The great oasis cities on the Silk Road in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan (13 Days)

You can devote your first day in Uzbekistan to the sights of the multifaceted capital. You will visit the Khasti Imam Square with the beautiful Barak Khan Medrese, the Tilla Sheikh Mosque and the Kaffal Shashi mausoleum made of simple brickwork. Here you can take a look at the Koran handwritten by the third Caliph Osman (644-656). Continue with a visit to the huge Chorsu Bazaar, whose oriental smells and spices will transport you into the fairy tales of 1001 nights. In the afternoon you will continue your exploration tour in the modern part of the city and visit the Independence Square, Amir Timur Square. In the evening transfer to the airport. You're flying to Urgench. Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Khiva. Overnight in Khiva.

As early as the 6th century, the city emerged on the most important route between east and west. You will explore one of the best preserved cities on the Silk Road. The former capital of the Khiva Khanates from the 17th century has retained the fairytale atmosphere of an ancient, oriental city to this day. The numerous sights of the historic fortress are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will visit the old town of Chiwas-Dschuma Mosque, Medrese Muhammad Amin Khan, Citadel Kochna Ark, Pachlovon-Machmud-Mausoleum, Alakuli Chan-Medrese etc. During the tour you will visit the important craft workshops. Overnight in Khiva.

In the morning drive to the Turkmen border post Schavat-Dasсhogus (60 km, 1 hour). After passport control, cross 1.5 km of the neutral zone (there may be no means of transport). Then meet your Turkmen guide and drive to Kunja-Urgench (100 km, 1 hour 30 minutes). Visit the mausoleums of Turabek Khanum, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Nadschmuddin Kubra, Sultan Ali. Explore the Kutluğ Timur Minaret and Kyrka Molla Mountain. In the afternoon drive to Darwaza to see Darvaza gas crater in the middle of Karakum desert. Overnight in a tent.

Drive to Ashgabat. On the way, stop in the village of Erbent to see the life of the deserted residents. Arriving in Ashgabat, the modern capital of Turkmenistan, recently mentioned in the Guinness Book of Records, features more white marble buildings than any other city in the world. Overnight at hotel.

City tour in Ashgabat - the capital of Turkmenistan. This city has seen a boom in "marble architecture" over the past 15 years. Visit the archaeological monuments of Old Nisa (part of the UNESCO World Heritage List) and the Spiritual Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. Afterwards you will visit the National Museum of History and the Neutrality Monument, Presidents Square, Ertugrul Gazy Mosque and the newly built Independence Park. The intense and interesting excursion includes the Akhalkin racehorse stables and the Lenin monument. Overnight at hotel.

Take the morning flight to Mary (370 km, 40 mins). Upon arrival, drive to Merv (40 km, 30 min.). Merv was a major center for trade in international goods and goods on the Silk Road. Explore the historical park with the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, the Great and Small Gyz Gala, Erk Kala, Gyaur Gala (medieval castles), the Keshk Fortress and other sights. In the evening transfer to the Uzbek-Turkmen border crossing (45 km, 1 hour). Upon arrival at the border crossing, go through customs and passport control on both sides. Cross 1.5 km of the neutral zone (transport may not be available). Meet your driver to drive to Bukhara (100 km, 1 hour 30 minutes). Arrival in Bukhara. Check in to the hotel. Free time in the old town. Overnight at hotel.

You will discover this city as "the pearl of the desert". It is a city along the Silk Road. The city is a true home of Islam in Central Asia that flourished for many centuries. The city is home to hundreds of Islamic schools and crafts of carpets and decorations. You will visit the Samanid mausoleum, Friday mosque, Bolo House, Ark fortress, mosque and minaret Kalon, Madrasa Mir Arab, Madrasa Ulugbek and Abdul-Aziz-Khan, cupola bazaars, etc. The perfect end to a perfect day is the dance performance in a madrasa. Overnight in Bukhara.

Around Bukhara there are other attractions that you should not be hidden. Your guide will let you in on the secrets of the summer palace of the last emir of Bukhara - Sitorai-Mohi-Khosa - and show you the Chor Bakr mausoleum and the Bakhauddin-Nakhshbandi ensemble. This tomb is visited daily by pilgrims and gives you an insight into the living Islam. Finally, you will return to Bukhara again. The rest of the day is up to you. Overnight in Bukhara.

Transfer to Samarkand via Shakhrisabz - birthplace of great Tamerlan (300 km). We visit the "White Palace" (Ak-Saray XIV century), including the impressive remains of the portal offer a unique mosaic decor. Kok Gumbaz Mosque in the fifteenth century, the Gumbazi Seidan mausoleum and above all the Khazrati Imam Mosque are a reminder of the splendor of this city. In the late afternoon transfer through the Serafshan Mountains to Samarkand (100 km). Overnight in Samarkand.

Capital of Tamerlane, the great city of the ancient Sogdiana, lies at the crossroads of the most important trade routes from China, Siberia, Persia and the west. This step alone is an essential point in the journey to understanding the power of the Khan dynasty at that time. Be amazed by these amazing shades of blue over sights such as the famous Bibikhanum Mosque, the Gur-Emir (tomb of the ruler Timur and his descendants) or the famous Registan Square (XV century XVII) that are never indifferent to any traveler. Overnight at hotel.

Today you will visit the Shahi-Zinda necropolis, the old tissue paper factory and the Ulugbek observatory (15th century), which tells the fascinating story of the little son Tamerlane, and have free time or stroll in the oriental bazaar. In the evening you will take the train to Tashkent. Overnight at hotel.

Transfer to the airport in Tashkent. Here we say goodbye to the group. We have unforgettable memories. Flight home.