opportunities as well as more relaxing pursuits. The mountains here are not quite as extreme or scenic as the higher peaks around Almaty and Bishkek, but certain activities are more accessible and at least as challenging. Visit Amirsoy resort as well as water reservoir Charvak. Drive back to the city in the evening and visit an interesting park Magic city with museums and aquariums in it. Dinner at local restaurant.




Overnight in Tashkent

In the morning pick up Breakfast boxes from hotel. At 07:00 meet with driver at hotel and transfer to Tashkent Train Station. Departure to Samarkand by highspeed train (08:23 – 10:36). Upon arrival meet with your guide and drive, and begin your exploration of Samarkand City. You will start by visiting the mausoleum of Gur-Emir (XIV-XV centuries), which is one of the best architectural monuments of Central Asia, the family tomb of Tamerlane and the Timurid dynasty on the male line. The elegance, clarity of proportions, and beauty of the interior decoration put this mausoleum on a par with the masterpieces of world architecture. Youll also visit the Registan square, which is known as the heart of Samarkand.Next, youll explore the Bibi-Khanim Mosque (XV century), which was built by order of Timur in 1404, became the main Friday mosque of Samarkand and the largest in the East. By the XVIII century. the mosque was already in ruins. In 2004, the grandiose structure was restored. You will also Visit to the oriental bazaar \"Siab\" (Monday is a day off), where you can buy famous Samarkand cakes, oriental sweets, dried fruits, traditional souvenirs and works of local artisans. You will then visit the Shahi-Zinda ensemble (XII-XV centuries), which began to form an ensemble in the middle of the XI century, the construction of the complex was completed at the beginning of the XIX century. 25 buildings of the ensemble – mausoleums, mosques, madrasas – give an idea not only about the development of architectural forms, but also about the evolution of facing ceramics. Therefore, many researchers call the ensemble a \"creative laboratory\". Enjoy local dinner at a restaurant and get dropped at the hotel.




Overnight in Samarkand

Start the day with a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel. Then proceed to meet the guide at the reception, and heading out to explore the highlights of Samarkand. Start with a visit to the Ulugbek Observatory: in the 20s of the XV century, the ruler of Samarkand, grandson of Timur, Mirzo Ulugbek built the largest observatory in the East. Astronomical observations were carried out in it, the results of which were summarized in the Zij Guragani catalog. Only the underground part of the observatory's main astronomical instrument, the sextant, and the remains of the building's foundations have survived to this day. The mausoleum of Khoja Daniyar is one of the most revered mazars by believers – a \"place of worship\". Legends associate Khoja Daniyar with the names of the Jewish prophet Daniel and the Christian Daniel. The mausoleum of Khoja Daniyar is visited by Jews and Christians along with Muslims. Youll also get to visit the carpet factory \"Khujum\", where you will have a unique opportunity to track the full process of carpet creation, from unwinding cocoons and dyeing silk threads, to trimming the pile of the finished product, using old technologies and exclusively by hand. Enjoy local dinner at a restaurant and get dropped at the hotel.




Overnight in Samarkand

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and meet with the driver at the hotel reception, who will transfer you to Samarkand Train Station, from where you will catch the bullet train to Bukhara.Upon arrival in Bukhara, you will be met by the driver and transferred to the hotel.  Rest and enjoy free time, before enjoying a traditional dinner with folklore show hosted by Uzbek family at 19:00.




Overnight in Bukhara

After breakfast, meet the guide at the reception, and proceed on the of the excursion program to the suburban monuments of Bukhara: First youll visit the Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble (XVI-XVII centuries), which is an architectural ensemble that was considered a trading square in the Middle Ages, including the Nodir Divan Begi madrasah (XVII century) – part of an architectural ensemble located around Lyabi-Hausa and Honako (a place of rest and solitude of Sufis) and Kukeldash madrasah – the largest madrasah of Bukhara of the XVI century and the well-known monument to Khoja Nasreddin. Next, youll visit the Magoki-Attari Mosque (IX century), or the Mokh Mosque (\"Deep Mosque\"), which is considered one of the first mosques of the pre-Islamic era. Next, a passage through the first shopping dome passage Toki Sarrafon (\"The Dome of the Money Changers\"), an entertaining passage through the \"Dome of the Shapochnikov\", otherwise Toki Tilpak Furushon (XVI century.), where you will again be able to plunge into the atmosphere of the ancient oriental bazaar with its silks, carpets and exquisite suzanes in the national style. Youll also visit the Kosh Ensemble: Abdullaziz Khan Madrasah (XVII century), built by order of the Ashtarkhanid ruler Abdulaziz Khan and Ulugbek Madrasah (XV century), which is one of the oldest madrasahs of the architectural ensemble of Registan Square. You will then proceed to explore the architectural ensemble of Poi-Kalon (\"Pedestal of the Great\"), the religious heart of Sacred Bukhara, consisting of the Kalon minaret (XII century), the Kalyan mosque and the Miri-Arab madrasah (XII — XVI centuries). Toki Zargaron Shopping Dome Passage (\"Jewelers' Dome\") is an indoor market located at the intersection of the once busy shopping streets of Bukhara. The shopping arcade was built at the end of the XVI century . Abudullah was Khan II of the Sheibanid dynasty and was intended for the jewelry trade. Sayfiddin's caravanserai (XIX century), the center of crafts of Bukhara at present and Tim Abdullakhan (XVI century), a traditional covered bazaar built during the reign of the Sheibanid dynasty. Dinner at a local restaurant.




Overnight in Bukhara

After a delightful breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide and start the exploration of the day in Bukhara. The first stop will be the Mausoleum of the Samanids (IX-X centuries), which is one of the oldest monuments of Central Asian architecture. The mausoleum is one of the first surviving structures built of burnt brick and decorated with elaborate carvings. The mausoleum of Chashma-Ayub (XII—XVI centuries) is one of the most mysterious buildings in Bukhara, a traditionally revered place, a well with a spring, according to legend, originated by the will of the biblical Job. Bolo-Hauz complex (XVIII—XX centuries): unusual in its beauty, a Friday mosque for the nobility who lived in the Ark fortress. Ark Fortress is the so–called \"city within a city\", which for centuries served as the residence of the Bukhara emirs, in which the whole family of the emir lived without leaving, the official apparatus was located, as well as the zindan, harem and treasury. If you look at the fortress from a bird's-eye view, then in shape it resembles the constellation of the big dipper, the same intricate bucket that Bukharans and guests of the city can observe every day in the night sky. Next up on the list is the country residence of the last emir of Bukhara Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa (XIX-XX centuries), which is located 4 km north of Bukhara. The Sitorai-Mohi-Khosa Palace perfectly combines European style with elements of local architecture. Today, the Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts is located on the territory of the palace. The Chor-Minor Madrasah (\"Four Minarets\") is the most unusual and interesting structure in Bukhara, built in 1807 with the money of a rich Turkmen merchant and traveler, Caliph Niyaz–Kula, who visited India and was very impressed by the famous Taj Mahal mausoleum. Dinner at the hotel.




Overnight in Bukhara

After breakfast, meet with the driver at the hotel reception. Transfer from Bukhara to Khiva (450 km / 6-7hours). The modern highway crosses the Kyzylkum desert, repeating the ancient route of the Great Silk Road. You will have a stop on the way, during which you will have the opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of the desert and the Amu Darya River. Arrival in Khiva at the end of the day, and transfer to the hotel. After check in proceed for dinner at a local restaurant.




