Central Asia 5 Stans with Hell’s Gate Derweze – 21 Days Tour

After breakfast, we will depart for the world-famous city of Samarkand, located about 190 miles from Tashkent. Our route passes through the Syrdarya and Jizzakh provinces, and the drive will take around four hours. Upon arrival in Samarkand in the afternoon, we’ll check in to the hotel and enjoy lunch. After a short rest, we’ll begin our sightseeing tour of the city, starting with a visit to the Paper Mill Factory, where we’ll see a demonstration of traditional paper-making from the mulberry tree. Next, we’ll explore the Afrasiyob Museum and Ulugbek’s Observatory—built in 1428–1429 and considered the largest and most advanced observatory of its time in the East. In the evening, we’ll have dinner at a local restaurant, followed by an overnight stay at the hotel in Samarkand.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll spend the entire day exploring the magnificent city of Samarkand. Our tour will begin at the heart of the city — Registan Square, which once played a vital role in the commercial and scientific life of the region. We’ll then visit the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the resting place of the male members of the Timurid dynasty and a true masterpiece of Central Asian architecture.

Next, we’ll head to the Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, located on the northern outskirts of Samarkand, followed by the Bibi-Khanum Mosque, whose construction began in 1399 after Timur’s victorious campaign in India. We’ll also explore Siyob Bazaar, the central market of Samarkand, where we’ll have the chance to taste the city’s famous round bread (non), baked only here.

After a full day of sightseeing, we’ll enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants and return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Samarkand.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll depart from Samarkand and head toward Bukhara. Along the way, we’ll stop to explore the ruins of the medieval monument Caravanserai Rabat-i-Malik. Our journey continues through Gijduvan, where we’ll visit Abdulla’s Pottery House to enjoy a short demonstration of traditional pottery-making and a cup of tea.

Upon arrival in Bukhara, we’ll check in to the hotel and take some time to rest. Later, we’ll visit the Chor Minor monument, one of the city’s most charming landmarks. In the evening, we’ll have dinner at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for an overnight stay in Bukhara.

After breakfast, we’ll spend the entire day exploring the ancient city of Bukhara, one of the most historically rich destinations along the Great Silk Road. Known for its remarkable cultural heritage, Bukhara continues to attract visitors from all over the world.

Our tour begins with a visit to the Samanid Mausoleum, considered one of the finest examples of architecture from the Samanid period (875–999). We’ll then see the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, which, according to legend, is associated with the Prophet Job, followed by the Bolo-Khauz Mosque. Next, we’ll explore the Ark Fortress, the ancient citadel of Bukhara, whose origins date back to the 3rd century B.C.

We’ll continue to the Kalon Complex, which includes the famous minaret, mosque, and madrasa—both of which are still in use today. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Magoki-Attori Mosque and the Ulugbek and Abdulaziz Khan Madrasahs, each representing a unique architectural style of its time.

Our day concludes at one of the most beloved landmarks of Bukhara—the Lyabi-Khauz Complex, built in 1620 by the court dignitary Nodir Devan Begi. In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by a cultural show, before returning to the hotel for an overnight stay in Bukhara.

After breakfast, we’ll continue our second full day of sightseeing in Bukhara, beginning with a visit to the former summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, Said Olimkhan — the Sitora-i-Mokhi-Khosa Palace, which now houses the Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts.

After lunch, we’ll bid farewell to Uzbekistan and head toward the Turkmenistan border, located about an hour and a half’s drive away. Following border formalities, we’ll continue our journey to Mary — a drive of approximately 300 kilometers (around five hours) via Turkmenabat, crossing the vast Karakum Desert, one of the largest deserts in the world, whose name translates as “black sand.” Along the way, we’ll make a few stops to admire the stunning sand dunes and unique bush landscapes of the desert.

Upon arrival in Mary, we’ll check in to the hotel and rest. Dinner will be served at one of the local restaurants, followed by an overnight stay in Mary.

