Original
Explorer
Tashkent to Ashgabat
11 days • 4.9
5
Excellent
circle10 reviews
location_on 11 days
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Start
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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Finish
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
tour
Trip Code
KFSM
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - 12
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Physical Rating
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Meals
9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
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Transport
Private vehicle, 4x4 vehicle, Metro, Taxi, Overnight Train
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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See the sprawling ruins of Mary, Merv and other ancient kingdoms and contemplate the remnants of empires that once ruled these vast lands.
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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?
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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/)
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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.
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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.
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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.
- DAY 1Day 1 • Tashkent
- DAY 2Day 2 • Tashkent / Overnight Train
- DAY 3Day 3 • Khiva
- DAY 4Day 4 • Khiva
- DAY 5Day 5 • Border crossing / Darvaza
- DAY 6Day 6 • Ashgabat / Nohur
- DAY 7Day 7 • Ashgabat
- DAY 8Day 8 • Ashgabat
- DAY 9Day 9 • Merv / Mary
- DAY 10Day 10 • Ashgabat
- DAY 11Day 11 • Ashgabat
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Private vehicle, 4x4 vehicle, Metro, Taxi, Overnight Train
bed Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights), Yurt Camp (1 night), Overnight Train (1 night), Guest House (1 night)
festival Included activities
circleTashkent - Chorsu Bazaar
circleTashkent - Khast Imom Complex & Moyie Mubarek Library Museum
circleTashkent - Amir Timur Square
circleTashkent - City tour
circleTashkent - Metro tour
circleKhiva - Islom Hoja Minaret & Medressa
circleKhiva - Juma Mosque
circleKhiva - Tosh-Hovli Palace
circleKhiva - Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum
circleKhiva - Kuhna Ark
circleDarvaza - "Door to Hell" Crater
circleYerbent - Village visit
circleNohur - Village walking tour
circleGeokdepe - Horse breeder visit with bread & snack cooking demostration
circleAshgabat - Anau ruins
circleAshgabat - Neutrality Arch
circleAshgabat - Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
circleAshgabat - City tour
circleAshgabat - Nisa ruins
circleAshgabat - Russian Bazaar
circleMerv - Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum
circleMerv - Erk Kala & Gayur Kala
circleMerv - Big & Small Kizkala
circleMary - City tour
museum Optional activities
circleTashkent - Art Gallery of Uzbekistan - UZS50000
circleTashkent - Museum of Applied Arts - UZS60000
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Sunday Jun 01, 2025
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Sunday Jun 08, 2025
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 8 spaces left
£2,508£2,006
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Thursday Jun 26, 2025
Sunday Jul 06, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 8 spaces left
£2,442£1,954
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Sunday Aug 10, 2025
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,415
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Sunday Aug 24, 2025
Wednesday Sep 03, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 6 spaces left
£2,475£2,104
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Thursday Aug 28, 2025
Sunday Sep 07, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 9 spaces left
£2,415£2,052
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Sunday Aug 31, 2025
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,415
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Thursday Sep 04, 2025
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 5 spaces left
£2,629£2,498
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Sunday Sep 07, 2025
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,596
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Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Saturday Sep 20, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 1 space left
£2,965£2,816
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Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Wednesday Oct 08, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Thursday Oct 02, 2025
Sunday Oct 12, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 9 spaces left
£2,690£2,555
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Sunday Oct 05, 2025
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Thursday Oct 09, 2025
Sunday Oct 19, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 4 spaces left
£2,778£2,639
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Sunday Oct 12, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 8 spaces left
£2,596£2,466
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Important notes
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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.
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2. Please note your leader will change at the Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan border
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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.
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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
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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!
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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.
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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.
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Julie
Jun 19, 2024
A fabulous trip in two very safe countries. Be surprized and awed!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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 :)
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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!!
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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