Original
Explorer
Tashkent to Ashgabat
11 days • 4.9
5
Excellent
10 reviews
11 days
Start
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Finish
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Trip Code
KFSM
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, 4x4 vehicle, Metro, Taxi, Overnight Train
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights), Yurt Camp (1 night), Overnight Train (1 night), Guest House (1 night)
From £1,954(11 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Explore the UNESCO-protected town of Khiva – steeped in Silk Road history and immortalised in many great tales, this town is as photogenic as it is legendary.
Witness the eternal flames of the Darvaza Crater, aka the 'Gates to Hell' as you camp nearby – one of the strangest, most mesmerising geological oddities on earth.
Stay at a local guesthouse in a rural village in Turkmenistan – a rare opportunity to get up close to local people’s life – and visit a local horse breeder who preserves the precious breed that is the national treasure of Turkmenistan – Akhal-Teke horses.
See the sprawling ruins of Mary, Merv and other ancient kingdoms and contemplate the remnants of empires that once ruled these vast lands.
Learn how Ashgabat rose from the devastation of an earthquake in 1948 and has enjoyed a surreal and futuristic makeover since. Witness its often bizarre, but certainly memorable architecture on a city tour with a local leader who has all the insights.
Is this trip right for you?
There are few places like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan on earth – isolated geographically and long secluded politically, t's probably unlike anywhere you have ever been, so be prepared for things to run a little differently to home. Here's some of what to expect: https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-a-trip-to-turkmenistan/ https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-a-trip-to-turkmenistan/ (https://www.tuuur.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.
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.
There are a couple of nights where rooms will be multi-share and facilities are outside and shared, in the yurt stay and the guesthouse in Nohur Village. The conditions may be modest, but it's a rewarding experience to be somewhere truly unique!
Itinerary
Step off the beaten track and on to the ancient Silk Road
Travel into desert landscapes heavy with mystery on this 11-day journey through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Watch the sunset over technicolour minarets in Khiva, learn about Turkmen rural life with a stay in a secluded mountain village and visit a local horse breeder at his farm to see how he prepares food and cares for his Akhal-Teke horses. Wander through the ancient ruins of the Silk Road in Merv, watch the sunset over ‘The Gates of Hell’ crater and revel in the eastern futurism of Ashgabat. On this trip far away from tourists, you’ll step off the beaten track and wander through ancient lands with local leaders who have all the fascinating insights.
Inclusions
Meals
9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, 4x4 vehicle, Metro, Taxi, Overnight Train
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights), Yurt Camp (1 night), Overnight Train (1 night), Guest House (1 night)
Included activities
Tashkent - Chorsu Bazaar
Tashkent - Khast Imom Complex & Moyie Mubarek Library Museum
Tashkent - Amir Timur Square
Tashkent - City tour
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
Optional activities
Tashkent - Art Gallery of Uzbekistan - UZS50000
Tashkent - Museum of Applied Arts - UZS60000
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is bookable on this trip, excluding Day 2, 5&6. The single supplement is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please note your leader will change at the Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan border
3. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport). Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure.
4. Travel to Turkmenistan requires a Letter of Invitation for visa application. Please see Visa section in the Essential Trip Information for instructions.
Reviews (10)
5 stars
9
4 stars
1
Janice
Apr 29, 2025
This Intrepid tour was outstanding. I did not expect to live the richness of the history and culture that Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan offered. All the locations and activities were well chosen and so informative. Our guides Tilkin (Uzbekistan) and Mekan (Turkmenistan) were such ambassadors for their countries - outstanding knowledge of their respective countries/ history/ culture. Can't say enough!
Nick
Oct 11, 2024
Overall I was really impressed with this tour. I haven’t done a lot of group tours but for this part of the world I would highly recommend doing it with Intrepid! The knowledge of the guides was amazing and really gave us an insight into the countries that we were visiting. I will definitely be using intrepid again for other trips.
Marjorie
Jul 22, 2024
The Tashkent to Ashgabat trip was amazing, such a different country with strange rules and many entries in Guinness Book of Records and large monuments. The guide was great and the people we met were very friendly. A country that you really should visit for a different and wonderful experience.
Julie
Jun 19, 2024
A fabulous trip in two very safe countries. Be surprized and awed!
Emma
Jun 09, 2024
I can highly recommend the Tashkent to Ashgabat trip. After visiting Uzbekistan last year and falling in love with it, I had to return to see Khiva and then cross into Turkmenistan. Khiva was beautiful and Turkmenistan was mad. So normal and surreal at the same time! It was fascinating to visit a country that has little written about it and to explore as much as we could. Make sure you apply for your LOI as soon as you book the trip and ensure you receive it before you leave for the trip, and don't bother thinking about social media in Turkmenistan - you won't have it, just enjoy the digital detox. If you have time, I would recommend booking the Uzbekistan Tashkent to Tashkent trip too beforehand as it really is a stunning country.
Marjorie
May 25, 2024
Shukhkrat in Uzbekistan and Ali in Turkmenistan were amazing tour guides---both were very knowledgeable about their countries and easy to talk to---no questions were left unanswered! What an experience-- I would HIGHLY recommend this trip!
Tania
May 05, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. It was long enough to have an understanding of the history of both countries and get to know their beautiful, welcoming people - but short enough that it is a good trip to be part of a bigger central Asian adventure. The sights, food and people are amazing. A memorable adventure.
Laarni
Feb 18, 2024
This was an amazing trip. I was slightly nervous as a solo female traveler but the region was totally safe. Our guides were great and knowledgeable. The places were beautiful. Shukhrat was a great guide. Turkmenistan was a wild card but turned out to be so memorable thanks to our wonderful local guide, Kerwen and team. Helpful Note: bring loads of USD as ATMs were hard to access in Turkmenistan. Also, expect long road trips so come prepared :)
Robert
Oct 18, 2023
Just came back from Turkmenistan, and it was a big adventure. It’s a country like no other. Can only recommend. Ali our leader was awesome!!
Karen
Sep 22, 2024
Very interesting trip as you can't visit Turkmenistan without being on a tour. A good contrast between the 2 countries
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