After breakfast, we’ll spend the day exploring Old Merv and Mary, including a visit to the Regional United Museum of Mary, which showcases the region’s rich history and cultural heritage. In the evening, we’ll transfer to Mary Airport for a flight to Ashgabat (18:50–19:30). Upon arrival, we’ll check in to the hotel and stay overnight in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, we’ll begin a full day of sightseeing in Ashgabat. Our morning will start with a visit to the Complex of Monuments of Oguz Han and His Sons, beautifully surrounded by fountains, followed by the Tombs of Turkmenbashy and Old Nissa, the ancient sanctuary of the Parthian kings.

After exploring Old Nissa, we’ll continue to the Monuments of Archabil Shayoly and discover the modern part of Ashgabat, known for its impressive white-marble buildings, monuments, and parks. Highlights include the Health Path of Turkmenbashy, built along the mountains and popular among locals, the Monument of the Constitution, the tallest building in Turkmenistan (about 600 feet), and the “Alem” Culture and Recreation Center.

We’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing our tour in the afternoon. Our next visits include the Museum of Turkmen Carpets, the Park dedicated to Turkmen horses—a symbol of national pride—the Gulistan Bazaar, the Monument to the Victims of the 1948 Earthquake, the Monument of Lenin, and the Ertogrul Gazy Mosque.

In the evening, we’ll have dinner at one of the city’s restaurants, followed by a night tour of Ashgabat, driving along its main streets and stopping near the Palace of Happiness to enjoy the illuminated city views. Overnight stay at a hotel in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, we’ll spend another full day exploring the fascinating city of Ashgabat. Our day will begin with a visit to the city’s famous “Altyn Asyr” Oriental Bazaar and the Jygyldyk Bazaar, one of the largest markets in Central Asia, offering a lively atmosphere and a wide variety of local goods.

Next, we’ll head to the Ashgabat Hippodrome, where we’ll see the world-renowned Akhal-Teke horses—the pride of Turkmenistan. Lunch will be served at one of the local restaurants in Ashgabat.

After lunch, we’ll continue our sightseeing with a visit to the National Museum of History, one of the largest and most impressive museums in Central Asia, offering deep insights into the country’s rich past and cultural heritage. We’ll then visit the Arch of Neutrality, a remarkable rocket- and tripod-shaped monument symbolizing Turkmenistan’s neutral status. Standing over 300 feet tall, it is crowned with a 40-foot rotating golden statue of the country’s first president, Saparmyrat Nyyazow (Turkmenbashy).

We’ll conclude our day with a pleasant walking tour through the Park of Independence, surrounded by hundreds of fountains and statues, with stops to admire the Monument of Independence and the Ruhnama Monument. In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for an overnight stay in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a half-day of sightseeing in Ashgabat. Our morning includes a ride on the cable car to the Mountain Observation Center, known as “Asma Ýoly”, located on the Kopetdag Mountains just outside the city. We’ll also visit several important memorials: the World War II Memorial Complex, monuments dedicated to the Patriotic Wars of the 19th century, and the Monument to the Victims of the 1948 Earthquake, as well as the Ertogrul Gazy Mosque. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Ashgabat.

After lunch, we’ll depart for Derweze, driving approximately 280 km (around five hours) across the vast Karakum Desert in a 4WD vehicle. Along the way, we’ll stop at some of the desert’s typical sand dunes for photos and to enjoy the unique landscapes of the Garagum Desert.

Upon arrival in Derweze, we’ll explore the water- and clay-based craters as well as the flaming gas crater, a spectacular natural phenomenon. Dinner will be served in a picnic-style barbecue, and we’ll spend the night in tents near the flaming crater.

We’ll start the day with a picnic-style breakfast before setting off on a 4WD journey of approximately 300 km (around six hours) across the Karakum Desert to Dashoguz. Along the way, we’ll make several fascinating stops. First, we’ll visit the pilgrimage site “Ashyk Aydyng Pir”, revered by locals from across Turkmenistan and neighboring provinces of Uzbekistan as the patron of musicians and lovers.

