Turkmenistan

For over 3000 years Central Asia has been a cultural and intellectual crossroads, luring travelers, traders, scholars and conquerors. Bordered by the vast Russian steppe to the north, the fairy tale beauty of the Caspian Sea to the west, soaring mountains and wilderness to the south, and forbidding deserts and snow-capped peaks to the east, the countries of Central Asia are the ultimate travel destination for anyone seeking the trip of a lifetime. Recently independent, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are the new frontiers on travel itineraries. We create memories with our travelers in Bukhara, Tashkent, Samarkand, Merv, Ashgabat and Khiva; the fabled cities of Marco Polo, Tamerlane and Alexander the Great. The region is a mix of the ancient world with modern flair and a dash of Soviet era thrown in. Its home to the warmest people in the world and we can take you there.

The journey begins in the Uzbekistan capital of Tashkent, rightly called the “Star of the Orient” for its central location which facilitated the exchange of trade. Travelers will be awed by the Islamic influence of the architecture where madrasahs, ancient schools of Muslim theology, flourish alongside bustling bazaars, modern monumental parks and the Kaffal Shashi tomb of an ancient Islamic scholar and mystic. Continuing on, the tour crosses into Tajikistan, famous for its alpine lakes and enormous glaciers, where the northern city of Khujand claims to be the birthplace of the original Silk routes.

Across the border in Uzbekistan, Samarkand, arguably one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, fiercely guards its reputation as “The Rome of the East,” a magnificent city so advanced in classical learning and architectural display that it even rendered conqueror Alexander the Great speechless. Between the famous Bibi-Khanym mosque built by Tamerlane to the stunning blue dome of the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, and the singular beauty of Registan Square, which remains the hub of city life, Samarkand continues to impress visitors today.

Bukhara, as well: blending the modern and traditional, it delights travelers with its hearty plov dishes, folk shows, and rich scholastic heritage as once the cultural, scientific, and commercial center of the Silk Road. Thousands of ancient scholars and theologians once called Bukhara home, the city’s Kaylan Minaret evidently inspired Genghis Khan with such an appreciation for its beauty that he left it standing despite its religious overtones. The tour then proceeds into Turkmenistan, particularly famous for its intricately woven, bold red carpets, where travelers can explore the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar in the ancient province of Mary and Ashgabat’s own Blue Mosque.

We return back to Uzbekistan after exploring Konya Urgench of Turkmenistan. Khiva of Uzbekistan is next to explore. It is a fairy-tale city of the Silk Road. Claimed to have been founded by Shem, the son of Biblical Noah, Khiva remains one of the best-preserved towns of the Silk Road, enchanting visitors with its brick-and-majolica-tiled city walls as well as the Khan’s Tash-Hauli Palace and Harem, and the Djuma palace with its distinctive 200 wooden pillars.

Moving along, the tour enters Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central Asia and home to some of the most spectacular alpine landscapes, which, in contrast with the vastness of the steppes below, exist if only to amplify the beauty of Kazakhstan’s hallmark geography. In the capital city of Almaty, travelers will visit the National Museum of Folk Musical Instruments as well as the magnificent Zenkov Russian Orthodox Cathedral.

Finally, the trail ends in Kyrgyzstan’s capital of Bishkek. Once a mere caravan stop on the Silk Road, the city is today a blend of Soviet, Asian and European influences, with its enticing mile long Dordoy Bazaar as one of the greatest marketplaces in Central Asia. Nearby, the warm alpine lake retreat of Issyk-Kul, one of the largest and deepest of its kind in the world, evokes a lasting impression of the weeks of cultural immersion in Central Asia’s rich heritage. We enjoy scouting our destinations once and again and creating new activities that are extraordinary. Contact us to join this Central Asia tour or request for your customized Central Asia adventure to Central Asia Silk Road.

From the songs of the mystic Bakhshy troubadours come the treasures of mysterious Turkmenistan. A warm, Turkmen welcome is waiting for you here. Shop the markets and bazaars; redolent with silk, spices and tradition. Find one of the Telpek fur hats or a gorgeous bracelet of silver and carnelian. Enjoy the rich pilaf rice dishes, herb-filled pastries, chorek bread and hearty soups. Visit skilled artisans in their workshops and see the production of luxurious keteni silks and gorgeous, hand-woven carpets. Tour the best of Turkmenistan sightseeing through the romantic Karakum desert. Visit the ancient sites at Gonur Depe, and the UNESCO sites of Merv and Konya Urgench, witnesses to thousands of years of history from the Achaemenid Empire to Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great. Stop at the "Gates of Hell" in early evening when the Darvaza gas crater is at its most dramatic. Explore the archaeological fortress site of Nisa, the ancient Parthian capital and with luck, you'll see a red moon, a phenomenon of the desert. From the Yangyqala Canyons, the shores of the clear Caspian Sea welcome you to the resort at Awaza to see the other side of this incredible country. Arriving back in the capital of Turkmenistan; the "marble city" of Ashgabat, you'll experience this gold-accented, purpose-built creation of the former president Turkmenbashi and visit the hippodrome to see the legendary Akhal Teke horses. Turkmenistan astonishes and entertains with its almost surreal mix of ancient and modern. 

