SILK ROAD TOUR OF TURKMENISTAN AND UZBEKISTAN

Ashgabat: The striking, modern capital known for its white marble buildings, golden statues, and the Guinness World Record for the highest concentration of white marble. Darvaza Gas Crater ("Door to Hell"): An awe-inspiring, continuously burning natural gas crater in the Karakum Desert, often involving an overnight yurt camp stay. Kunya-Urgench: A UNESCO site containing the impressive ruins of the former capital of the Khwarezmian Empire. Merv (near Mary): The ruins of one of the greatest cities of the Islamic world, another major UNESCO site and a key stop on the Silk Road. Yangykala (or Yangi Kala) translates from Turkmen as "Fiery Fortress," a perfect description for its appearance. Samarkand: Home to the magnificent Registan Square, Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum (Tamerlane's burial place), and the Bibi Khanum Mosque. Bukhara: A UNESCO World Heritage site known for its exceptionally well-preserved Old City, including the Poi Kalyan Complex, Lyab-i Hauz ensemble, and ancient trading domes. Khiva: A walled inner city (Ichan-Kala) that feels like an open-air museum, filled with minarets, mosques, and madrassahs. Tashkent: The modern capital, often serving as the arrival/departure point, featuring the Khast-Imam Complex and the famously ornate Soviet-era Metro.