Tashkent to Ashgabat

Xush kelibsiz! Welcome to Tashkent, the largest city in Central Asia. This city blends Russian and Uzbek style, with extravagant mosques that sit alongside modern highways and Soviet monuments. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive in Tashkent with time to spare, maybe take a walk to see some of the contemporary architecture that sets this city apart from other Silk Road destinations.

This morning, embark on a city tour to explore Tashkent. Visit the Amir Timur Square in the city centre and wander the bustling Chorsu Bazaar. An impressive dome tops the main building here and the market sells everything you could imagine, from spices, fresh fruit and confectioneries to hot snacks like samsa (flaky meat pastries) and colourful ceramics. Explore the decorated metro stations, which were only allowed to be photographed from 2018, and the Khast Imom Complex. You’ll have some free time in the afternoon – maybe stock up on some snacks for your overnight train tonight.

Arrive in Khiva in the mid-morning. Many global powers have laid claim to this city over the centuries, from Khans to Silk Road traders and the Soviet Union. Get acquainted with Khiva on a city tour with your leader. See the incredible blue-tiled Kalta Minor Minaret and the Mohammed Amin Khan Madrassah. Explore the Kuhna Ark – the 'citadel within a citadel' that once housed the Khan and his family in the 17th century. Visit the towering Islom Hoja Minaret – the tallest building in Khiva – and explore the Juma Mosque. Wander through the elaborately decorated courtyards connected by winding corridors at the Tosh-Hovli Palace and find a good spot to watch the sunset over this ancient city.

After breakfast, you’ll have a free day to explore Khiva at your own pace. Home to more than 60 cultural sites, medieval mosques and opulent palaces, there is plenty to see and do in this ancient city. Maybe head to one of the many museums, check out the souvenir shops or wander around one of the craft studios. If you’re not sure where to go and what to see, just ask your leader for their suggestions!

Today is a long travel day – this morning, say goodbye to Uzbekistan and cross the border into Turkmenistan. After border formalities, you’ll meet your new leader and continue to Dashoguz. When you arrive, visit a local bazaar and stretch your legs. Then, hop into 4WDs and drive to Darvaza. This village in the middle of the Karakum Desert is famous for the ‘Gates of Hell’ – this gas crater, formally known as the Darvaza Crater, is an astounding 70-m-wide, 30-m-deep pit that’s permanently aflame. Soviet oil prospectors started drilling in 1971 expecting to find oil, and the ground collapsed. Worried about the gas released into the air, they deliberately set the crater on fire to burn off the excess, expecting it to last a few weeks. As you’ll see today, they were wrong, and the crater has been burning ever since. When you arrive, take a walk around the crater and learn about the flora and fauna of the desert. Watch the sunset over the flames from your nearby yurt camp and tuck into a picnic dinner.

Drive to the village of Nohur via Ashgabat today, passing through the desert and into the Kopet Dag Mountains that separate Turkmenistan from Iran. On the way, you’ll stop to stretch your legs and take photos with visits to a mud crater, a water crater and the village of Yerbent. When you arrive in Ashgabat, stop for lunch and change to minibuses for the dusty winding roads to Nohur. When you arrive at your guesthouse in the afternoon, you’ll watch how the locals weave keteni – a spun silk fabric. Maybe take a walk to see the distinctive local graves, marked by the horns of mountain goats, and then along the shepherd’s trails that pass by waterfalls and swimming holes. Tonight, you’ll have a traditional home-cooked dinner prepared by your hosts.

Have a traditional breakfast in the guesthouse this morning, then head out to learn more about the village lifestyle of local Turkmen tribes. You’ll meet with the residents here who are a part of the Nohur ethnic group, who consider themselves to be descendants of Alexander the Great. Wander around the local cemetery, distinctly marked by mountain goat horns, and learn about the peoples’ customs, traditions and spirituality. After, visit Gyz Bibi Cave – a place of local pilgrimage. See an 800-year-old Cynar tree, then say goodbye to the village and head to Ashgabat. Along the way, you’ll visit a local horse breeder’s farm for a cooking demonstration where you’ll see how to prepare baursaki (fried bread). Watch the process of frying the dough in oil, then maybe try it out for yourself! Watch bread being cooked in a tandoor (a mud oven), then sit down with your host to enjoy some of the treats as you learn about his family and his passion for Akhal-Teke horses – this breed of horse is specific to the region and have a reputation for their speed, endurance, intelligence and distinctive metallic sheen. Later, continue to Ashgabat, where you’ll spend the night.

Take a full day to wrap your head around this desert city on an immersive guided tour. First, visit the ancient settlement of Nisa, built in the 3rd century BC. See the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, built to honour those killed in the Battle of Geok Tepe in 1881, in WWII and in the 1948 earthquake. Then, head out of town to the ruins of Anau. The crumbling remains of the 15th-century mosque still attracts the devout, who come to pray and make offerings. Wander the Russian Bazaar to see locals doing their daily shopping and maybe taste some samosas, doner kebabs and sweet melon. See the local Turkmen’s handmade souvenirs and maybe choose something special to bring home. This afternoon, take in the four-pointed minarets of the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque. You’ll then have some free time to relax and recharge before an evening visit to the monuments of Archabil Avenue, including the Neutrality Arch.

Rise and shine for the drive to Mary (pronounced ‘Mah-rih’). The somewhat ostentatious displays of wealth in this city can be traced to the long-running gas and cotton industries. When you arrive, settle into your hotel, then head out to wander through the lively bazaar with your leader. Drive out to Merv, also known as Margiana or Margush, and spend some time exploring Turkmenistan's most recognised site. This sprawling UNESCO World Heritage site is home to numerous walled structures from various periods spread across a 1200-hectare area. See impressive columns smoothed by wind and time at the Great Kyz Kala and walk hills that were once the fortress walls of Erk Kala. While not the most impressive visually, Gyaur Kala dates to 400 BC and has a fascinating history. Spend some time exploring these relics of grand empires, then return to Mary for some free time. Maybe visit the Mary Regional Museum – housed in a palace of white marble, the museum features archaeological displays and exhibitions on traditional Turkmen life and culture.

This morning after breakfast, head out to see the local Orthodox Church and spend some more time wandering around Mary’s city centre before returning to Ashgabat – the ‘City of White Marble’. Arrive in the late afternoon and head out again as the sun goes down to walk along the promenade with your group. Maybe find somewhere for dinner and celebrate your final night on this incredible adventure.

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. If you need help with organising a transfer to the airport, just speak to your leader.