From Ashgabat to Tashkent: A 13-Day Silk Road Journey

Morning visit to Nisa (UNESCO-listed Parthian ruins). Explore the National Museum of Turkmenistan Afternoon visit to an Akhal-Teke horse farm: Learn about the history of the world-famous breed Watch a live horse-riding demonstration Optional horse-riding experience Overnight at the hotel.

Today flight to Turkmenbashy city (06-20/07-20). The port-city of Turkmenbashi (formerly Krasnovodsk) is the only major port in the entire Central Asia. From the east it is surrounded by low mountains, in the West the city is bordered by the waters of the Caspian Sea. The landscape around the city looks more like a lunar one. The city is a starting point for the majority of excursions to the mountains and small seaside resorts. You will visit fish market. Check-in hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Yangikala Canyon. . Yangykala Canyon is in western Turkmenistan, about 160 kilometers from the Caspian Sea port city of Turkmenbashi. Yangiqala Canyons via Balkan Mountains - Impressive white, green and red limestone formations rise up from the desert sands. These cliffs are the remains of massive coastline and seabed of the pre-historical Parathetys Sea. This surreal landscape is impressive at any time of day, but sunset and sunrise offer particularly spectacular views. The area is reachable only by 4-wheel drive, passing through the Balkan Mountains and a vast highland area where camels, sheep and horses graze. Drive to Gozli Ata mouseleum. The mausoleum of Gozli-ata is situated in the Balkan region in the west of Turkmenistan. It lies 157 kilometers away from Turkmenbashi. The Gozli Ata mausoleum is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Turkmenistan. And the place dedicated to a revered Sufi, Gozli Ata which means All seeing Father. His mausoleum is now a popular place of pilgrimage, especially by young women who ask for fertility and healthy offspring. Overnight in the pilgrim house.

After breakfast drive to Balkanabat city. Visit the Kemal Ata Site. Kemal-ata is a hill in the vicinity of the provincial town of Old Crimea. It contains the remains of some foundations and several tombstones with the names of sheikhs. Kemal-ata is popularly known among the people as the grave of Mamai. Defeated by Dmitry Donskoy in 1380, Mamai fled to Kaffa (Feodosia) where the Genoese promised him to save, but treacherously killed him. It should be noted, however, that the word "mamai" has become in the Old Crimea and its environs, to some extent, a household name: many other hills and mounds are called simply mamai. Drive to Gyzylarbat city. Upon arrival and check-in hotel. Overnight in Chynar hotel.

After breakfast drive to Ashgabat. On the way visit Parau Bibi. Historical evidence indicates that in the XI-XII centuries, the Parawbibi monument was built by the citizens. According to scientific sources, "the word paraw may have come from the Persian word 'feraba', meaning castle." Then visit Nokhur village. Nokhur (also spelled Nokhur or Nohur) is a picturesque village in the mountains of western Turkmenistan, located in the Kopet Dag range, near the border with Iran. It is known for its unique culture, traditions, and stunning natural beauty.Surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and walnut forests. The village are skilled in carpet weaving, embroidery, and traditional jewelry making. Visit Kov Ata underground lake. Welcome to the sulphurous subterranean world of Kowata underground lake. Here is the place that you could never come across elsewhere in Central Asia. It is a brilliant opportunity to rest for a while on the way to the Balkanabat from the Ashgabat. The cave is only 60 km far from Ashgabat. The therapeutic water of the Kowata underground lake includes 38 elements such as iodine, magnesium, iron, bromine, potassium, sodium, sulphate, and others. The lake depth varies from 8 to 14m. Swimming in Kowata underground lake is highly recommended for stricken people to improve blood circulation, help control rheumatism, skin disorder and kidney diseases, and ease the nervous system. The water is naturally heated to about 36°C and recommended swimming time is nearly 20 minutes due to the sulphur. After excursion drive to Ashgabat city. Check-in hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast visit Tolkuchka Bazaar (local market experience) Drive through the Karakum Desert Visit Nomadic Villages en route Arrive at Darvaza Gas Crater before sunset Enjoy a traditional Turkmen barbecue dinner under the stars Overnight in a desert yurta near the crater.

Morning drive to Kunyaurgench Explore UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench, including: Kutlug-Timur Minaret Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum Mausoleum of Turabek Khanum. Transfer to Dashoguz/Shavat border. Arrival to Shavat border, drive to Khiva. Arrival to Khiva and hotel accommodation. Sightseeing tour in Ichan-Qala (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Ichan-Qala is open-air museum. We will visit Muhammad Amin-Khan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor Minaret, Kunya-Ark fortress, Mausoleum of Makhmud Pakhlavan, Tash-Khovli Palace, Friday Mosque, Islam Khodja Ensemble, Madrasah of Khurdjum and Allakuli-Khan. Dinner at the national restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Urgench for morning flight to Bukhara. Sightseeing tour: Sightseeing tour: Samanids Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub (Saint Job’s Source), Ark citadel (residence of Bukhara khans), Lyabi Khauz ensemble, Poi-Kalyan Ensemble (Madrasah and Minaret), Miri-Arab Madrasah, Magoki-Attori Mosque, trading domes. Dinner at the national restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing tour: Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace (the residence of the Emir of Bukhara), Chor-Bakr Necropolis, Memorial complex of Bahouddin Naqshbandi. Transfer to railway station, departure to Tashkent by high-speed train “Afrosiab” at 15.55 p.m. Arrival at 17.25 p.m. Dinner at the national restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing tour: Gur-Emir Mausoleum(tomb of Amir Temur), the main square - Registan: Ulugbeg, Sher-Dor and Tillya-Kari madrasahs, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siab bazaar – oriental market, Observatory of Ulugbeg, Mausoleum of St. Daniel. Transfer to railway station, departure to Tashkent by high-speed train “Afrosiab” at 05.00 p.m. Arrival at 07.10 p.m. Dinner at the national restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing tour: Amir Temur square, Independence Square, Tashkent Metro. Visit old part of city: an architectural complex Hazreti-Imam: Kaffal-Shashi mausoleum, Madrasah of Barak-Khan; Madrasah of Abdulkasym, Chorsu bazaar. Dinner at the national restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Early morning transfer to airport. Flight to Home.