Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan tour
Accommodation, guides, transport, the train included.
Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan tour Highlights
This 8-day Silk Road tour links the blue-domed cities of Uzbekistan with the desert ruins and marble capital of Turkmenistan. It runs from Samarkand to Ashgabat on fixed departure dates and can also be booked as a private tour with 3-star or 4-star hotels.
In Samarkand you explore the Registan with its three madrasahs, Tamerlane’s Gur-e Amir mausoleum, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the blue-tiled Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, along with the Afrosiab Museum, the tomb of Saint Daniel, a carpet factory, a silk paper workshop and the Siab Bazaar. A morning train then crosses the steppe to Bukhara, where two days take you to the Ark citadel, the Po-i-Kalyan complex and the Samanid Mausoleum – and to a local home for a master class in cooking plov and dinner with the family.
Crossing the Farap land border into Turkmenistan, you travel through the Karakum Desert to the ruins of Merv, once one of the greatest cities of the Silk Road and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and stay in Mary. On the way to Ashgabat you stop at the ruined mosque of Anau and visit a stable of the famous Akhal-Teke horses. The journey ends in Ashgabat, a city of white marble and grand monuments, with a visit to the Parthian fortress of Old Nisa and the Turkmenbashi Mosque, the largest mosque in Central Asia.
Difficulty: Easy City sightseeing on foot in Samarkand, Bukhara and Ashgabat, a 1 hour 45 minute train ride and two long road days (Bukhara – Mary 385 km with a land border crossing, Mary – Ashgabat 365 km). No altitude; summers are very hot.
Guaranteed departures
Every date runs as scheduled. Same price on all departures.
Other dates? Post a group request
Guaranteed tour dates 2027
| Dates | Days | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| – Available | Wed – Wed | $1,335 |
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| – Available | Wed – Wed | $1,335 |
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| – Available | Wed – Wed | $1,335 |
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| – Available | Wed – Wed | $1,335 |
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| – Available | Wed – Wed | $1,335 |
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Tour Itinerary
We arrive in Samarkand early in the morning and transfer to the hotel for rest after the flight. Later we set off to discover the treasures of Samarkand, one of the most dazzling cities of the Silk Road. Our tour begins at the iconic Registan Square, framed by three grand madrasahs – Ulugbek, Sher-Dor and Tilla-Qori – each a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. We continue to the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, the resting place of Tamerlane and his dynasty, with its turquoise dome and richly decorated interiors. After lunch, we visit the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, once one of the largest in the Islamic world, and wander through the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, where vibrant blue-tiled mausoleums line a narrow medieval street. The day ends at the Ulugbek Observatory, where the great astronomer charted the stars centuries ago. Return to the hotel for the overnight.
Registan, Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Mausoleum, Shah i Zinda, Ulugbek Observatory
Overnight: Samarkand (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
This morning we dive deeper into Samarkand’s history and culture. We begin at the Afrosiab Museum and the nearby archaeological site, which reveal the ancient roots of the city long before the Timurid era. Then we visit the tomb of Saint Daniel, a unique pilgrimage site venerated by Muslims, Christians and Jews alike. Later, we explore the Khujum carpet factory and a silk paper workshop, where age-old crafts are preserved and practiced with pride. Finally, we stroll through the bustling Siab Bazaar, a lively market brimming with spices, dried fruits, nuts and handicrafts – the perfect place to experience the flavors and energy of modern Samarkand. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Samarkand.
Afrasiyab, Tomb of Saint Daniel (Khoja Daniyar), Konigil Paper Mill (Meros), Siyob Bazaar
Overnight: Samarkand (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast we transfer to the railway station and take a morning train across the steppe to Bukhara (09:55–11:38). On arrival, we begin exploring this legendary Silk Road city, a place that once rivalled the great cultural capitals of the Islamic world. Highlights include the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, a masterpiece of early Islamic architecture; the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, linked to the legend of the Prophet Job; and the bustling local bazaar. We continue to the Bolo-Hauz Mosque, the mighty Ark Citadel with its Zindan prison, and the Po-i-Kalyan Complex with its soaring minaret, madrasa and mosque. Our tour also covers the Miri Arab Madrasa, the Magoki Attori Mosque and the Ulugbek Madrasa. In the evening, we settle into our hotel for rest.
