Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Discoverer
Overview
Highlights
- Join a local family for a cooking class on the classic central asian rice dish - plov
- Stop in the famed ceramics town ofgijduvan and join a ceramics maker for a demonstration of their artform
- Enjoy a full day of guided exploration in tashkent including the outstanding chorsu bazaar - one of asia's oldest markets and a testament to the friendly spirit of the locals
- Steeped in silk road history and immortalised in many a great tale, the unesco-protected town of khiva is as photogenic as it is legendary
- With two full days and an array of included activities in bukhara, there's plenty of time to absorb the magic of central asia's 'holiest city'
- Witness the extraordinary medressas of samarkand's registan. this public square is one of the true pinnacles of islamic architecture
- Dip in the temperate waters of kow-ata, a hidden thermal lake that reaches as far as 60 metres underground
- Explore sprawling silk road ruins of mary, merv and others with a local guide - once testaments to grand empires
- Witness the eternal flames of the darvaza crater, aka the 'door to hell' as you camp nearby – one of the strangest, most mesmerising geological oddities on earth
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Itinerary
Xush kelibsiz! Welcome to Uzbekistan. The largest city in Central Asia with a population of over 2 million, Tashkent is a mix of Russian and Uzbek style, an indication of the fact that for many years it was a key city of the USSR. Extravagant mosques, both ancient and...
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel, then spend a full day exploring Tashkent on a city tour. A highlight is the Chorsu Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest markets in Central Asia. Wandering through this giant marketplace is a fantastic way to see locals going abo...
Transfer to the station this morning and take the 8am high speed “Afrosiab” train to Samarkand (approximately 2 hours). This is a city that evokes the romance of the Silk Road perhaps more than any other. From its foundation in the 5th century BC, Samarkand has been a...
A highlight of this trip is standing on the iconic Registan Square with the three medressas (Ulugbek, Sher Dor and Tilla-Kari) towering over you. The Registan is probably the most recognisable of all Central Asia's monuments. The facades of the two medressas facing th...
Enjoy some free time this morning to relax or have a leisurely walk around and take in the skyline one last time. Then, in the afternoon, drive west to Bukhara (approximately 4 hours). En route you will stop in Gijduvan city, which is famous for its ceramic pottery. T...
A UNESCO-listed site, Bukhara is widely regarded as Central Asia’s holiest city. With more than 100 officially preserved monuments, there is a lot to see. Your extensive sightseeing program here is spread over two days to make the most of your time. With many monument...
Start the second full day of sightseeing in Bukhara on a different note, visiting the city’s trading domes. In the 16th century, under the Shaybanides dynasty, Bukhara was a major trade, craft, and administration centre on the Great Silk Road. The city was famous for ...
Set off early today and drive 450 kilometres to Khiva (approximately 10 hours including photo stops and lunch). Along the way you’ll travel through the Kyzyl-Kum (Red Sands Desert), the largest desert area in Central Asia. It’s long been inhabited by various nomadic p...
Take a full day to explore the city. Khiva is enchanting at dawn, with its empty streets and the palpable weight of thousands of years of history. Perhaps get up early before the day’s sightseeing begins, and enjoy the sunrise. Khiva is beautifully preserved and perfe...
After breakfast this morning continue north along the border to remote Nukus (approximately 4 hours). Drive through farmland, desert, past Zoroastrian towers of silence, and follow along the Amu Darya River to the capital of Karakalpakstan. Nukus sits in the Karakalpa...
Today you will leave Uzbekistan and cross the border into Turkmenistan at Khodjeyli (Xo‘jayli) (approximately 30 minutes). Farewell your Uzbekistan guide and meet your Turkmenistan guide, who will be your leader for the rest of your journey. Continue the short distanc...
This morning is yours to spend relaxing after the tiring last few days. Later, in the early afternoon, you will drive north in a 4x4 to the Darvaza Crater, aka the 'Door to Hell' (approximately 4 hours). Darvaza is an astounding 70-metre-wide hole in the Karakum Deser...
After breakfast at the campsite, it's time to pack up and drive by 4x4 to the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat (approximately 4 hours). On the way you will pass other craters (filled with water and sulphide), then stop in at the small settlement of Yerbent, which gives you...
Start the day with a thorough insight into Turkmenistan with a visit to the National Museum. It’s home to about 500 000 artefacts dedicated to the Bronze Age, Antiquity and Middle Age history of the country. Other sections of the museum include displays of local natur...
Today you will drive to Mary, pronounced 'Mah-rih' (approximately 5 hours). Mary is the capital of the province of the same name, whose history dates back to the 1820s. The town's many signs of opulence can be traced to the long-running local cotton industry. Stop for...
Today you will drive to Merv, (approximately 30–40 minutes), also known as Margiana or Margush. Take some time to explore Turkmenistan's most recognised site, which is now protected by UNESCO. It's a collection of walled towns from various periods spread across a 1,20...
Drive back to Ashgabat today (approximately 5 hours) with a stop for a picnic lunch along the way. On arrival, enjoy some free time to further explore this Persian 'city of love'. The 1948 earthquake affected every family in Ashgabat and is ingrained in the psyche of ...
Leave the city for the stunning Kow Ata, a beautiful lake that goes some 60 metres underground. The temperature of its water sits at around 35°C all year, so it's a great spot for swimming. Be sure to bring your bathers with you. After, visit a horse stable that house...
There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. If you choose to extend your stay here we can assist you with booking additional accommodation.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Peregrine Adventures.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Peregrine Adventures Reviews & Ratings
Other Peregrine Adventures Reviews
Good impression overall
My first trip with this agency, and I will not hesitate to recommend it to friends and family. The right mix of planned activities and free time. Good central locati...
Ruth
Mar 2020
very reasonable
Thank you to Tucan Travel for early cancellation notification of June tours to Africa and the response, which is very reasonable. Even if matters improve by then, ar...
Expect I'm not the only one
they are 'fair weather friends' I did not receive so much as an email advising of changes in the cancellation policy, discovered when I contacted them to cancel. I n...
Tour Operator
It’s been more than 36 years since our first small group set out to discover Nepal. It’s this heritage and our reputation that keeps travellers coming back time and time again.
We appeal to the well-travelled, discerning traveller. The one who chooses value over price, and wants to immerse themselves in a place instead of just ticking landmarks off a bucket list. The type of person who would rather stay in a family run B&B built in a 16th century Venetian convent than a forgettable hotel. We’re for travellers who want inclusions along the way instead of fiddling around for loose change.
Almost 20 years ago, Peregrine led an industry revolution by solely employing locally born leaders. This innovative approach gives our travellers a deeper insight into the countries they visit. Doorways are opened and a true understanding of the place is fostered.
At Peregrine, we travel in intimate groups and take the time to get under the skin of a destination. Of course we all want to see the Taj Mahal in India. But imagine then heading to a remote Rajasthani village and learning about rural life while in the company of locals. Seeing the famous sites is a must, but it’s often the memory of wandering through a small village or sharing dinner with a local family that will leave a lasting impact.
We promise to share our knowledge and expertise with you, and ensure you will come home with stories you will tell for years to come.
Associations
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
Accommodation
Transportation & Flights
Transportation & flights
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations