The Pearls of the East: Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan
Tour to Uzbekistan: The Main Attractions of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara & Khiva
| Countries: | Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan | |
| Tour duration: | 10 days / 9 nights | |
| Itinerary: | Tashkent – Samarkand – Gijduvan – Bukhara – Mary – Merv – Ashgabat – Darwaza crater – Kunya – Urgench – Khiva – Tashkent | |
This combined Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan tour with stops at the must-see cities will guide you across two desert Central Asian republics where powerful states – Bactria, Sogdiana, Margiana and Khwarezm were located in ancestry. The ruins of ancient fortresses of Merv, Khwarezm and Afrosiab are preserved till nowadays and remind of the bygone might of perished empires. Such ancient monuments as the Mausoleum of Tamerlane, the Registan Square, and the Kalyan Minaret harmoniously blend and even amplify the colour of the modern eastern cities.
Besides, this guided sightseeing tour will show you the most fascinating attraction in Karakum desert – the “Doors to Hell”, or Darwaza burning gas crater that will amaze you.
- ITINERARY
SERVICES & COST
Visa- USEFUL INFORMATION
Route map
| Tour itinerary 2024: | ||
| Day 1. | Arrival in Tashkent. Tashkent (sightseeing). Meet at the International airport and transfer to the hotel. Early check-in and rest. Tashkent is the flavorful capital of Uzbekistan: it carries in itself both the modern infrastructure and the preserved cozy Old Town. Tashkent’s architecture is striking in its diversity and variety: archaeological monuments from the Zoroastrianism era that are more than 2200 years old, architectural masterpieces of the Middle Ages, monumental buildings of the late 19th century, the most beautiful underground subway in the world, and of course, the numerous contemporary buildings. After breakfast start of the guided sightseeing tour around Tashkent. Visit the following sites: Khast-Imam Square, Barak-Khan Madrasah, Kafal-al-Shashi Mausoleum, Kukeldash Madrasah; after lunch: Museum of Applied Arts, Independence Square, Amir Timur Square, Minor Mosque. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 2. | Tashkent – Samarkand by morning train (2 hours). Early breakfast at the hotel. Ride to Samarkand by premium service high-speed train “Afrosiab” (07:28-09:36). Samarkand is as old as Rome, it is one of the most ancient cities in the world and former capital of the great Timur empire. It is a museum city, a city which was once the heart of the caravan trade in the midst of the Great Silk Road. Samarkand conserved its unique aura of the Oriental medieval age until this very day. Guided sightseeing tour of Samarkand on arrival: Gur-e Amir Mausoleum (Tamerlane’s sepulcher), Registan Square (Ulugbek Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah, and Tilla-Qori Madrasah), Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, and Ulugbek Observatory. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 3. | Samarkand – Gujduvan – Bukhara (road transfer, 280 km). Breakfast at the hotel. Continuation of the sightseeing tour in Samarkand: visit Afrosiab museum and settlement. Drive to Bukhara. En route stop in Gijduvan and visit local ceramist’s family. Gijduvan is one the centers of pottery in Uzbekistan, ceramic products in Gujduvan have its own painting style of green colors, which is not repeated in any other region of Uzbekistan. Further transfer to Bukhara. Upon arrival accommodation at the hotel. Leisure time. Visiting the souvenir shops and workshops is recommended. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 4. | Bukhara. Breakfast at the hotel. Bukhara is another ancient city in Uzbekistan which also was part of the Great Silk Road. Medieval Bukhara used to be one of the main political, cultural, and religious hubs of the Middle East. Over 140 architectural monuments have been preserved here. The historical center of Bukhara is included in the list of World Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO. Start of the sightseeing program in Bukhara. Visit of the following sites: Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, local bazaar, Bolo Khauz Mosque, Ark Citadel with Zindan prison, Po-i-Kalyan Complex (Kalyan Minaret and others), Miri Arab madrassa, Magoki Attori mosque and Mosque Ulugbek Madrasah. Return to the hotel. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 5. | Bukhara – "Farap" land border – Mary by road (385 km). Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Uzbek-Turkmen border “Farab” (2-hours drive from Bukhara). Border formalities. Continue driving to Mary via visits of Ancient Merv en route. In ancient times Merv was considered to be an oasis city on the Silk Road and one of the most precious pearls of the Orient, which was shining against the background of the great empires of ancient dynasties for five centuries, permanently being either their capital or the biggest and the most favourite city of the shakhs. The site of ancient Merv has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Upon arrival in Mary city tour with visits of Juma Mosque and Russian orthodox church. Mary is the third largest city of Turkmenistan. It is located in a great oasis amidst Karakum desert, in the delta of Murgab river. Nowadays Mary is a large centre of a wealthy cotton-growing region, a large transportation centre and major centre of gas industry, which is the main source of income of Turkmenistan. Transfer to the hotel, overnight. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 6. | Mary – Ashgabat by morning flight. Ashgabat, day trip to Kov-Ata underground lake. Morning transfer to the airport for further flight to Ashgabat, which is the capital of, and the largest city in Turkmenistan Upon arrival day trip to Nohur village in the Kopetdag Mountains (visit tribal cemetery and pilgrim site; silk weaving homes), via visit of Turkmenbashi mosque-mausoleum and Kov-Ata underground lake on the way. Return to Ashgabat, transfer to the hotel and rest. