From the Lakes of Tajikistan to the Karakum Desert — 16 Days
This combined route weaves together the dramatic mountain landscapes of Tajikistan, the legendary ancient cities of the Great Silk Road in Uzbekistan, and the desert wonders of Turkmenistan. Your journey begins in Tashkent, followed by a flight to Dushanbe. After exploring the Tajik capital, guests will set out for the Hissar Fortress, Lake Iskanderkul, ancient Penjikent, and the cascade of the Seven Lakes in the Fann Mountains. Next, the route traverses the ancient settlement of Sarazm toward Samarkand and Bukhara. The Turkmen chapter of the voyage features ancient Merv, the Mary Historical Museum, marble-clad Ashgabat, Parthian Nisa, and an overnight stay by the Darvaza gas crater in the Karakum desert. The expedition concludes with a return to Ashgabat and a transfer to the international airport.
Trip Highlights
- Historic and Modern Tashkent
- Dushanbe and the Hissar Fortress
- Lake Iskanderkul in the Fann Mountains
- The Seven Lakes Cascade of Tajikistan
- Ancient Penjikent and Sarazm
- Registan Square and the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis
- The Historic Center of Bukhara
- Ancient Merv and the Mary Museum
- White-Marble Ashgabat and Ancient Nisa
- Overnight stay by the Darvaza Gas Crater
- A journey through three countries of Central Asia
Day-by-Day Itinerary
What's Included
- Airport transfers according to the program
- Accommodation in hotels along the route
- One night in a yurt/tent camp near Darvaza
- Breakfasts at hotels
- Meals specifically mentioned in the program
- Professional guides in each country
- All ground transportation services per the program
- Airfare Tashkent — Dushanbe
- Train ticket Samarkand — Bukhara
- Domestic flight Mary — Ashgabat
- Entrance fees for program sites
- LOI and visa support for Turkmenistan
- Registration of foreign tourists in Turkmenistan
- Drinking water during sightseeing days
Not Included
- International airfare to Tashkent and from Ashgabat
- Consular and visa fees
- Migration and medical fees upon entry to Turkmenistan
- Travel and medical insurance
- Single supplement
- Personal expenses
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Lunches and dinners not specified in the program
- Photo and video fees at certain sites
- Early check-in and late check-out at hotels
- Services not mentioned in the program
Accommodation
Hotels along the route in Tashkent, Dushanbe, Penjikent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Mary, and Ashgabat, plus one night in a yurt and tent camp near the Darvaza crater. Hotels offer rooms with private bathrooms. The camp provides shared facilities.
Transport
Comfortable sedans, minivans, or buses depending on group size and road conditions. At international land borders, transport, guides, and drivers will change. The route includes a Tashkent — Dushanbe flight, the Samarkand — Bukhara high-speed train, and a Mary — Ashgabat domestic flight according to the current schedule.
Good to Know
The itinerary includes flights, a train journey, two land borders, mountain passes, and a desert camp stay. We recommend comfortable closed shoes, a small backpack, sun protection, a waterproof jacket, and warm layers for mountain regions and evenings at Darvaza. The order of specific excursions may be adjusted according to transport schedules, weather, and border crossing times.