Day 1: Tashkent.
Arrival in Tashkent. Check in to the hotel at noon. Meet your guide to start sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. Visit Old City part of Tashkent with Khast-Imam complex where the world famous Quran of Caliph Uthman has been preserved. In Khast-Imam visit Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tillya Sheykh Mosque, Mausoleum of Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi. Explore Chorsu bazaar.
Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to city center with Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and Applied Arts Museum. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva.
Early morning transfer to the airport for flight to Urgench (1093 km, 1 h. 40 min.). Arrival in Urgench, transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 km, 35 min.). Later proceed for guided walking sightseeing tour in UNESCO World Heritage site Itchan-Kala.
Visit Mukhammad Aminkhan madrasah, Mukhammad Rakhimkhan madrasah, Kalta-Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Kunya-Ark, minaret of Islam-Khoja. Free time in the afternoon.
Day 3: Khiva – Kunya-Urgench – Dashoguz – Ashgabat.
In the morning drive to Turkmenistan border point Shavat-Dashoguz (60 km, 1 h.). Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Cross 1.5 km neutral zone. Meet your Turkmen guide and drive to Kunya-Urgench (100 km, 1 h. 30 min.).
Visit mausoleums of Turabek Khanum, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il-Arslan, Najmuddin-Kubra, Sultan Ali. Discover the Kutlug-Timur Minaret and Kyrk Molla Hill. In the afternoon drive to Dashoguz airport (120 km, 1 h. 30 min.), take an evening flight to Ashgabat (580 km, 50 min.). Upon arrival transfer to hotel.
Day 4: Ashgabat.
Sightseeing tour in Ashgabat – capital of Turkmenistan which has experienced boom of “Marble Architecture” for the past 27 years. Explore archeological site of Old Nisa (included in UNESCO World Heritage list) and Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia.
Visit the National Museum of History, and continue to Monument of Neutrality. In the afternoon drive to “Bedev” hippodrome stables to see Akhalteke horses – pride of Turkmen nation. Continue the tour with visits to Presidential Square, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, and the newly built Independence Park.
Day 5: Ashgabat – Mary – Merv – Turkmenabat.
Take a morning flight to Mary (370 km, 40 min.). Upon arrival drive to Merv (40 km, 30 min.), an ancient city that was a major center of international trade and crafts located on the Silk Road.
Discover historical park with Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Gala, Erk Gala,Gyaur Gala, Keshk Fortress, and others. In the afternoon depart to Turkmenabat (200 km, 4 h. 30 min.).
Day 6: Turkmenabat – Bukhara.
In the morning transfer to Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border point (45 km, 1 h.). Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Cross 1.5 km neutral. Meet your driver and continue to Bukhara (100 km, 1 h. 30 min.). Arrival in Bukhara, check in to the hotel. Free time in Old City.
Day 7: Bukhara.
Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour with a guide in Old City. Visit Lyabi-Khauz Complex, Magoki-Attori mosque, Chor-Minor madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan mosque and minaret and Miri-Arab madrasah, madrasah of Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Samani dynasty Mausoleum and Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum.
Day 8: Bukhara – Samarkand.
Continue sightseeing tour with a guide. Drive out of the city to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir. Head to Bakhouddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum and Chor-Bakr Necropolis.
In the afternoon depart to Samarkand (280 km, 4 h.). Stop on the way at Caravanserai Rabat-i-Malik dating back to 11th century. Arrive in Samarkand late in the afternoon, check in to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: Samarkand.
Meet your guide and driver at hotel lobby and start sightseeing. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi-Khanum mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugbek observatory, Shakhi-Zinda necropolis and Gur-Emir Mausoleum – authentic shrine of Tamerlane. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Samarkand – Tashkent.
Continue city tour: visit Afrasiab museum and the tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Enjoy free time with car and driver at your disposal after sightseeing tour.
At 16:00 transfer to railway station to take the fast-speed train “Afrasiab” departing to Tashkent at 17:00 (300 km). Scheduled arrival time is 19:10. Pick-up and transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11: Tashkent – departure
Check out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Tashkent International Airport. Departure.
Perfect places to travel & explore the fascinating history of the Silk Road. The best transport companies, qualified tour-guides, hotels and restaurants.