UZBEKISTAN-TURKMENISTAN

Batik Air 17:00 – 21:50 Kuala Lumpur – Tashkent. Upon arrival meet with your guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan, the city of flowers and fountains, today it is a modern city, but some time ago it was destroyed by a hard earthquake in 1966. Sightseeing tour of Tashkent: Khast Imam Complex – a religious center of the city consisting of the Barakkhan Madrasah, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library of Islamic Literature with the Holy Koran Book of the VII century, and Chorsu Bazaar. Visiting modern part of Tashkent by metro: Amir Timur Square, Applied Art Museum, Earthquake Memorial, Independence Square. Overnight in Tashkent.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Samarkand (307km 4:30-5h). Lunch. Begin sightseeing tour in Samarkand: Gur-Emir Mausoleum (15c), Registan Ensemble (including Ulugbek (15c), Shir Dor (17c), Tillya –Kari Madrassahs (17c), Bibi Khanum Mosque and one of the biggest oriental bazaars Siab market. After lunch second part excursion in Samarkand by visiting: Shah-i-Zinda complex (14-15c), Mirzo Ulugbek’s observatory (15c) Saint Daniel’s tomb, Meros Paper Mill Konigil (famous Samarkand silk paper workshop). Overnight in Samarkand.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Bukhara(270km 4-5h). Discover the Holy City of Bukhara, the city tour will be on foot as all monuments are located in a close dense area. First, we drive to the starting point near the city park. Sightseeing tour in Bukhara: Mausoleum of Ismail Samani (9-10c)-vault of Bukhara rulers’ dynasty, Chashma-i-Ayub Mausoleum (14c, St. Job’s well), Bolo-Hauz complex (18 c) consisting of Mosque (where Bukhara emirs used to pray) minaret and khauz (pond), royal fortress Ark (6-16 c) with its high fortification walls. After lunch, the second part of sightseeing tour in Bukhara: Poi-Kalyan Ensemble consisting of Minaret Kalon (12c) Djuma Mosque (15c) and functioning Madrassah of Miri-Arab (16 c), Emir-Alim-Khan Madrassah (14c), Ulugbek’s madrassah (15c), Abdulaziz’s (17c) Madrassahs. Medieval trading domes: Toqi Zargaron (jewellers), Toqi Telpak-furushon (cap sellers) and Toqi Sarrafon (money exchangers), Lyab-i-Hauz place (16-17c) consisting of Kukeldash and Nadir Devonbegi Madrassahs (16c, 17c) including Khanaqa (ancient hospice for pilgrims) and khauz (pond) of Nadir Divanbegi, ancient Mosque Magok-i-Attari (16c). Overnight in Bukhara.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Khiva(451km 7-8h).. Lunch. Departure by car/bus to Khiva through the Kyzylkum desert. On the way, we will make a stop to see the Amu Darya River. Arrival in Khiva. (Perhaps evening Khiva.) Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. We will begin with the visit of the Ichan-Kala architectural complex: Kalta Minor, Kunya Ark Castle, Mohammed Rahim Khan Madrasa, Islom Khodja Madrasa and Madrasa, Tash Hovli Architectural Complex, Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Mosque, Madrasa Allikulikhan. Lunch. Drive to Shavat border. Our representative will meet you at the Turkmen/Uzbek border. Dinner. Overnight in Dashoguz.

Breakfast at the hotel. City tour in Dashoguz, museum. Lunch. After lunch, drive to Darvaza Burning Gas Crater (6h, 300km) The Crater is also called "The Door to Hell". The area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 60 m and 20 m deep. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today. In the evening, watch the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater. BBQ dinner & overnight at Gas Crater.

BF at the camp. Morning drive to Ashgabat (4h, 270km). Check in to the hotel. Free time. After you will have an Ashgabat city tour. In 2013 the Guinness Book of Records named Ashgabat a “white marbled city” – here you can see the biggest number of structures in the world made out of white marble. You will see the Wedding Palace, the modern “Yildyz” Hotel, the Ferries Wheel, the Constitution Monument, the Arch of Neutrality, the Monument and Park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Ashgabat Olympic Stadium, the Earthquake and Victims of WWII Monuments. Overnight in Ashgabat.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive to Gokdepe fortress that was attacked in December 1880 by Russian Empire Army. The siege of Gokdepe lasted 23 days, after which the city was taken by storm. Visit Geokdepe Mosque (Saparmyrat Hajy) that was built in 1995 to commemorate the defeat and is noted for its mint-turquoise blue colored roof and white marble structure. Then visit Gokdepe museum about the battle between Russians and local tribe “Akhalteke” in 1881. Later drive to visit Horse Farm to see a national proud of Turkmen people - Akhalteke horses, the nicest horses in the world. 5000 years ago, Turkmens begin breed Akhalteke horses. The World’s unique breed was never mixed with other breeds. Such illustrious Emperors like Alexander the Great, Darius I desired to own Ahalteke horses. There are over 35 beautiful horses in the farm. Per superstition, every sick person who touches an Ahalteke horse will get well soon. Drive to Kowata underground lake which is located 107 km from Ashgabat. The Turkmen name Kow-Ata means "father of caves". This underground area seems like a magnificent auditorium: the overall length of the cave is 230 m, its height reaches 20 m, and its width is at some points 57 m. The bottom of the cave is covered with lumps of dissolved limestone (stalagmites), and its warm and gushing water is clear and emerald colored. The water has a constant temperature of 33-37°C. (You should swim in the lake). Overnight at Hostel in Gyzylarbat.

BF at the hotel. Then drive to Karakala (129km, 2h) via the Syunt-Khasardag nature reserve to see Moon Mountain. You will experience the Moon's surface on Earth with outstanding landscapes. A traveller may think that he/she is on the moon or some mysterious planet due to the unusual landscape. These mountains look extremely amazing: they have rounded, swollen shapes, pinkish-cream or grey, almost white colours, which create a rainbow after the rain depending on the humidity level. Then drive to Nokhur mountain village (150km). The village itself fills a small depression valley in the mountains of the Kopet Dag Range, Apart from the main street through the middle of the town, the streets are so narrow that they only just fit a car between the high stone retaining walls on each side. The Nohkuri people who populate this remote mountain village are quite different to other Turkmen tribes. According to legends, this was the place where Noah’s Ark moored and all animals were let out and various seeds were planted. Indeed, the nature of Nohur differs from the surrounding places. Visit the great tree and one of the unique cemetery, which is isolated. Nearly every grave is marked by a wooden post decorated with the horns of a mountain goat. Make your sacred wishes visiting wish tree named after Kyz Bibi. Drive to Ashgabat. Overnight at hotel.

Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport. Departure. T 803 ASB – KUL 06:15 – 17:05.