Arrival and check-in: arrive at Ashgabat International Airport with Turkish Airlines at 2:00 AM or other. You’ll be greeted and transferred to hotel for early check-in. Time at leisure.

Accommodation: Hotel in Ashgabat

Meals: B, L, D

After a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, discover Ashgabat, the “City of Love,” renowned for its striking white marble architecture and grand boulevards. Begin at the State Museum of History and Ethnography to explore ancient artifacts, then travel to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Old Nisa, the former capital of the Parthian Empire, set against the scenic Kopetdag Mountains. Visit an impressive complex in Kipchak village to see the biggest mosque of Turkmenistan “the Spiritual Mosque of Turkmenbashi” and “the family mausoleum of the first president”.

Visit the Ashgabat Carpet Museum to discover the artistry and symbolism of Traditional Turkmen carpet making art (included in UNESCO, the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity), from the tiniest keychain carpet to the world’s largest handmade masterpiece.

Accommodation: Hotel in Ashgabat

Meals: B, L, D

In the morning, explore the ruins of the Seyit Jemaleddin Mosque, historically known as the “House of Beauty.” The area, located just 12 km from Ashgabat near modern Anau, is the home to early farming communities of the Anau culture dating back to the 5th millennium BC. Make a short stop near the ruins of Abiverd, once part of medieval Great Khorasan, was a strategic frontier city in a defensive chain.

Then we continue to Mary, observing succession of desert, settlements and fields and encountering numerous “depe”, mounds marking and hiding remnants of former fortified strongholds, caravanserais, watch-towers or country-side estates of wealthy landlords. In the afternoon, we arrive in Mary, the capital of the present-day Mary region and the centre of the Murghab oasis. Rest of the day is free at leisure.

Distance: 350 km | Drive: ~4 hrs.

Accommodation: Hotel in Mary

Meals: B, L, D

After an early breakfast at the hotel, drive northeast from Mary to Margush / Gonurdepe (90 km including 40 km by 4WD) – the largest Bronze Age archaeological complex of Central Asia! The American newspaper ‘Boston Globe’ wrote that before we knew the four oldest centres of the world’s civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China, and due to the fantastic results of the Margiana expedition it is quite possible to think that there was another, the fifth centre. In the afternoon, we drive back to Mary.

En route visit ruins of ancient caravanserai Gobekli and Nestorian church Haroba-Koshuk. Upon arrival in Mary, dinner at the local restaurant.

Distance: 100 km | Drive: ~3 hrs. (one way)

Accommodation: Hotel in Mary

Meals: B, L, D

Breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive 40 minutes to Bayramali.

Today we will have the unforgettable opportunity of visiting Ancient Merv Historical Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site). With the magnificent Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar and the Gyz-Gala fortress, two of Islamic Architecture’s grandest monuments, Merv is by far Turkmenistan’s most recognized heritage site. It impresses with its vast size of over 2,000 ha and comprises of 5 different city-sites from 3 millenniums.

Ancient Merv Historical Park includes ancient cities Erk-Kala and Gyaur-Kala, medieval cities Sultan Kala, Abdullakhan-Kala and Bayramalikhan-Kala, the oldest of still standing corrugated mud-brick palaces – Great and Little Gyz Kalas, mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammad ibn Zaid, and tombs of the Profet’s companions, Askhabs, and some others. After sightseeing we return to Mary for lunch. Before driving back to Ashgabat, visit Mary Regional Museum, Pokrovskaya Russian Orthodox Church and local bazaar. Upon arrival in Ashgabat, dinner at the local restaurant.

Distance: 25 km | Drive: ~40 mins (one way)

Accommodation: Hotel in Ashgabat

Meals: B, L, D

Morning is free at leisure. Late morning: check out, lunch and visit Tolkuchka market, the largest open-air market in Turkmenistan.

After the market, continue toward the Darvaza also known as “The Gates of Hell“, a methane-belching fire pit in the Turkmenistan desert has been spewing fire for decades – but its origin is considered The USSR’s top-secret desert mystery. The journey includes paved highways, uneven asphalt roads, and a short off-road desert section. Arrive in Darvaza by early evening.

• ~160 km of smooth asphalt / ~103 km of uneven asphalt roads / ~7 km of desert off-road terrain
• comfortable 4×4 vehicles (max. 3 passengers per vehicle) to ensure safety and comfort.

Settle into a traditional yurt camp and visit the legendary Darvaza Gas Crater, a massive natural gas crater burning continuously since the 1970s. Enjoy a special dinner with nomad-style kebabs in yurt camp. As night falls, the glowing flames create an unforgettable desert atmosphere.

Distance: 270 km | Drive: ~4 hrs.

Accommodation: Yurt in Darvaza

Meals: B, L, D

Morning: after breakfast, drive 5 hours to reach Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – once a glorious capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire, the biggest Muslim empire of the late 12 – early 13 centuries.

After lunch, explore the city’s architectural and spiritual treasures, including the Mausoleum of Turabek Khanum, Kutlug Timur Minaret, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Kyrk Mollah Mound, Il-Arslan Mausoleum, and the shrines of Najm al-Din al-Kubra and Piryar Vali. These sites reflect centuries of Islamic culture, medieval scholarship, and stunning Seljuk-Khorezmian architecture.

Then, drive to the Turkmen-Uzbek border via Dashoguz. Complete border formalities and cross into Uzbekistan. (Note: after exiting Turkmenistan border use 1 shuttle transfer to get to Uzbekistan border, 4-5 minute drive in neutral zone, the cost of the transfer is $1 per person). The road from the border to Khiva will be one-hour drive (56 km). Transfer to hotel on arrival.

