Two Destinations In One Destiny On The Great Silk Road

Arrival in Tashkent international airport at 2:45 am in the morning and get issued Uzbekistan visas at the airport. Meet the driver outside the airport and transfer to hotel for early check‐in.
After breakfast, we start our excursion with the old town, overlooked by low houses of brick and mud, ancient mosques and madrasas (Islamic academies), which seems to have been spared by Soviet planners to show the original appearance of the buildings. It continues with the complex of Hazrat Imams, which includes the Barak Khan madrassah (XVI century), the old mosque Djami (Friday) still in the work, and the mausoleum of Kaffal Chachi ‐ the tomb of a great philosopher, poet and teacher of Islam lived in the tenth century. It 'still a place of pilgrimage for the locals. Then we will stop at the bazaar Charsu, the city's most famous farmer's market and a great place to meet many locals coming from the surrounding countryside dressed in traditional costumes. Finally panoramic tour of the modern city: the Independence Square, the square of Amir Temur, the Theatre Square.
Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Tashkent.

Early breakfast at 6:00 am and transfer to local airport at 6:30 for flight to Nukus (1 h. 45 min). 9:45 am Arrive in Nukus and drive to former fishermen’s town Muynak (200 km, 3 h.), which used to be situated on the shores of Aral Sea.
On the way stop at archaeological complex Mizdakhan. In Muynak have a look at a former port with abandoned ships in the sand – “Cemetery of ships”. Then visit Local History Museum with art exhibits of the Aral Sea history.
In the afternoon return to Nukus. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum. The museum hosts the world's second largest collection of Russian avant‐garde art and exposition of Karakalpak applied arts items. Have a short drive around center of Nukus: see statue of Karakalpak poet Berdakh, Nukus City Hall, and Drama Theatre. Transfer to Khiva. On the way visit the ruins archaeological monuments and fortresses of Ancient Khorezm: Chilpyk Zoroastrian dakhma, Djanbas Kala, Ayaz‐Kala and Toprak‐Kala – the capital of Khorezm dating back to the 3rd century A.D.
Overnight in Khiva.

Breakfast at the hotel. History of Khorezm dates so long back to ancient times that only few civilizations can equal its age. You will see palaces with the rich mosaic, unique beautiful minarets, madrasahs and mosques such as: Kalta‐Minor Minaret (1855), Medrese of Mukhamad Amin‐Khan (XIX), Kunya‐Ark Fortress (1868‐1888), Mausoleum of Pahlavan Makhmud (XVII‐XIX), Mausoleum of Said Alautdin (XIV), Minaret and Mosque of Khodja‐Islam (1908‐1910), Medrese of Shergazi‐Khan (1718‐1720).
Lunch at the local Fish House around the lake where you have the chance of trying fried fish prepared by local chef. Continuation of the fascinating excursion. Karavan‐Saray (XVIII), Tim of Ala‐Kulikhan (XIX), Medrese of Abdulla‐Khan (1865), Palvan‐Darvaza Gate (XIX). Tosh‐Khowli Palace (Harem) (1830‐1836), Dinner.
Overnight in Khiva.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Uzbekistan ‐ Turkmenistan border point. Border formalities on both sides. Meeting group on “Shavat” border and transfer to Dashoguz city where we lead our way to Kunya Urgench. Sightseeing tour of the historical places of "Kunya‐Urgench" as Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh,The monument of Sultan Tekesh is located in south‐eastern part of Kyrk Molla fortress. The sultan reigned here in XII‐XIII centuries. Arslan is a monument located between Dashgala fortress and mausoleum of Tekesh. People call this monument mausoleum of Il Arslan. Mausoleum of Torebeg Hanum. This historical monument, built for the honor of Torebeg Hanum, is located in the north of ancient Gurgench. Minaret of KutlugTimur (XI‐XII centuries) Minaret of Kutlug Timur is located in northern and southern part of minaret of Khoresmshah Tekesh. Lunch. Then driving to Derwaza (300 km). The Derwaza area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 70 metres. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided the best solution was to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today. Locals have dubbed the cavern "The Door to Hell". Sighseeting famous Gas crater.
Dinner. Rest & night in camp near crater. Overnight in Yurts.

Breakfast and drive to Ashgabat (360 km). Ashgabat is the capital of Turkmenistan, it becomes more beautiful and pleases to the eye with its modern achievements of the national architecture. Here you will see that the natural oasis between sands and foot‐ hills are improved by man, urban environment harmoniously interact with the natural land‐scape. Combination of unique architectural buildings, numerous museums, exhibition halls and theaters attracts attention of guests of the capital. Five‐star hotels are at the service of the guests, service of these hotels meets world standards. Hotel accommodation and having lunch at the restaurant. “Nurana”.
One of the major historical and cultural sites inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List is Ancient Nisa. The ruins of the ancient cities of Old and New Nisa lie in the picturesque valley near Baghir settlement located 18 kilometres from Ashgabat. These ruins are a reminder of the Parthian Empire that competed with Great Rome for supremacy in the ancient world by military strength and cultural development. City tour: Old and new Nissa; Ancient capital of Parthian kings; National museum of Ethnography & history; Visiting National Carpet Museum. Route excursion “Ashgabat at night”.
Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast. One of the major historical and cultural sites inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List is Ancient Nisa. The ruins of the ancient cities of Old and New Nisa lie in the picturesque valley near Baghir settlement located 18 kilometres from Ashgabat. These ruins are a reminder of the Parthian Empire that competed with Great Rome for supremacy in the ancient world by military strength and cultural development.
City tour: Old and new Nissa; Ancient capital of Parthian kings; National museum of Ethnography & history; In Nisa the archaeologists found the evidence of the ancient civilization such as coins, priceless ivory rhytons, dishware, pieces of gold and silver jewellery and marble statues, rare specimens of the Parthian wall paintings and stone architectural decorations. These artefacts are exhibited nowadays in the Main Museum of Turkmenistan. Drive to the hotel.
Dinner at the restaurant. Overnight in Ashgabat.