This trip is from our Condé Nast Traveler Collection

Central Asia is fast becoming the must-see frontier on travel itineraries. The nations of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are the ultimate destinations for those seeking the trip of a lifetime. Visitors to Central Asia are finding a world that stands between times. Closed to the west for decades under Soviet rule, the cities are rushing to catch up with the modern world yet most of the land remains as it has for centuries. It is a land of contrast with changing urban skylines and pristine landscapes, Silk Road culture and cuisine, thousands of years of history, some of the last unexplored territories, filled with adventure and opportunity and a tradition of hospitality unmatched anywhere in the world. This is our back yard, our knowledge and experience mean we offer the best tours to Central Asia.
Experience everything you have ever dreamed of...soaring minarets and azure skies, opulent silk and silver, intricate designs on ancient mosaics and carpets, sunbaked medieval walls, the majesty of mountains and glitter of an alpine lake, traditional music at a desert campfire and the inviting scents of warm bread and exotic spices. An exploration of the legendary "Stans" of Central Asia is the stuff of dreams. Silk Road Treasure Tours can make yours a reality.

Whether you are in the vibrant capital city of Ashgabad behind its sun-warmed adobe walls or in a village nestled in a lush valley sitting in a nomadic Kyrgyz yurt under a sky of blazing stars, or next to a spectacular giant glowing desert crater, our guests are presented with both the highest comfort and most authentic experience. You will witness classic Soviet architecture amidst soaring minarets, brilliant blue cupolas, lace-like ornamentation and ceramics of the medieval mausoleums and mosques. You will experience the excitement of the bustling bazaars, still as busy now as they were hundreds of years ago. These are places where anything is available, and everything is on display.

Hungry? our guests are tempted by the aroma of fresh bread from clay tandur ovens, and the robust smell of Silk Road spices, that unforgettable fragrance of faraway lands. Traveling with us you will enjoy fine food and wine with tailored menus. This is real luxury culinary immersion because we have exclusive access to private venues. We have the experience to select the best local food and exclusively offer the chance to sample food from local homes, private Kazakhstan estates and from caravan-serais.

These tours travel arrangements include first-class train cars on the high-speed railway, luxury automobiles. Our guests stay in the Silk Road Treasure Tours’ exclusive collection of international luxury branded hotels or local boutique hotels. International hotels include Ritz Carlton, Hyatt, Inter-Continental, and Serena properties. Boutique hotels include: Minzifa, Sasha and Son, and Komil hotels in Bukhara; Orient Star Hotel in Khiva; and Bibi Khanum or Grand Samarkand Superior in Samarkand.

Central Asia offers thousands of years of cultural, historical and archaeological treasures and the warmest hospitality in the world! Silk Road Tresure Tours offers you the opportunity to explore, experience and discover these lands of the ancient Silk Road. Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are the places we long to explore, cities of fable, and landscapes of legend; where the pulse of ancient civilization provides the backdrop for recently independent nations. From soaring minarets, desert sands and wind-swept steppe, opulent silk and silver, intricate designs on ancient mosaics and carpets, and colors and exotic offerings in lively bazaars. Discover the fascinating historical and cultural transformations that have taken place from the Sogdian Empire to Islamic Caliphate, from Tamerlane to the Tsars, from Soviet rule to present-day independence. Our outstanding guides will lead you to spiritual centers of Sufi, Buddhist and Zoroastrian origin, ancient petroglyphs and ruins, Islamic mehdressas and mosques, and through bazaars brimming with traditional and contemporary handicrafts and workshops. Meetings with historians, archaeologists, artisans and local families will enhance the experience, rounded out with traditional dance, music and cultural displays on our journey across Central Asia's Silk Road.

Add your family history to the great legends of the Silk Road! Our world is changing and travel enhances our global vision and offers our children the gift of experience and knowledge. Geo-literacy and global thinking are important to the future's world citizens and Central Asia is a fabulous destination filled with history, adventure, and the warmest hospitality in the world! Tour this amazing region with your own intrepid travelers and Silk Road Treasure Tours will help you experience all the excitement of a new destination. The "stans" of Central Asia are the five nations of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan; long hidden from the west under Soviet rule, these countries are topping the list of the newest, must-see destinations.

Whether in the modern cities, behind medieval sun-baked walls, or in a rural village in the mountains, this region is steeped in traditional, family oriented culture. Criss-crossed by the Great Silk Road routes and set amid vast stretches of desert, and steppe surrounded by some of the highest mountains in the world, the pristine landscapes of Central Asia are waiting to be discovered. Ride a camel in the Kyzyl-Kum desert of Uzbekistan, stay in a traditional yurt by a lake in Kyrgyzstan, visit with an Uzbek family and share a meal, watch craftsmen and artisans at work or Turkmen nomads haggling for livestock in the bazaars, and enjoy lively music and dance performances in ancient caravansarays. We make the fabled UNESCO World Heritage cities of the Silk Road come alive!

