12-Day Central Asian Countries on a Shoestring Budget

1. Day 1: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
   Manas International Airport - City Center

   Explore local bazaars and try street food.

2. Day 2: Almaty, Kazakhstan
   Bishkek Bus Station - Almaty Bus Station

   Visit Ascension Cathedral and Central State Museum.

3. Day 3: Turkestan, Kazakhstan
   Almaty - Turkestan by train.

   Visit ancient Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum.

4. Day 4: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
   Turkestan - Tashkent by train.

   Stroll through Chorsu Bazaar and Amir Timur Museum.

5. Day 5: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
   Tashkent - Samarkand by train.

   Visit the magnificent Registan Square and Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum.

6. Day 6: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
   Samarkand - Bukhara by train.

   Visit the impressive Kalyan Mosque and Minaret.

7. Day 7: Khiva, Uzbekistan
   Bukhara - Khiva by train.

   Explore the ancient walled city of Itchan Kala.

8. Day 8: Nukus,Uzbekistan
   Khiva - Nukus by taxi/car.

   Explore the Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum.

9. Day 9: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
   Nukus - Ashgabat by flight.

   Visit the stunning Independence Monument and the National Museum of Turkmenistan.

10. Day 10: Darvaza Gas Crater, Turkmenistan
    Ashgabat - Darvaza by car.

    Camp near the flaming gas crater for an incredible camping experience.

11. Day 11: Kunya Urgench, Turkmenistan
    Darvaza - Kunya Urgench by car.

    Explore the ancient Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum and Togrul Minaret.

12. Day 12: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
    Kunya Urgench - Ashgabat by car.

    Take a stroll in the city's famous park, Vatan.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Bishkek local markets (2 hours, $10)
• Ascension Cathedral and Central State Museum in Almaty (4 hours, $20)
• Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum in Turkestan (3 hours, $5)
• Chorsu Bazaar and Amir Timur Museum in Tashkent (5 hours, $25)
• Registan Square and Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum in Samarkand (7 hours, $35)
• Kalyan Mosque and Minaret in Bukhara (3 hours, $10)
• Itchan Kala in Khiva (5 hours, $20)
• Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum in Nukus (3 hours, $10)
• Independence Monument and National Museum of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat (5 hours, $30)
• Camping at Darvaza Gas Crater (overnight, $5)
• Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum and Togrul Minaret in Kunya Urgench (4 hours, $10)
• Vatan Park in Ashgabat (2 hours, $5)
Total Estimated Costs: $190

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a visit to the Charvak Reservoir in Uzbekistan or the Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan. However, if you have less time, you can eliminate the visits to Nukus or Kunya Urgench.