23-Day Silk Road Tour — Private, 5 Central Asian Countries

Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport, meeting with the Turkmen team, transfer and check-in.

Ashgabat holds five Guinness World Records, including the city with the most white marble buildings in the world. In the afternoon — the National Museum of Turkmenistan, the Carpet Museum, the Arch of Neutrality and the Independence Monument. In the evening — the “Arkadag” Monument and a panoramic viewpoint.

The Old Nisa archaeological complex (UNESCO) — the residence of the Parthian kings. The Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque and the mausoleum of the first president’s family.

The Russian Bazaar, the Constitution Monument, the central square by the Presidential Palace and the “Akhal-Teke” monument to the famous Turkmen horses.

Drive to Mary on the new highway (~355 km, about 4 hours). A short city tour: the Gurbanguly Hajji Mosque, the Intercession Church.

The “Ancient Merv” State Historical and Archaeological Park (UNESCO) — one of the greatest cities of the Silk Road. In the evening — flight back to Ashgabat.

The last sights of Ashgabat: the “Halk Hakydasy” memorial, the State Hippodrome, time to shop at the “Berkarar” mall.

Transfer to the Darvaza gas crater by 4×4 (~300 km, 5–6 hours across the Karakum desert). The 69 m “Gateway to Hell” crater has burned since 1971. Overnight at a camp by the crater.

The “Kunya-Urgench” archaeological park (UNESCO) — the ancient capital of Khorezm, a rival of Bukhara, destroyed twice (by Genghis Khan and by Tamerlane).

Crossing into Uzbekistan (Kunya-Urgench — Khodjeyli checkpoint, open until 18:00), meeting with the Uzbek team, transfer to Nukus.

The Savitsky Museum — one of the largest collections of Russian avant-garde art in the world, plus Karakalpak folk art.

Drive to Khiva (~200 km, 4–5 hours) across the Kyzylkum desert with stops at the ancient Khorezm fortresses — Toprak-Kala (3rd century) and Ayaz-Kala. Arrival at Ichan-Kala, the old town of Khiva (UNESCO).

A full day in Ichan-Kala: the Kalta-Minor minaret, the Muhammad Amin-khan Madrasah, the Juma Mosque with its carved columns, the Islam-Khoja minaret, the Tash-Hauli palace, the mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud, the Kunya-Ark fortress.

Climb the Ok-Sheikh-Bobo bastion viewpoint for the best panoramas of Khiva.

Early departure to Bukhara (~450 km, about 7 hours across the desert).

In the evening — the Lyabi-Hauz complex (16th–17th century): the Kukeldash and Nodir Devonbegi madrasahs around the city’s main pond, the Magoki-Attori Mosque.

The Samanid Mausoleum (9th–10th century), Chashma-Ayub, the Bolo-Hauz Mosque, the Ark citadel — the residence of the Bukhara emirs.

The trading domes (Toqi-Sarrafon, Toqi-Telpakfurushon, Toqi-Zargaron), the Ulugbek and Abdulaziz-khan madrasahs, the Poi-Kalon complex with the Kalon minaret (1127) and the working Mir-i-Arab madrasah.

The Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa Palace — the summer residence of the last Bukhara emirs (1912–1918).

High-speed “Afrosiyob” / “Sharq” train to Samarkand. Tickets are personalised — passport details are required at least 60 days before departure.

Registan Square with its three madrasahs (Ulugbek, Sher-Dor, Tilla-Kori), the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the eastern bazaar.

The Gur-Emir Mausoleum — the tomb of Tamerlane — and the Shah-i-Zinda complex. In the evening — Registan with its free sound-and-light show.

Transfer to the Tajik border (Jartepa-Sarazm checkpoint). The ruins of ancient Penjikent (Sogdiana, 5th–8th century), Sarazm (UNESCO, a 5,500-year-old civilisation), the Rudaki Museum.

Drive to Dushanbe through the mountains by minivan (~250 km, about 5 hours).

The Museum of Antiquities with one of the largest reclining Buddha statues in Central Asia. Hisor Fortress — an open-air museum 30 km from the city.

The Ismoil Somoni Monument, Rudaki Avenue, the main bazaar and the “Navruz” teahouse, listed by UNESCO.

Drive to Lake Iskanderkul (~130 km, about 3 hours) — the largest lake in the Fann Mountains at 2,200 m, linked to the legend of Alexander the Great.

Drive to Khujand (~230 km, about 5 hours).

One of the oldest cities in the region — “Alexandria Eschate”. The Khujand fortress and archaeological museum, the mausoleum of Sheikh Muslihiddin, the “Panjshanbe” eastern bazaar, the Arbob Palace.

Crossing into Uzbekistan (Oybek checkpoint), drive to Tashkent (~100 km, about 2 hours).

The old town: the Hazrati Imam complex with the Barak-khan and Kaffal Shashi madrasahs, the Tilla-Sheikh Mosque and the “Uthman Quran” (7th century). Chorsu Bazaar.

Free afternoon.

Modern Tashkent: the Earthquake Monument, Independence Square, the Romanov Palace, Opera Square, Amir Temur Square.

Flight to Bishkek, evening city tour: Ala-Too Square, the park.

Burana Tower (11th century) — the minaret of the ancient Silk Road city of Balasagun, 75 km east of Bishkek.

City tour: Ala-Too Square, the State Historical Museum, the changing of the guard, Oak Park, Victory Square.

Ala-Archa National Park in the Ala-Archa river gorge — snow peaks, coniferous forest, hiking.

Flight to Almaty, transfer to the hotel.

Panfilov Park, the wooden Ascension Cathedral (1907). The Medeu gorge — the highest ice rink in the world — and a cable-car ride to the Shymbulak resort (2,200 m).

Kok-Tobe park on the hill above the city, with panoramic terraces.

Flight to Astana, a UNESCO “City for Peace”. The National Museum of Kazakhstan and the “Golden Man” collection, Independence Square, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (Norman Foster), the Hazret Sultan Mosque.

Baiterek Tower, Nurzhol Boulevard, the “Khan Shatyr” mall.

The Nur-Alem sphere — the largest spherical building in the world (80 m diameter), a legacy of EXPO 2017, with an 8-floor energy museum.

The new Central Mosque — the largest in Central Asia, in the Guinness Book of Records.

Breakfast box at the hotel, transfer to the airport, departure. End of our services.