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Istanbul to Ulaanbaatar Overview

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‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

See Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan as you travel from Istanbul to Ulaanbaatar

Two massive continents, eight countries and one massive overland adventure - Istanbul to Ulaanbaatar really is the trip of a lifetime. Travel along pathways that were once trodden by some of history’s most influential rulers, from the ancient yet highly sophisticated Persians to Alexander the Great and the fearsome armies of Genghis Khan. Beginning in the spice-scented bazaars of Istanbul, this trip follows the legendary Silk Road through holy lands, remote mountain villages and cultured cities including lively Tehran, futuristic Ashgabat, sacred Samarkand and hedonistic Beijing, before crossing the mysterious Mongolian plains. Perfect for travellers wanting to get under the skin of Central Asia, this is the most extensive, off the beaten track, overland experience you will come across.

  • Climb deserted sections of the Great Wall of China
  • Discover the romance of the Silk Road in Samarkand
  • See the army of Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an
  • Travel to Tehran and explore the hidden delights of Iran's capital
  • Visit Istanbul and tour the Blue Mosque
  • Visit Kyrgyzstan’s epic Song Kol Lake
  • Walk through Uzbekistan’s historic city of Bukhara
  • Wander through Beijing’s’ Forbidden City

Istanbul to Ulaanbaatar Summary

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Days 1-2 Istanbul

Welcome to incredible Istanbul! Have your fortune told in the Taksim, bargain up a storm in the Grand Bazaar or admire the imposing Blue Mosque.

Day 3 Tuz Golu/Bush Camp

Visit Turkey's salt lake, Tuz Golo, which provides 63% of Turkey's salt. Bush camp in the evening.

Days 4-5 Goreme

Discover Cappadocia's Goreme Valley and underground troglodyte cities, fairy chimneys and caves.

Days 6-7 Bush Camp

Travel overland into Eastern Turkey via ancient trade routes. Camp under skies that have been gazed at for centuries by fellow travellers.

Day 8 Dogubeyazit

The town of Dogubayazit is at the foot of Mount Ararat, reportedly where Noah's Ark came to rest after The Flood.

Day 9 Kandovan

Enjoy the first night in Iran at Kandovan, an ancient village of caves built into the volcanic rock - and where locals still live.

Day 10 Zanjan

Explore Zanjan's delightful bazaar and check out the beautiful handicrafts on sale here - perhaps answer the question: does a handcrafted rug fit in a backpack?

Days 11-12 Tehran

Travel to Tehran and be awed by this vibrant city where ancient meets modern. There is plenty of time here to explore the incredible Golestan Palace.

Days 13-15 Esfahan

Spend three days in this breathtaking city and take time trawling the souqs, bazaars, beautiful squares and blue-tiled Mosques of Esfahan.

Days 16-17 Persepolis/Shiraz

Explore the ancient ruins of Persepolis, Persia, and visit the stunning Islamic Shiraz - discovering its impressive citadel and mosques.

Day 18 Zein-o-din Caravanserai

Feel transported back in time while staying in a traditional caravanserai in the Dasht-e Lut desert.

Days 19-20 Yazd

Wind through the old city of Yazd - reputedly one of the oldest towns in the world.

Day 21 Dasht-e Kavir Desert/Khoor

Travel through the Dasht-e Kavir Desert, which lies in the middle of the Iranian plateau, to the tranquil oasis of Khoor.

Day 22 Damghan

Explore Iran's oldest surviving mosque - dating back to the 1st century - in Damghan.

Day 23 Shirvan

Relax by Shirvan's Atrak River, which gives this small town a lush and peaceful feel.

Days 24-25 Ashgabat

Say goodbye to Iran and travel into Turkmenistan. Conclude the adventure among the futuristic architecture of Ashgabat.

Day 26 Darvaza

Sleep under the stars in the Karakum Desert. See the spectacular fires of the Darvaza Gas Crater.

Day 27 Bush Camp

Continue the Overland journey through the Karakum Desert, and take in the parched landscape of Asia's hottest desert.

Days 28-29 Khiva

Gaze up at the ancient walls surrounding Khiva and imagine how they once provided sanctuary for weary Silk Road travellers. Explore the historic and perfectly preserved Old Town, beautifully decorated in classic turquoise tiles.

Days 30-32 Bukhara

Get to know Central Asia's holiest city, where the combination of buildings spanning a thousand years and a thoroughly lived-in Old Town help create the awe-inspiring atmosphere.

