Ashgabat To Istanbul (40 Days) Persia & Caucasus Explorer

Days 1
Ashgabat
Ashgabat was founded in the 1880s by the Russian Tsarist government, and sits between the foothills of the Koptedag mountains to the south, and the vast Karakum Desert to the north. The city was almost entirely destroyed following an earthquake in 1948 and rebuilt in the Soviet style. Following independence in 1991 the city has been transformed into a futuristic, and in many ways bizarre collection of unique structures and wide streets lined with marble. For many travellers, Ashgabat is one of the most mystifying and unusual cities they will ever experience – it has even been decreed that all the cars in the city must be white.

On the city tour we visit Independence Park, the Ertogrul Gazi Mozque, the Arch of Neutrality, the Turkmenbashi Mosque Mauasoleum and many other sites throughout the city. There are plenty of fantastic photo opportunities, and we will have the chance to explore some of the markets and meet the locals.

Important Note: From Ashgabat, our journey may head west through more of Uzbekistan towards the Caspian Sea and across to Azerbaijan. Alternatively we will head south to the border with Iran and cross through the country before entering Armenia. Both routes come together again in Tatev in Armenia. Which route we take will depend on the current situation with regard to border closures, Caspian Sea ferry operations, and regional security issues. We will make a final decision on which route we will take a couple of months before each trip departs.

Days 2 - 7
Iran – Mashad to Esfahan OR Azerbaijan – Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi
Iran route: After crossing into Iran, our first stop will be Mashhad, the holiest city in Iran. Here we can see the Imam Reza Shrine, where the eighth Shia Imam, Ali al-Rida is buried. Our route west towards Esfahan from here is flexible and may include stops to explore the Morteza Ali Canyon, and the old adobe village of Esfahak, destroyed by the big earthquake in 1978.

Azerbaijan route: As we leave Ashgabat, we will be collected by off road jeeps and head off for a desert adventure. This will be a truly unique experience as we get to visit the Yangikala Canyons via the Balkan Mountains, then on past the white cliffs of Koymat, and along the banks of the dried up Uzboy River before reaching the desert settlement of Melegoch. We will pass several traditional villages on the way before setting up camp near the dunes of Melegoch. Much of this trip will be off road, and totally remote and will truly be a new experience on our way to the port of Turkmenbashi. Whilst we are in Turkmenbashi we will need to complete all of our border formalities before we take the ferry across the Caspian Sea to our next country, Azerbaijan. Ferry schedules are notoriously unreliable and unpredictable and we may need to wait for a day or two (or more) for the next ferry to fill up and depart. The crossing takes approximately 18 hours.

Days 8 - 14
Iran – Esfahan to Tabriz OR Azerbaijan - Baku to Sheki
Iran route: For many, Esfahan, will be the highlight of their travels through Iran. Exploring the huge main square, bazaars, beautifully mosaiced mosques, and the famous bridges will take up a couple of days here. From Esfahan we head north towards Kashan, famous for Persian ceramics, and woollen & silk carpets and then onward towards the capital Tehran. This is a friendly city, and we can visit the Golestan Palace, several excellent museums, and in the evening perhaps take a walk up from Darband where there are many restaurants and cafes either side of the river which forms the start of the hiking trail up to Mount Tochal.
Finally, we head further west to Tabriz, where we can explore its impressive Grand Bazaar.

Azerbaijan route: After we arrive in Baku we have a few days to explore the city. Baku has an amazing blend of the old city and the ultra-modern and as somewhere well off the tourist route is fascinating to explore. Heading north-west we visit the mud volcanoes of Qobustan and then onto visit the picturesque ancient village of Lahich with its copper beaters and ancient crafts and the 18th Century UNESCO town of Sheki.

Days 15 - 19
Iran – Into Armenia and on to Yerevan OR Azerbaijan – Through Georgia to Yerevan
Iran route: We leave Tabriz and head north to the border with Armenia. After crossing, we head to the hilltop town of Tatev, which at 5.7km long, hosts the longest cable tramway in the world; the "Wings of Tatev", that whisks you up into the mountains where there are lots of additional activities to take part in. From Tatev we head north to Yerevan where we are able to spend a couple of days to explore and enjoy the city.

Azerbaijan route: We cross the border into Georgia for a short time and then turn south into Armenia as we head to Yerevan where we are able to spend a couple of days to explore and enjoy the city. Our exact route will depend on border crossing options, and the weather at the time.

Days 20 - 26
Yerevan to Tbililsi
Our routes combine again from Yerevan onwards. On departure we visit the Geghard Monastery and Garni Temple before making our way to high altitude Lake Sevan with the possibility to visit the Hayravank Monastery that overlooks the lake and then on to the ancient town of Dilijan, famous for its hiking, food and arts.