Breakfast at hotel. Meeting tourists. Transfer to the airport of Ashgabat. Domestic flight Ashgabat ‐ Mary. Transfer to the hotel and check‐in. Tour of the Old Merv: Mausoleum of Soltan Sanjar; Big and small Gyz Gala; Merv as for historical value and significance, Ancient Merv is one of the major districts. It is located in the lower riverbed of the Murgab river. Lunch at the local restaurant. Continuation of the tour: The museum of History and Ethnography. Free time.
Dinner. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast driving to Farapborder (around 200 km) Lebap region. Border Passing & Customs formalities. Drive to Bukhara. Bukhara, most likely paid attention to the strange "shaggy hats" on the top of minarets. These are storks` nests. And the white bird of hope can serve as a city's symbol, symbol of its firmness and stability. More than once throughout its history this rich city suffered the invasions of various enemies. The most devastating invasion was that of Mongols. But each time Bukhara revived and which is more. It always revived on the same place as if keeping loyalty to its roots. Over centuries the city was a fertile oasis in the valley of the river Zerafshan on the Great Silk Road, the leading center of science and culture.
Hotel accommodation. Free time.
Overnight in Bukhara.

Breakfast at the hotel. We start our tour from the Mausoleum of the Samanids, and architectural jewel of the ninth century, the Mausoleum of Tchashma Ayoub "Source of Job", Mosque Bolo Khaouz "mosque over the bath," the Citadel Ark the heart of the old town, was the official residence of the rulers of Bukhara. Lunch.
Then we continue our tour from the Kalon Complex occupies a central part of the city of Bukhara with its impressive Kalon Minaret of the twelfth century, Poi‐Kalyan Complex including: Minaret of Kalyan (XII), Medrese of Mir‐Arab (XVI), Kalyan Mosque (XV), The Old Covered Market (Bazaar) belong to civil architecture of the sixteenth century Taki Zargaron (jewelers), Taki Telpakfurushon (hatters), Taki Sarrafon (currency exchange), the Jews of Bukhara. The Madrasse twins: the Madrassa of Ulugbek and that of Abdoulaziz and Tchor Minor '4 minarets "a small madrasa with four minarets strange architecture, the complex Lyabi Khauz (XVI‐XVII) with Khanaka and Madrassa N. Devon Beghi, the Madrassa Kukeldash, Demonstration of silk production and materials, Chor‐Minor Medrese (1807).
Dinner at Medrese Nadir Devan Begi with folklore show (by request). Overnight in Bukhara.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning transfer to Samarkand via Shakhrisabz (250 km, 3,5 hrs). Shakhrisabz – Tamerlane’s Hometown. Shakhrisabz is one of the most beautiful and colorful Uzbekistan cities, which is located 90 km south of Samarkand. Lunch. Excursion program over Shahrisabz: Visit Mausoleum of Jakhongir in Dor‐us Saodat Memorial Complex, remains of Ak‐Saray Palace, Dor‐ut Tilavat Ensemble with Kok‐Gumbaz Mosque and burial vault of Tamerlane’s father. Driving to Samarkand (90 km, 1,5 hrs). Accommadation in the hotel.
Dinner. Overnight in Samarkand.

Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion program over Samarkand. "The town of Blue domes". The history of Samarkand dates back to 2500 years and more from now landmarks dated back to the times of the Timur’s Dynasty and of the same importance as architectural masterpieces of ancient Egypt, China, India, Greece and Rome. Visiting Ulugbek Observatory and Shakhi‐Zinda Necropolis, Afrosiab Museum. The Afrasiab Museum displays the model of ancient city and fortress walls, pottery, weaponry, coinage, altars and most of all the mural painting of the 7th century. Lunch. Registan Square with the three Madrasse completely covered with tiles and mosaics of lapis lazuli is one of the most extraordinary monuments of Central Asia with the Ulugbek Madrassa, the Sher Dor Madrassa and Tilla Kari Madrassa.
Dinner. Overnight in Samarkand.

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Gur‐Emir Mausoleum, Visiting Bibi ‐ Khanum mosque built by Timur for his favorite wife and world famous Siyab Bazaar. Siyab Bazaar ‐ the city’s biggest and the most ancient market. It welcomes the customers with abundance of fruit and vegetables growing in the fertile of Zarafshan valley. Pyramids of water‐melons and melons, bags with walnuts, seedless raisins and dried apricots, bunches of grapes and alluring piles of figs attract the visitor with sweet tooth. Red apples and sweet‐scented pears lay on counters next to leathery fruits of a pomegranate. The air is fragrant with a strong smell of spices ‐ pepper and saffron, cardamom and nutmeg, zeera (cumin) and caraway seeds. A lot of counters are occupied with a special local delicacy ‐ salty apricot stones baked in ashes. And, of course, a flat bread row offers seventeen kinds of brown Samarkand flat bread for choice. Lunch. 14:00 Transfer to Tashkent (300km). Arrival in Tashkent and check in the hotel.
Dinner. Overnight in Tashkent.

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport for the flight to homeland. With great impressions and unforgettable experiences you will leave home!