Original
Explorer
Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Adventure
19 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
circle6 reviews
location_on 19 days
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Start
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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Finish
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
tour
Trip Code
KFSAC
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - 16
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Physical Rating
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Meals
17 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners
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Transport
High speed train, Private vehicle, 4x4 vehicle, Overnight Train, Metro, Taxi
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Accommodation
Hotel (13 nights), Yurt Camp (2 night), Homestay (2 night), Overnight Train (1 night)
From £3,207(19 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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Take an incredible journey through parts of Central Asia that few people can find on a map, let alone have considered travelling to!
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Discover the history of the Silk Road – see the much-photographed Registan in Samarkand (one of the true pinnacles of Islamic architecture), spend time in World Heritage-listed Bukhara (a 6th-century city), visit the UNESCO-protected town of Khiva and explore the sprawling ruins of Mary.
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Witness the eternal flames of the Darvaza Crater, aka the 'Door to Hell' as you camp in isolated desert – this is one of the strangest, most mesmerising geological oddities on earth. Spend the evening warming yourself by the fire and sleeping in a yurt overlooking the crater.
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Get to know the stories and people of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan while sharing home-cooked meals with local families, including a home stay in the remote Nuratau Mountains in Uzbekistan and a rare chance to stay with a Turkmen family in Nohur village.
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Learn how Ashgabat rose from the devastation of an earthquake in 1948 and witness its often bizarre, but certainly memorable architecture on a city tour.
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. It's probably unlike anywhere you have ever been, so be prepared to be surprised and 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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Accommodation may on occasion be more basic than what you are used to in homestays, guesthouses and yurt stay. Shower and toilet facilities will be limited and shared in some places. While the comfort level won't always be high, the rewards of living in true local style in this far-out part of the world are immeasurable.
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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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This trip is a combination of two trips. Please review the Itinerary for details of when your fellow travellers and leader will change.
Itinerary
Step off the beaten track and onto the ancient Silk Road on a revolutionary adventure
Travel into desert landscapes heavy with mysticism on this 19-day adventure through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Walk in the shadows of ancient, blue-tiled buildings in Samarkand, tap into the local way of living with home stays and yurt stays, watch the sun set over technicolour minarets in Khiva, toast to the eternal fire at Darvaza Crater and revel in the eastern-futurism of Ashgabat. Step off the beaten track and onto the ancient Silk Road in this revelatory tour through ancient lands.
- DAY 1Day 1 • Tashkent
- DAY 2Day 2 • Bukhara
- DAY 3Day 3 • Bukhara
- DAY 4Day 4 • Yurt Camp
- DAY 5Day 5 • Nuratau Mountains
- DAY 6Day 6 • Samarkand
- DAY 7Day 7 • Samarkand
- DAY 8Day 8 • Tashkent
- DAY 9Day 9 • Tashkent
- DAY 10Day 10 • Tashkent / Overnight Train
- DAY 11Day 11 • Khiva
- DAY 12Day 12 • Khiva
- DAY 13Day 13 • Border crossing / Darvaza
- DAY 14Day 14 • Ashgabat / Nohur
- DAY 15Day 15 • Ashgabat
- DAY 16Day 16 • Ashgabat
- DAY 17Day 17 • Merv / Mary
- DAY 18Day 18 • Ashgabat
- DAY 19Day 19 • Ashgabat
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
17 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
High speed train, Private vehicle, 4x4 vehicle, Overnight Train, Metro, Taxi
bed Accommodation
Hotel (13 nights), Yurt Camp (2 night), Homestay (2 night), Overnight Train (1 night)
festival Included activities
circleBukhara - Ismail Samani Mausoleum
circleBukhara - Ark Fortress
circleBukhara - Bolo Hauz Mosque
circleBukhara - Magoki Attori Mosque
circleBukhara - Kalon Minaret & Mosque
circleBukhara - Ulugbek Madrasa
circleBukhara - Lyabi-Hauz Plaza
circleGijduvan - Ceramics workshop
circleNuratau - village visit
circleNuratau Mountains - Plov cooking demonstration & dinner
circleSamarkand - Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
circleSamarkand - Registan Square
circleSamarkand - Shakh-I-Zinda
circleSamarkand - Bibi-Khanym Mosque
circleTashkent - Chorsu Bazaar
circleTashkent - City tour
circleTashkent - Amir Timur Square
circleTashkent - Khast Imom Complex & Moyie Mubarek Library Museum
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
circleBukhara - Fayzulla Khojaev House - UZS30000
circleBukhara - Sitorai Mohi Hosa Palace - UZS60000