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 7. | Ashgabat – Darwaza gas crater (Karakum desert) by road (300 km). After breakfast city tour with visits of National Museum, Neutrality Arch, Independence Park and ancient settlement of Nisa (UNESCO heritage site). Nisa is an ancient settlement situated 18 kilometers away from present-day Ashgabat, which is dated back to 1000 BC - 1000 AD. In its time Old Nisa was an imperial residence in Parthia, while New Nisa was one of the first capitals of the Parthians. At the time of Parthia existence Old Nisa was called in the honour of the king Mithridates I, who ordered to build the city. At that time Nisa was the capital of the empire, but later the location of the capital was changed, it was transferred to Asia Minor. When the Sassanid came to power, Nisa absolutely lost its influence; the city was ransacked and forgotten. New period of Nisa’s history begins with its affiliation to the Arab Caliphate. The city recovered again but has never reached its past power. The start of the city’s degradation is dated back to the XVI C, and in the 20-s of the XIX C Nisa was already in ruins. After lunch drive to Darwaza in the Karakum desert, via visits of Muddy crater and Water crater. Darwaza (meaning "gate") - a village in the middle of the Karakum Desert, about 260 km north from Ashgabat. It is famous for its “The Door to Hell” - a natural gas field, huge burning gas crater with a diameter of 60 metres and to a depth of about 20 metres, one of the largest gas reserves in the world. Natural gas has been burning here continuously since 1971, and locals have dubbed the crater "Door to Hell", referring to orange flames in big hole and awesome view, especially during the hours of darkness. Arrival in Darwaza before sunset (at 18:00 approx.). Enjoy barbeque dinner on the open air; discover the burning gas crater by day and nighttime. Meals: breakfast, dinner. Overnight in tents (field conditions). |
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| Day 8. | Darwaza crater – Kunya-Urgench – "Shavat" land border – Khiva by road (300 km). After camp style breakfast drive to the ancient settlement of Kunya Urgench (UNESCO heritage site), sightseeing tour. Kunya-Urgench is the site of the ancient town of Urgench, the 12th-century capital of Khwarezm. Today it is both a tourist sight with impressive architectural monuments, such as mausoleums and a minaret, and Islamic place of pilgrimage. The ruins of Kunya-Urgench have been protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Continue driving to the land border with Uzbekistan. Cross the border before lunch break. Change driver and car on the border and further transfer to Khiva. On arrival transfer to the hotel and check in. Overnight in Khiva. Meals: breakfast. |
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| Day 9. | Khiva – Urgench by road (35 km). Urgench – Tashkent by evening fligth Breakfast at the hotel. Guided sightseeing tour around Khiva: Ichan Kala (historical inner city), Pakhlavan Mahmud Complex, Kunya-Ark Fortress, Islam Hajji Madrasah & Minaret. After lunch: Tash Khauli Alakuli Khan Palace, Juma Mosque, Muhammad Aminkhan Minaret & Madrasah, and Avesta Museum. Transfer to Urgench to take evening flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival check in to the hotel. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at hotel. |
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| Day 10. | Departure fromTashkent. Breakfast at the hotel. Check out before 12:00. Transfer to the International airport for departure. Meals: breakfast. |
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Tour price includes:
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Tour price does not include:
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Hotels
The tour comes with the following accommodation:
| Location | Hotels 3* | Hotels 4* |
| Tashkent | Sato Hotel 3* or similar | Inspira-S Hotel 4* or similar |
| Samarkand | Arba Hotel 3* or similar | Zarafshon Parkside Hotel 4* or similar |
| Bukhara | Devon Hotel 3* or similar | Paradise Plaza Hotel 4* or similar |
| Mary | Mary Hotel 4* or similar | Mary Hotel 4* or similar |
| Ashbabat | Sport Hotel 4* or similar | Sport Hotel 4* or similar |
| Darwaza | Yurt camp | Yurt camp |
| Khiva | Arkanchi Hotel 3* or similar | Asia Khiva Hotel 4* or similar |
Information on the vehicles
Depending on the size of a group the following means of transportation are used during the tour:
| Uzbekistan and other countries | Vehicle |
| Group of 1–2 people | "Chevrolet Lacetti" |
| Group of 4 people | "Hyundai Starex minivan for 6 seats " |
| Group of 6–8 people | "King Long minivan for 10 seats " |
| Group of 9–15 people | "Eurise minivan for 18 seats" |
Visa to Uzbekistan:
Visa-free regime for up to 60 days has been established for citizens of countries below:
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Visa-free regime for up to 30 days has been established for citizens of countries below:
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A great number of other countries can obtain an e-visa to Uzbekistan by simply visiting the governmental portal e-visa.gov.uz.
Read more about visa to Uzbekistan here »»
Visa to Turkmenistan:
Citizens of all foreign countries, intending to enter Turkmenistan, are obliged to have visa. Visa to Turkmenistan can issued only on the basis of preliminary issued visa invitation. The visa invitation is being issued by our company on the basis of the following documents of yours:
- filled-in application form (sample of the application form is being send beforehand);
- scanned copy of your passport of good quality;
- a photo of good quality (size 3:4).
After receiving these documents we apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan for visa invitation issuance for our tourists. The process of visa invitation issuance takes 7-10 working days. On the basis of the visa invitation a tourist can get Turkmenistan visa at the embassy of in any country, where there is Turkmenistan Embassy, in Ashgabat airport or at the consular department on the border.
Useful Information on Traveling to Uzbekistan
Useful Information on Traveling to Turkmenistan
Route Map
Photos of the tour:
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