Distance: ~500 km | Drive: ~8 hrs.

Accommodation: Hotel in Khiva

Meals: B, L, D

Full day sightseeing of Khiva: visit Mohammed Amin Khan madrassah – the largest of its kind in the city with a capacity of 250 Islamic students; Kelte Minor (“Short minaret”), Kunya Ark (“Old Fortress”) – the Khiva rulers’ residence. Mahmud Pakhlavan Mausoleum – with its lovely courtyard and stately tilework it is one of the town’s most beautiful spots. After lunch, proceed sightseeing at Islam Khoja madrassah and minaret, Juma Mosque (Friday Mosque).

Visit carpet makers hand-weave silk rugs, fabrics and suzane patterned after Khiva-style majolica tiles, doors and miniature paintings. There’s lots of natural-dyed silk hanging around and you can watch women work the looms inside the local madrassah. The workshop is under UNESCO protection. Continue with Tosh Howli (“Stone House”) – a splendid alternative to the Kunya Ark; Allah Kuli Khan madrassah and caravanserai.

Accommodation: Hotel in Khiva

Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast, explore the ancient city of Bukhara. Begin with the Poi Kalon Ensemble, featuring the Mir-I-Arab Madrassah and the Kalon Minaret, a symbol of the city for 875 years. Visit 3 domed bazaars, which were among dozens of specialized bazaars in the town. Explore the Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, and its nearby madrasahs.

Afternoon: visit Ark Fortress, Bolo Hauz Mosque, the Ismoil Samani Mausoleum, and Chashma Ayub (Spring of Job). In the evening, enjoy dinner with a traditional folk show at Nadir Devon Begi Madrasah, showcasing music, dance, and local cuisine.

Accommodation: Hotel in Bukhara

Meals: B, D

After breakfast, explore the old town. Begin with the Poi Kalon Ensemble, featuring the Mir-I-Arab Madrassah and the Kalon Minaret, a symbol of the city for 875 years. Visit 3 domed bazaars, which were among dozens of specialized bazaars in the town. Visit the silk-weaving center in this late-16th-century building Tim Abdullakhan bazaar, located near Taki-Telpak Furushon Bazaar (a Tim was a general market). Proceed to Magok-I-Atori Mosque – the remains of a Buddhist monastery, a Zoroastrian temple and the mosque of the Arab invaders. Explore the Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, built around in 1620, and its nearby madrasahs.

To the east, the Nadir Divanbegi Madrassah, built on the west side of the square, and built at the same time, is the Nadir Divanbegi Khanaka. North across the street, the Kukeldash Madrassah, once was the biggest Islamic school in Central Asia. After lunch, visit the Ark Fortress – royal town-within-town, as old as Bukhara itself, home to the rulers of Bukhara for over a millennium, Bolo Hauz Mosque (“Mosque Near the Pool”) – the royal court mosque, Ismoil Samani Mausoleum – the town’s oldest building and one of the most elegant structures in Central Asia, and Chashma Ayub (“Spring of Job”). Dinner with folk show at Nadir Devon Begi Madrassa.

Accommodation: Hotel in Samarkand

Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to Shahrisabz (300 km). Upon arrival, transfer to the local restaurant “Kish Mish” for lunch.

In the afternoon, visit Ak Saray (White Palace) – a summer residence of Tamerlane, Kok Gumbaz (Blue dome) – Friday mosque, built by Ulugbek in honor of his father and Dorut Tilyavat (House of Meditation) – burial complex of Timur’s forebears. Explore Crypt of Timur – an underground room, which was discovered in 1963.

Drive to Samarkand, check in at hotel on arrival. Rest of the time is free at leisure.

Distance: 470 km | Drive: ~6 hrs.

Accommodation: Hotel in Samarkand

Meals: B, L, D

Spend the day exploring Samarkand, one of the most beautiful cities of Central Asia. Visit Gur Emir – mausoleum of Timur and the Timurids, Reghistan square – ensemble of majestic madrasahs, Bibi Khanym Mosque – the gigantic congregational mosque, once one of the Islamic world’s biggest mosque, and Siab Market – colorful main farmers’ market.

After lunch, explore to Shakhi Zinda – necropolis of Samarkand rulers and nobles. Visit to Ulugbek Observatory – the remains of an immense astrolabe for observing star position, part of three-storey observatory, Afrasiab ruins and museum.

Accommodation: Hotel in Samarkand

Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Khodja Daniyar Mausoleum (Prophet Daniel or St. Daniel) is situated on the northern side of Afrasiab hill, by the healing spring. Explore “Meros” Craft Center for getting acquainted with traditional and ancient technology of paper making.

After lunch, continue with wine testing at the Museum of Winemaking named after Khovrenko. Transfer to Samarkand Railway Station and take a high-speed train “Afrosiyob” (17:00-19:10). Arrive in Tashkent and accommodate in the hotel. An evening round tour of the capital city including Amir Timur Square, Independence Square with a stop at Alisher Navoi Opera & Ballet Theater – yellow-brick hybrid of classical and Central Asian styles.

Distance: 300 km | Train: ~2 hrs.

Accommodation: Hotel in Tashkent

Meals: B, L, D

Morning: transfer to Tashkent International Airport for your international departure.

Note: late check-out is not included.

Meals: B

NOTE: B – breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner.

Tour price information

Important Accommodation Policy

In the event of government-level events or official delegations requiring priority accommodation, our company reserves the right to substitute the originally confirmed hotel with an alternative property of the same category and comparable standard.