Next, we’ll see the ruins of Diyarbekir Gala Fortress (12th–14th centuries), located about 3 km to the north. This site remains largely untouched and unexcavated, offering a rare glimpse into the medieval era. Lunch will be at a local roadside café or restaurant.

After lunch, we’ll continue toward Dashoguz, stopping to explore the ruins of Yzmukshir Fortress (9th–16th centuries), an impressive medieval stronghold and birthplace of the renowned scientist and philologist Al-Zamahshari (11th–12th centuries), known as “Fakhri Khorezm,” the pride of Khorezm.

Following this visit, we’ll complete our drive to Dashoguz, where we’ll check in to the hotel and rest. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant, and we’ll spend the night at the hotel in Dashoguz.

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Koneurgench, the former capital of the Khorezmshahs, for a half-day sightseeing tour of the old city. Highlights include the Portal of the Caravanserai, Mamun Minaret, Il Arslan Mausoleum, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, the Academy of Khorezm, Kutlug Timur Minaret—one of the tallest minarets in Central Asia—and the Turabek Hanum Mausoleum.

After exploring Koneurgench, we’ll drive back toward Dashoguz, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant. From Dashoguz, we’ll transfer to the Dashoguz–Shavat border, located about 10 miles from the city. After completing passport control and customs procedures, we’ll re-enter Uzbekistan and continue our journey to Khiva.

Upon arrival, we’ll check in to the hotel and take some time to rest. Khiva is a captivating city, and a walk through Ichan Kala, its old walled city, offers a vivid insight into life there from ancient times to the present. In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by a cultural show, followed by an overnight stay at the hotel in Khiva.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll spend a full day exploring Khiva. Our tour will include a visit to Ichan Kala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring highlights such as Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, Kalta Minar, Kunya Ark, and Muhammad Rakhimkhan Madrasah.

We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant before continuing our sightseeing. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Islam Khodja Minaret and Madrasah, Djuma Mosque and Minaret, and the Tash Hovli Palace.

After dinner at a local restaurant, we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight back to Tashkent, departing at 20:40 and arriving at 22:10 (subject to change). Upon arrival in Tashkent, we’ll check in to the hotel for an overnight stay and rest.

After an early breakfast at the hotel in Tashkent, we’ll set off on a two-day excursion to Tajikistan. Our journey begins with a drive to the Oybek border checkpoint, where we’ll complete border crossing formalities before continuing on to Khujand.

Upon arrival, we’ll check in to the hotel and take some time to rest after the long drive. In the afternoon, we’ll begin our sightseeing tour of Khujand, the country’s second-largest city and one of its most ancient, founded around 2,300 years ago during the era of Alexander the Great. Located in the fertile Fergana Valley, Khujand flourished for centuries, becoming a center of wealth and culture with grand palaces, mosques, and citadels. The city was later conquered and destroyed by Genghis Khan’s army in the 13th century.

We’ll enjoy a close city tour in the second part of the day, followed by dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by a cultural show. Overnight stay will be in Khujand.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll continue our sightseeing in Khujand, starting with the ancient part of the city. Our tour includes the Timurmalik Fortress, the Archaeology and History Museums, and the Panjshanbe Bazaar, one of the most vibrant and interesting markets in Khujand. Nearby, we’ll also visit the Sheikh Muslihiddin Mosque and Mausoleum as well as the Museum of Archaeology and Restoration.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant before we begin our transfer back to Tashkent. Upon returning to Uzbekistan, we’ll have time to rest at the hotel before the evening program. We’ll enjoy a farewell dinner accompanied by a cultural show, and then return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Tashkent.

Today marks the final day of our tour. After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll arrange your transfer to the airport for your flight home. This concludes the tour.