We cross the border into Georgia to ever popular Telavi, the principal town of the Kakheti region, famous for its vineyards and wineries. Wine has been produced in Georgia since 4000BC and the industry has played a small but significant role in the country’s history ever since, as winemaking (and its consumption) has enjoyed an important role in Georgian culture and society. Here we have the option of taking a wine tour to find out more about the history of the area, why wine production has been so important, and of course to try some ourselves!

Telavi itself is a fascinating and relaxing place to spend a couple of nights with many good restaurants and cafes, and not far from the town there are other sites well worth a visit, such as the monastery of Akhali Shuamta, and the small village of Ikalta and its Church of the Transfiguration which dates from the 8th Century BC.

After our time in Telavi we continue to Tbilisi with its cobblestoned old town, delicious food and welcoming atmosphere. The Old Town of Tbilisi has much to offer. Here you can take a stroll along narrow streets, past traditional old houses with carved wooden balconies, relax in the warm waters of the historic sulphur baths and visit some of the city’s key historical sites; Metekhi Church, Narikala Fortress, Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati Church.

Days 27 - 31
Tbilisi to Batumi
Leaving Tbilisi we visit Gori the birthplace of Georgia’s most infamous son, Josef Stalin and we have time to visit the museum dedicated to him which is built alongside the house in which he was born, which still stands today. Here you will find many items from Stalin’s reign, and also his bullet-proof train carriage, in which he travelled across the Soviet Union.

There may also be the chance to stop at Uplistsikhe, an ancient cave city built into the mountains not far from Tbilisi. Dating from the early Iron Age, this historic site says much about Georgia’s long and often turbulent past at the crossroads of a number of might empires throughout the centuries.

Our next stop is Kutaisi¸ the country’s second largest city and home to a buzzing fruit and vegetable market where you can barter for goods with the local traders. Kutaisi offers a glimpse of what modern day life in urban Georgia is like, and the real joy of the city is found in simply wandering the streets and observing the locals go about their routine. This is also an opportunity to top up on some food and drink supplies before we head into the foothills of Caucasus and some more remote areas in the next few days.

We spend the next two days exploring the Svaneti region. This mountainous area is beautiful and untamed, and offer fantastic hiking options with the mighty Caucasus mountain range as a stunning backdrop. Using our overland truck as our base we will bush camp and spend some time travelling around, including a visit to Mestia, a pretty small town that forms the centre of the region. Weather and climate can be unpredictable so this part of the trip is kept quite loose to allow for itinerary changes, depending on what is our best option at the time, but with the truck carrying all of our camping and cooking gear we are free to travel almost anywhere!

Returning to civilisation we reach the port city of Batumi. Here we spend a couple of nights to check out the city with its modern and often bizarre architecture and enjoy a final taste of Georgia’s famous warm hospitality. A walk along the waterfront promenade

Days 32 - 36
Batumi to Cappadocia
Leaving Georgia, we have some long drives to reach our next destination as we crossing rural Turkey. We head towards the Black Sea before following the coast west. This captures the essence of an overland adventure expedition, as we stop for bush camps in the evening and are able to watch as the stunning and varied scenery of this rarely-visited part of the country rolls past, stopping off to meet locals and buy food and drinks as we go. En-route we will stop to visit the incredible setting of Sumela monastery which clings to a sheer cliff, high above evergreen forests.

We arrive in Cappadoccia, where we stay for a few nights. Here, over the centuries, houses, churches, fortresses and even underground cities have been carved into this eerily eroded volcanic rock. The Goreme Valley provides us with an astonishing setting in which to spend a few days investigating the region. Why not take in the scenery from the skies in a Hot Air Balloon flight (optional). We will also take you to one of the underground cities where you can explore alone or with a guide and discover the history of these underground mazes.

Days 37 - 39
Cappadocia to Istanbul
After a few days in Goreme we finish our journey by heading to Istanbul, with a stop-off in Ankara on the way to see the impressive Attaturk mausoleum.

We arrive in Istanbul, where we have a free day to explore, but with so much to see and do you will almost definitely want to stay a bit longer! An urban area of nearly 15 million, and one of the world’s liveliest cities, it is a place full of history and rich in culture. You can choose to spend visiting one of the many famous sights such as the iconic Hagia Sophia and stunning Blue Mosque, or strolling around the Grand Bazaar on the lookout for some bargains. During the evening be sure to try some of the wonderful local cuisine, such as authentic kebabs, baklava or any of the many other treats on offer.

Days 40
Istanbul
Your trip ends after breakfast.