Day 33 Nurata

Spend a night in a yurt camp with the local nomads, sleeping among the dunes of the Kyzylkhum Desert.

Days 34-36 Samarkand

Travel to one of Central Asia's most magical cities, Uzbekistan’s Samarkand. Discover the romance of the Silk Road in this perfectly preserved city full of exotic architecture and majestic buildings.

Days 37-39 Tashkent

Continue your adventure in the most modern of Uzbekistan’s cities. Visit Tashkent’s thriving Chorsu Bazaar to pick up Soviet-style souvenirs and admire the ornately decorated Kukeldash Medressa.

Days 40-41 Zhabagly-Aksu National Park

Make tracks into Kazakhstan and enjoy a night with a local family in Zhabagly before exploring the grasslands of Asku National Park. Kazakhstan's oldest national park is a scenic wonderland full of mountain lakes, rivers and glaciers, plus all sorts of unusual flora and fauna.

Day 42 Bishkek

Soak up the relaxed charm of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's capital. Wander through its wide streets and admire its wealth of handsome houses.

Days 43-44 Chong Kemin National Park

Set off on a leisurely hike along Chong Kemin River - or if feeling adventurous, perhaps tackle one of the tough 4000 m passes.

Day 45 Cholpon Ata/Issyk-kul Lake

Head to Cholpon Ata, nestled on the shores of the vast and beautiful Issyk-Kul Lake.

Day 46 Karakol

Discover the remote, picturesque town of Karakol, complete with quaint tree-lined streets and colonial houses.

Days 47-48 Djety Oguz Valley

Admire the lofty sandstone cliffs in Djety Oguz Valley.

Day 49 Kochkor

Mingle with friendly locals and relish Kyrgyz hospitality while enjoying a homestay in Kochkor.
View full itinerary

What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Istanbul, Turkey

  • Finish:

    Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

  • Group size:

    Min 4 , Max 19

  • Ages:

    Min 18

  • Meals:

    All meals when camping

  • Accommodation:

    Bush camp (no facilities) (18 nts), Camping (with facilities) (17 nts), Cave house (1 nt), Guesthouse (4 nts), Homestay (2 nts), Hostel (2 nts), Hotel (59 nts), Yurt (11 nts)

  • Transport:

    Overland vehicle

  • Included activities:

    Ali Qapu Palace, Animal market, Bisu Shanzhuang, Black Dragon Temple, Bukhara - Guided walking tour, Chinggis Khan Monument, Erdene Zuu Monastery Entrance, Esfahan walking tour, Forbidden City Tour, Fort & Wall Entrance Jiayuguan, Great Wall, Entrance, Jinshanling section, Beijing, Guided tour of ancient ruins of Persepolis, Guided Tour of Cappadocia, Guided Tour of Terracotta Warriors, Guided visits to Bibi Hanum Mosque & Shakh-I-Zinda, Registan Square & Tamerlane's Tomb, Guided walking tour, Hanging Monastery, Entrance, Datong, Hike to Tuvkhon Monastery, Hiking, Iman Mosque entrance and guided tour, Ishak Pasha Palace, Jameh Mosque, Kochkor - Women's Felt Co-op, Kultigen monument, Ongii Monastery Ruins, Puning Temple, entrance,, Regional Museum, Revolution Museum & Headquarters site, Sunday Market, Taihui Temple Cluster, Tehran walking tour, Turkish Museum, Visit Baga Gazryn Chuluu, Visit Bayan Zag, Visit to ancient ruined city, Visit to Lake Tuz, Visit to old city ruins, Visit to the Takhi (wild horse) reintroduction project, Visit to waterfalls, Visit to Yolin Am Ice Canyon, Yunguang Grottos, Entrance, Datong

  • Notes:

    1. Please note that this trip requires minimum numbers to depart, and may be cancelled up until 56 days prior to departure. The places showing on the dates and availability page are an indication only so please contact Intrepid to check if your preferred date will depart before making any final arrangements, such as booking non-changeable flights.
    2. Due to a British government travel warning, from September 2012 this itinerary will no longer be able to visit Iran. It will instead travel from Turkey to Georgia and then through Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan. Passengers already booked to travel in 2012 have been notified. The new itinerary for 2013 will be published by November.
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About China , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Mongolia , Turkey , Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan , Iran

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‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

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