Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Tajikistan Tour
About this tour
13 days: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Arrive in Ashgabat. Transfer to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Mary, Turkmenistan
Meet with your group in the morning and transfer to domestic airport for the morning flight to Mary (40 min). Explore ancient city of Merv, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site that was a major center of international trade and crafts located on the Silk Road. Return to Mary. Visit History museum of the region. Transfer to the airport for evening flight to Ashgabat at 19:00. Scheduled arrival is at 20:00. Transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Day 3: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Darvaza Gas Crater, Darvaza, Turkmenistan
Start the day with a sightseeing tour in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan that has recently been noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as having more white marble buildings than any other city in the world. During the city tour you will explore an archaeological site of Old Nisa included in UNESCO World Heritage list and Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. You will visit the National Museum of History, the Monument of Neutrality, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, newly built Independence Park and (Sunday) bazaar. Intense and interesting excursion also includes a stopover at the Akhalteke horse stables. In the afternoon drive to Darvaza gas crater located in the middle of Karakum desert (280 km, 4h.) Arrive at the crater, set up the camp. Enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater. Overnight in tents.
Day 4: Köneürgench, Turkmenistan to Khiva, Uzbekistan
In the morning depart Gas crater and drive to Kunya-Urgench. Visit mausoleums of Turabek-Khanym, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmuddin-Kubra, Sultan Ali. Discover the Kutlug Timur Minaret and Kyrk Molla Hill. After lunch drive to Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border point Shavat-Dashoguz. Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Cross 1.5 km neutral zone (transportation may not be available). Meet your Uzbekistan driver and drive to Khiva (60 km, 1 h). Transfer to the hotel.
Day 5: Khiva, Uzbekistan to Bukhara, Uzbekistan
After breakfast sightseeing tour in Khiva. Visit Ichan-Qala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Ichan-Qala Fortress visit Kunya-Ark, Sayeed Alauddin Mausoleum, Arab-Mukhamadkhan Madrasah, Oq-Masjid Mosque, Madrasah of Hodjan Berdi-biya, Shirgazikhan Madrasah, Abdullakhan Madrasah, Juma Mosque, Allakulikhan Madrasah, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islom-Khoja. At 19:00 transfer to domestic airport flight to Bukhara at 21:00 arriving in Bukhara at 22:00. Arrival in Bukhara, transfer to the hotel.
Day 6: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
After breakfast start walking sightseeing tour in Bukhara. Visit Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Farewell dinner
Day 7: Bukhara, Uzbekistan to Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Breakfast. Start the second day with a visit to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi and Chor-Bakr Necropolis. In the afternoon take the high-speed Afrosiyob train 15:52-17:20 or overland transfer. Arrive in Samarkand, check in to the hotel.
Day 8: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
After breakfast, Samarkand sightseeing tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, Gur Emir Mausoleum – the mausoleum of Amir Timur, remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory. Free time in the afternoon.
Day 9: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Breakfast. Continue sightseeing tour in Samarkand. You will visit Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Farewell lunch in Samarkand. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Samarkand, Uzbekistan to Seven Lakes, Tajikistan
Early morning transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border Jartepa (50 km, 1 h). Customs and passport control on both sides, cross the border, meet Tajik local guide and driver to Seven Lakes (80 km, 1.5-2h). The main spot of the day is HafKul meaning seven lakes in Persian. These lakes in the mountains of Tajikistan are famous for their different colours: 1.Mijgon, 2. Soya, 3. Hushyor, 4. Nophin lakes (2139 m above sea level), Khurdak, 6.Marguzor, 7.Hazorchashma lakes (2400 m above sea level). Picnic at the lake. After lunch drive to Penjikent. Sightseeing in Penjikent: Museum of Rudaki considered as the father of Persian Poetry; ancient Penjikent - ruins of old Sogdian town founded in the 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century by Arabs. Foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples and city bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11: Panjakent, Tajikistan to Iskanderkul, Tajikistan
Drive to Dushanbe via Iskanderkul Lake. According to the legend, the Lake Iskanderkul was named after Alexander the Great, known as Iskander in the East. People say that Alexander the Great's path to India passed by this lake. Lunch at the traditional homestay. After, you will stroll around the lake, explore five springs and Zmeinoe (Snake) Lake, walk to 38 m high waterfall that local people compare to Niagara and call Fanskaya Niagara (Niagara of Fan). Drive to Dushanbe. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12: Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Start sightseeing in the capital of Tajikistan. Visit the Botanical garden, a very beautiful garden with many old trees, and a favorite place of Tajik people, National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan (closed on Mondays) that includes exhibits on history, natural history and art (Buddha in Nirvana is one of the most valuable exhibits of the museum), Ismail Somoni Monument, the Building of National Spirit, Rudaki Prospect and the Main Mosque of Dushanbe. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Check out the hotel till noon. Transfer to the airport. End of the tour
What's included
Transportation throughout the tour, including airports/train stations pick up and drop offs; Accommodation based on double room sharing throughout the tour, breakfasts included; Sightseeing tour program in each city with local guides; Entrance tickets to the museums, mausoleums and other sights; Economy class tickets for flights Ashgabat-Mary-Ashgabat, Urgench-Bukhara; Economy class ticket for train Bukhara-Samarkand (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train); Utensils and necessary equipment for staying in tents (sleeping bags, sleeping mats, pillows, dining table, chairs); Farewell Dinner in Bukhara, farewell lunch in Samarkand; English speaking tour leader in Tajikistan; Visa support letter for Uzbekistan visa; Visa support letter for Turkmenistan visa; A tax of 2 USD per night in Turkmenistan, paid to the hotel upon check out; Camp style dinner and breakfast at Darvaza crater (days 3-4); Full board in Tajikistan.
Tour leader to accompany travellers for the whole period of the tour in Uzbekistan; Full board (lunches and dinners); Hotel charges for additional services; Camera fees, charged separately by museums; Travel insurance; International flight tickets before and after the tour; Consular fees for tourist visas and Turkmenistan migration tax (14 USD).
What to know
Ashgabat - 2 nights Sport, Ak Altyn, or similar Darvaza - 1 night Tents (optional alternative: yurt shared with other group members) Khiva - 1 night Malika Kheivak, Orient Star or similar Bukhara - 2 nights As-Salom, K.Komil, Volida or similar Samarkand - 3 nights Sultan, Platan or similar Penjikent - 1 night Sugd, Umariyon or similar Dushanbe - 2 nights Hilton Dushanbe or similar single supplement: US$ 390 extra
Route & locations
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan