The Ancient Cities of the Silk Road Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan

Upon arrival at Tashkent International Airport, you will be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Lotte City Tashkent Palace
• Tourist Class: Florence Boutique or Ateca Suits
Meals Included: Dinner

Morning flight to Urgench and transfer to Khiva, Depending on the flight schedule, possibly half day sightseeing of Khiva city. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Farovon, Orient Star
• Tourist Class: Malika Khivek, Shaherezada Boutique
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Legend has it that Khiva was founded when Shem, son of Noah, discovered a well here. The town certainly existed by the 8th Century, as a minor fort and trading post on a Silk Road branch to the Caspian Sea and the Volga. In the early 16th century, Khiva was made capital of the Timurid Empire, becoming a busy slave market and pivot of the khanate for the next three centuries. Until Russia finally wrested the region from Timurid grasp in the 19th century, even the boldest hearts feared encounters with these fierce tribesmen and their desert territory. Khiva is an ancient walled city and looks much like it did in centuries past. It is one of the few sites in Central Asia where one can easily imagine life during the time of the emirates. We will spend the morning wandering its maze of ruins and great mosques. Later, a tour of this living museum including the Ichon-Qala gates, Muhammad Amin and Rakhim Khan’s Medressas, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Islom-Huja Medressa and Minaret. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Farovon, Orient Star
• Tourist Class: Malika Khivek, Shaherezada Boutique
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner 

In the morning, transfer to the Uzbek–Turkmen border crossing at Shavat. After completing border formalities, your Turkmen guide will meet you and accompany you to Dashoguz, where you will enjoy lunch and visit key sights of the city before beginning the long drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater. 

In the afternoon, we journey deeper into the desert to visit one of Turkmenistan’s most remarkable sights: the Darvaza Gas Crater, famously known as the “Door to Hell.” In 1971, Soviet geologists accidentally caused the ground beneath their drilling rig to collapse, revealing a cavern filled with natural gas. To prevent the spread of toxic fumes, they set the crater on fire, expecting it to burn out within a few days. More than 50 years later, the flames are still burning. 

Along the way, we stop at a traditional nomadic village in the Karakum Desert. Enjoy the vast desert scenery and a picnic dinner under the open sky. Overnight accommodation will be near the crater in a traditional yurt. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Yurt Camp
• Tourist Class: Yurt Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

In the morning, drive to Ashgabat and check into your hotel. Begin your city tour, visiting notable landmarks such as the Ashgabat Olympic Stadium, Monument and Park of Independence, the city’s main flagpole, Arch of Neutrality, Constitution Monument, Ferris Wheel, and Wedding Palace. Enjoy a panoramic view of Ashgabat from the hilltop, and explore the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, Alabay Monument, and Ertogrul Gazi Mosque. 
In the afternoon, take a trip to the ancient Nissa Fortress, the Sanctuary of the Parthian Kings. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, Nissa is considered one of the earliest capitals of the Parthian Empire. Founded by Arsaces I (reigned c. 250 BC – 211 BC), it is believed to have served as the royal necropolis of the Parthian Kings, though its exact function, whether as a royal residence or mausoleum, remains uncertain. 
The ruins of this important archaeological site lie about 18 km from Ashgabat, near the village of Bagyr. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Yildyz Hotel
• Tourist Class: Sports Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

 Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading out for the day’s sightseeing. Begin with a visit to the “Altyn Asyr” Oriental Bazaar (open Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun), also known as Jygyldyk Bazaar, located about 20 km north of Ashgabat. This is one of the largest open-air markets in the world, offering a vibrant display of Turkmen carpets, rugs, jewellery, silk, traditional clothing, and even livestock. 
Alternatively, you may visit Gulistan Bazaar, one of Ashgabat’s oldest and largest covered markets. The ground floor features fresh produce, including fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, and dairy, along with spices, nuts, and dried fruits. The second floor offers shops selling clothing, souvenirs, and local crafts. 
Next, explore the Turkmen Carpet Museum, considered one of the finest in Central Asia. The museum displays around 2,000 carpets, including traditional designs from the Tekke, Yamud, Sarik, and Chodor tribes. Highlights include the world’s smallest carpet, designed to hold keys, and the world’s largest handmade carpet (301 m²), woven in 2001 and recorded in the Guinness Book of Records in 2003. 
Later, visit a horse stable to see the Akhalteke horses, the national pride of Turkmenistan and one of the oldest pure breeds in the world. Bred by the Turkmen for over 5,000 years, these horses were prized by historic figures such as Alexander the Great and Darius I. The farmhouses over 35 purebred Akhalteke horses, known for their speed, elegance, and legendary status. According to local belief, touching an Akhalteke horse brings healing and good fortune. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Yildyz Hotel
• Tourist Class: Sports Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

After breakfast, drive to Merv (390 km) to explore the ancient city once known as the “Queen of the World”. Merv was one of the most important capitals of the Islamic world, alongside Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus. 
Your sightseeing tour of ancient Merv includes Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala (6th–7th centuries), Complex of Askhabs (8th–14th centuries), Erk Kala (6th century BC), Gyaur Kala (4th century BC), Hoja Yusup Hamadani Complex, Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, and Muhammed Ibn Zeid Mausoleum. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Mary Hotel
• Tourist Class: Mary Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning, drive to the Turkmen Uzbek border. After completing border formalities, you will be met by your Uzbek guide and continue the journey to Bukhara. 
In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of Bukhara, one of the best places in Central Asia to experience the atmosphere of pre-Russian Turkestan. Much of the city centre is a protected architectural preserve, featuring the massive royal fortress (the Ark), historic madrassas, ancient hammams (public baths), and the remains of a once-thriving market complex. Today, Bukhara boasts over 140 officially protected historical monuments, offering a rich and immersive glimpse into the region’s past. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Mercure Accor, Paradise Plaza, Labi Rud Premium, Shahriston
• Tourist Class: Makon Art, Lyabi House, Nodirabegim Boutique, Rizo Boutique
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Today we explore the old quarter on foot. Bukhara is an ancient city with its bustling “trade domes,” active mosques, and the Kalyan Minaret (“tower of death”), one of Central Asia’s tallest. We’ll stroll around the streets and visit the old town center where old men with long white beards gossip for hours while drinking tea. Bukhara has been designated a World Heritage Site; the resulting restoration of some of the mosques, constructed in the 11th to 15th centuries, to make them appear as if they were built yesterday. There are even some structures still standing that date back to Zorastrian times 2,500 years ago.
We also visit The Ark, a large fortress with the Emir’s open-air throne room and the Mausoleum of Ismail Samani, an intricate and beautiful 10th century brick structure that is nicely preserved. We’ll also venture to the outskirts of Bukhara and visit the summer palace of the last Emir, built by a Russian Czar with grand halls and a harem. We will also see Char Minar, a gate of an ancient madrassa long time gone. It was built in 1809 and has more in common with Indian art styles than local.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Mercure Accor, Paradise Plaza, Labi Rud Premium, Shahriston
• Tourist Class: Makon Art, Lyabi House, Nodirabegim Boutique, Rizo Boutique
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

We depart early for Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane, where we tour Ak-Saray Palace, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, House of Meditation and the Crypt of Timur, a man who changed the course of history and made a signfigant difference to Central Asia. There’s little left of Timur’s Ak-Saray Palace except bits of the gigantic, 40 m (98 foot) high entrance covered with gorgeous filigree like blue, white and gold mosaics, but it’s staggering to try and imagine what the rest of this glorious summer palace must have looked like. We continue later to Samarkand. For most people, Samarkand is as mythical as Atlantis or as remote and legendary as Tombouctou. The sublime larger-than-life monuments of Timur, the technicolour bazaar and the city’s long, rich history work a special kind of magic. On arrival we’ll visit the old bazaars for which this exotic city is famous.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Hilton Garden Inn, Continental, Mövenpick, Zafshon Parkside
• Tourist Class: Medina, Rayyan, Registan Saroy
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Samarkand, sometimes called the ‘Rome of the Orient’ was already flourishing when Rome and Babylon were founded. During the course of our full day tour we visit the famous Registan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Mausoleum of Tamerlane, Observatory of Ulughbek, the site where Uleg Bek, grandson of Tamerlane, made some of the greatest achievements of the pre-telescope era of astronomy in the 15th century. We also visit the regal mausoleums of Shah-I Zinda, site of Central Asia’s most sacred Islamic shrine, the massive mosque of Bibi Khanym, and the adjacent colourful market. You can purchase Samarkand’s famous bread which Alexander the Great unsuccessfully tried to have duplicated back home in Greece, or try some of the region’s local produce, from grapes to the world’s tastiest melons of multiple varieties. Our afternoon tour covers the Afrosiab Museum, located on the site of ancient Afrosiab.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Hilton Garden Inn, Continental, Mövenpick, Zafshon Parkside
• Tourist Class: Medina, Rayyan, Registan Saroy
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Early in the morning transfer to the train station for express train to Tashkent.In the morning transfer to the train station for express train journey to Tashkent. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Later we continue on a city tour of Tashkent visiting the Hazrati Imam Complex, the spiritual heart of the city. Explore the Barak-Khan Madrasah, Hazrati Imam Mosque, and Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi, together forming one of Tashkent’s most important historic and religious landmarks.

Continue to Chorsu Bazaar, one of Tashkent’s oldest and most vibrant markets. Wander through colourful stalls filled with spices, dried fruits, fresh produce, sweets, and traditional Uzbek foods. Be sure to visit a traditional tandir bakery, where local bakers press non bread by hand against the walls of a clay oven. Try it warm from the oven for an authentic taste of everyday Uzbek life.

See another side of Tashkent aboard the city’s famous Metro, stopping at some of its most impressive stations, including Alisher Navoi, Uzbekistan, and Kosmonavtlar. Each station features its own distinctive architecture, mosaics, chandeliers, and artistic design.

Continue to the Museum of Applied Arts, housed in an elegant historic residence. Its collection of intricate embroidery, textiles, ceramics, jewellery, and wood carving offers an insight into Uzbekistan’s rich artistic and craft traditions.

The tour then continues to Independence Square, Tashkent’s principal ceremonial space and an important symbol of the country’s independence. Finish at Amir Timur Square, one of the city’s central landmarks, dominated by the monument to Amir Timur, the celebrated 14th-century ruler and statesman.

Note: The State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan is currently closed for renovation. We will add it back to the itinerary once it reopens to visitors.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Lotte City Tashkent Palace
• Tourist Class: Florence Boutique or Ateca Suits
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Trip will end with airport transfer.

Meals Included: Breakfast