Overnight in Khiva

After breakfast At 09:00 meet with the guide and start your visit to Ichan-Kala, the old part of the city, surrounded by a fortress wall and turned into a state historical and archaeological museum-reserve. You will visit the Muhammad Aminkhana Madrasah, which is the largest madrasah in Central Asia, built by order of Muhammad Amin Khan in 1851-1854. The two-storeyed building covers an area of 72 by 60 meters, and has 125 hujras (rooms) designed for 260 students. Kalta Minor (\"shortened minaret\") is a minaret located in front of the main facade of the madrasah of Muhammad Amin Khan, 26 meters high. According to history, the minaret was to become the tallest minaret in Central Asia, reaching a height of 70 meters. However, the minaret remained unfinished due to the death of the khan during a military campaign in Turkmenistan. You will also visit the Madrasah of Muhammad Rahim Khan, built by order of Khan Said Muhammad Rahim II, known as the patron saint of literature and music. He was an educated and enlightened ruler and wrote poetry under the pseudonym Feruz. Kunya Ark Fortress (\"old fortress\") is a citadel that served as one of the residences of the Khans before the arrival of the Bolsheviks. The citadel housed the khan's residence, mosque, supreme court, reception hall, mint, harem, arsenal and stable. Check out from hotel. Meet with driver and transfer to border Shavat (60 km) for the land border crossing from Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan. Arrival and cross border. Meet with driver and guide from Turkmenistan side, and head out for a late lunch, before getting transferred to the hotel in Dashoguz.




Overnight in Dashoguz

After breakfast, meet with the guide and head out towards Koneurgench, and get the chance to explore various popular sights such as the Mausoleum of Fakhr At Din, the Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Turebek Khanum Mausoleum, the Mausoleum of Najmitdin Kubra and Sultan Ali and the Kutlug Timur Minaret. After lunch, get transferred to the airport in Dashoguz, to catch the domestic flight to Ashgabat. Upon arrival in Ashgabat, meet with the guide and driver, and get transferred to the hotel.




Overnight in Ashgabat

After breakfast, you will meet the guide at the hotel reception, who will assist you for a full day of sight seeing in Ashgabat. You will head out to explore Nisa, which was an ancient settlement of the Parthians. It was the Parthia capital inhabited till the 19c. Diggings have revealed a grandiose architectural complex consisting of ceremonial hall, treasure house and residences. The Parthian Fortress of Nisa is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Then you will be visiting the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, which has been constructed as a present to the Turkmen nation from the republic of Turkey. This unique complex consists of the mosque itself, a madrassah, cultural center with library and assembly hall for 250 seats and a park. You will also visit the Independence Monument, the Neutrality Arch, the Turkmenbashy Ruhi Mosque and the family mausoleum of the first president of Turkmenistan. You will also visit the Anau Ruins, which is a medieval city located 12 km in the south–east of Ashgabat, well known by its medieval mosque called “Seitjemal-ad-din”.




Overnight in Ashgabat

After breakfast, you will meet the guide at the hotel reception, and begin your journey towards Merv. Upon arrival in Mary or Old Merv, you will have lunch at a local restaurant, and visit some of the most popular attractions such as the Big Kizkala and Small Kizkala, the Erk kala and Gayur Kala, the Sultan Sanjar mausoleum, the complex of Askhabs, and the Sardoba. After a busy day of travelling and sightseeing, you will be transferred to your hotel for the night.




Overnight in Merv

After breakfast, you will meet the guide at the hotel reception, and visit the Central bazaar of Mary, where you can meet and interact with locals, and also get an immersive cultural experience. You will also get the chance of visiting the Orthodox Church, after which you will have an early lunch, and head back towards Ashgabat. Upon arrival in Ashgabat, you will be dropped at your hotel.




Overnight in Ashgabat

After breakfast, you will meet the guide at the hotel reception, who will assist you for a full day of sight seeing in Ashgabat. You will visit National Museum of Turkmenistan, which houses over 500,000 artifacts depicting the Bronze Age and Middle Age history of Turkmenistan. You will also get to visit the Halk Hakydasy - the monument dedicated to World War II, Earthquake 1948 and Geokdepe battle (1880); the Alem Ferris Wheel - which has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the Worlds Tallest Ferris Eheel in an enclosed space. You will have lunch at a local restaurant and also get plenty of time to explore the city at leisure




Overnight in Ashgabat

After breakfast, have some time at leisure until the scheduled transfer to the airport for your departure flight.