Turkey To Tashkent - 48 Days
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Overview
Highlights
- Istanbul - Begin your adventure in the cosmopolitan Turkish city, which is the only city in the world that lies in two continents - Asia and Europe
- Cappadocia - Enjoy guided sightseeing of the enchanting region including the underground city of Kaymakli and the valley of Ihlara
- Tbilisi - See the highlights of Georgia's charming capital city including the Sioni Cathedral and the hilltop Narikala Fortress
- Lake Sevan - Camp on the shore of this breathtaking lake which is home to the only beaches in Armenia
- Vardzia - Take in the incredible underground cave city including the monastery which is still maintained by a handful of dedicated monks
- Sheki - Visit the exquisite Khan's Palace and spend the night in a converted Silk Road caravanserai which is now a comfortable hotel
- Baku - Explore the resource-rich Azerbaijani capital independently to see glistening skyscrapers and the iconic Maiden Tower
- Ashgabat - Marvel at the bonkers architecture and marble-clad buildings of Turkmenistan's strange and off the beaten track capital city
- Darvaza - Gaze at the flaming Darvaza Gas Crater in the desert, which has been burning away since 1971
- Khiva - Discover highlights of the ancient city including it's imposing city walls, the turquoise Kalta Minor Minaret and Juma Mosque
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Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- 30 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 16 dinners
- 34 nights in hotels / hostels / guesthouses
- 11 nights camping (including 3 nights on campsites, 7 nights wild camping and 1 night camping without facilities)
- 1 night camping in traditional yurt
- 1 overnight ferry from Baku - Turkmenbashi
- All necessary camping equipment (excluding sleeping bags)
- Services of two crew (drivers/tour leaders) and local guides along the way
- Transportation in an overland expedition vehicle
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Guided tour of Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus and Cappadocia in Turkey
- Visit to the Vardzia Caves in Georgia
- Visits to the Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery and Khor Virap Monastery in Armenia
- A stay in the ancient Sheki caravanserai in Azerbaijan
- Visit to Gobustan to see the petroglyphs and mud volcanoes
- Guided tour of Ashgabat and visit to the Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan
- Guided tour of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand in Uzbekistan
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Itinerary
Welcome to Istanbul! On arrival, transfer to our joining hotel for a 10:00am Welcome Meeting before the rest of today is free to explore the city at leisure. Perhaps take a cruise on the Bosphorus, which marks the boundary between Europe and Asia. Or go for a wander to see highlights of the city including the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia.
Istanbul - Gallipoli. Leaving Istanbul, we board our overland truck for the first time and drive to the Gallipoli peninsula. Here we’ll take a guided tour of the region and can pay our respects at some of the WW1 battlefields and memorials. We’ll also visit ANZAC Cove, the site of some of the fiercest fighting during the war. After our tour, we drive to our hostel in nearby Eceabat.
Gallipoli - Selcuk. On day 3 we cross the Dardenelles by ferry and drive to the ruins of the fabled city of Troy. See the replica Trojan Horse before we arrive at our hostel in Selcuk. The evening is free to relax in one of the many tea bars in the area. The nex...
Selcuk - Pamukkale. Driving inland, we reach the small village of Pamukkale, which is famous for its mineral rich hot springs and white terraced travertines. Take a walk along these beautiful terraces and opt for a dip in the thermal springs. Tonight, we will either camp near Pamukkale or stay in a local hotel.
Pamukkale - Olympos. On day 6 we drive to the popular Turkish beach town of Olympos. The rest of today and day 7 is free to relax or explore at leisure. There’s an optional sea kayaking adventure that you may wish to join. At dusk on day 7 we hike up the Chimera...
Olympos - Egirdir. We leave Olympos behind and drive to the impressive Pisidian ruins of Termessos, which sit at an altitude of more than 1,000m. After exploring the site, we continue towards Egirdir, finding a suitable spot for our first night of wild camping en route.
Egirdir - Goreme. On day 9 we drive to the small town of Goreme, nestled in the heart of the magical Cappadocia Mountains. During our two days here we’ll enjoy guided sightseeing in this enchanting subterranean landscape. Explore the underground city of Kaymakli and t...
Goreme - Zara. Today we have a long drive towards the incredible Sumela Monastery, stopping en route to wild camp near the villages of Zara or Alucra.
Zara - Sumela. Today we reach the incredible Sumela Monastery, which clings to rugged cliffs 1,200m up. The monastery was founded in the year 368CE during the reign of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I. We get to explore this amazing site and gaze out at the green forests and mystical swirling mists in the valley below. We spend the night at a campsite near the monastery (weather permitting).
Sumela - Batumi (Georgia). Today we say goobye to Turkey as we cross into Georgia and drive to the hospitable port city of Batumi. Sitting on the Black Sea coast, Batumi is a popular summer getaway destination for Georgians and travellers alike. There’s free time to e...
Batumi - Kutaisi. Leaving Batumi, we make our way to the ancient city of Kutaisi. On arrival, we’ll visit the pretty Bagrati Cathedral, resplendent in all its glory following recent renovation works. There’s also time to visit the 11th century Gelati Monastery and the nearby Prometheus Cave - the largest cave in Georgia.
Kutaisi - Tbilisi. On day 15 we drive to the Georgian capital of Tbilisi where we may be joined by other travellers for the next leg of our journey. The geographical position of Tbilisi gave it a lot of control over the Silk Road and made the city a historic regional ...
Tbilisi - Lake Sevan (Armenia).Today we leave Tbilisi behind and drive to the border with Armenia. Pass through the picturesque scenery of Dilijan National Park to shimmering Lake Sevan. Landlocked Armenia’s only beaches are found at the lake, making it a popular summer retreat for Armenians. We’ll spend the night camping on the shore of the lake.
