Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Adventure

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

4.8 out of 5 based on 4 reviews submitted.
Explorer
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EUR €3,960
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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.

Trip overview

Map of Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Adventure 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
KFSAC
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.

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.

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 Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Adventure including Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

Inclusions

Meals

16 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)

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
Add on 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

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 4 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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Gordon · Traveled May 2024
I have travelled to more countries than the amount of words allowed in this review and I can honestly say this trip gave me an experience showing me a country that was simply extrordinary
Review submitted 28 May 2024

Laura · Traveled May 2024
If you are hesitating about whether to book this trip….. Book it . Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan will be like nothing else you have ever seen. At all times we felt safe , welcome and intrigued. We packed too much stuff. All that’s need is an open mind and kind heart. Laura and Gordon from London
Review submitted 25 May 2024

Ghazala · Traveled August 2023
A wonderful trip, so much to see and do. Locals were truly welcoming and inclusive, leaving with us a lasting memory.
Review submitted 17 Sep 2023

Yee · Traveled August 2023
It took 3 years to finally bring this trip to fruition for me. Thank you to Intrepid Travel for helping me move this trip from 2020 to 2021 to 2022 and then to 2023. It was well worth the wait and the fact I did not give up on hoping this trip would run. Both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan will have a special place in my heart It was more than I had ever expected from these countries. Lochin, you are an amazing leader. Go before it gets super popular.
Review submitted 10 Sep 2023
Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Adventure
From
EUR €3,960