Tashkent

Arrive in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Check into your hotel and visit Khast Imam Mosque where the world’s oldest Quran is kept. Watch artisans at work in the nearby Barak-Khan Madrassah. Then wander through the lively Chorsu Bazaar filled with spices, fabrics and traditional crafts. This bustling market is a great introduction to Uzbek culture. Tashkent is old and new, the perfect place to start your journey. End the day with a relaxed evening and get ready for the amazing experiences ahead.

Khiva

Fly from Tashkent to Urgench and drive to Khiva, a city stuck in time. Enter Itchan Kala, Khiva’s walled old town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through narrow streets lined with mosques, madrassas and mudbrick houses. Visit the impressive Djuma Mosque with 200 carved wooden pillars. In the evening have dinner at Toza Bog, the former summer palace of Khiva’s last Khan. This day will give you a deep sense of the city’s Persian influenced architecture and centuries old culture, one of Uzbekistan’s most atmospheric places.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Khiva

Darvaza (Door to Hell)

Cross the border into Turkmenistan and visit the ancient site of Kunya-Urgench. Explore the Turabek-Hanum mausoleum and the towering Kutlug Timur minaret, remnants of a once powerful city. Drive into the Karakum Desert to reach the Darvaza gas crater, also known as the “Door to Hell”. As night falls camp nearby in traditional tents and watch the flames light up the desert sky. This natural wonder, glowing with fire and heat, is a great contrast to the history rich cities you’ve seen so far.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Ashgabat

After breakfast at your desert camp continue across the Karakum Desert. Along the way stop at bubbling mud craters and steaming gas vents, otherworldly reminders of the Earth’s power. Arrive in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s capital and check into your hotel. The city known for its white marble buildings and unusual architecture is a big change of pace. Spend the evening relaxing or exploring the city’s wide boulevards and public spaces, taking in a modern capital in the desert.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Ashgabat

Today visit the ruins of ancient Nissa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once a royal Parthian city. Then drive to Ushelye Gorge where you’ll have a scenic picnic surrounded by dramatic cliffs. On the way back to Ashgabat stop at a horse farm to see Akhal Teke horses, famous for their beauty and shimmering coats. In the afternoon visit the National Museum to learn about Turkmenistan’s rich history from early civilisations to modern culture.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Ashgabat

Mary & Merv

Fly to Mary, the gateway to one of Central Asia’s greatest historical sites. From here drive to the ruins of Merv, once a major Silk Road city. Discover the impressive Kyz-Kala fortresses and the elegant Seljuk-era mausoleums. The ancient city was once larger than many European capitals and is a powerful symbol of Turkmenistan’s heritage. Walk through time among these scattered ruins and imagine the caravans that once passed through this desert crossroads.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bukhara

Return to Uzbekistan and drive to Bukhara, one of the Silk Road’s most important cities. On arrival stroll through the old town, starting at Lab-i-Hauz, a peaceful pond surrounded by madrassas and cafes. Visit the towering Po-i-Kalyan minaret and nearby religious buildings. End your walk in Samani Park at the Samanid Mausoleum, one of the oldest surviving monuments in Central Asia. Bukhara’s old-world charm and deep historical roots are the perfect next step in your journey.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bukhara

Today explore Bukhara’s royal side. Visit the Bolo Khauz complex and the summer palace of Sitorai Mokhi Hosa, with its lavish interiors and beautiful gardens. Then visit the Baha-ud-Din Naqshband complex, an important Sufi pilgrimage site. This peaceful location gives insight into the spiritual side of Bukhara. The combination of royal splendour and religious importance makes this day both interesting and memorable, highlighting the depth of Bukhara’s heritage.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bukhara

Samarkand

Drive to Samarkand, stopping en route in Gijduvan, famous for its pottery. Visit a local ceramics workshop to see artisans at work. After lunch continue to Samarkand, one of the Silk Road’s greatest cities. In the afternoon visit the famous Registan Square, framed by three grand madrassas with stunning tilework. Samarkand is a city of legends and today is your first glimpse into its wonders and culture.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Samarkand

Today you’ll see more of Samarkand’s grand monuments. Visit the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, once the largest in the Islamic world. Walk through the atmospheric Shak-i-Zinda necropolis where rows of blue-tiled tombs honour Samarkand’s most revered figures. End the day at the Ulugbek Observatory where medieval astronomers once studied the stars. This day brings together sacred places, scientific discovery and architectural wonders, Samarkand’s unique place in world history.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Samarkand

Start the day at a traditional paper mill that still makes paper by hand using mulberry bark. Then visit the Mausoleum of Daniel, a shared holy site for Muslims, Jews and Christians. In the afternoon explore Siab Bazaar where the sights, sounds and flavours of local life come alive. Try local snacks, meet friendly vendors and shop for souvenirs. This day is a slower pace and a deeper look into Samarkand’s everyday life.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Samarkand

Samarkand

Take a day trip to Shakhrisabz, Tamerlane’s birthplace. Visit the ruins of his grand Ak-Saray Palace where massive brick arches give a glimpse of its former grandeur. Walk around the town to see other historical sites that reflect the life and times of the region’s most famous ruler. Surrounded by green hills Shakhrisabz offers both scenic beauty and historical depth. Return to Samarkand in the evening and relax or take a final stroll around the city.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tashkent

Drive back to Tashkent with a stop in Bakhmal village where they produce cotton honey. Taste this local specialty before continuing to the capital. Spend your last afternoon in Uzbekistan in Tashkent’s museums or do some final shopping at the covered market. This is a good time to get into the city’s rhythm and reflect on your journey. A farewell dinner in one of the city’s top restaurants brings everyone together to celebrate the end of your Central Asian adventure.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tashkent - Departure

After breakfast check out of your hotel and transfer to Tashkent International Airport. As you prepare for your flight take a moment to remember the people, places and experiences of your journey. Whether it was the desert nights, the ancient cities or the local cultures, your trip through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan will stay with you forever.

Meals Included: Breakfast