Description

Day 01: Arrive Ashgabat
Arrival in Ashgabat. Meet our guide and driver, transfer to hotel for rest.
Remainder of the day rest at leisure.
Overnight at hotel

Day 02: Ashgabat
Today we will visit Old Nisa fortress that once was a residences of the Parthian Empire (247 BC-253 AD), stretching from the Kopetdag all the way across to the Persian Gulf and Anatolia. After that we return to Ashgabat to explore the capital of Turkmenistan. We will see independence period parks and monuments, such as the Monument and Park of Independence (looking like a white-marble “Eiffel Tower” standing in a beautiful park) and a fountain-monument devoted to the 10th anniversary of independence (sculptural depiction of ten Akhal-Tekke horses placed on the top of a beautiful fountain), impressive Ertoghrul Ghazi mosque. In the afternoon we will also visit the National Museum (closed on TUE) of History and Ethnography (more than 327.000 objects on a display) and see the exclusive ancient artifacts from different historical & archeological sites of Turkmenistan, like Old Nisa, Ancient Merv & etc.

Later visit the colorful Russian bazaar. Here you will plunge into the atmosphere that resembles exactly the rhythm of Ashgabat life, peculiarities of mentality of the Turkmen capital’s residents.
Overnight at hotel

Day 03: Ashgabat – Mary am flight
Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Mary (40 minutes by Boeing-717 or 737). On arrival, we head 25 km to the east of Mary, towards Bayram-Ali, the contemporary re-incarnation of and humble suburb of the glorious Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site). One of the major archaeological sites of Central Asia, Merv played an important part in the development of the Silk Road for more than 2 000 years. Within the limits of the archaeological park, which is 1200 ha, we will have a chance to observe all constituent parts of the “wandering city”. A series of adjacent cities, which can be roughly divided into the ancient (Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala), the medieval (Sultan Kala with its suburbs), and post-medieval (Abdulla-Khan Kala and Bayram-Ali-Khan Kala), appeared in the course of time as a token of the natural progress of the city from initial stages of its existence to a more advanced level. Besides remnants of the cities of Merv, we will visit the VI-IX cc. AD forts of Big and Little Kyz-Kalas, excellent examples of the so-called corrugated Koshks; the splendid XII c. mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammed ibn-Zeyd, demonstrating exquisite Seljuk period brickwork and architectural décor. If time and enthusiasm permits, it is possible to visit several more interesting spots within the site. After sightseeing, we head back to Mary. On arrival in Mary, we visit local History Museum, presenting a wide array of archaeological finds (dating back to the III mill. BC through the late XIX century) from both Ancient Merv and Bronze Age sites of the Margush country.
Overnight at hotel

Day 04: Mary – Ashgabat am flight
Morning transfer to the airport for return flight to Ashgabat (40 minutes by Boeing-717 or 737).
On arrival, drive west to the underground cave of Kov-Ata (90 km west of Ashgabat), accommodating a unique hot-water (+ 35-37C all year round) sulphur lake. After a swim in the lake we start driving back to visit Arkadash stud farm near Geok Depe, passing by a former Tekke stronghold, which was the site of the biggest battle for the Russian domination in Central Asia in the late 19 c. The fortress is also a site of a beautiful Geok-Depe mosque, built in 1996 in honour of the fortress defenders. On the farm, we have a chance to take a close look at the “winged” Akhal-Tekkes, and even take a ride on them. Having finished our photo session with horses, we continue our drive to Ashgabat, en-route make a stop to visit an impressive complex in Kipchak, consisting of the largest mosque in Turkmenistan and the family mausoleum of the first president of the country. Return to the comfort of our hotel in Ashgabat.
Overnight at hotel

Day 05 : Ashgabat – Darvaza Flaming Crater
Morning free for you. PM drive north to Darvaza flaming crater. Arriving at the border between the northern and southern regions of Turkmenistan we turn off the main road for an exciting eight-kilometre desert drive. The drive over, we find ourselves a couple of hundred metres away from the flaming crater, which, at daylight, seems more of an ordinary whole in the ground slightly smoked by fire. Having unpacked our vehicles, we go for a walk around the crater, while our drivers occupy themselves with gathering wood, arranging cosy accommodations of tents and sleeping bags, and spreading a “table” on the ground. By the time we notice the smell of a fire-cooked dinner, the simple whole of the crater turns into what may seem a front door of hell, a fire temple or any other mysteriously spectacular place that a romantic’s imagination may associate with fire. We finish the day tasting delicious nomadic food, pondering over the meaning of life in the serene atmosphere of beautiful evening sky and flickering lights of the “eternal” fire.
Dinner and overnight in tents (B, D in tents)

Day 06: Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench (230km) – Dashoguz (115km) – border point “Shavat” (105 km) – Khiva (60km)
Early morning transfer towards Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – once a glorious capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire, the biggest Muslim empire of the late 12 – early 13 centuries. On arrival in Kunya-Urgench we will have a chance to take a close look at outstanding monuments of the medieval Khorezm. We will visit the 14 century mausoleum of Turabek Hanum, one of the best living examples of the architecture of its period; minaret of Kutlug Timur, a former highest minaret of Central Asia that used to form a part of the main cathedral mosque of the city; mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh, a beautiful 12 century mausoleum with one of the earliest portals of the east and a unique cone of a dome; Kyrk-Mollah mound, the fabled al-Mamun’s Academy of Sciences; and mausoleum of Il-Arslan, a tiny precursor of unique Khorezmian mausoleums with a pyramidal cone as its dome.
Having finished sightseeing, we drive back to cross border to Uzbekistan near Dashoguz/Shavat.
Complete border formalities.
Proceed to Khiva.
On arrival transfer to hotel. Check in.
Overnight at hotel

