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Ashgabat to Istanbul Overview

    • 26
    • KDVEC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $2,155
      CAD $2,165
      AUD $2,095
      EUR €1,680
      GBP £1,305
      NZD $2,685
      ZAR R16,735
      CHF FR1,940
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $1,070
      ‡
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $3,225*
      CAD $3,203*
      AUD $3,118*
      EUR €2,426*
      GBP £1,957*
      NZD $3,969*
      ZAR R24,176*
      CHF FR2,786*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Explorer, Overland
    • Basix
Book
‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

Trip Validity

  • 2013-01-01 - 2013-12-31

Get up close and personal with some of Europe and Asia's most off the beaten track adventures on this overland odyssey through Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia. With 1.77 million years of human history under their belts, landscapes that stretch from snowcapped hills to the honeycombed domes of Cappadocia and cities that are chock full of Roman, Ottoman, Islamic and Soviet influences, this region holds more than a few surprises for even the most seasoned traveller. With barely any tourists in site, cross the Capsian Sea in a ferry and head toward the cosmopolitan city of Baku, the quaint villages of Georgia, the regal architecture of Tbilisi, visit the birthplace of Stalin and sip tea on the Black Sea coast. Then it's off to Turkey, where ancient underground cities, remote monasteries and soulful cities are the order of the day. When it comes to one-of-a-kind adventures, they don't come much more wonderful than this mind-challengeing, eye opening adventure.

  • -Get caught up in the charm of Istanbul

Ashgabat to Istanbul Summary

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Days 1-2 Ashgabat

Begin the adventure in the fantastic, futuristic, and slightly outrageous city of Ashgabat. Learn about how a giant earthquake forever altered both the the psyche of the city's inhabitants and the landscape itself, before browsing the Sunday Market for carpets, jewellery or ex-soviet artefacts.

Day 3 Geok Tepe

Travel to the spectacular Kow Ata underground lake. Take a walk around - and perhaps dip a foot into - the incongruously warm waters before continuing on and making camp for the night.

Day 4 Turkmenbashi

Day 5 Overnight Ferry

Continue the adventure by boarding an overnight freight ferry and travelling across the Caspian sea toward Azerbaijan. Rusty, rugged but full of memorable moments, this intrepid experience is grassroots adventuring at it's finest

Days 6-8 Baku

Explore Azerbaijan's rapidly evolving capital. Stroll the Old Town for a hint of the regions medieval past, check out the cosmopolitan cafe culture and be romanced by the leafy parks on the seaside promenade.

Day 9 Gobustan

Drop by the geologically themed town of Gobustan, known for it's rock art and mud volcanoes.

Day 10 Sheki

Continue to the cobblestone streets and forested hills of Sheki. Explore the exquisite Khan's Palace and the Museum of History for a solid dose of Silk Rd heritage.

Day 11 Bush Camp

Cross the border into Georgia and get acquainted by the lush surrounds of the Alazani valley.

Days 12-13 Telavi

Enter into Georgia's famed wine country and spend two days exploring the vineyard clad town of Talavi. Sample unique local drops, and keep an eye out for local traditions such as grape harvests and the keipi (banquet). Then, work off all that wine-tasting by taking a walk to the sixth century Shaumta Monastery, which is beautifully located on an isolated forest hilltop.

Days 14-15 Tbilisi

Tsbilisi is one of Europe's most regal, yet largely under appreciated cities. Spend free time perusing the fine architecture, and perhaps climb to the top of Narikala Fortress for a view over the surrounding hills.

Day 16 Kazbegi

Day 17 Gori

Another day, another glorious set of hillside scenery.With a name meaning 'hill', Gori was the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. History buffs will revel in a chance to visit to the Stalin museum, which houses artefacts that provide an insight into his early life.

Day 18 Kutaisi

Get a dose of Georgian history in Kutasi - one of the oldest cities in the world. Enjoy a guided walk around the ruins of Bragrati Cathedral before getting an unique insight into Georgian life by spending the night at the home of a local family.

Day 19 Batumi

Swap the hills for the Black Sea coast and explore the picturesque port town of Batumi. Perhaps settle in at a riverside cafe and sip a Turkish Coffee while watching the ships go by.

Day 20 Sumela

Cross the border to Turkey and climb into the incredible Sumela Monastry. Nestled high in the cliffs above the evergreen forests and rushing streams of Altindere National Park, this peaceful sanctuary is the perfect place to take some time out and breathe the fresh air of the Turkish countryside.

Day 21 Bush Camp

Continue to Zara and watch the changing landscapes of rural Turkey pass by.

Days 22-23 Goreme

Admire the otherworldly cone formations of Goreme, a truly unique location in the heart of Cappadocia. Perhaps enjoy a guided tour of the network of honeycombed caves that have formed an underground city, complete with churches and dwellings, or take to the skies on a hot air balloon to see this dramatic landscape from above.

Day 24 Bush Camp

Head west toward Istanbul, stopping to make camp for the night in the Turkish countryside.

Days 25-26 Istanbul

Arrive in Istanbul, a city that has for centuries been the crossroads of the East and West. Take in the aromatic smells of the thousands of bazaars that line the streets, browse stunning islamic architecture and see why Istanbul is one of the world's most exotic, invigorating cities.
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What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

  • Finish:

    Istanbul, Turkey

  • Group size:

    Min 4 , Max 21

  • Ages:

    Min 18

  • Meals:

    All meals when camping

  • Accommodation:

    Bush camp (no facilities) (5 nts), Camping (with facilities) (3 nts), Homestay (5 nts), Hostel (1 nt), Hotel (10 nts), Overnight ferry (1 nt)

  • Transport:

    Overland vehicle, Overnight ferry

  • Included activities:

    Baku City Tour, Guided Tour of Cappadocia, Khan's Palace, Kow Ata Underground Lake, Mud Volcanoes, Museum of History, Petroglyphs, Gobustan, Shaumta Monastery/Nunnery, Stalin Museum, Sumela Monastery, Sunday Market, Tsminda Sameba Church

  • Trip price from

    USD $2,155
    CAD $2,165
    AUD $2,095
    EUR €1,680
    GBP £1,305
    NZD $2,685
    ZAR R16,735
    CHF FR1,940
    Price information
  • +

    Kitty

    USD $1,070
    ‡ Price information

  • Total price from

    USD $3,225*
    CAD $3,203*
    AUD $3,118*
    EUR €2,426*
    GBP £1,957*
    NZD $3,969*
    ZAR R24,176*
    CHF FR2,786*
    *     Price information
  • * Refer to booking conditions
  • ‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

  • Per day from:

    USD $124
    CAD $123
    AUD $119
    EUR €93
    GBP £75
    NZD $152
    ZAR R929
    CHF FR107
Book

About Azerbaijan , Georgia , Turkey , Turkmenistan

    • 26
    • KDVEC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $2,155
      CAD $2,165
      AUD $2,095
      EUR €1,680
      GBP £1,305
      NZD $2,685
      ZAR R16,735
      CHF FR1,940
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $1,070
      ‡
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $3,225*
      CAD $3,203*
      AUD $3,118*
      EUR €2,426*
      GBP £1,957*
      NZD $3,969*
      ZAR R24,176*
      CHF FR2,786*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Explorer, Overland
    • Basix
Book
‡ 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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