Combined Tour to Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan on the Great Silk Road
Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent
Welcome to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in Central Asia. After checking in at your hotel (from noon), meet your guide for a city tour. Visit the Old City and the Khast-Imam complex, home to the world-famous Quran of Caliph Uthman. Explore the Barak-Khan Madrasah, Tillya Sheykh Mosque, and the Mausoleum of Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi. Wander through the bustling Chorsu Bazaar, then take a ride on the Tashkent Metro to the city center. Discover Amir Timur Square, Independence Square, and the Museum of Applied Arts. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 2: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva
Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Urgench. Upon arrival, drive to Khiva, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the ancient Itchan-Kala fortress. Visit the Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rakhimkhan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor Minaret, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Kunya-Ark Citadel, and Islam-Khoja Minaret. Free time in the afternoon.
Day 3: Khiva – Kunya-Urgench – Dashoguz – Ashgabat
Morning departure to the Shavat-Dashoguz border checkpoint. After completing border formalities, cross the neutral zone and meet your Turkmen guide. Drive to Kunya-Urgench and explore the Mausoleums of Turabek Khanum, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il-Arslan, and Najmuddin-Kubra, as well as the Kutlug-Timur Minaret and Kyrk Molla Hill. In the afternoon, transfer to Dashoguz Airport for an evening flight to Ashgabat. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Day 4: Ashgabat
Explore Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, renowned for its white-marble architecture. Visit the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Nisa and the impressive Spiritual Mosque. Discover the National Museum of History and the Monument of Neutrality. In the afternoon, visit the “Bedev” hippodrome stables to admire the famous Akhal-Teke horses, a national treasure of Turkmenistan. Continue the tour with stops at Presidential Square, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, and the newly built Independence Park.
Day 5: Ashgabat – Mary – Merv – Turkmenabat
Take a morning flight to Mary, then drive to Merv, an ancient Silk Road city and major trade hub. Explore its historical park, featuring the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, the Large and Small Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Gyaur Gala, Keshk Fortress, and more. In the afternoon, drive to Turkmenabat.
Day 6: Turkmenabat – Bukhara
In the morning, transfer to the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border. After completing border formalities, continue to Bukhara. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and enjoy free time in the Old City.
Day 7: Bukhara
Enjoy a guided walking tour of Bukhara’s Old City, one of the most captivating Silk Road cities. Visit the Lyabi-Khauz Complex, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, and traditional trading domes. Explore the Kalyan Mosque and Minaret, Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasahs, the Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, the Mausoleum of the Samanid Dynasty, and Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum.
Day 8: Bukhara – Samarkand
Continue sightseeing with visits to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, followed by Bakhouddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum and the Chor-Bakr Necropolis. In the afternoon, depart for Samarkand, stopping en route at the 11th-century Rabat-i-Malik Caravanserai. Arrive in Samarkand in the late afternoon and check in at the hotel. Overnight in Samarkand.
Day 9: Samarkand
Meet your guide for a full-day sightseeing tour of Samarkand. Visit the breathtaking Registan Square, the remains of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, and the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of Tamerlane. Overnight in Samarkand.
Day 10: Samarkand – Tashkent
Continue your city tour with a visit to the Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then, head to Konigil village to learn about the traditional process of making Samarkand paper from mulberry trees. Enjoy some free time with a private car and driver at your disposal. At 16:00, transfer to the railway station for the high-speed “Afrosiyob” train to Tashkent (17:00–19:10). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 11: Tashkent – Departure
Check out from the hotel at noon and enjoy free time until your transfer to Tashkent International Airport for departure.
