Tashkent to Ashgabat

11 Days | Step off the beaten track and on to the ancient Silk Road

4.9 out of 5 based on 8 reviews submitted.
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EUR €2,555
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Travel into desert landscapes heavy with mystery on this 11-day journey through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Watch the sunset over technicolour minarets in Khiva, learn about Turkmen rural life with a stay in a secluded mountain village and visit a local horse breeder at his farm to see how he prepares food and cares for his Akhal-Teke horses. Wander through the ancient ruins of the Silk Road in Merv, watch the sunset over ‘The Gates of Hell’ crater and revel in the eastern futurism of Ashgabat. On this trip far away from tourists, you’ll step off the beaten track and wander through ancient lands with local leaders who have all the fascinating insights.

Trip overview

Map of Tashkent To Ashgabat including Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
Start
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Finish
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan
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
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
KFSM
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
  • Explore the UNESCO-protected town of Khiva – steeped in Silk Road history and immortalised in many great tales, this town is as photogenic as it is legendary.
  • Witness the eternal flames of the Darvaza Crater, aka the 'Gates to Hell' as you camp nearby – one of the strangest, most mesmerising geological oddities on earth.
  • Stay at a local guesthouse in a rural village in Turkmenistan – a rare opportunity to get up close to local people’s life – and visit a local horse breeder who preserves the precious breed that is the national treasure of Turkmenistan – Akhal-Teke horses.
  • See the sprawling ruins of Mary, Merv and other ancient kingdoms and contemplate the remnants of empires that once ruled these vast lands.
  • Learn how Ashgabat rose from the devastation of an earthquake in 1948 and has enjoyed a surreal and futuristic makeover since. Witness its often bizarre, but certainly memorable architecture on a city tour with a local leader who has all the insights.

Is this trip right for you?
  • There are few places like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan on earth – isolated geographically and long secluded politically, t's probably unlike anywhere you have ever been, so be prepared 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.
  • 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.
  • There are a couple of nights where rooms will be multi-share and facilities are outside and shared, in the yurt stay and the guesthouse in Nohur Village. The conditions may be modest, but it's a rewarding experience to be somewhere truly unique!

Itinerary

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

Map of Tashkent To Ashgabat including Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, 4x4 vehicle, Metro, Taxi, Overnight Train

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Yurt Camp (1 night), Overnight Train (1 night), Guest House (1 night)

Activities
  • Tashkent - Chorsu Bazaar
  • Tashkent - Khast Imom Complex & Moyie Mubarek Library Museum
  • Tashkent - Amir Timur Square
  • Tashkent - City tour
  • 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
Add on activities
  • Tashkent - State Museum of History of Uzbekistan - UZS50000
  • Tashkent - Art Gallery of Uzbekistan - UZS20000
  • Tashkent - Museum of Applied Arts - UZS25000

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is bookable on this trip, excluding Day 2, 5&6. The single supplement is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please note your leader will change at the Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan border
3. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport). Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure.
4. Travel to Turkmenistan requires a Letter of Invitation for visa application. 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

4.9 out of 5 based on 8 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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Karen · Traveled September 2024
Very interesting trip as you can't visit Turkmenistan without being on a tour. A good contrast between the 2 countries
Review submitted 22 Sep 2024

Marjorie · Traveled June 2024
The Tashkent to Ashgabat trip was amazing, such a different country with strange rules and many entries in Guinness Book of Records and large monuments. The guide was great and the people we met were very friendly. A country that you really should visit for a different and wonderful experience.
Review submitted 22 Jul 2024

Julie · Traveled June 2024
A fabulous trip in two very safe countries. Be surprized and awed!
Review submitted 19 Jun 2024

Emma · Traveled May 2024
I can highly recommend the Tashkent to Ashgabat trip. After visiting Uzbekistan last year and falling in love with it, I had to return to see Khiva and then cross into Turkmenistan. Khiva was beautiful and Turkmenistan was mad. So normal and surreal at the same time! It was fascinating to visit a country that has little written about it and to explore as much as we could. Make sure you apply for your LOI as soon as you book the trip and ensure you receive it before you leave for the trip, and don't bother thinking about social media in Turkmenistan - you won't have it, just enjoy the digital detox. If you have time, I would recommend booking the Uzbekistan Tashkent to Tashkent trip too beforehand as it really is a stunning country.
Review submitted 09 Jun 2024

Marjorie · Traveled April 2024
Shukhkrat in Uzbekistan and Ali in Turkmenistan were amazing tour guides---both were very knowledgeable about their countries and easy to talk to---no questions were left unanswered! What an experience-- I would HIGHLY recommend this trip!
Review submitted 25 May 2024
Tashkent to Ashgabat
From
EUR €2,555