Samanids Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Hauz Complex, Ark of Bukhara, Poi Kalyan, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Ulugbeg Madrasah Bukhara
- Samarkand → Bukhara
Overnight: Bukhara (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, we continue discovering the treasures of Bukhara. We visit the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, a true masterpiece of early Islamic architecture, and the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, connected to the legend of the Prophet Job. Then we explore the local bazaar, full of life, colors and aromas. Next, we head to the Bolo-Hauz Mosque, famous for its elegant wooden pillars reflected in the pool, before entering the mighty Ark Citadel, the former residence of Bukhara’s emirs, with its old Zindan prison. We finish our sightseeing at the majestic Po-i-Kalyan Complex, the spiritual heart of Bukhara, with its impressive minaret, madrasa and mosque – a perfect finale to our journey through this timeless city. In the evening, we are welcomed into a traditional local home for an authentic cultural experience. Here we take part in a master class on cooking plov, Uzbekistan’s most famous dish, learning its secrets step by step. Afterwards, we share a delicious dinner with the family, enjoying warm hospitality and stories of local life. Overnight at the hotel.
Samanids Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Hauz Complex, Ark of Bukhara, Poi Kalyan
Overnight: Bukhara (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we say farewell to Uzbekistan and cross the Farap land border into Turkmenistan. After completing the border formalities, we continue to the ancient city of Merv (UNESCO World Heritage site), once one of the largest and most splendid cities on the Silk Road. We explore its sprawling historical park: the monumental Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, the crumbling mudbrick citadels of Erk Gala and Gyaur Gala, the mysterious Kyz Gala fortresses and the Muhammed ibn Zaid Mausoleum. Each ruin tells a story of empires risen and fallen. In the late afternoon we drive on to Mary, a modern city built near the ruins. Overnight at the hotel.
Merv, Mary
- Bukhara → Mary (385 km)
Overnight: Mary (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast we take a short tour of Mary, visiting its lively Central Bazaar, the Russian Orthodox Church and the elegant Gurbanguly Hajji Mosque. Then we set off westward toward Ashgabat. Along the way we stop at the atmospheric ruins of the Anau Mosque and visit the renowned Akhal-Teke horse stables, home to the legendary Akhal-Teke breed, prized for its speed and beauty. By evening we arrive in Ashgabat, check into the hotel and enjoy some free time to relax or explore the city at your own pace. Overnight in Ashgabat.
Mary, Seyitjemaleddin Mosque (Anau), Ashgabat
- Mary → Ashgabat (365 km)
Overnight: Ashgabat (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
Today we discover the fascinating capital of Turkmenistan, a city of marble avenues, grand monuments and hidden history. Highlights include the striking Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque, Independence Park, the Rukhnama Monument and the gleaming Neutrality Arch. We also admire the statue of the national poet Magtymguly, before venturing out to Old Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was once the seat of the mighty Parthian Empire. To conclude, we visit the impressive Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum, the largest mosque in Central Asia. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Ashgabat.
Ashgabat, Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque, Nisa, Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque (Kipchak)
- Ashgabat → Nisa
- Nisa → Ashgabat
Overnight: Ashgabat (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out before 12:00. Transfer to the international airport for your onward flight – carrying with you warm memories and vivid impressions of your journey through Central Asia.
