MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

In the morning, city tour including the local bazaar, Independence Park, Neutrality Arch, National Museum, and Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum. Rest at the hotel.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER

Visit the ruins of Anau city, the Ahalteke stables, Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque, and the panoramic viewpoint of the Wedding Palace. After lunch, drive to Darvaza.

Arrive in the late afternoon and explore the gas crater, which is lit both by day and night. Set up camp. Enjoy a barbecue dinner and overnight stay in a yurt.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER

Breakfast in the yurts. In the morning, depart from the gas crater and drive to Kunya-Urgench. Visit the mausoleums of Turabek-Khanym, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmuddin-Kubra, and Sultan Ali. Explore the Kutlug Timur minaret and the Kyrk Molla hill.

After lunch, continue to the Shavat-Dashoguz border crossing between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Complete border formalities at both checkpoints. Meet your Uzbek guide and driver and drive to Khiva (60 km, 1 h). Arrival at the hotel and rest.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH

After breakfast, we begin the visits at the architectural complex Ichan Kala, which is the inner citadel and was the most important commercial center during the medieval period on the Silk Road. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990 and is a well-preserved example of Muslim architecture in Central Asia.

City tour in the Ichan-Kala architectural complex (12th–19th centuries): Kalta Minor, Kunya Ark Fortress, Mohammed Rahim Khan Madrasah, Minaret and Islom Khodja Madrasah; Tash Hovli architectural complex (19th-century harem), Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum (14th–18th centuries), Juma Mosque (10th century). Return to the hotel at the scheduled time.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH

During the city tour in Bukhara, we will visit the Mausoleum of the Samanids (9th–10th centuries), built using proportional techniques. In the era of great mathematicians, the principles of geometry were applied to architecture.

Next, we visit the Bolo-Hauz Mosque (early 20th century) and the Ark Citadel (4th century B.C.), the oldest structure in the city. It served as the residence of the emirs of Bukhara, occupied from the 5th century until 1920, when it was bombarded by the Russian army. The last coronation held there was that of Ali Khan in 1910.

We also visit the Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum and Sacred Spring (14th century), also known as “the Spring of Job.” This is a sacred site believed to have been visited by the prophet Job. The waters are considered pure and are believed to have healing properties.

The Kalon Minaret, built in 1127, represents Bukhara’s history from the 11th–12th centuries. Its base is 9 meters in diameter, gradually tapering toward the crown, which is decorated with stalactite motifs, reaching a height of 46 meters.

The Poi Kalon Mosque (12th century) measures 127 × 78 meters and is one of the largest in Central Asia. The Miri Arab Madrasah, built during the reign of Khan Ybaidulli between 1530 and 1536, is also visited.

We will see three historic markets: this 16th-century domed complex, known as the First, Second, and Third Domes, consists of vaulted halls connected by numerous galleries used for trade and artisan workshops.

Finally, we visit the Lyabi Hauz Architectural Complex (14th–17th centuries), a group of two madrasahs and a khanaka built around the city’s largest pond.

At the end of the tour, we return to the hotel.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER

After breakfast, departure by high-speed train to Samarkand. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.

Visits in Samarkand include:

• Shakhi-Zinda Architectural Complex (9th–15th centuries): a group of funerary monuments whose name means “Tomb of the Living Kings.” It consists of a series of pantheons and the tomb of Usam Ibn Abbas, the nephew of the Prophet Muhammad. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city and an important pilgrimage site.

• Ulughbek Observatory (15th century): an astronomical observatory built by the great scholar Ulughbek.

At the end of the tour, return to the hotel.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

After breakfast, we will depart for a tour of Samarkand:

• Registan Square: a complex of majestic madrasas and the city’s main hub. The square houses three important madrasas: Ulughbek, Tillya-Kori, and Sher-Dor. In the Middle Ages, it was the center of public life. It was restored in 1920 and today is a major tourist attraction.

• Guri Emir Mausoleum (14th–15th centuries): this architectural complex with its sky-blue dome contains the tombs of Tamerlane (Timur), his sons Shahrukh and Miran Shah, and his grandson, the famous astronomer Ulughbek. In the main crypt hall, the tombs are decorated with marble and onyx, including Tamerlane’s tomb, which is adorned with jade.

In the evening, we will visit Registan Square to see the night light show (from outside). At the end of the visit, return to the hotel.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

Breakfast. Full day sightseeing of:

• United Museum of Tajikistan, which includes exhibitions on history, natural history, and art. The Buddha in Nirvana is one of the museum’s valuable exhibits. (Closed on Mondays.)

• Botanical Garden, a beautiful garden with many old trees and a favorite spot for locals.

• Bazar, an oriental market and the busiest place in the city.

• Hissar Fortress, the remains of an 18th-century fortress, occupied until 1924, located 30 km west of Dushanbe. Next to the fortress are two simple madrasahs, one dating back to the 18th century and the other to the 19th century, and beyond them is a 16th-century mausoleum.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

Transfer to the airport to take the flight to the next destination.