Tehran to Tashkent - The Great
Silk Road
On the third part of your Silk Road journey, trace the Silk Road from Iran, through Turkmenistan and on to
Uzbekistan. Alexander the Great of Macedonia, the Persian Empire, Genghis Khan and Tamerlaine all made
history here and left behind a lasting legacy of culture and language.
Tour Includes:
17 nights 3 and 4 star hotel accommodation.
17 breakfasts.
3 Iran Air internal flights.
Accompanied by an experienced English speaking local guide. Private basis.
Private chauffeur driven vehicle, normally a saloon car for one or two people.
Sightseeing programme including all entrance fees.
Private guided transfers to and from all airports.
Please note the prices shown are per person and based on two persons sharing a twin or double room
Itinerary
Day 1: Tehran
Arrive in Tehran and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon your guide
will collect you for a city tour of Tehran, including the superb crown
jewels housed in the vaults of the Bank Melli, the 18th century Golestan
Palace and the Archaeological Museum or perhaps the Contemporary
Art Museum. (B)
Day 2: Tehran - Isfahan
Fly to Isfahan, considered to be the most beautiful city in Iran and a
masterpiece of Islamic architecture dating from the 16th century. Today
enjoy a walking tour of the magnificent Royal (Emam) Square,
surrounded on three sides by the Imam and Shaikh Lutfallah Mosques
and the Ali Qapu Palace. (B)
Day 3: Isfahan
Continue exploring Isfahan: the Jameh or Friday Mosque with architectural elements from the Seljuk, Mongol
and Safavid periods, Forty Columns Palace and the Vank Cathedral in the Armenian Quarter of Isfahan. The
afternoon is left free to wander through Isfahan's huge covered bazaar. (B)
Day 4: Isfahan - Shiraz
A free day to shop and explore Isfahan before taking the evening flight
to Shiraz. (B)
Day 5: Shiraz - Persepolis - Shiraz
Drive out to the windswept ruins of Persepolis, capital of the first Persian Empire dating from the 6th century
BC. On the way back stop off at Naghshe Rostam with its rock cut tombs dating from the Sassanian period.
Back in Shiraz visit the Vakil Mosque, the Eram Gardens and the tomb of Hafez. (B)
Day 6: Shiraz - Mashad
Today visit Narenjestan Palace and the beautiful Mausoleum of Shah
Cheragh (King of the Lamp), before taking the afternoon flight to
Mashad via Tehran. Mashad is located in the north-east of Iran and is
considered the holiest city in Iran. It is the burial place of the 8th Imam,
Reza and since his death in the 9th century AD has been a place of
pilgrimmage. (B)
Day 7: Mashad
Today take a unique tour of Mashad, including Imam Reza's Mosque and Shrine, and the Quranic Museum.
Learn about the Shi'ite religion and the influences that have shaped modern Iran. This afternoon drive to
Neishabour to see the Mausoleum of the famous poet Omar Khayyam. (B)
Day 8: Mashad - Ashgabat
A long drive today crossing the land border into Turkmenistan. Continue
your journey overland through the Koppe Dag Mountains and to
Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. (B)
Day 9: Ashgabat
A full day city tour of Ashgabat visiting the Arch of Neutrality, the statue of Lenin, the National Museum and
the Mosque of spirituality. In the afternoon visit Nisa, the capital of the Parthians and a flourishing city in the
3rd Century BC. (B)
Day 10: Ashgabat - Merv
This morning visit the amazing Tolkuchka Bazaar (Saturday and Sunday
only), famous throughout the region. Spread over a vast area, the
market attracts different Turkmen tribes offering their produce: carpets,
embroidery and jewellery etc. Later in the afternoon drive to Merv. (B)
Day 11: Merv - Ashgabat
Today explore the splendid archaeological site of Merv which contains the ruins of 5 ancient cities. The Seljuk
Turks took control of Merv in the 11th century and made it the centre of their dominion that stretched from
Afghanistan to Egypt. The main sights include Sultan Sanjar's Mausoleum and Kys Kala, an unusual
windowless castle. (B)
Day 12: Ashgabat - Konye Urgench - Dashoguz
Fly to Dashoguz in the remote northern deserts of Turkmenistan and drive to Konye Urgench. Visit Central
Asia's tallest minaret, measuring 62 metres in height, and the Turabeg Khanum Mausoleum, built in 1370. See
the Tash Kala Caravanserai, the Ak Kala Fortress and the holy Forty Mullahs Hill. (B)
Day 13: Dashoguz - Khiva
Drive from Dashoguz over the border into Uzbekistan to Khiva, a
fascinating medieval Silk Road city which has been perfectly preserved
since medieval times. (B)
Day 14: Khiva
Today enjoy a full day tour of Khiva's inner walled city or "Ichan Kala", a maze of narrow medieval streets lined
with madrassahs, mosques, caravanserais and palaces. (B)
Day 15: Khiva - Tashkent
The morning is free in Khiva to wander around the narrow streets before
driving a short distance to Urgench and catching an afternoon flight to
Tashkent, Uzbekistan's lively capital. (B)
Day 16: Tashkent
This morning join your guide for a city tour of Tashkent. Highlights include the central square, dominated by a
statue of Timur on horseback, and the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre. In the old quarter of the city
visit the extensive Chorsu Bazaar and discover many of its madrassahs, mausoleums and mosques. The
afternoon is free for your own exploration of the city. (B)
Day 17: Tashkent
Transfer to the airport where your tour will end. (B)
Accommodation
Mashad
Homa 2 Hotel Mashad
Khiva
Orient Star Hotel
Isfahan
Isfahan Traditional Hotel
Ashgabat
Grand Turkmen Hotel
Tehran
Mashad Hotel
Shiraz
Kharimkhan Hotel
Mary
Mary Hotel
Dashoguz
Dashoguz Hotel