circleBukhara - Hammam Bozori Kord - UZS400000
circleBukhara - Folklore & Fashion show - UZS70000
circleBukhara - Zindon - UZS20000
circleSamarkand - Ulugbek's Observatory - UZS50000
circleSamarkand - Tomb of Daniyar - UZS50000
circleSamarkand - Afrosiab Museum - UZS60000
circleSamarkand - Siob Bazaar - Free
circleTashkent - Museum of Applied Arts - UZS60000
circleTashkent - Art Gallery of Uzbekistan - UZS50000
circleTashkent - Khast Imom Complex & Moyie Mubarek Library Museum - UZS60000
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Sunday Jul 06, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 8 spaces left
£3,773£3,207
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Saturday Aug 16, 2025
Wednesday Sep 03, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 6 spaces left
£3,856£3,277
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Saturday Aug 23, 2025
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left
£3,746
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Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 5 spaces left
£4,032£3,427
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Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Saturday Sep 20, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 1 space left
£4,510£4,059
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Saturday Sep 20, 2025
Wednesday Oct 08, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - Sold Out
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Sunday Oct 12, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 5 spaces left
£4,120£3,708
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Saturday Sep 27, 2025
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - Sold Out
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Sunday Oct 19, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 4 spaces left
£4,004£3,604
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Saturday Oct 04, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 5 spaces left
£4,197£3,777
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Wednesday Oct 08, 2025
Sunday Oct 26, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 2 spaces left
£4,186£3,767
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Saturday Oct 11, 2025
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 11 spaces left
£4,043
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Saturday Oct 18, 2025
Wednesday Nov 05, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 5 spaces left
£4,120£3,708
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Saturday Apr 04, 2026
Wednesday Apr 22, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left
£3,933
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Saturday Apr 11, 2026
Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left
£3,746
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Important notes
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1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 4 (Yurt) / Day 5 (Homestay), Day 10 (Overnight train), Day 13 (Yurt) & Day 14 (Guest house) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
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2. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 60 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
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3. Travel to Turkmenistan requires a Letter of Invitation. Please see Visa section in the Essential Trip Information for instructions.
Reviews (6)
5 stars
5
4 stars
1
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Jasmine
Nov 03, 2024
A very well organised trip with fantastic tour leaders who were so knowledgeable and obviously passionate about sharing their knowledge (thankyou Shukhrat and Mekan.) Fascinating countries with amazing sights and histories.
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Tony
Oct 23, 2024
This is a 'fully immersive' experience of two important and contrasting countries along the Silk Road. The mix of ancient history, cultures, architecture and antiquities is often intoxicating. The combined impacts of human and natural forces over thousands of years are there for all to see.
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Laura
May 25, 2024
If you are hesitating about whether to book this trip….. Book it . Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan will be like nothing else you have ever seen. At all times we felt safe , welcome and intrigued. We packed too much stuff. All that’s need is an open mind and kind heart. Laura and Gordon from London
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Ghazala
Sep 17, 2023
A wonderful trip, so much to see and do. Locals were truly welcoming and inclusive, leaving with us a lasting memory.
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Yee
Sep 10, 2023
It took 3 years to finally bring this trip to fruition for me. Thank you to Intrepid Travel for helping me move this trip from 2020 to 2021 to 2022 and then to 2023. It was well worth the wait and the fact I did not give up on hoping this trip would run. Both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan will have a special place in my heart It was more than I had ever expected from these countries. Lochin, you are an amazing leader. Go before it gets super popular.
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Gordon
May 28, 2024
I have travelled to more countries than the amount of words allowed in this review and I can honestly say this trip gave me an experience showing me a country that was simply extrordinary