Meals: Breakfast
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Group Tour Price
Single room supplement: $275
Private Tour Price
| Price per person Group Size | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveler | $2,770 | $3,056 |
| 2–3 travelers | $1,677 | $1,878 |
| 4–5 travelers | $1,324 | $1,540 |
| 6–7 travelers | $1,254 | $1,471 |
| 8–9 travelers | $1,251 | $1,467 |
| 10–11 travelers | $1,209 | $1,425 |
Single room supplement — ★★★ $230, ★★★★ $305
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What's included
Included
- Accommodation in double/twin rooms at the listed hotels or similar of the same category (7 nights), with breakfast
- Early check-in on day 1 in Samarkand (other hotels: check-in 14:00, check-out 12:00)
- Meals: daily breakfast and 1 dinner (with the plov cooking class in Bukhara)
- Entrance fees to the monuments and museums in the itinerary
- English-speaking local guides for sightseeing
- Comfortable air-conditioned transport throughout the tour, including all airport–hotel–airport transfers
- Train from Samarkand to Bukhara (economy class)
Not included
- International flights
- Meals not mentioned above
- Medical expenses and travel insurance
- Turkmenistan visa fee (approx. 100–120 USD per person)
- Porterage at hotels, railway stations and airports
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Other personal expenses (e.g. tourist fee in Turkmenistan hotels, 2 USD per person per night)
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Transport
- 1–2 travelers: Chevrolet Lacetti or similar
- 4 travelers: Hyundai Starex minivan with 6 seats
- 6–8 travelers: King Long minivan with 10 seats or similar
- 9–14 travelers: Eurise minivan with 18 seats or similar
- Train: Samarkand – Bukhara by morning train in economy class. Tickets for high-speed trains are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Uzbekistan travel information
Practical essentials for each country on this tour. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan before booking. For Turkmenistan most tourists require a letter of invitation and a visa based on it.
The local currency is the Uzbek sum. Uzbekistan is still mostly a cash economy, but money is easy to exchange and ATMs are common in the larger cities.
Exchanging money
Banks exchange US dollars, euros, British pounds and Japanese yen. There are exchange offices in major cities such as Bukhara and Khiva and at Tashkent airport; elsewhere you need a bank, which often gives a better rate anyway. Your notes must be in pristine condition. Sum is hard to exchange outside Uzbekistan, but you can change it back to US dollars at a local bank.
Cards and ATMs
Cards are accepted in upscale hotels and restaurants in Tashkent and the main tourist cities, with Visa more widely recognised than Mastercard and a standard 3% commission. ATMs dispense sum and are easy to find in the larger cities; many also offer US dollars.
Uzbekistan is generally a safe destination, with little religious extremism and few crimes against foreigners.
Documents
Always carry your passport: it is a legal requirement, and police carry out routine checks.
Getting around
- Use licensed taxis. Local taxi apps are the easiest way to get a ride at local prices, and Yandex works very well in Tashkent and Samarkand. If you take a taxi on the street or at the airport, agree the price first.
- Many roads outside Tashkent, especially in the Tian Shan and Fan mountains, are in poor condition. Driving standards are generally low, and rural roads are often unlit, so night driving is riskier.
- On night trains, keep valuables safe, do not leave belongings unattended and lock the compartment door from the inside.
- Watch your belongings as you would anywhere, and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.
Laws and customs
- Possessing narcotics is strictly illegal.
- Same-sex relationships are illegal and still socially condemned. Avoid public displays of affection.
- Drones are in practice banned. Permits can be applied for but are very rarely granted.
Photography
Be discreet near government buildings such as the Palace of Forums in Tashkent, and sometimes at local markets that see few tourists. Restrictions have eased, but check before photographing near airports, border checkpoints, military sites, bridges and police stations.
Earthquakes
Uzbekistan is prone to earthquakes, mostly tremors, though stronger ones occasionally occur.
Entering Uzbekistan is straightforward when your documents are in order. Citizens of many countries can visit visa-free, and for many others a visa is easy to get without an invitation.
Registration
Registration rules are stricter than elsewhere in Central Asia: by law you must be registered within 3 days of arrival. Hotels usually do this for you, but register yourself if you stay longer than 3 days in, for example, a rented apartment. Border officers check the registrations when you leave and may ask for the paper slips, so keep them until you exit the country.
Customs
Exporting handcrafted items older than 50 years is prohibited. At land borders, customs officers may check your phone and photos for explicit or confidential material, though this has become very rare.
The best times to visit Uzbekistan are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), between the summer heat and the winter cold.
Summer
At the height of summer the land dries out, especially in the countryside, and temperatures rise well above 30°C, often up to 40°C.
Winter
From November to March it can get cold, sometimes below zero, but the skies are mostly clear and bright. Snow is occasional and usually melts within a day or two.
