3 Stan Tour Uzbekistan-Tajikistan-Turkmenistan

Uzbekistan

Arrive Tashkent
Upon arrival in Tashkent Airport, you are met and transferred to your pre-booked Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel

Tashkent

In the morning, visit the old town to see Barak Khana Seminary, Tila Shaikh mosque and archives known for the exhibit of a rare copy of Koran written by the third Caliph Othman. Then you go to Chorsu bazaar, Kukeldash Madrassah.
Visiting the ceramic workshop of Akbar and Alisher Rakhimov – this is a unique place, a paradise in the old city part of Tashkent.
Later visit the Museum of Applied Arts, excursion to Mustakillik (Independence) Square, famous Tashkent Metro (underground), Amir Temur square.
Overnight at Hotel

Tadjikistan

Tashkent – Khujand (180 km)
After breakfast transfer to Uzbek-Tajik border
After all the border formalities tajik guide will meet you on the border and you will drive Khujand city. It is the second largest city of Tajikistan. It is situated on the Syr Darya River at the mouth of the Fergana Valley. The population of the city is 149,000. It is also the capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan, now called Sughd. You will visit a Cultural Palace of Khujant. At this place, the first president of Tajikistan was chosen. In addition, we will go to see Central Mosque that is situated in the middle of the city. Next, you will see the way people sewing Atlas. This is one of the largest enterprises in the city of Khujand. “Atlasi Khujand” increases its production capacity through internal orders. This enterprise supplied the market of Tajikistan and the region with high-quality satin.
Overnight at Hotel

Khujand – Penjikent (260 km)

In the morning we will drive to Penjakent via pass Shahriston (3 378 m). The city of Penjakent (“five villages”) is located in Khujand area of Tajikistan in a picturesque Zeravshan river valley. Quite possibly the five villages started the history of this remarkable city which originated in the 5th-8th centuries AD. Penjikent of that time was one of the most important cultural and crafts centers of Sogd. It was even named “Central Asian Pompeii”. It was a superbly fortified well-organized city with a ruler’s palace, two temples, markets, rich dwelling houses decorated with numerous paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods. The ruins of this ancient city were found only in the last century. Today the tourists can see the remains of dwelling houses and office buildings, the citadel with the palace, the house of craftsmen, and fire worshipers church.
Overnight at Hotel

Uzbekistan
Penjakent – 7 Lakes – Uzbek border – Samarkand (110 km)

We will drive today to the Fannsky Gory (Fann Mountains). The road to the lakes goes over pass Shahriston (3 378 m). They are one of Central Asia’s most popular hiking areas. You will do a trip to the Seven Lakes (Marquzor Lakes), about 60 km south of Panjakent. At this place you will have time to go for short hiking. There road goes along a gorge where 7 lakes are located. They are situated on different altitudes and have different colors. Also, you will meet local people that live at that area. It will be very interesting to see their way of life. Then we will drive to Uzbek border.
After crossing the border, drive to Samarkand
Overnight at Hotel

Samarkand

City tour of Samarkand to visit the Shahi-Zinda necropolis, Ulugbek’s observatory, constructed by Ulugbek (Grandson of the Great Amir Temur) in 1428-1429, and the ancient settlement of Afrosiab, which is situated on the spurs of Chupan-Ata hills to the northeast of present-day Samarkand. According to the legend, it was here, on the banks of the river Siab, that the Turanian king and hero Afrosiab, a character of the folk epic ‘Shahnama’, founded the town that became the capital of Sogdiana.
Afternoon see the grandest structure of Amir Temur’s times is the chief Friday Mosque called Bibi-Khanum, Silk Road bazaar and Shahi Zinda necropolis.

Samarkand – Bukhara (300 km)

After breakfast we are heading to Bukhara.
On the way, a visit to the famous dynasty of potters Narzullaevs in Gijduvan. You will hear the history of this amazing family, a fascinating lecture about the process of making Gijduvan ceramics, and you will have the chance to make a jug or cup yourself using a pottery wheel. You will also try Gijduvan kebabs, unique in your taste and famous throughout Uzbekistan, and the owners of the house will tell you about the secrets of their preparation.
Excursion to Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausolem famous Sufi spiritual leader of this region in 14th century. Return to Bukhara to visit Hunarmand UNDP Assisted workshops near Lyabikhauz. We see block printing, metal chasing, suzani embroidery, carving and miniature painting. Gold Embroidery
Visit the Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the summer residence of the former emir of Bukhara.
On arrival transfer to hotel.
Overnight at Hotel

Bukhara

Sightseeing tour of Bukhara : Visit – Lab-i-khauz ensemble, the pool and chaikhana of which is the modern Centre of traditional Uzbekistan: Madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Khanaga, Mogaki Attari mosque, Poi Kalon minaret and mosque, see Madrassahs Aziz Khan and Ulugbek. Visit Ark Fortress, Balakhauz mosque, mausoleum of Ismail Samanid, Chashma Ayub.
We will visit the home workshop of Rakhmon Toshev – he will share with you the secrets of traditional embroidery “Suzanne”; usually women do this, but he inherited it from his grandmother and now passes on his secrets to his relatives and students.
Dinner at Rahmon’s house, where you can enjoy the amazing taste of traditional Bukhara pilaf. Master class on cooking Bukhara pilaf with the owner of the house.
Overnight at Hotel

Turkmenistan

Bukhara – Border Farap – Ancient Merv – Mary (385 km)
After breakfast transfer to Uzbek-Turkmen Border
Meet the guide at Farap border of Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan near Bukhara. After completing arrival, border formalities drive to Mary via Turkmenabat. Before we reach Mary, near Bayram-Ali, the contemporary re-incarnation of and humble suburb of the glorious Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site). One of the major archaeological sites of Central Asia, Merv played an important part in the development of the Silk Road for more than 2 000 years. Within the limits of the archaeological park, which is 1200 ha, we will have a chance to observe all constituent parts of the “wandering city”. A series of adjacent cities, which can be roughly divided into the ancient (Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala), the medieval (Sultan Kala with its suburbs), and post-medieval (Abdulla-Khan Kala and Bayram-Ali-Khan Kala), appeared in the course of time as a token of the natural progress of the city from initial stages of its existence to a more advanced level. Besides remnants of the cities of Merv, we will visit the VI-IX cc. AD forts of Big and Little Kyz-Kalas, excellent examples of the so-called corrugated Koshks; the splendid XII c. mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammed ibn-Zeyd, demonstrating exquisite Seljuk period brickwork and architectural décor. Then we continue to Mary. On arrival in Mary, transfer to Mary hotel.
Overnight at Hotel

Mary – Ashgabat

After breakfast at hotel transfer to airport for flight to Ashgabat (40 min by Boeing 717 or 737). On arrival in Ashgabat, we will have orientation tour of the city. We will see independence period parks and monuments, such as the Monument and Park of Independence (looking like a white-marble “Eiffel Tower” standing in a beautiful park) and a fountain-monument devoted to the 10th anniversary of independence (sculptural depiction of ten Akhal-Tekke horses placed on the top of a beautiful fountain), impressive Ertoghrul Ghazi mosque and others.
Check in to hotel after 13:00.
We will visit the ruins of Old Nisa (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the earliest of the Parthian Empire capitals. Erected on the top an irregular pentagon hill at the foot of the Kopet-Dag Mountains, in atmospheric outskirts of the city, Old Nisa is a beautiful landmark. 14 ha in size, the fort accommodates two semi-excavated complexes of the Parthian period (III c. BC – III c. AD), designated as royal residence and temple complex. Abandoned at the end of the Parthian period, Old Nisa conveyed its functions to New Nisa, another archaeological site located a couple of kilometers to the west, an important medieval Silk Road city.
Overnight at Hotel

Ashgabat – Darvaza (270 km)

Morning free at leisure. Later on, we visit the Camel wool shop displaying and selling exquisite camel wool articles. It is run by a family who are proud to provide explanations and tell interesting stories about this craft, its traditional and contemporary techniques and designs.
Early afternoon travel inland through the Kara Kum desert with its moving sands and sparse vegetation of saksaul, acacia and kandym bushes. Arrive in the village of Bokurdak, located about 100 km from Ashgabat. People here live in village houses made either of unfired brick (excellent for withstanding the extreme temperatures) or in yurts.
Then we drive further north, to Darvaza flaming crater.travel inland through the Kara Kum desert with its moving sands and sparse vegetation of saksaul, acacia and kandym bushes. Arriving at the border between the northern and southern regions of Turkmenistan we turn off the main road for an exciting eight-kilometre desert drive. The drive over, we find ourselves a couple of hundred metres away from the Darvaza flaming crater, which, at daylight, seems more of an ordinary whole in the ground slightly smoked by fire. Having unpacked our vehicles, we go for a walk around the crater, while our drivers occupy themselves with gathering wood, arranging cosy accommodations of tents and sleeping bags, and spreading a “table” on the ground. By the time, we notice the smell of a fire-cooked dinner, the simple whole of the crater turns into what may seem a front door of hell, a fire temple or any other mysteriously spectacular place that a romantic’s imagination may associate with fire. We finish the day tasting delicious nomadic food, pondering over the meaning of life in the serene atmosphere of beautiful evening sky and flickering lights of the “eternal” fire.
Dinner & overnight in tents (wild camping)

Back to Uzbekistan

Darvaza – Dashoguz – border Shavat – Khiva (365 km)

After early picnic breakfast drive to Dashoguz to cross the border with Khiva. On arrival at the border, complete departure formalities.
Khiva sightseeing: Visit Kalta Minor, Kunya Ark, Madrassah Rakhimkhon, and Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud. Enjoy the view of completely ancient Khiva, Friday mosque and Tashauli Palace/harem.
Dinner at the national home of a local resident, master class on cooking manti
Overnight at Hotel

Khiva – Urgench (30 km) – Tashkent HY52 09:30-10:50

After breakfast transfer to airport in Urgench for flight to Tashkent
Continuation of the excursion around Tashkent
Dinner and overnight at Hotel

Tashkent departure
Transfer to the international airport for flight to home