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Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan
Turkmenistan, hailed as the weirdest country in the world, is once again welcoming visitors after several years of closed borders. We have the privilege of being among the first to set foot in this fascinating land, and we are eager to explore its capital, Ashgabat, with its lavish buildings of gold and marble, exuberant landmarks, and bizarre monuments. With 80% of the country covered by desert, we look forward to savoring the beauty of its vast and arid landscapes. And, of course, the highlight of our trip is spending a night at the Gates of Hell! Rumors say that Darvaza Crater, the fiery crater of natural gas, may be closed to visitors soon, making this a rare opportunity to witness its blazing spectacle up close. Would we really want to miss such a once-in-a-lifetime experience?
- Trip dates: September 10th - 17th 2023
- 8 days
- 7 nights
itinerary
Day 1: Khiva.
We meet in Khiva, the hidden gem of Uzbekistan’s three main Silk Road cities. You can easily reach by taking an affordable domestic flight from Tashkent. Overnight in Khiva.
Day 2: Darwaza Crater.
Crossing the Uzbek-Turkmen border from Dashoguz. We’ll explore this soviet-style border town before a 4h drive South to Darwaza. Overnight in Darwaza crater, the Gates of Hell.
Day 3: Ashgabat.
Early drive to Ashgabat and afternoon in the capital. Overnight Ashgabat.
Day 4: Yangy Kala Canyon & Turkmenbashi.
Early morning flight to Turkmenbashi and visit Yangy Kala Canyon and Balkanabat. Sleep in Balkanabat.
Day 5: Ashgabat.
Early 4h drive to Ashgabat, and finish visiting the capital. Overnight Asghabat.
Day 6: Mary & Merv.
Morning flight to Mary. Visit the city & the ancient ruins of Merv. Grab early lunch and drive out to Farap Border before it closes. Sleep in Bukhara.
Day 7: Bukhara.
Day in Bukhara evening train to Samarkand. Overnight Samarkand.
Day 8: Samarkand.
Day in Samarkand. You can choose to return to Tashkent and fly out that same afternoon or continue your Uzbekistan travels.
Hotels
Shared rooms in 3star & 4star hotels when available. Camping in Darvaza crater.Transport
Private van, or 4WD and driver.Domestic Trains and Flights
All local transportation is included.Entrance Fees
All entrance fees to sites on your itinerary.Permits, Clearances and Visa Approval
We'll apply for your tourist visa so you can pick it up on arrival, as well as all the necessary permits and clearances for your visit.Meals
All breakfasts are included.International Fights
You will be likely flying to and from Tashkent and then connecting to Khiva, where our Expedition starts and from Samarkand, where we will be finishing. This itinerary saves you hundreds on dollars by crossing in and out of Turkmenistan overland vs flying in (return tickets to Asghabat from Istanbul are around 800 euros). This is a great opportunity to do Turkmenistan affordably!Travel Insurance
You will need Travel Insurance for Turkmenistan.Meals
In general, meals are not included. Food in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan is affordable and thus, we'll have more flexibility to each choose from the different options.Visa Fee
Payable on arrival (depends on nationality).

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