Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Adventure

19 days4.86 reviews
Explorer
From
AUD $6,345

Step off the beaten track and onto the ancient Silk Road on a revolutionary adventure

Travel into desert landscapes heavy with mysticism on this 19-day adventure through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Walk in the shadows of ancient, blue-tiled buildings in Samarkand, tap into the local way of living with home stays and yurt stays, watch the sun set over technicolour minarets in Khiva, toast to the eternal fire at Darvaza Crater and revel in the eastern-futurism of Ashgabat. Step off the beaten track and onto the ancient Silk Road in this revelatory tour through ancient lands.

Map of Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Adventure including Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
Trip code: KFSAC
Start
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
End
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Destinations
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan
Meals
17 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners
Transport
High speed train, Private vehicle, 4x4 vehicle, Overnight Train, Metro, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (13 nights), Yurt Camp (2 night), Homestay (2 night), Overnight Train (1 night)
Days
19
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Ages
Min 15
Theme
Every trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
Explorer
Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Original
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip

Take an incredible journey through parts of Central Asia that few people can find on a map, let alone have considered travelling to!

Discover the history of the Silk Road – see the much-photographed Registan in Samarkand (one of the true pinnacles of Islamic architecture), spend time in World Heritage-listed Bukhara (a 6th-century city), visit the UNESCO-protected town of Khiva and explore the sprawling ruins of Mary.

Witness the eternal flames of the Darvaza Crater, aka the 'Door to Hell' as you camp in isolated desert – this is one of the strangest, most mesmerising geological oddities on earth. Spend the evening warming yourself by the fire and sleeping in a yurt overlooking the crater.

Get to know the stories and people of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan while sharing home-cooked meals with local families, including a home stay in the remote Nuratau Mountains in Uzbekistan and a rare chance to stay with a Turkmen family in Nohur village.

Learn how Ashgabat rose from the devastation of an earthquake in 1948 and witness its often bizarre, but certainly memorable architecture on a city tour.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Itinerary

Map of Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Adventure including Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

Inclusions and activities

Meals

17 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

High speed train, Private vehicle, 4x4 vehicle, Overnight Train, Metro, Taxi

Accommodation

Hotel (13 nights), Yurt Camp (2 night), Homestay (2 night), Overnight Train (1 night)

Included activities
  • Bukhara - Ismail Samani Mausoleum
  • Bukhara - Ark Fortress
  • Bukhara - Bolo Hauz Mosque
  • Bukhara - Magoki Attori Mosque
  • Bukhara - Kalon Minaret & Mosque
  • Bukhara - Ulugbek Madrasa
  • Bukhara - Lyabi-Hauz Plaza
  • Gijduvan - Ceramics workshop
  • Nuratau - village visit
  • Nuratau Mountains - Plov cooking demonstration & dinner
  • Samarkand - Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
  • Samarkand - Registan Square
  • Samarkand - Shakh-I-Zinda
  • Samarkand - Bibi-Khanym Mosque
  • Tashkent - Chorsu Bazaar
  • Tashkent - City tour
  • Tashkent - Amir Timur Square
  • Tashkent - Khast Imom Complex & Moyie Mubarek Library Museum
  • Tashkent - Metro tour
  • Khiva - Islom Hoja Minaret & Medressa
  • Khiva - Juma Mosque
  • Khiva - Tosh-Hovli Palace
  • Khiva - Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum
  • Khiva - Kuhna Ark
  • Darvaza - "Door to Hell" Crater
  • Yerbent - Village visit
  • Nohur - Village walking tour
  • Geokdepe - Horse breeder visit with bread & snack cooking demostration
  • Ashgabat - Anau ruins
  • Ashgabat - Neutrality Arch
  • Ashgabat - Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
  • Ashgabat - City tour
  • Ashgabat - Nisa ruins
  • Ashgabat - Russian Bazaar
  • Merv - Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum
  • Merv - Erk Kala & Gayur Kala
  • Merv - Big & Small Kizkala
  • Mary - City tour

Optional activities
  • Bukhara - Fayzulla Khojaev House - UZS20000
  • Bukhara - Sitorai Mohi Hosa Palace - UZS40000
  • Bukhara - Hammam Bozori Kord - UZS400000
  • Bukhara - Folklore & Fashion show - UZS70000
  • Bukhara - Zindon - UZS20000
  • Samarkand - Ulugbek's Observatory - UZS30000
  • Samarkand - Tomb of Daniyar - UZS25000
  • Samarkand - Afrosiab Museum - UZS30000
  • Samarkand - Siob Bazaar - Free
  • Tashkent - State Museum of History of Uzbekistan - UZS50000
  • Tashkent - Museum of Applied Arts - UZS25000
  • Tashkent - Art Gallery of Uzbekistan - UZS20000
  • Tashkent - Khast Imom Complex & Moyie Mubarek Library Museum - UZS40000

Is this trip right for you?

  • There are few places like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan on earth - isolated geographically and long secluded politically. It's probably unlike anywhere you have ever been, so be prepared to be surprised and for things to run a little differently to home. Here's some of what to expect: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-a-trip-to-turkmenistan/
  • Tourism is strictly controlled in Turkmenistan, with Letters of Invitation needed in advance in order to apply for your visa (which you can then get on arrival) and guides tending to be protective of what tourists see and fiercely proud of their nation and its leaders. Those used to more freedom of exploration and tour guides with a more global perspective may find their experience here different from in other destinations.
  • Accommodation may on occasion be more basic than what you are used to in homestays, guesthouses and yurt stay. Shower and toilet facilities will be limited and shared in some places. While the comfort level won't always be high, the rewards of living in true local style in this far-out part of the world are immeasurable.
  • As there are a number of long travel days, plenty of time spent on your feet and days can be hot and dusty you'll need excellent general health and fitness to get the most out if this trip.
  • This trip is a combination of two trips. Please review the Itinerary for details of when your fellow travellers and leader will change.

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 4 (Yurt) / Day 5 (Homestay), Day 10 (Overnight train), Day 13 (Yurt) & Day 14 (Guest house) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 60 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
3. Travel to Turkmenistan requires a Letter of Invitation. Please see Visa section in the Essential Trip Information for instructions.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 6 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Jasmine · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 03 Nov 2024

Tony · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 23 Oct 2024

Gordon · Traveled May 2024
Review submitted 28 May 2024

Laura · Traveled May 2024
Review submitted 25 May 2024

Ghazala · Traveled August 2023
Review submitted 17 Sep 2023
Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Adventure
From
AUD $6,345