1380 €, 12 Days
In the heart of the Silk road with a visit to the enchanting Samarkand. This journey takes you to places where one still can feel the spirit of times passed long ago, to sense the smell of the camels, to hear the shouts of trading dealers, to experience the life in the desert. During this exciting roundtrip you will pass through the famous cities on the caravans way - Khiva, Buhara and Samarkand. “Everything I had heard about Samarkand is true - at a closer look it is even more beautiful then I have imagined”. These were the words of Alexander the Great when he conquered the city in 329 year B.C. In the dust of the numerous markets on the background of turquoise mosques you can almost see the loaded with silk and other jewels caravans heading West.
Tour Highlights:
♦ Ashgabat - relatively new city with modern and impressive architecture
♦ Khiva - its old part was the first place in Uzbekistan inscribed in UNESCOs World Heritage List
♦ Samarkand - one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world (about 2,500 years old), prospering from its location on the trade route between China and Europe (Silk Road).
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival. Ashgabat
Arrival to Turkmenistan's capital - Ashgabat early in the morning. Accommodation in a hotel and time for rest after the flight. Sighseeing tour in the afternoon - Ertogrul Ghazi mosque, History Museum of Turkmenistan.
Day 2: Ashgabat - Nisa - Asghabat
Today we continue our tour in and around Ashgabat, and visit the ancient Nisa Fortress, dating from 3C BC.
Day 3: Ashgabat - Dashoguz - Khiva
We take an early morning flight to Dashoguz / Tashauz, where we will explore the ancient Kunya Urgench site. Afterwards we cross the border with Uzbekistan and will head towards the historic city of Khiva, where we will overnight.
Day 4: Khiva
The day is devoted to sightseeing tour in Khiva. Overnight in Khiva.
Day 5: Khiva - Bukhara
We follow the ancient route of the caravans through the desert Kazulkum to Bukhara. Accommodation in hotel in Bukhara.
Day 6: Bukhara
Sightseeing tour of Bukhara, which is still considered as the most sacred town in Central Asia. Overnight in Bukhara.
Day 7: Bukhara - Nurota
Transfer to Nurota. Camel Riding in the afternoon. Acconmmodation in traditional yurts in a base camp.
Day 8: Nurota - Samarkand
Drive to Ayder Kul Lake in the morning. In the afternoon: transfer to Samarkand and accommodation at a hotel.
Day 9: Samarkand
Sightseeing in Samarkand. Samarkand is considered to be the oldest city in Central Asia (500 BC). In the city centre, the Registan, the most imposing complex of Central Asia and one of most beautiful of Islam with name meaning "sand square", is still preserved. We will make a sightseeing tour of the city today.
Day 10: Samarkand - Tashkent
Transfer to Tashkent - the biggest city in Central Asia and capital of Uzbekistan. After a devastating earthquake from 1966 the city is rebuild in a Soviet Union style, but here we can also see many ancient landmarks. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 11: Tashkent
We continue our sightseeing tour in the morning. The afternoon is free for exploring Tashkent, shopping, etc.
Day 12: Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure from Tashkent.
Visa: Citizens of most countries need a visa to both countires. Visa to Turkmenistan will be obtained upon arrival at the airport (about 97 USD). Visa to Uzbekistan will be obtained at the Consular Office in Ashgabat (about 65 USD). Bring 4 passport-size photos. When booking the tour, please, provide scanned copies of your passport and a letter from employer proving your place of work.
Recommended travel period of the year: spring, autumn
Good to know: A roundtrip in Uzbekistan can be organized for individual tourists (min. 2 persons) on any date convenient for you. The program can be according to your preferences.
Price Includes:
Accommodation in standard hotels in DBL/ Twin room on B&B basis;
one night in yurt camp with full board - up to 4 people will be accommodated in one yurt
flight ticket Asghabat - Dashoguz
transport according to program
entrance fees in Turkmenistan
local English speaking guides
Invitation letter for Turkmenistan visa
Not Included:
International Flight tickets
visa to Turkmenistan
Migration tax on border -around 14$ pp;
tips,drinks and meals not mentioned in the program
insurance
other personal expenses
fees for taking photos,where required
Please,note that from August 1,2017 there is new tax in Turkmenistan 2 USD per day/ per person ‐ collected at hotels around the country.
Additional Services:
supplement pp at 2 3 people travelling together: 110 EUR
Gallery
Currency fluctuations might cause correction of price at any time.
We recommend that you use a flight by Turkish Airlines, as they have connection both to Ashgabat and Tashkent.
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