Silk Road Secrets | Journey Across Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

This time we invite you to join us for a journey across most mysterious and the least explored of Central Asia stans, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, combined into one trip. We will discover both of them over a week travel across their deserted lands by plane, train and 4WDs.

Turkmenistan has been at the crossroads of civilizations for centuries. In medieval times, Merv was one of the great cities of the Islamic world and an important stop on the Silk Road, a caravan route used for trade with China until the mid-15th century. Annexed by the Russian Empire in 1881, Turkmenistan later figured prominently in the anti-Bolshevik movement in Central Asia. In 1924, Turkmenistan became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic became independent in 1991.

Uzbekistan
The region’s cradle of culture for more than two millennia, Uzbekistan is the proud home to a spellbinding arsenal of architecture and ancient cities, all deeply infused with the bloody, fascinating history of the Silk Road. In terms of sights alone, Uzbekistan is Central Asia's biggest draw and most impressive showstopper.

In a brief:
- Direct flight to Turkmenistan,
- Ashgabat,
- Darvaza - Doors to hell,
- Domestic flight to Turkmenabat
- Farab/Alat border,

- Border crossing to Uzbekistan
- Bukhara,
- Bullet train Bukhara - Samarkand,
- Samarkand,
- Return flight to Dubai.

Let's go!

DAY 1 :: Arrival in Ashgabat – Darvaza

Early morning arrival in Ashgabat. Immigration procedure, check in to our lavish, white marble hotel and short rest. Foreign passport registration procedure. Quick look at majestic statues of Ashgabat and few other landmarks of the city. In the evening departure to Darvaza. On the way stop at two other craters with water and sulfur mud, both seeping with gas from the underground."A little party never killed nobody" themed BBQ dinner near the main crater. Unforgettable sunset over the gas burning spectacle (camping).

DAY 2 :: Darvaza – Ashgabat

After picnic breakfast we will return to Ashgabat and to visit the city sites not visited the previous day, including Visit UNESCO site Old Nissa, Turkmenbashi Ruhy mosque, Independence square and statues of famous national heroes. Overnight in the hotel.

DAY 3 :: Ashgabat – Turkmenabat – Farab/Alat border

Morning flight from Ashgabat to Turkmenabat. On arrival transfer 40 km to the Farab/Alat border and cross to Uzbekistan.

Bye bye Turkmenistan, welcome to Uzbekistan!

After crossing the border transfer to hotel in Bukhara for overnight.

Day 4 :: Bukhara

After breakfast start discovery of magical monastery-city - place of education and pilgrimage, called often a living museum. Stroll along the Lyabi Khauz Place – one of the most famous places of Bukhara; trading domes; Abdul-Azizkhan and Ulugbek madrassahs. Further to Poi-Kalyan place, with its Kalyan minaret, the main symbol of Bukhara, serving in former times as a lighthouse for caravanneers. Ismail Samani mausoleum – the oldest building in the Central Asia.
Our Uzbekistan experience would not be completed without a ride on a bullet train Afrosiyob to Samarkand. Overnight in Samarkand.

Day 5 :: Samarkand

In the morning sightseeing in the capital of Tamerlane’s powerful empire: Gur-Emir mausoleum – the burial place of the Tamerlane and his dynasty (XIV-XV c). Start with Registan Square, Ulugbem Observatory, free time in the afternoon. Registan Square – the heart of Samarkand with its three madrassahs – representatives of the great past of this city; Samarkand secrets: ancient observatory, paper factory and uzbek local life. Optional visit in local hammam.

Day 6 :: Return

Bye bye Silk Road, early morning flight back to Dubai,

Activities: trekking, swimming, sightseeing, getting amazed with burning gas crater, cultural immersion.
Accommodation & meals: atmospheric 4 star hotels double sharing + 1 night camping, local meals included.

Cost: 7790 AED incl. flights until AUG 21.

Specifically excluded: visa or any border fees, payable individually on arrivals.

Visa:
Turkmenistan - based on pre-approval. Approx. 100 USD, min. 3 weeks.
Uzbekistan - most of passports and UAE residents visa free, otherwise E-visa.

See yah at Silk Road x

Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 050 4848238
Find all trekkups at linktr.ee/trekkup