Uzbekistan -Turkmenistan 10 days tour

9:00 AM: Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.

Begin your Tashkent tour (5-6 hours), exploring the city's ancient and modern parts:

Amir Timur Square, founded in 1882 and originally called Konstantinovsky Square. On August 31, 1994, it was renamed Amir Timur Square in honor of the great conqueror's cultural and historical contributions. Surrounding the square are the Timurids Museum, the Uzbekistan Hotel, the Forum Palace, and the famous Chimes;

Tashkent Clock, one of the city's main symbols;

Theater Square and the Alisher Navoi Opera House, built in 1947 and considered one of the world's finest opera houses, featuring both classical and national repertoire;

Independence Square, Uzbekistan's main square, representing the country's past, present, and future. Here are fountains symbolizing the vital energy of the Uzbek people, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Senate, as well as the "Eternal Flame" in memory of the soldiers fallen during World War II;

Earthquake Memorial, dedicated to the tragic Tashkent earthquake of April 26, 1966, and located near the area considered the epicenter. Even today, citizens visit the monument to pay homage to those who participated in the reconstruction of the city;

Khast Imam Square, the religious center of Tashkent, which includes the Barakkhan Madrasa, the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, and the Library of Islamic Literature, where the 7th-century Holy Quran (Osman Quran) is kept. Khast Imam is one of the most important spiritual centers in Central Asia and attracts pilgrims and visitors from around the world;

Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent's ancient bazaar. The name "Chorsu" means "four waters" and symbolizes the meeting of the four main areas of the old city. The distinctive blue dome, rebuilt in traditional style after the Tashkent earthquake, has become one of the city's symbols. Here you can find ceramics, handicrafts, carpets, jewelry, fruit, fabrics, and souvenirs;

Tashkent Metro, whose first line opened in 1977. The stations are characterized by splendid decorations, traditional ornaments, and unique lighting effects.

Transfer to the hotel.

10:00 Meet the guide in the lobby. Start the sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hours):

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

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

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

- Shahi Zinda Necropolis – a unique complex of mausoleums formed by standing on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) of the Muslim saint Abbas ibn Kussam; 

- Ulugbek’s Observatory – one of the finest astronomical centers in the medieval world was built by order of Ulugbek, an outstanding scholar and astronomer;

- Samarkand bazaar – Siyab. 

21:00 Transfer to the railway station.

22:23 Departure for Samarkand by speed train "Afrosiab"/"Sharq".

00:06 Arrival in Bukhara.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver. Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby. Start the walking sightseeing program in Bukhara (5 hrs):

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

- Magoki Attari Mosque is one of the oldest mosques to survive 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);

- Trading domes, or so-called covered bazaars, Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon, and Toki Zargaron, preserved from the 16th century, and these bazaars were the centers for trade of silk, jewelry, and money exchange. Nowadays, visitors can purchase different souvenirs of a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets.

- Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas, or so-called Kosh (pair) 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 that impresses the imagination;

- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel, dating back to the 1st century BC, where one can feel the history of the great fortress covered in beautiful legends and myths.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning at leisure.

11:30 Transfer to the train station in Bukhara.

12:24 Departure for Khiva by train (as per train schedule) OR transfer by car (475 km, 7 hrs).

17:51 Arrival in Khiva.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the afternoon/evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby. Start the walking excursion in the historical part of Khiva – Ichan-Kala (translated as “Inner Town”) -  the largest Museum in the open air in Central Asia :

- Ata-Darvaza, Kunya- Ark;

- Madrassah of Muhammad Rahim Khan;

- Madrassah of Muhammad 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-Khoja, the prime minister of the Khan. The minaret is a symbol of the country and is an early example of the architecture of the 14th century.

- Mosque and Jami Minaret.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel.

08:30 Meet the driver at the lobby. Transfer to the Turkmen – Uzbek Border post, Khojeyli.

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 the Turkmen side. Transfer to Kunya – Urgench. Start sightseeing tour with visiting

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

- the mausoleum of Mongolian princess Torebeg-Hanym (XII-XIV centuries); minaret Mamun (X-XI centuries);

- 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 - date of its construction is roughly estimated by the XI century).

Transfer to Dashoguz Airport

20:00 Departure for Ashgabat

20:40 Arrival in Ashgabat.

Transfer to the hotel. Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to the Ashgabat airport.

06:40 Morning flight to Mary.

07:10 Arrival in Ashgabat.

Transfer to Mary en route to the Ancient Merv (UNESCO).

 Sightseeing in  the historical park, visiting

- Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum,

- Mohammed bin Said Mausoleum,

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

- History museum of the Merv region.

17:20 Transfer to the Mary airport.

19:20 Evening flight to Ashgabat.

20:00 Arrival in Ashgabat.

Transfer to the hotel. Check in at the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing in Ashgabat visiting:

- Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Independence Park with Monument of Independence (it's a 118m column that consider the highest building in the country),

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

- National Museum with exposition from Ancient Merv and Nissa. 

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

- A trip to ancient Nissa (18km from Ashgabad) that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the ancient city (the date of foundation of the I millennium BC).

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport.

Transfer to the airport for a morning/midday departure flight.

End of the tour.