Istanbul<- ->Ashgabat

27 days - from $1742

Turkey and Turkmenistan are the two most westerly of the Turkic nations, joined by a distinctive culture. Beginning in Turkey we overland through Cappadocia, visiting the underground cities of the Goreme Valley before heading east to the Lake Van region. We cross into the Persian empire at the border with Iran - an amazingly friendly country with a great tradition of hospitality, as anyone who has been there will tell you. We visit the stunning Islamic architecture of Esfahan and explore the ancient capital Persepolis, following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great. We head to the present capital Tehran, then on through the north of the country. Leaving Iran we cross back into the Turkic world: Turkmenistan, isolated for many years, but now accessible to travellers. The trip ends in the surreal city of Ashgabat, an oasis of modernity in a desert of antiquity.

Itinerary:

Follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great to explore the Persian empire in this Western Silk Route adventure. Travelling between Turkey, Iran and Turkmenistan, you’ll experience a wonderful blend of ancient and modern, vast open rural landscapes and bustling urban centres. Beginning in Turkey, you’ll overland through Cappadocia, visiting the underground cities of the Goreme Valley before heading east. Crossing into Iran, an amazingly friendly country with a great tradition of hospitality, we visit modern-day Tehran and then onto the stunning Islamic architecture of Esfahan and explore the ancient capital Persepolis. Getting further off the beaten track we head for Yadz, the centre of Zoroastrian religion and then stay in a local desert village in the central Iranian deserts. Moving north, it’s into Turkmenistan, isolated for many years, but now accessible to travellers. The trip ends in the surreal city of Ashgabat, an oasis of modernity in a desert of antiquity.

Details: