Bestseller Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan

Tour itinerary: Tashkent – Khiva – Kunya Urgench – Darwaza – Ashgabat – Mary – Bukhara – Samarkand – Tashkent

Season: all year round

Days: 10 | Nights: 9

Bestseller Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan Tour is one of the most interesting travel routes that covers the historical, architectural, and outstanding natural sights of Turkmenistan - Darwaza gas crater, Ashgabat, Mary fortresses, as well as ancient cities of Uzbekistan - Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent.

Book the tour and take a memorable journey to Silk Road wonders!

Day 1

Tashkent

Flight to Tashkent.

Arrival in Tashkent International Airport.

Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal and meet the staff holding a sign “ANUR TOUR” or with your name on it.

Transfer to the hotel. As Tashkent airport is not far from the city center, the transfer will take about 20 – 40 minutes depending on the hotel location.

Arrival in the hotel. Check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Tashkent – Khiva

Early breakfast at the hotel.

06:00 Transfer to the local airport.

07:25 Flight to Urgench by HY51.

08:55 Arrival in Urgench Airport.

Come out of the terminal and meet with our driver.

Transfer to Khiva (30 km) hotel to drop off the bags. Standard hotel check-in at 14:00.

Meet the guide and start walking excursion in the historical part of Khiva – Ichan-kala (translated as “Inner town”). Ichan-kala - the largest Museum in the open air in Central Asia consisting of

- Ata-Darvaza, Kunya- Ark;

- Madrassah of Muhammad Rahim Khan;

- Madrassah of Muhammed Aminhan;

- Kalta Minor, the Palace of the Allakulihan Khan of Khiva;

- Tash Hauli, where the harem of 40 concubines was;

- Caravanserai and Tim Allakulihan;

- Mausoleum of Seyd Allaudin,

- Islam-Khoja Madrassah - was built in 1908 by Islam-Hoja of the Prime Minister of Khan. The minaret is a symbol of the country, is an early example of the architecture of the XIV century.

- Mosque and Jami Minaret.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

Khiva – Kunya Urgench – Darwaza

Breakfast in the hotel.

08:30 Transfer to Turkmen – Uzbek Border post Shavat/ Dashoguz.

Pass the border. Border passing formalities (passport and visa control might take 1 to 2 hrs depending on the customs formalities). Meet the guide and driver at Turkmen side of the border.

Transfer to Kunya – Urgench.

Start sightseeing tour with visiting

- Mausoleum of the founder of Sufi sects "Kubra" Nadzhimetdin Kubra (XII-XIII C);

- Mausoleum of Mongolian princess Torebeg-Hanym ;

- Minaret Mamun (X-XI);

- Minaret Kutlug-Timur (XII-XIV c, the highest minaret in Central Asia);

- Mausoleum Kyrkmolla (II in BC - III A.D.);

- Mausoleum Arslan II (the oldest building in the city - the date of its bookmark is roughly estimated by XI century).

- Transfer to Darvaza crater and change from the asphalt road to the Karakum desert track, continue 10 km deep inside.

In 1971 geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn the gas. Geologists hoped the fire would go out in a few days but it has been burning ever since. Locals have named the cavern The Gate - Darvaza. The views are impressive, especially in sunset and night when the mild sunlight and burning crater evoke incredible and ambiguous feelings.

BBQ dinner and overnight stay in yurt or tent.

Day 4

Darwaza – Ashgabat

Breakfast at the yurt camp.

Transfer to Ashgabat with sightseeing en-route visiting:

- mud and water craters.

- Anau Mosque Ruins.

Afternoon arrival in Ashgabat. Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Ashgabat

Breakfast at the yurt camp.

Transfer to Ashgabat with sightseeing en-route visiting:

- Ancient Nissa (18 km from Ashgabad) UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the ancient city (the date of foundation of I millennium BC - I millennium BC).

- Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum. It is considered the biggest in Central Asia (10 thousand people). There are a beautiful garden and fountains near the mosque.

- Ertogrul Gazy Mosque with four minarets reminding the Blu Mosque of Istanbul was built in honor of Ertogrul the father of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire,

- Independence Park with Monument of Independence (it's a 118 m column that is considered the highest building in the country);

- Neutrality Arch - a unique composition that rotates slowly after the sun;

- National Museum, where you can see more than 166 unique expositions from Ancient Merv and Nissa.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6

Ashgabat – Mary – Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport.
08:00 Departure for Mary by flight.

08:40 Arrival in Mary.

Transfer to Mary en-route visit to the Ancient Merv (UNESCO) for sightseeing in the historical park visiting:

- Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum - the best remaining testimony to Seljuk power at Merv is the 38 m-high Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, located in the center of Sultan Kala. The building was restored with Turkish aid and rises dramatically in the open plain. Sanjar, the grandson of Alp-Arslan, died in 1157, reputedly of a broken heart when, after escaping from captivity in Khiva, he came home to find that his beloved Merv had been pillaged by Turkic nomads.

- Mohammed bin Said Mausoleum;

- Medieval castles – “Kesk” fortresses (6-7 centuries);

- History museum of Merv region.

Continue to the Uzbek- Turkmen border post Alat/Farab. Border passing formalities (passport and visa control might take 1 to 2 hrs depending on the customs formalities).

Meeting the driver at Uzbekistan side of the border.

Transfer to Bukhara. Arrival, hotel check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7

Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby.

Start WALKING sightseeing program in Bukhara (5-6 hours):

- Ensemble Lyabi Hauz (Nadir Divanbegi Madrassa, Khanaka, Kukeldash Madrassa and the monument of Khodja Nasreddin);

- Magoki Attari Mosque is one of the oldest mosques survived in Bukhara from the time before the Mongolian invasion;

- Abdullakhan’s Tim with numerous handicraft shops of souvenirs, ceramics, national clothes, and carpets;

- Caravanserai Sayfuddin (the Center of Handicraft Development of Bukhara);

- There are three trading domes or so called covered bazaars Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon, and Toki Zargaron preserved from the XVI century and these bazaars were the centers for trade of silk, jewelry and even for money exchange. Today as well, one can enjoy and purchase different souvenirs of a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets;

- Visit Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas or so-called Kosh (pare) madrassas opposite each other with the distinctive style of facade ornamental decoration;

- Poi Kalon Square with Kalon Minaret and Mosque, Mir Arab Madrassa – the heart of Bukhara, a monumental complex impresses the imagination;

- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel dating back to I century BC where one can feel the history of the great fortress covered in beautiful legends and myths.

Optionally can be added by request:

Visit Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Bukhara – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free time in Bukhara, morning at leisure.

12:00 Transfer to Samarkand (270 km), en-route visiting famous Gijduvan pottery workshop where visitors are welcome for a tour around the workshop and observe the process of ceramic making and painting.

The owners demonstrate the stages of making ceramics from turning the potter’s wheel to making paints from natural ingredients, decorating the ceramics in a distinctive style, drying, and firing. Take a tour around the museum hall of ceramic masterpieces with a unique collection of the ceramic items of Gijduvan and other regions of Uzbekistan.

By request, a master-class of painting ceramics, suzani embroidery, and traditional bread baking.

Continue to Samarkand.

Arrive in Samarkand in the afternoon, check-in the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9

Samarkand – Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

Start sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hours):

– Gur Emir Mausoleum – a burial vault of Timur the Great and his descendants decorated with gold ornaments and considered as one of the most significant places in the world;

– Continue to the famous Registan Square – the heart of Samarkand and a real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture consisting of three grandiose buildings: Ulughbek Madrassa, Madrassa Sherdor, and Madrassa Tilla Kori.

– Bibi Khanim Mosque – the biggest medieval building in the city which was one of the most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world in the 15th Century;

– Shahi Zinda Necropolis – unique complex of Mausoleums formed by standing on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) belonging to the Muslim person named Saint Abbas ibn-Kussam;

– Samarkand bazaar – Siyab.

16:30 Transfer to the railway station in Samarkand.

17:28 Departure for Tashkent by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".

19:44 Arrival in Tashkent.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10

Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide and driver at the hotel's lobby.

Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5 hrs) visiting old and new parts of the city:

- Amir Timur Square, founded in 1882 and originally called Konstantinovsky Square, was renamed on August 31, 1994, after the Amir Timur to honor the cultural and historical contribution of the great conqueror.

- Theater Square with the Opera House: State Academic Theater of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi built in 1947 is one of the best opera theaters in the world that performs both classical and national repertoires.

- Independence Square, the main square of Uzbekistan reflects the past, present, and future of the country. There are fountains standing for the life energy of Uzbek people, the Cabinet and the Senate, the “Eternal flame" in honor of soldiers who died during the Second World War.
- Earthquake Memorial, the composition is devoted to the tragic date of the earthquake in Tashkent on April 26, 1966, and is erected in the approximate place of the earthquake epicenter. Residents still come to the monument to honor those people who took a part in the reconstruction of Tashkent.

- Khast Imam Square – a religious center of the city consisting of the Barakkhan madrasah; Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library of Islamic Literature with the Holy Koran Book of the VII century (original Quran Othman). Khast Imam is one of the most significant spiritual centers in Central Asia and attracts pilgrims and visitors all over the world.

- Chorsu bazaar – the ancient bazaar of Tashkent. “Chorsu” means “four water”, symbolically meaning the conjunction of four major parts of the old city in the bazaar where people come for trades. The bazaar beautiful blue dome, built in traditional style after the Tashkent earthquake, is often depicted in postcards and international magazines and became one of the major sights of interest both for locals and guests – one can see oriental tiled bazaar from different souvenir shops with ceramics, handicraft works, carpets and jewelry, the whole pavilion full of delirious fruits to the finest textiles and colorful fabrics.

- Tashkent Metro (the first line was launched in 1977) with beautiful train stations each decorated in thematic style with traditional ornaments and special lightning.

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.
The evening departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour.

Price per person:

Person	Standart	Comfort
1	$3345	$3610
2-3	$2190	$2325
4-5	$1875	$2015
6-12	$1750	$1885
Single supplement	$270	$370

Book it!

- Turkmenistan Visa support (Letter of Invitation, State Registration, Travel Pass);

- Accommodation based on shared yurt/private tent in Darwaza camp (incl. sleeping mat, sleeping bag, and pillow);

- Accommodation in standard double/twin rooms;

- All transfers as per program by comfortable tourist class/SUV transport as per road conditions including transfers to-from airports /borders;

- English-speaking professional licensed local guides in Uzbekistan (4 standard excursions), escorting guide in Turkmenistan;

- Meals: breakfast at hotels; camp-style breakfast and BBQ dinner in Darwaza camp;

- Single entry tickets to the sites, museums, mausoleums, and natural fees as per program;

- Internal flights Tashkent - Urgench, Ashgabat - Mary (economy class);

- VAT;

- Tourist tax per person.

- International flights to/from Tashkent;

- E-visa/visa to Uzbekistan (if required); Turkmenistan tourist visa from 85+4 USD per person (subject to change; nationality dependent) and migration tax 10+4 USD per person (subject to change; nationality dependent);

- Photo/video fees (professional camera);

- Uzbekistan: transport for walking tours in Bukhara and Khiva; guide/transport service for free time after the standard city tours;

- Meals: lunches and dinners except those specified in the included section;

- Personal/travel insurance; portage, tips, personal expenses, and other services not specified under “Tour Price Includes”.

- Check-in 14.00, check-out time 11.00. No early check-in/ late check-out is included unless indicated;

- Please note that the drivers do not speak English or can speak only basic English;

- Please note yurt camps, guesthouses, and homestays offer homemade/camp-style traditional meals; there are quite basic toilet and shower conditions.

- All the changes in the basic itinerary, the timing for transfers depending on the international flight departure/arrival time are to be discussed and pre-agreed;

- Please note that the train trip/s can be replaced for transfer/s by car depending on train tickets availability and trains schedule;

- After the date of publication, any changes in the hotels, air/train ticket prices, tax increase, and exchange rate fluctuation may influence the tour prices;

- Anur Tour is not responsible for the force majeure occasions (weather conditions during the tour, repairing-reconstructing works at some parts of roads, government restrictions).