Lake Sevan - Yerevan. Setting off from Lake Sevan on day 18, our first stop is the UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery, which has been carved out of the rock face of the Azat River Gorge. We continue to the impressive Graeco-Roman Garni Temple before arriving in ancient Y...
Yerevan - Armenian Highlands. Today we drive into the pristine Armenian Highlands. A stop is made at the Khor Virap Monastery, close to the Turkish border. This important pilgrimage site sits in the shadow of imposing Mt Ararat and on a clear day there are magnificent views of the snow-capped peak. We wild camp in the highlands tonight.
Armenian Highlands - Vardzia (Georgia). Today we cross back into Georgia and journey to Vardzia, home to the sprawling Vardzia Caves. This ancient cave city is carved into the side of a mountain and was once a sprawling underground community. Abandoned mostly in the 1...
Vardzia - Mtskheta. We explore Vardzia this morning if there wasn't time yesterday, before beginning our drive to Borjomi National Park. Here we can enjoy a short hike through the ancient forest. Perhaps opt to ride the cable car up the mountain before we board our tr...
Mtskheta - Stepantsminda. Today we drive to the town of Stepantsminda, nestled in beautiful scenery. During our stay here we’ll enjoy a trek up to the tiny Tsminda Sameba Church, which is hidden away in the rolling hills and mountains of the Georgian Caucasus. There’s an optional cooking class where you can learn how to make delicious Georgian kinkhalis (meatballs).
Stepantsminda - Telavi. On day 24 we head into the Alazani Valley and arrive in the wine-making region of Telavi. Hundreds of varieties of grape are grown here and we’ll visit some local vineyards on day 25. Watch local traditions in action including grape harvesting and enjoy some famous Georgian hospitality with lunch and wine tasting at a family-run winery.
Telavi - Lagodekhi National Park. Leaving Telavi, we head towards the border with Azerbaijan. Stop at the impressive Gremi Citadel before we spend our final night in Georgia wild camping in Lagodekhi National Park.
Lagodekhi National Park - Sheki (Azerbaijan). Today we enter the resource-rich Republic of Azerbaijan. Our first stop is the ancient town of Sheki, where we visit the exquisite 18th century Khan’s Palace. A special treat awaits us tonight. Our accommodation is a comfo...
Sheki - Lahij. Today we drive to Lahij, an ancient mountain settlement which is famous for its copper and arms production. Explore the site at leisure and camp with facilities tonight.
Lahij - Baku. On day 29 we pay a visit to Gobustan, the region famous for its ancient petroglyphs and bubbling mud volcanoes. After exploring the area we continue to Baku, the sprawling capital of Azerbaijan. The city is an enchanting contrast of old and new, wi...
Baku - Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan). Today we will hopefully board the ferry bound for Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan. Our ferry will be extremely basic, but the crossing is a fantastic authentic experience. Spend the night onboard but please note there will generally only be seats available for the overnight crossing.
Today we disembark the ferry at Turkmenbashi. We either stay in a local hotel or, if the ferry has docked early and we have time, we’ll begin our drive towards Ashgabat and wild camp en route.
Turkmenbashi - Ashgabat. On day 33 we arrive in Turkmenistan's strange capital city of Ashgabat. The city holds the world record for the highest concentration of marble clad buildings anywhere in the world. On day 34 we embark on a minibus tour of this off the b...
Ashgabat - Darvaza Gas Crater. We leave Ashgabat behind today and head north into the Karakum Desert. We stop at the incredible Darvaza Gas Crater, which is known locally as the “Door to Hell”. The crater was formed in 1971 when Soviet oil drillers accidentally ...
Darvaza Gas Crater - Kunye Urgench. We continue our overland journey across the Karakum Desert today. There's an included stop at the ruins of Kunye Urgench, once a major city on the Silk Road. The site was first settled in the 5th century due to its location on the s...
Kunye Urgench - Khiva (Uzbekistan). On day 37 we browse the market in the border town of Dashoguz before crossing into Uzbekistan. Later, we arrive in the welcoming Silk Road city of Khiva. On day 38 there’s a guided tour of the city, taking in highlights includ...
Khiva - Bukhara. Day 39 is a travel day as we journey to Bukhara. There’s a guided tour of the city on day 40, taking in highlights including the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Ark Fortress and Kalon Mosque. You’ll also get to see the giant Kalyan Minaret, which earned its ...
Bukhara - Nurata. Today we drive into the Kyzylkhum Desert, arriving near the town of Nurata. There’s an optional camel ride over the rolling sand dunes and we spend the night staying in yurts in the desert. Yurts are comfortable felt tents and are the traditional form of accommodation for Central Asian nomads.
Nurata - Samarkand. On day 43 we spend some time exploring the Nurata Hills and you can opt for a dip in the refreshing waters of Lake Ajdar Kul. In the afternoon we drive to our hotel in Samarkand, our home for the next three nights. Samarkand was the birthplace of t...
Samarkand - Tashkent. On day 46 we drive to the Uzbek capital, Tashkent. The city is a fascinating contrast to many other Silk Road cities. Whilst Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and others have retained much of their ancient architecture and atmosphere, Tashkent is very mu...
Today our adventure comes to an end. Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before you depart and please speak to our Sales team if you wish to book any extra accommodation in Tashkent in order to further explore the city.
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- International flights and visas
- Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
- Sleeping bag and roll mat - please bring your own for camping
- Local payment - $1880pp, paid in USD
Accommodation
16 years with an accompanying adult
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