Best of Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan
13-Day Journey through two 'stans
Cross two 'stans off your hit list with a 13-day tour through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. This well-rounded tour takes you through bustling bazaars and beautiful city mosques in Samarkand and Bukhara, as well as bucket-list natural landscapes like the Derweze gas crater known affectionately as the Door to Hell. Destinations less-ventured can be challenging to visit on your own, but with a skilled Chief Experience Officer (CEO) leading the way, you'll have incredible experiences without sacrificing safety or your sense of adventure.
When travelling with G-Adventures as a Vegan or Veggie traveller, you can trust that your Chief Experience Officer will do all they can to ensure you have seamless and enjoyable experience on this amazing journey. Your Vegan Vacations rep will work tireless in advance of your departure to ensure that suitable options are provided (when available) and will put in the work so you can just get away and explore the world without worry.
Check out the itinerary details below and get in touch today to book your space!
A FEW SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE FROM JUNE - OCTOBER 2019!
MAKE YOUR DEPOSIT TODAY TO SECURE YOUR SPOT!
Itinerary
photo courtesy of G Adventures
Day 1 - Tashkent
photo courtesy of G Adventures
Arrive at any time.
Day 2 - Tashkent/Samarkand
Travel on to Samarkand. Take an orientation walk and opt to visit the Amir Timur Mausoleum.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Day 3 - Samarkand
photo courtesy of G Adventures
Enjoy a city tour and visit to the Registan. Opt to check out the Guri Amir Mausoleum, Tomb of the Prophet Daniel, and the Registan minarets. Use some free time to wander the bazaar or visit more sights.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Day 4 - Samarkand/Aydar Kŭl Camp
Travel out into the desert to visit the Nurata Shrine and remains of the Alexander the Great fortress. Continue on for an evening in a local yurt camp. Opt to ride a camel or enjoy an evening Kazakh singing show.
Exclusive Inclusions:
Your Local Living Moment Overnight in a YurtMeals included:
Breakfast | Dinner
Day 5 - Aydar Kŭl Camp/Bukhara
photo courtesy of G Adventures
Travel to Bukhara, one of the most charming cities in the country. Opt to visit the old city bazaars, have dinner with a local family, or visit a traditional hammam (bathhouse).
Meals included:
Breakfast
Day 6 - Bukhara
Take a half-day guided walk around the beautifully restored mosques, madrassas, and covered markets that make up the Old City.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Day 7 - Bukhara/Khiva
photo courtesy of G Adventures
Enjoy a full day's travel through the desert to reach UNESCO-listed Khiva. Get to know the place on a late afternoon walking tour.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Day 8 - Khiva
Enjoy a guided tour of the city with free time to experience the local life. Opt to browse the shops, wander the lanes, examine handmade silk rugs, or sit in a café in this ancient historical town.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Day 9 - Khiva/Dashoguz
photo courtesy of G Adventures
In the morning drive to the Uzbek-Turkmen border. After border procedures, drive to Dashoguz. Opt to explore the city and it's Bai Market with free time.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Day 10 - Dashoguz/Darvaza
Drive to Kunya Urgench to visit the ancient capital of the Khorezmian Empire. Proceed to Darvaza, also known as the "Door to Hell". Enjoy a delicious barbeque dinner. Spend an evening camping under the stars.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Dinner
Day 11 - Darvaza/Ashgabat
photo courtesy of G Adventures
After breakfast transfer to Ashgabat. On the way, stop at Erbent, a desert community, and observe the local way of living.
Exclusive Inclusions:
Your Local Living Moment Erbent Community Stop
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch
Day 12 - Ashgabat
Take the day to explore Ashgabad. Take a tour of the city in the morning and visit several city treasures such as the National museum or Neutrality Arch.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Day 13 - Ashgabat
photo courtesy of G Adventures
Depart at any time.
Meals included:
BreakfastWhat's Included
- Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Aydar Kŭl Camp
- Your Local Living Moment: Erbent Community Stop, Erbent
- Orientation walk (Samarkand)
- City tour including a Registan visit
- Nurata Shrine visit
- Alexander the Great fortress visit
- Guided walking tour (half-day, Bukhara)
- Walking tours (Khiva)
- Kunya Urgench visit
- Derweze crater visit
- City tour (Ashgabat)
- Transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
Hotels (11 nts), yurt (1 nt), tented camping (1 nt).
Meals
12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Allow USD265-345 for meals not included.
Transportation
Private vehicle, walking.
Staff & experts
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.
Available extras
My Own Room
If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, ask your Vegan Vacations Trip Specialist about the additional costs associated for this itinerary.
*All photos for illustrative purposes only. This tour is operated by G Adventures. Full terms and conditions to be provided prior to booking.
NOTE: This vacation is not 100% vegan, but vegan & veggie diets can be accommodated on this itinerary. Vegan Vacations provides all clients with invaluable information pertaining to vegan options on all trips including what (if any) options might be available when on your own time. This information is customized to each itinerary. Please contact Vegan Vacations at admin@veganvacations.ca for more details.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip detail is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
Important Notes
1. CULTURE
Central Asia is a region which may be very different to anything you have experienced before. Mixture of Soviet heritage and Islam, summer heat and winter cold, religious conservatism, traffic and crowds can result in initial culture shock but should be seen as an exciting new challenge.
2. DRESS CODE
Though you can see lots of people in traditional clothes, Central Asia has adopted western style clothing as well. Don't hesitate to pack your usual travel clothes: in summer it can be shorts and t-shirts, sandals etc. We recommend not to bring tank tops/singlets and any types of clothes with bare shoulders and backs - it is unacceptable in most areas, even in bigger cities. Our tour takes us to many religious sights, where dress code is very strict. We recommend women to have a headscarf in their day bags to cover up when going inside mosques (it's also a great help in the heat in summer). Best things to pack for the hot Central Asian climate is loose, long clothing - long trousers and sarongs or long skirts for women. In colder months (from the end of October through the end of April) it can rain and snow - bring warm clothes, jackets and comfortable warm shoes for walking.
3. ALTITUDE CONSIDERATIONS
This trip operates at altitudes over 800m (max altitude 3016m at Song Kul ). Whilst we travel slowly allowing plenty of time to acclimatize you may experience headaches, nausea, lethargy, especially when visiting Song Kul & Iskanderkul. It is important to be aware of the affects of altitude on one's tolerance especially on long driving days.
4. MONEY
Due to the restrictions on changing money in Central Asia region, only notes/bills printed after 1996 and in good condition will be accepted for exchange. Usually 50 and 100 USD/EUR notes get better exchange rate. We recommend to bring smaller denominations as well - many vendors accept them if you don't have local currency.
2. RAMADAN
According to the lunar cycle, Ramadan will fall between May 5th and June 4th, 2019. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-Muslims throughout the day. It is very important to display increased cultural sensitivity during Ramadan. Please wear loose fitting clothes, that cover knees and shoulders, and try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public out of respect for those who can't at that time.
Contact Vegan Vacations for all the pertinent details and pricing.