TURKMENISTAN UZBEKISTAN MIX TOUR
Duration: 12 days / 11 nights
Travel itinerary: Asgabat – Mary – Turkmenabat - Farap – Bukhara - Samarkand – Bukhara – Khiva – Urgench – Dashoguz – Koneurgench – Darvaza – Ashgabat.
Arrival at ASHGABAT at early morning. Our representative will meet you. Transfer to hotel.
Day 1. Breakfast. Full day in Ashgabat. Ashgabat - the capital of Turkmenistan has borne this name since 1881. In the Turkmen folklore the name of the city is linked with the meaning “a city of love”. Love is not only an integral part of the name of the city, but also a feeling familiar to all generations of the citizens of Ashgabat. The present Ashgabat distinguishes itself with its own style, harmoniously combining the best traditions of its own national architecture and the achievements of the modern town-building.
· Monument of Independence
· Arch of Neutrality
· New Park dedicated to the monument of Akhalteke horses nearby President Palace & Congress Hall.
· Historical Museum
Lunch at the local restaurant. Drive to Nisa. Nisa - residence of Parthian Kings (III BC-III AD). In the IV century BC Akhemenid Empire had been ruined with the strikes of Alexander’s troops. During the period of the Selevkids-the successors of Alexander, three independent States established: Bactria, Khorezm and Parthia. Among these three states Parthia had lived for a long time, from 3rd century BC till 3rd century AD. During its existence Parthia has had several capital cities. Among the capitals of Parthia Nisa was a legendary and mysterious city in the Kingdom of Parthia. Dinner. Transfer to hotel. Overnight.
Day 2. Breakfast. Visit the Turkmenbashy Ruhy mosque. Drive to Kov-ata. This cave is situated 100 kilometers far from Ashgabat. There is a lake, which breathe warm stream, in the depth of 60 meters from entrance into the cave. Long steps with 350 stairs lead to it. Medicinal water of the lake contains sulphur, iodine, magnesium, potassium, sodium, sulphate, aluminium, bromine, iron, stibium – in total 38 elements. Swimming in the water has favorable influence on organism, improves blood circulation, and helps to cure such diseases as rheumatism, cold, renal and skin diseases, soothe the nervous system. Temperature of water in the lake is from 33 up to 38 degrees all the year round. Length of the lake is 80 meters, width – 30 meters, depth – up to 16 meters. It is one of the largest underground lakes in the world. Sunrays never touched warm velvet of its waters. Drive back to Ashgabat.
Day 3. Breakfast. Drive to Mary. Visit old Merv ruins. Lunch at local restaurant.
Excursion to Ruins of Old Merv upon arrival. Visits:
· Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum,
· Gyaur Kala, Erk Kala,
· Big Gyz Kala & Small Gyz Kala.
· Ibn Zeid Mausoleum
Merv ‘pearl of east’ one of oldest inhabited cites Central Asia. It was rebuilt over the centuries spread more than 100 sq km. Merv is site of no less than five cities from different periods, each built beside last. Sultan Sanjar mausoleum mpresses with size & solidity,
Gayir Kala has an area of 360 ha, har regular planning, right contour of walls and for gates one to each part of the world, Erk Kala & Kyz Kala. Drive to Turkmenabat. Dinner at local restaurant. Transfer to hotel. Overnight.
Day 4. Turkmenabad - Farap – Bukhara - Samarkand
Breakfast. Transfer to the Farap border.After border formalities you will be met by Uzbek guide and proceed to railway station of Bukhara to transfer to Samarkand at 15:50 – 17:20. After arrival you will check in at the hotel and have some time for a rest. The history, culture and architecture of Samarkand are really worthy of attention. Being one of the most ancient cities on the earth, this «city of famous shadows» witnessed many historical events and shakes. According to some historical data it was founded in the VII cent. BC.
Dinner will be organized in local restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel in Samarkand.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5. Samarkand City Tour
The day is devoted to the full explortion of Samarkand. First you will see the main square of the city – Registan. Here is located the famous architectural ensemble of three madrasahs (Islamic schools) - the Ulugh Beg Madrasah, the Tilya-Kori Madrasah and the Sher-Dor Madrasah. The next place to visit is the architectural masterpiece of Central Asia - the mausoleum of Gur-e-Amir (also known as Tamerlane). The further program includes visits to Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shakhi Zinda Necropolis, Afrasiyob Museum and Ulugbek’s observatory which is the biggest one in the East. At the central bazaar you’ll have a chance to enjoy the tastes and aroma of local exotic products. Be sure to buy Samarkand national round bread (non). The bazaar offers bright fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, spices, local snacks, sweet cakes, chill tea, as well as local handicraft. After such a long and exciting day you will have a nice dinner at the local restaurant and will have a rest at the hotel.