Places like Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva, Khodjand, and Ashgabad offer thousands of years of history, culture, and traditions in an incredible post-Soviet mix. Our knowledgeable guides weave history and legend together, to inform and entertain. They know all the right places for family members of all ages to enjoy, and our detailed advance planning ensures that there are no unwanted surprises and that tours are paced appropriately. The food in Central Asia reflects the variety of Silk Road cultures and menus are fresh and local. We're happy to try and accommodate special requests and can arrange school visits or trips to special niche interest areas like bio-reserves. Want a more focused cultural experience? We're happy to customize family tours to any country or region. Experience the treasures of the Silk Road with us - where the world is more interesting. 

Follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo!

Our award winning tour “Treasures of Central Asia 5 Stans” uncover the cultural aspects of Central Asia crafted from fables and fantasies. This small group Silk Road tour visiting Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan was designed for guests to explore Central Asia’s ancient UNESCO World Heritage Sites, discover exotic Silk Road  bazaars, and take in the spectacular scenery of mountains, deserts and lakes along the Silk Road.  The travelers will stay in centrally located comfortable hotels in the capital cities, charming boutique hotels in the ancient cities and one night stay in an nomadic yurt in Kizil kum desert.  The tours will be lead by our experienced guides, curators who have backgrounds in history and art who will share the best of our Central Asia Stan countries. The guests enjoy participating cultural festivals, and cooking classes.

The trip begins in Uzbekistan, the crossroads of civilization and the heart of Central Asia. Guests will arrive in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, to explore ancient mausoleums, mosques and the lively Chor-Su Bazaar. While in Uzbekistan, guests will visit some of the best preserved cities of the Silk Road including: Penjikent,   located not far from the border of Uzbekistan, for a day trip to one of the most ancient cities of Tajikistan; Samarkand, a city more than 2,750 years old to visit several sites including the incredible Registan Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is now the main location for Uzbek’s international music festivals; and Bukhara, another World Heritage Site, to experience local hospitality with an Uzbek family, Silk and melon festivals and a folk-show in Medreseh Nodir Divan Begi. You may be lucky to attend uzbek wedding here as well.

From Bukhara guests will drive to Turkmenistan and through the Kara Kum desert from Mary to Merv. Once belonged to the Achaemenian Empire in the VI th century BC until the invasion by Alexander the Great, Merv is the oldest well-preserved heritage city of the Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guests will then head to the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, a haven of museums and bazaars. Here guests will discover the ruins of the ancient Parthian state capital currently being restored by UNESCO, along with unique fortresses, the National Museum of History and Ethnography and Talkuchka Bazaar. Guests will enjoy a sightseeing drive to  Khiva, one of the three historical cities on the ancient trade route, to explore Uzbekistan’s open-air museum of unparalleled examples of architecture.  Continuing onto Kazakhstan guests will arrive in Almaty, the former capital which is situated at the foot of the Zaili Alatau Mountain Range. Guests will visit the remarkable gardens, parks and promenades at Alatau Park and enjoy spectacular views of the Chimbulak mountainous area. Across the famous Kazakh Steppe, guests will drive to one of the greenest cities in Central Asia, Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. Originally a caravan rest stop from China to Europe, Bishkek is now a bustling shopper‟s delight with bazaars offering exotic foods, colorful clothes, woodcarvings, and more. The last full days will be spent enjoying the beaches of Issyk Kul (Warm Lake), one of the largest and deepest alpine lakes in the world which, although surrounded by the snowy AlaTau mountains, never freezes.  You can also enjoy the horse show and meet Eagle men of Kyrgyzstan.

This Central Asia trip begins in the historical capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, where you will enjoy exquisite site-seeing and a unique Silk Road shopping experience.  Enjoy a leisurely drive to the ancient city of Khiva and bask in the ambiance surrounding brick walls that are decorated with the delicate majolica tiling.  As the trip continues, we provide you with hassel free  border crossing experience into Turkmenistan, where you will commence in your discovery of the ancient archeological sites of Konya Urgench.  Our expert guides will then lead you to the largest city in Turkmenistan, Ashgabad, for the lifetime travel experience. In Ashgabad you will visit one of the most beautiful and rich carpet museums of Central Asia as well as bustling bazaar Altyn Asyr.

As your journey of a life time moves forward along the Silk Road, you will visit the legendary city of Mary in Turkmenistan and finish the memorable day by crossing the border back in Uzbekistan.  Prepare yourself for the authentic cuisine you will receive in Bukhara, and enjoy the warm hospitality of the Uzbekistan culture.  It is a true stay in paradise as you enjoy the atmosphere of the 3000 year old city of Bukhara.  Have your camera ready as your enter into the city of Samarkand because you are going to want to remember this remarkable experience.  As your trip comes to an unfortunate close, embrace the beauty of Tajikistan and its wondrous ancient city of Penjikent.

This tour through Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan is an opportunity of a life time. Not only do we supply smooth Visa process, accommodations, we also have extremely experienced guides who will make your trip special and crafted towards your travel style.