Koh-i-Noor Traditional Chinese Cooking Class in Bei…

Istanbul To Tashkent

All content by Intrepid

39 days (ex Istanbul)

Destinations visited: Iran, Turkey, Istanbul, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tashkent, World

Physical rating:
Culture shock rating:

Physical Ratings

The physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the trip. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our ratings follows:

Rating 1

These trips are a relaxing break. You don't have to worry about doing anything physically demanding unless you want to.

Rating 2

Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.

Rating 3

This trip will raise your heartbeat. Moderate physical activities are included and a good level of fitness is required.

Rating 4

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. The majority of activities included on this trip will be challenging. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your holiday.

Rating 5

Intrepid’s highest physical rating. Get ready for a heart-pumping adventure with plenty of challenges and some extreme conditions. You will be required to be seriously fit for this trip as difficult activities are included.

Culture Shock Ratings

The culture shock rating considers the level of development in the location, the area's infrastructure and how easy it is to access services. It also takes into consideration how different the food and customs are and whether English is widely spoken. While generalisations are always tricky, here’s a summary of the ratings:

Rating 1

This is the least confronting of Intrepid's product range. English is the native language and the food, customs and access to services will be familiar to you.

Rating 2

You will probably have experienced food like this in restaurants back home and English is commonly spoken. Services are available most of the time but there may be some cultural differences.

Rating 3

Expect some culture shock. You will be exposed to signs of poverty and access to services may be sporadic. The food will be quite different to home and English speakers harder to find. Respecting the local culture will make it easier to fit in and really experience the location.

Rating 4

The comforts of home are more of a rarity. English is not common and the food will be quite different to what you are used to. It is important to observe some of the local customs to not cause offence. Many of the locals' standard of living may be confronting.

Rating 5

You're really out there! You'll need to pay specific attention to health and hygiene. A large proportion of locals' living conditions are a world away from standards you are used to. You may have difficulty finding an English speaker and there is little or no access to services. Paying heed to local customs is essential.

from USD$3,310

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Description

Embark on the trip of a lifetime through Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on a tour from Istanbul to Tashkent. Beginning in the atmospheric city of Istanbul, travel overland through Turkey's vast interior, exploring the mysterious landscape of Cappadocia before heading into Iran. One of the most engaging cultural locations on Earth, Iran's convoluted history vies with its warm hospitality for visitors' attention. Experience this friendly country's stunning Islamic architecture and relics of antiquity in Esfahan and the ancient capital, Persepolis. North of Iran, head back to the Turkic world and enter Turkmenistan, traversing the Karakum Desert, bound for the legendary cities of the Silk Route – Bukhara and Samarkand - a fitting end to this magnificent journey from Istanbul to Tashkent.

Highlights

Discover the romance of the Silk Road in Samarkand.
Admire Ashgabat´s futuristic architecture.
Walk through Bukhara's historic Old Town.
Delve into the sprawl of Tehran.
Discover Cappadocia's enchanting skyline in Goreme.
Wander Istanbul's backstreets before starting this tour of Turkey.
Make camp in the wilds of Iran.
Explore the ruins of Persepolis.
Experience the beauty of Esfahan.

Itinerary

Days 1-2 Istanbul

Travel to Turkey and start your adventure in Istanbul. Have your fortune told in the Taksim, bargain up a storm in the Grand Bazaar or admire the imposing Blue Mosque.

Day 3 Tuz Golu/Bush Camp

Camp beside the salty Tuz Golu lake.

Days 4-5 Goreme

Discover Cappadocia's Goreme Valley and underground troglodyte cities and caves.

Days 6-7 Bush Camp

Head east before making camp in rural Turkey.

Day 8 Dogubeyazit

Situated at the foot of Mt Ararat, Dogubeyazit's Ishak Pasha Palace is well worth a visit.

Day 9 Kandovan

Cross the border into Iran and explore this bizarre volcanic village.

Day 10 Zanjan

Shop in Zanjan's thriving bazaars.

Days 11-12 Tehran

Travel to Tehran and trawl the souqs of this sprawling city.

Days 13-15 Esfahan

Visit the blue tiled Mosques of Esfahan.

Days 16-17 Persepolis/Shiraz

Admire the incredible ruins of Persepolis, once known as the 'City of the Persians'.

Day 18 Zein-o-din Caravanserai

Stay in traditional silk road accommodation.

Days 19-20 Yazd

Wind through the old city of Yazd and sign up for a scrub in a local hamam.

Day 21 Dasht-e Kavir Desert/Khoor

Travel through stunning desert landscapes to the village of Khoor.

Day 22 Damghan

See the ancient Jamrh Mosque.

Day 23 Shirvan

Explore Shirvan's tranquil gardens and natural springs.

Days 24-25 Ashgabat

Leave Iran and travel to Turkmenistan's futuristic-looking city of Ashgabat.

Day 26 Darvaza

Camp in the Karakum Desert on the way to Darvaza. Perhaps see the breathtaking Darvaza gas crater.

Day 27 Bush Camp

Continue the Overland journey through the Karakum Desert, and take in the parched landscape of Asia's hottest desert.

Days 28-29 Khiva

Gaze up at the ancient walls surrounding Khiva on the Silk Road.

Days 30-32 Bukhara

Get to know the bustling atmosphere of Bukhara, Central Asia's holiest city.

Day 33 Nurata

Spend a night in a desert yurt camp among the rolling dunes of the Kyzylkhum Desert.

Days 34-36 Samarkand

Larger-than-life monuments and a technicolour bazaar make Samarkand one of Central Asia's most magical destinations.

Days 37-39 Tashkent

Check out a risque cabaret show over dinner in one Tashkent's old Russian bars or shop at the Chorsu Bazaar for some USSR souvenirs.

Group Size

Maximum of 19 travellers per group

Accommodation

Hotel (25 nts), Bush camp (no facilities) (7 nts), Hostel (2 nts), Camping (with facilities) (2 nts), Caravanserai Zein-o-Din (1 nt), Yurt (1 nt)

Transport

Overland vehicle

Budget

Allow USD $800 for meals not included.

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with Intrepid Travel on their site

from USD$3,310

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