Day 07: Khiva
Khiva is on a direct route between Russia and India and saw much Great Game activity. It was here in 1717, at the very beginning of Imperial Russia’s forays into Central Asia, that Prince Alexander Bekovich and 4,000 men were murdered by the Khan. It was also here that in 1840 Richard Shakespear, a 28 year old lieutenant, secured the release of 416 Russian slaves where many others had failed.
Full day city tour of Khiva – the museum under the open sky in the inner city Ichan Kala no transport, whole day will be just walking tour.

Visit Ichan Kala, Kalta Minor, Kunya Ark, Madrassah Rakhimkhon, Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud, Islam Khodja minaret and enjoy view of whole ancient Khiva.

In the afternoon continue city tour of Khiva visit Friday mosque and Tashauli Palace/harem.
Overnight at hotel

Day 08: Khiva – Bukhara – 470km
Depart after breakfast for the drive to Bukhara across the Kizilkum Desert for a 3 night stay.
Please note that this is a full day’s journey of approximately 10 hours, elongated by ongoing road construction works. Comfort stops will be made en route. Arrive in Bukhara early evening.
Overnight at hotel

Day 09: Bukhara
Bukhara, former capital and a centre of Islamic learning, has over 300 mosques and was known as the holiest city in Asia with its 80 madrasahs. Renowned in the 10th century as the intellectual capital of the East, the beauty of Bukhara’s Kalan Minaret stopped Genghis Khan in his tracks, but failed to stop him razing the rest of the city to the ground. In the 18th and 19th Centuries Bukhara became one of the most important chessboards in the ‘Great Game’ being waged between Russia and Britain.

After breakfast full day sightseeing tour in Bukhara:
Visit – Lab-i-khauz ensemble, the pool and chaikhana of which is the modern centre of traditional Uzbekistan. A place where the very soul of Central Asia lies mirrored in a piala of steaming green tea.
Visit Madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Khanaga, Mogaki Attari mosque, Poi Kalon minaret and mosque,
Later see Madrassahs Aziz Khan and Ulugbek.
Afternoon after lunch visit Ark Fortress, Balakhauz mosque, mausoleum of Ismail Samanid, Chashma Ayub.
Overnight at hotel

Day 10: Bukhara – Samarkand – 268km
Morning drive to Samarkand. On arrival transfer to hotel, check in.
Remainder of the day rest at leisure.
Overnight at hotel

Day 11: Samarkand
Visit the beautiful Gur-i Amir with its tile decorations and jade slab of Timur’s cenotaph and the Registan Square, built by Ulugh Beg and later rulers. The square is the most spectacular architectural ensemble in Central Asia. It was here that royal proclamations were read out and where justice was dispensed.
Three beautifully restored madrasahs stand on three sides of the square and their sheer size and beauty is very impressive.

Afternoon visit to the Bibi Khanum Friday Mosque built by Timur between 1399 and 1404. It suffered from being built too quickly and from an earthquake in the 18th century. However, it has recently been restored.
In the huge colourful nearby Silk Road Bazaar one can buy nuts, dried and fresh fruit, spices, honey and a multitude of other goods. It is often reached by walking along a pedestrianised path flanked by cloth merchants and tailors, creating a wonderfully colourful scene.
Overnight at hotel

Day 12: Samarkand – Tashkent train “Afrosiab” 17:00-19:15
This morning we will visit the remarkable Shah-i Zindah complex, which is a narrow street containing many mausoleums including, it is believed, the tomb of Kazi Zade Rumi, who was the teacher of Timur‟s grandson, Ulugh Beg.
We will then visit the little-known Afrasiyab Museum with wall paintings and ceramics from the 7th to the 13th–century site including the famous 7th-century Sogdian frescoes of a bridal procession. Lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon visit Ulugbek’s observatory, famous amongst the historical monuments of Samarkand, constructed by Ulugbek between 1428-1429. The Samarkand observatory became famous for the Ulugbeg Zidj, containing a theoretical introduction and charts describing 1,018 stars.

Late afternoon transfer to the railway station to take train to Tashkent. Transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel

Day 13: Tashkent
Morning sightseeing tour to the old town: visit Tashkent’s main tourist attractions: Khazrati Imam Complex including Barakhan madrassah, Tilla Shaykh mosque, Muyi Muborak madrassah, tomb of Kaffal Shashi, Namozgah mosque.
Later proceed to Chorsu bazaar, Kukeldash Madrassah (16c).
Afternoon visit the Museum of Applied Art, in the Russian Turkestan governor’s old mansion: over 7,000 pieces of traditional folk art: ceramic, glass and porcelain, handmade and machine embroidery, national fabrics and costumes, carpets, varnished miniatures, jewellery starting from the first half of 19th century;
Excursion to Mustakillik (Independence) Square in the heart of Tashkent and famous Tashkent Metro (underground) decorated with local marble and granite like an underground palaces, visit Amir Temur squire.
Overnight at hotel

Day 14: Tashkent Departure
Early morning transfer to the airport for departure flight home.