Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan in 9 Days: Khiva to Tashkent
Overview
The shortest way to see both countries properly. One day in Khiva, then across the border for the crater, Ashgabat and Merv, and back into Uzbekistan for Bukhara and Samarkand. Nine days, two borders, no wasted ones.
The letter of invitation, visa on arrival and both border handovers are arranged by us. Small group, up to 15.
Highlights
Is this trip for you?
- Travellers with nine days who want both countries, not one
- People who are happy with one night in each place
- Anyone who wants Turkmenistan without organising a thing
- You like slow travel — this moves every day
- You want two nights in Samarkand (take the 14-day combo or the Classic)
Our honest opinion
- Khiva first, when you are fresh, and the crater on night two
- The Mary flight saves five hours of road
- Day 5 is the long one: flight, Merv, a border and a drive
- One night at the Darvaza camp — simple, no showers
This is our fastest two-country route and it works because every day has one big thing in it.
The trip in numbers
Your route
Line style shows how you travel each leg: solid = train, dotted = car, dashed = flight.
Day by day
Met at Urgench airport; afternoon and evening in the walled city with your guide, dinner of Khorezm specialities.
Early crossing at Shavat, Kunya-Urgench on the way — the tallest minaret in Central Asia — and the Karakum road to the crater by sunset. Dinner by the fire, yurt camp.
The three craters in the morning light, then the drive south to the capital and a first walk on the marble boulevards.
Nisa, the Turkmenbashi mosque and the Kipchak mausoleum, the carpet museum, the Independence and Neutrality monuments and the Russian bazaar.
Morning flight to Mary, the walls and mausoleums of ancient Merv, the Farap border and the drive into Bukhara by evening.
Poi-Kalyan, the Ark, the Samanid mausoleum and the trading domes; evening show in a madrasa.
Pottery workshop lunch in Gijduvan and the road to Samarkand.
Registan, Gur-Emir, Shah-i-Zinda, Bibi-Khanym and the bazaar.
Morning Afrosiyob train to Tashkent and transfer to the airport (evening flights work best).
What’s included
What’s not included
Where you’ll stay
Or equivalent, depending on season. Hotels are inside or beside the historic centres wherever the town has one.
Good to know
Most nationalities enter Uzbekistan visa-free for 30–90 days. If your passport needs an e-visa, it takes 2–3 working days online — we check your case and guide you at booking.
The local currency is the Uzbek som (UZS). Visa and Mastercard work in city hotels, restaurants and supermarkets; keep some cash for bazaars, taxis and tips. ATMs dispense som and sometimes USD.
April–June and September–November are warm and clear — ideal for walking the old cities. July–August afternoons exceed 35°C; winter departures run at reduced prices.
Uzbekistan uses European plug types C and F, 220V. Travellers from the UK, US and Asia need a standard Euro adapter — one per device is enough, hotels have plenty of sockets.
Everyday dress is relaxed across all four cities. Inside mosques and madrasas, shoulders and knees should be covered; headscarves for women are only needed in a few active mosques — your guide will tell you when.
Your included eSIM is activated on arrival, so you’re online from the airport. Hotel Wi-Fi is reliable in all four cities; your coordinator stays reachable on WhatsApp or Telegram throughout.
Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure. 50% refund up to 15 days before; after that the booking is non-refundable, but you can move to another date once for free.
Medical insurance for the tour days is included. We still recommend personal travel insurance covering cancellation and baggage — we can suggest trusted providers.
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