Medical services in Uzbekistan have improved in recent years but are still limited, so good travel insurance that includes evacuation is essential.
Food and water
To avoid traveller's diarrhoea, drink only bottled, filtered or boiled water, and do not use tap water for brushing your teeth or for ice. Choose meat and fish that are thoroughly cooked and served hot.
Medical care
Uzbekistan has a state healthcare system and a small private sector. Larger clinics serve the cities and regional hospitals the countryside. Hospitals usually ask for payment in cash up front, even if you are insured, and serious cases may need evacuation home. Contact your insurer straight away if you need urgent care, and check before you leave what your insurance covers in Uzbekistan.
Medicines
Pharmacies are private, and the range of medicines can be limited. Prescriptions generally require a doctor's consultation. If you travel with medication, check the rules with the embassy, a consulate or Uzbekistan's Ministry of Health.
The official currency is the manat. Most shops and restaurants take cash only, so carry your money in cash, preferably new US dollar notes.
Cards and ATMs
A Visa card works for payments or cash withdrawals in some hotels and banks, but most ATMs only accept local Turkmen cards.
Exchanging money
US dollars are easy to exchange throughout the country, but euros only in Ashgabat, and euro notes are not widely accepted. Exchange money legally at banks, and only as much as you expect to spend: manat cannot be changed back into dollars. The official rate is fixed at 3.50 manat to the US dollar; there is no fixed rate for euros.
Keep a reserve
A cash reserve for unexpected situations is wise anywhere in Central Asia, and especially in Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan is a safe country as long as you stay within the law; overstepping it can have unpleasant consequences.
Staying safe
- Carry identification with you at all times while travelling around the country.
- Wear a money belt, keep an eye on your belongings, avoid poorly lit streets at night and do not use unofficial taxis when travelling alone.
Photography and internet
- Photographing military zones, transport hubs and government buildings is prohibited by law. People may also be sensitive about being photographed without consent.
- Several social media apps and websites are blocked and cannot be used without a VPN.
- Drones are in practice banned.
Laws and customs
- Avoid public displays of affection. Homosexuality is illegal. Relationships with Turkmen women are best avoided, as they can lead to fines and deportation.
- Avoid talking about politics, human rights, religion, or criticising the president, the country or its people.
- During Ramadan, the Muslim holy month whose dates move each year, eating, drinking, smoking and chewing gum in public are forbidden in daylight hours, as are loud music, dancing, revealing clothing and swearing in public.
- Smoking is banned in all public places except designated smoking areas. Possessing or using illegal drugs can mean a long prison sentence.
Earthquakes
Turkmenistan is prone to earthquakes, mostly tremors, though stronger ones occasionally occur.
All international visitors need a visa for Turkmenistan.
Letter of invitation
A tourist visa requires a letter of invitation (LOI) approved by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, applied for by a licensed tour operator in the country.
Booking with us
When you book a tour with Central Asia Guide, we always arrange the letters of invitation, and the visa is issued on arrival at the land borders or Ashgabat airport.
The best times to visit Turkmenistan are March to June, when the sun shines and temperatures are pleasant, and September to November. Spring is especially lovely, with a short burst of delicate flowers and green landscapes.
Summer
Turkmenistan's dry continental climate makes it one of the hottest places in Central Asia. July and August are the least favourable months, with temperatures in Ashgabat reaching 50°C. Most of the main sights are in the treeless desert, but the Caspian coast is usually milder than inland and suits summer travel.
Winter
Cold weather arrives in December, with temperatures below 0°C, occasional frosts down to −20°C and snow in parts of the country.
Medical services in Turkmenistan are rudimentary at best. Make sure your insurance covers unforeseen medical situations, including repatriation.
Food and water
To avoid traveller's diarrhoea, drink only bottled, filtered or boiled water, and do not use tap water for brushing your teeth or for ice. Avoid ice cream. Choose meat and fish that are thoroughly cooked and served hot, cook vegetables and peel fruit.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations against diphtheria, hepatitis A and tetanus are advisable.
Medical care
If you need urgent medical care, contact your travel insurer straight away. Check the rules for travelling with medicines before you go.
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