Dinner will be organized in local restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel in Samarkand.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6. Samarkand - Bukhara (280km, 4h)
The day will start with a trip from Samarkand to Bukhara – the other ancient Uzbek town located on the Great Silk Road. The journey will take for about 4 hours. The city is a must-visit place due to its rich historical heritage. On the way we’ll make a short stop to admire the ruins of medieval monument Caravanserai Rabat-i-Malik. After arrival you will check in at the hotel and have some time for a rest. This time you will visit the summer palace of Emir Said Mir Mohammed Alim Khan who was the last emir of Bukhara and the museum of Decorative Applied Art.
Dinner will be organized in local restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel in Bukhara.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7. Bukhara City Tour
This day you will have a full exploration of Bukhara which is not inferior to Samarkand in terms of the abundance and significance of religious sights and architectural masterpieces. Bukhara is one of the most ancient cities of the Central Asia – it is more than 2000 years old. It has been standing under the scorching Asian sun witnessing ruinous wars and glorious times when it was a major commercial center of the Great Silk Road. Your city tour program will include the following sights: Samanid’s dynasty mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Haouz Mosque, the Ark Fortress, Kalon Complex, Magoki Attori Mosque, Ulugbek and Abdulazizi Khan Madrasahs and Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble. The day will end with a pleasant dinner and folk show – program in old Nodir Devon Begi Madrassah.
Dinner will be organized in Nodir Devon Begi Madrassah.
Overnight: Hotel in Bukhara.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8. Bukhara – Khiva – (457km, 6h)
After breakfast at the hotel, today you’ll have a long day ahead making our way through Kyzyl Kum desert going from Bukhara to Khiva. On the way we’ll make stops to visit ancient ruins Ayaz Kala and Toprak Kala. Arrive in Khiva late in the afternoon; check in to hotel. Free time to have a rest after long route.
Dinner at the local restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel in Khiva
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9. Khiva
After breakfast you will have a full exploration of Khiva town and its historical sights. The must visit place is its unique Itchan Kala inner town which once served as a resting place for caravans following by the Silk Road to Iran. You will have a chance to walk along its ancient streets and feel the atmosphere of past decades. The town is protected by UNESCO. This district hosts such sights as the madrasah of Muhammad Amin-khan, Kelta Minar, Kunya Ark, madrasah of Muhammad Rakhimkhan. After a lunch your tour will continue to Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Islam Khodja Minaret and Madrasah, Djuma Mosque and Minaret, and Tash Hovli Palace.
You’ll have a dinner at the local restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel in Khiva Meals: B, L, D
Day 10. Khiva – Urgench – Dashoguz
Today ends part of the tour in Uzbekistan and you will be transferred to Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan border Shavat. Meeting at the Dashoguz border. After border formalities drive to Koneurgench city. Excursion by Koneurgench. Visit the Turabeg Khanum mausoleum, Nadjm-Addinal-Kubra, Sultan-Tekesh. Lunch at the local restaurant. After drive to Darvaza (280 km).
Darvaza – It is burning gas crater in the Karakum desert. Locals and travelers call it the “Gate”. Emerged as a result of an exploratory well drilling, during which has occurred the landslide of the soil and a large hole appeared with a diameter of 60m and a depth of about 20m was formed and has filled with gas. Camp dinner and overnight in tents near Darvaza.
Day 11. Breakfast. Drive to Ashgabat with visit of Bokurdak and Erbent villages on the way. Observe the semi-nomadic traditions that continue to be present in the lifestyles of the local population. Lunch at the local restaurant. Drive to Ashgabat. In Ashgabat visit the Ertogrul Gazi mosque. Visit the cable car on the Kopetdag Mountains. Dinner. Transfer to hotel. Overnight.
Day 12. Breakfast. Transfer to the International airport.
Turkmenistan destinations
4* Hotels
· Hike to the cable car and a traditional dinner in “Darvaza” is additionally provided by our company for free!!!
· Please note that Company has the right to change hotels to the similar according to the availability.
Uzbekistan destinations
4* Hotels
Single Supplement: 210$
What’s included:
Accommodation in hotels (twin/dbl shared), Meals FB: breakfast at the hotels, lunches and dinners at the local restaurants / hotels, services for private A/C car with driver per program, escort English – speaking guide for all days, train ticket Bukhara - Samarkand, entrance fees to sites listed, show program in Bukhara, mineral water 1.0 L per day / per person, visa support.
What’s not included:
International air tickets, tips and gratuities, visa consular fees, porterage, video and photo charges, personal expenses, services not included in the itinerary