Archeological Multi Day Tours to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan

Show all photos
11 days (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English and 3 more

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring the Silk Road, this journey is the perfect way to do it! You’ll wander through ancient cities like Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand, cross into mystical Turkmenistan, and stand in front of the breathtaking Darvaza Gas Crater — the “Door to Hell.”

Along the way, you’ll stay in cozy boutique hotels, taste authentic local dishes, and meet the people who keep these traditions alive. It’s not just a tour — it’s an adventure full of stories, colors, and unforgettable moments that you’ll be talking about for years.

What's Included

Depending on group size guests will be transfered on car and minivans
1 bottle of water per person per day
WiFi on board
Letter of invitation to Turkmenistan
All museum and heritage site entrance fees are included in the tour cost
Dinner (Optional[3])
Dinner
Breakfast (Optional[10])
Breakfast
Lunches are not included
Any other personal expenses
Optional
Visa fees

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

All travelers are picked up with note where their name will be written.

Itinerary

Duration: 11 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Arrival in Khiva

    1 stop
  • 1

    • Pick-up at Urgench Airport and transfer to Khiva (30 min) • Check into a charming hotel – Anor Qal’a Hotel* • Evening walking tour through the UNESCO-listed Ichan Kala • Enjoy a rooftop welcome dinner under the stars with traditional Khorezmian dishes such as Shivit Oshi and Tukhum Barak

    Admission ticket free
    • Day 2

    Khiva city tour

    1 stop
  • 2
    Itchan Kala

    10:00 AM, Guided sightseeing of Khiva: • Kalta Minar Minaret • Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah • Kunya Ark Citadel • Tash-Khauli Palace • Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum • Juma Mosque • Islam Khoja Minaret Optional: Khorezm flatbread-making workshop (extra $15 per person) 3:00 PM, Free time. We recommend visiting: • Nurillaboy Palace, an elegant 19th-century residence featuring interactive exhibitions (entrance ~10 USD)

    5 hours • Admission ticket included
    • Day 3

    Khiva to Dashoguz (Turkmenistan)

    1 stop
  • 3

    • Drive to the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan border and cross via Shavat–Dashoguz checkpoint • Meet your Turkmen guide and driver, then drive to Kunya Urgench • Sightseeing in Kunya Urgench: – Portal of Caravansaray – Mamun Minaret – II Arslan Mausoleum – Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum – Academy of Khorezm – Kutlug Timur Minaret – Turabek Hanum Mausoleum – Nejemeddin Kubra and Sultan Ali Mausoleums • Lunch at a local café • Afternoon drive to Darvaza Gas Crater, known as “The Door to Hell” (70 m wide burning crater formed in 1971) • Watch the mesmerizing fire spectacle at sunset • BBQ dinner and overnight stay in tents near the crater

    Admission ticket free
    • Day 4

    Darvaza to Ashgabat

    1 stop
  • 4
    Parthian Fortresses of Nisa - UNESCO World Heritage Site

    • Picnic-style breakfast at the camp • Drive to Gokdepe Horse Farm (310 km, 4–5 hrs) • Lunch in a cozy local café inside a traditional yurt • Visit the Gokdepe Fortress, scene of the 1880 battle against Russian forces led by General Skobelev • Explore the Gokdepe Mosque, notable for its turquoise domes and white marble architecture • Visit the Akhal-Teke Horse Farm, home to over 30 of Turkmenistan’s legendary Akhal-Teke horses – a unique 5,000-year-old breed admired by rulers such as Alexander the Great and Darius I • Drive to Ashgabat, check into the hotel • Overnight stay in Ashgabat

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
    • Day 5

    Ashgabat city tour

    1 stop
  • 5
    Ashgabat

    • Breakfast at the hotel Explore the “Las Vegas of Central Asia” on a full-day city tour: – Presidential Palace – Ruhyyet Palace – Wedding Palace (Palace of Happiness) – Modern “Yyldyz” Hotel – Constitution Monument – Arch of Neutrality – Monument & Park of Independence – Ertugrul Gazi Mosque – Ashgabat 2017 Sports Complex – Square of Revival (Galkynysh) – the new business and cultural center • Enjoy a leisurely stroll along Inspiration Park (Ylham Park) • Overnight stay in Ashgabat

    6 hours • Admission ticket free
    • Day 6

    Ashgabat to Turkmenabat

    1 stop
  • 6
    Mary

    • Breakfast at the hotel • Drive to Mary (370 km, ~4 hrs) with a short stop at Abiverd to visit the ruins of the Seyitjemaleddin Mosque • Continue to Bayramali (30 km) and explore the State Historical Reserve “Ancient Merv” – once called the “Queen of the World”, among the great Islamic capitals alongside Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus • Learn about 11th–12th century Seljuk Merv, a thriving metropolis covering over 640 hectares and attracting scholars and merchants from across the Islamic world • Hear about its tragic fall in 1221, when Mongol forces destroyed the city and its monuments • Check into the hotel and rest • Overnight stay in Mary

    8 hours • Admission ticket free
    • Day 7

    Mary to Bukhara

    1 stop
  • 7
    Nodir Devon Begi Madrasasi

    • Breakfast and check-out from the hotel • Drive to Turkmenabat, then continue to the Farap–Alat border via the bridge over the Amu Darya River • Pass customs and cross into Uzbekistan • Drive to Bukhara and check into Emerald Hotel* • Dinner with folklore show at Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah (7:00 PM) • Overnight stay in Bukhara

    3 hours • Admission ticket free
    • Day 8

    Bukhara city tour

    1 stop
  • 8
    Bukhara

    10:00 AM, Guided sightseeing tour of Bukhara: • Poi-Kalon Architectural Ensemble • Miri-Arab Madrasah • Ark Citadel • Ulugh Beg Madrasah • Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah • Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble • Trading Domes and Caravanserai • Crafts Center 8:30 PM, Free time. Recommended visits: • Samanid Mausoleum (9th century) • Shukhov Tower • Overnight stay in Bukhara

    6 hours • Admission ticket free
    • Day 9

    Bukhara - Gijduvan - Samarkand

    1 stop
  • 9
    Gijduvan ceramics of The Narzullaevs

    10:00 AM, Drive to the Summer Palace of the Emir of Bukhara 12:00 PM, Transfer to Gijduvan to visit a family of hereditary ceramic masters 1:00 PM, Workshop tour and introduction to traditional pottery-making 3:00 PM, Drive to Samarkand (~3 hrs) 6:00 PM, Arrival and check-in at Sharistan Art Hotel* Evening free time, recommended visit: • Registan Square illuminated at night

    2 hours • Admission ticket free
    • Day 10

    Samarkand

    1 stop
  • 10
    Samarkand

    10:00 AM, Guided sightseeing by minivan: • Gur-Emir Mausoleum • Registan Square • Bibi-Khanym Mosque • Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis • Authentic Paper Mill (using 8th-century techniques) 4:00 PM, Free time. Recommended visit: • Siab Bazaar, for local crafts and dried fruits • Overnight stay in Samarkand

    6 hours • Admission ticket free
    • Day 11

    Departure

    1 stop
  • 11
    Samarkand

    • Check-out from the hotel by 12:00 • Transfer to the airport, railway station, or another location in Samarkand

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Supplied by Guided Travels

Tags

Multi-day Tours
Bus Tours
Historical Tours
4WD Tours
Archaeology Tours
Car Tours
Small Group
Additional fees
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Show more

from per person
Was {{currencySymbol}}{{ summaryFromPriceBeforeDiscount }}
Book Now