Markets and Minarets of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan
Explore the markets, mosques and minarets of oasis towns on the fringes of the Kyzyl Kum and Kara Kum deserts. Here, spiritual beliefs were the greatest commodities to flow along trade routes, and civilizations blossomed amidst austere natural beauty. Head overland across Uzbekistan, the heart of the Silk Road, and then fly to the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat.
13 Day Trip
- Private Journey
Minimum of 2 Travelers - Travels to:
Central Asia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan - Flexible Essential:
Tashkent to Ashgabat
MIR Signature Why end mights on this Tour
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Dine at the home of an Uzbek familyRead More
Dine at the home of a local Uzbek family and sample traditional Central Asian dishes.... -
Visit with a sixth generation ceramics master in TashkentRead More
Visit with a sixth generation ceramics master who has revived the lost art of using natural dyes, teaching these rediscovered techniques to contemporary Uzbek ceramicists.... -
Tour the UNESCO-listed capital of the ancient Parthian KingdomRead More
Visit the site of the capital of the ancient Parthian Kingdom, Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.... -
Enjoy the dazzling dances and costumes of UzbekistanRead More
Visit a Bukharan madrassah to dine and enjoy a costume show and dance performance by local artists....
Why Travel with MIR on this Tour

- Over 30 years of Central Asia travel experience
- The first American travel company to open an accredited office in Uzbekistan
- Travel programs such as Vassar, Dartmouth and the Harvard Museum of Natural History have chosen MIR to guide them to Central Asia
- Twice named one of National Geographic Adventure’s “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth”
- On-the-ground support and quality you can trust
- Personalized travel planning from start to finish
- Guides and tour managers that clients rave about
Itinerary & Highlights at a Glance
Days 1-7: Tashkent, Samarkand, Shahrisabz, Bukhara
In Uzbekistan’s capital, wander the Chorsu Bazaar and visit the studio of a master ceramics craftsman. Tamerlane transformed Samarkand into one of the most beautiful cities along the Silk Road. Visit his hometown, UNESCO-listed Shahrisabz, before continuing to Bukhara to admire the peaceful Lyabi-Hauz Plaza, embodying the soul of pre-Soviet Central Asia.
Highlights
- Uzbekistan’s capital and largest city, Tashkent
- The Square of Independence, tracing Tashkent’s history
Days 8-9: Khiva
Continue to Khiva, a living museum with its dun-colored city walls, merchants hawking their wares from each side, and distinctive minarets watching over the whole scene.
Highlights
- Ichon-Qala, or Khiva’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Kyzyl Kum Desert, covering approximately 118,000 square miles
Days 10-13: Dashoguz, Ashgabat
In Turkmenistan, investigate Ashgabat, the Guinness World Record-holder for the highest density of white marble buildings. Explore UNESCO-listed Nisa, once a major center of the ancient Parthian Kingdom.
Highlights
- Capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, with marble and gold monuments
- Hand-loomed carpets at the Museum of Carpets and Textiles
See Dates & Prices for more details or to see suggested extensions.
Tour Dates & Prices
Land Tour Price, Per Person
based on double occupancy
- 2 Traveler Minimum $4,295
- Plus Internal Air $100
- Single Supplement $495
2019 Dates
Your Choice of Dates
Start on a Monday
Recommended months of travel:
- March,
- April,
- May,
- June,
- July,
- August,
- September,
- October,
- November,
- FROM
- $4,295
- Min 2 Travelers
Group Size
Pricing is based on a minimum of 2 travelers on this trip. Call for solo trip pricing.
Private trip prices vary by season and are subject to hotel availability for your travel dates. Hotel upgrades, additional nights and solo traveler prices are available on request.
What’s Included
On Your Tour
- Shared accommodations in well-located superior tourist class hotels throughout the itinerary. Call for hotel upgrade prices.
- 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 9 dinners, per the itinerary. A few lunches and dinners are left independent so you may enjoy a chance to dine on your own.
- Restaurant tips for included meals.
- One arrival and one departure transfer. (Additional arrival and departure transfers available at additional cost.) MIR will arrange for travelers to be met upon arrival and seen off on departure, whether we make your air arrangements or not.
- Ground transportation throughout itinerary by private vehicle (size of vehicle depends on number of travelers).
- Evening cultural performances per the itinerary.
- Guided sightseeing tours and entrance fees as outlined in itinerary.
- Services of experienced, English-speaking local guides, drivers and other staff.
Before Your Tour
- Personalized pre-departure support from one of our knowledgeable Tour Specialists.
- Complete pre-departure information including detailed packing list and reading list.
- Touring with MIR handbook with country-specific information, maps, and travel tips.
- Customized visa application instruction kit (please note, visa fees are not included in the tour price).
- Final document packet including luggage tags, final updates, and more.
- Assistance booking your custom flight arrangements (on request; please note that international and internal airfares are not included in the land tour cost).
Prepare for Your Trip

International Airfare
MIR's in-house, full-service air department will gladly assist with your air travel needs.
More Info
Reading List
MIR recommends reading up before you leave home. So settle back in your armchair with some of our favorite books about our favorite places.
More Info
Visas
Most MIR programs require one or more visas, and each visa requires a completely blank page in your passport. Visa information for this particular tour is listed in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.
More InfoTravel Insurance
Stay a Little Longer…
MIR can arrange for an extended program in the South Caucasus countries, Iran, Western Russia, or Eastern Europe. All of MIR’s destinations are open to you, and all can be attached to this program. Please contact MIR for more details about exciting options for extended travel.
Or, choose from one of these suggested itineraries:
Is this Trip Right for You?
While the accommodations are comfortable, they will vary from superior tourist class hotels to simple and basic bed and breakfast-style small private hotels. It is important to keep in mind that the countries of Central Asia are not up to the standards North American travelers expect.
A full list of details about the rigors of this tour are explained in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.
Read our Travel Journals
MIR's Travel Journals offer first hand accounts of MIR's fascinating destinations.
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Chinese Turkestan & Central Asia: Exploring the Silk Road
Andrew Barron, MIR's Director of Scheduled Group Tours, visits the ancient Silk Road in Western China and the 'Stans with the Chinese Turkestan & Central Asia scheduled group tour. Read about his journey from Almaty to Urumqi, Kashgar and Bishkek.... Read More
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Ancient Persia, Modern Iran: A Tour Leader’s Blog
Follow along with seasoned MIR Tour Manager, Michel Behar, as he blogs his way through MIR's Ancient Persia - Modern Iran small group tour. Spend each day with him as he recounts his favorite traditional Persian foods, his discoveries at the outdoor markets, and his impressions of the gardens, art and architecture of Iran.... Read More
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Luxury Travel Advisor, a leading publication covering “the latest news and trends in luxury travel,” advises adding MIR’s new small group journey From the Heavenly Tien Shan to the High Pamirs to your 2019 bucket list. ... Read More
From the Blog
Amazing Why end mights You Can Only Have in Georgia
February 14, 2019
The bounteous country of Georgia in the South Caucasus is a heaven-on-earth kind of place. Georgia has everything a traveler could want. Now is the best time to travel to the Republic of Georgia. It’s gaining steam as a ... Read More
Award-Winning Writer (and MIR Tour Host) Authors New Pocket Guide on Delicious Georgian Breads
February 14, 2019
Travel and food writer Carla Capalbo has published the first of a planned series of lightweight, small, pocket-style guides on Georgian food and wine. Perfect for carrying in a pocket or daypack, these little guides are avail... Read More