Name of the tour: Gems of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

Duration: 8 days

Starts in: Tashkent

Ends in: Ashgabat

Day 1: Tashkent
After arrival you will meet the group at airport. This day is dedicated to a city tour of Uzbekistan. You will explore today the beautiful attractions and discover the cultural and historical heritage of the capital. Your first attraction will be Independence square that is the mighty square of the country with a lot of landmarks. Then you will have an opportunity to explore the local Broadway, where you will fascinate views of independence square and Amir Timur square. Then your tour route will take you to Tashkent metro, where you will have a ride and admire the perfect architecture. You will continue tour with exploring the old part of the city which includes: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex where are located several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. Today you will alsosee the unique artifact the Othman Quran which is the world’s oldest Quran copy dating back to 8^th c. The overnight is in the hotel.

Day 2: Tashkent – Samarkand (morning train)
In the morning you will travel to railway station of Tashkent for your train to Samarkand. The history of Samarkand has more than two and a half thousand years. During this time, the city managed to survive several conquests and become the capital of the great Timurid Empire. Its age is comparable to the legendary Rome and Babylon. You are going to explore today the fascinating attractions of the city such as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square, this is a huge square in the heart of Samarkand, included in the UNESCO world heritage list, where there are majestic sights that you will be delighted with. Architectural complex of Shakhi-Zindeh this is one of the most impressive memorial complexes of Islamic architecture of the XIV—XV centuries. Bibi Khanum Mosque a masterpiece of Islamic architecture built in 1404. It is a complex of four buildings - the entrance arch, the main one and two small mosques. It was built in honor of Temirlan's beloved wife. You will spend the night in the hotel.

Day 3: Samarkand – Bukhara (morning train)
This day you will travel to Bukhara by morning train. You are going to have a daylong tour in this city of Fairy tale. You will see the first attraction called Citadel Ark (IV BC — XX centuries) – the oldest monument of archeology, history and culture of Bukhara, a UNESCO world heritage site. The Foundation of the ancient fortress is associated with an ancient legend. After that you will see the masterwork of architecture Samanids mausoleum of 9^th -10^th century. The tour route will take you to Chashma Ayub an unusual structure in its composition, the construction of which allegedly dates back to the XII century. "sacred spring". After that you will lead to the shopping domes where you will walk and explore the fabulous madrasahs of Bukhara called Nodir Divan Begi that is a part of Lyabi Hauz Ensemble. You will also explore the last point of the tour Poi Kalon complex where are located three structures built in the 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. This night will be in the hotel.

Day 4: Bukhara – Khiva (440 km, 7 hours)
After breakfast you will transfer to Khiva. This is ancient city in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya. Khiva was first mentioned in written sources in the 10th century as a small town located on the caravan road between Merv and Urgench (modern Kunya-Urgench). It was a significant transit point of the Great Silk Road, where hundreds of camel caravans filled with goods was sent from China to other points and on the way, the gates of Khiva were always open and such an advantageous position makes Khiva a significant trade center. It became especially important in the XVIII century, when it became the capital of Khorezm (Khiva khanate). You will drive today from Bukhara to Khiva via fabulous Kizilkum desert. Along the way you will have a chance to mesmerize the view to Amu Darya river, the deepest river in Central Asia. After arrival to Khiva you will have rest. Night will be in the hotel.

Day 5: Khiva city tour
You will explore today the oldest city of Uzbekistan. Ichan-Qala this is an open – air Museum-the old part of the city, surrounded by a fortress wall and turned into a state historical and archaeological Museum-reserve. There are located old buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses. This unique monuments made Ichan-Qala into unique city-monument. There are over 400 traditional dwelling houses and about 60 architectural monuments. Here you can see such unique historical monuments as the Kunya Ark citadel complex, the Tash-Hauli Palace complex, the Kalta minor minaret completely covered with glazed tiles, the famous Juma mosque with its 218 carved columns, the Islam Khoja minaret, the symbol of Khiva, and much more. The night is in the hotel.

Day 6: Khiva – Shavat border – Kune Urgench – Darwaza
After breakfast you will transfer to Shavat border. You will be met by the group in the morning at Shavat/Dashoguz border, and after explore the architectural monuments of Kune-Urgench, Khorezm capital 10th -12th centuries. In course of the tour you will experience the Mausoleum of Najm al-Din al-Kubra, Tyurabek-Khanum, Il-Arslan, Tekesh Ibn Hadzhibey, inspection highest minaret in Central Asia KutlykTimur. In the second part of the tour you will drive Karakum desert to Darwaza. You will explore the fantastic natural site Gas Crater. This is a joint creation of nature and man. It all started back in 1971. As a result of the sinkhole, a giant pit 20 meters deep and 70 meters in diameter was formed. This is a great place to relax, where you can watch the magical views of the gas crater and enjoy the beautiful views.

Day 7: Darwaza – Ashgabat
This day you will travel to fabulous capital of Turkmenistan Ashgabat. You will check in the hotel and have free time about 1 hour. In the second part of the tour you will transfer to the village of Bagir, where you will find Parthian Fortresses of Nisa. It was listed in UNESCO list in 2007. Along the way you will explore Ruhy Mosque. And continue tour with exploring Russian bazaar, Lenin square, Ertugrul mosque.  In the evening you will have a chance to see the main attractions of the city. You will see new parks, a huge complex with fountains and statues of the great men of antiquity.

Day 8: Flight
In the morning is transfer to the airport.
 

Transport in UZ:
02 pax – Sedan
04-06 pax – Minivan
08-10 pax – Bus 

Transport in TM:
02 pax – Sedan
04-08 pax – Minibus 14 seats
10 pax – Bus

Price per person:
02 pax – 895 $
04 pax – 780 $
06 pax – 695 $
08 pax – 655 $
10 pax – 630 $
Single – 120 $

All dinners – 60 $*
All lunches and dinners – 105 $*

Entrance fees in UZ* (with escort guide only) – 45 $ per person

English speaking guides:
TM – included by law
UZ – local 160$ per group or escort 400$ per group

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
         Tashkent – “Tourist Inn” Hotel 3*
         Samarkand – “Ideal” Hotel 3*
         Bukhara – “Old City” Hotel 3*
         Khiva – “Old Khiva” Hotel 3*
         Darwaza – Tents
         Ashgabat – “Menzil” Hotel 3*
- Dinner at Darwaza
- Mineral water during the tour
- English speaking guide in TM
- Entrances to all museums in TM
- Train tickets Tashkent-Samarkand and Samarkand-Bukhara                                   

Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Migration tax
- Travel insurance
- English speaking guide
- Entrances to all museums

Note: Each Traveler should have 2 photos (5x6) to be presented at the points of entry.