Your Central Asia itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Ashgabat

Participants should consider Turkish Airlines (a Star Alliance member airline). They are the only airline with flights into Ashgabat (airport code ASB) and out of Tashkent, with connections at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport.

Night: On aircraft

Day 2: Arrival in Ashgabat

We enjoy an Ashgabat excursion and an afternoon flight to Mary Upon arrival in Ashgabat in the morning, you will be met and transferred to our hotel, where your room is reserved for immediate check-in. We will spend the morning birding around Ashgabat, where we will visit some agricultural areas, here we hope to find White-tailed Lapwing, Variable Wheatear, and Pied Bushchat. In the nearby hillsides, we have the possibility of Finsch’s Wheatear. After lunch in the city, we head for the domestic airport, where we will board our flight to Turkmenabad town, around an hour east of the capital. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Night: Yupek Yoly, Turkmenabad

Day 3 - 4: Birding Repetek Biosphere State Reserve

The coming two days are designated to search for the illustrious Zarudniy Sparrow which is extinct in Uzbekistan and has become a Turkmen endemic. On the first day, we will leave Mary and drive in a 4WD convoy to Turkmenabad. Here we will come across the first Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Greater Sand Plover, and Red-headed Buntings. Trumpeter Finch of the race ‘crassirostris’ is pretty common, just like many species of lark. Other birds include the Asian Desert Warbler, Menetries’s’ Warbler and Streaked Scrub Warbler. The highly desirable Pander’s Ground-Jay is the final major target we hope to find. At dusk, we might try to find the rare Egyptian Nightjar. Both days we will be dedicated to searching for this enigmatic sparrow!

Night: Yupek Yoly, Turkmenabad

Day 5: Repetek to Tashkent

Today will be mostly a travel day. We leave Turkmenabad and head for the Uzbek border. After entering Uzbekistan, we set sails for Bukhara, wherein the late evening, we will board our domestic high-speed train to Tashkent. We will have a few hours to kill! We will spend them with a guided tour, along the many historical sights of this unique UNESCO World Heritage city. We end this tour with a special Uzbek meal, regarded as the best cuisine in the region by many.

Night: Navruz Hotel, Tashkent

Day 6: Departure for Home

A transfer will be provided very early this morning to Tashkent International Airport (airport code TAS), in time for the Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul.

Tour information

Leader

Machiel Valkenburg

Meet Machiel

Focus

Exclusive Bird
Zarudniy Sparrow

Group size

Min 6 - Max 10

The group will be led by one birding leader and one culture guide at all times.

What's included in the Price?

All transport. All accommodations in twin rooming or tented camp. All meals. All permits and national park entrances. Please note: Drinks, tips, possible visas and items of a personal nature including travel insurance, are not included.

Accomodation

During this short expedition we use comfortable tourist hotels in Bukhara and Turkmenabad. While for the night camping in Repetek we have a simple but adequate tented camp with shared shower and toilet tents.

Difficulty

We will at times have to travel long distances, some on poor or unpaved roads—but the journeys help emphasize the vastness and adventure. Throughout we us rugged four-wheel drive vehicles. Walking for these tours is mostly easy to moderate; we are mostly walking short distances on flat terrain or downhill.

Flights

International flights are not included in the pricing. Please connect with the RBT office to find out your best connection to Tajikistan.

Clothing - What to pack?

This trip is a wonderful opportunity to experience a bit of everything! You’ll need light, easily washable, quick-drying clothes, along with sunglasses and a sun hat for protection against the hot steppe and desert. Don’t forget to pack some lightweight yet warm layered clothing for the early mornings. A light waterproof jacket is also advisable.

For footwear, opt for light but sturdy walking boots that can handle various terrains, and it’s best to avoid shorts for sun protection, as the region is conservative. In the cities, however, people tend to dress more “modern” in light Western clothing. You’ll find 24-hour laundry services available at hotels in Bukhara.

Additionally, consider bringing a pair of comfortable sneakers for long travel days, especially when we visit the enchanting mausoleums and madrassas along the Silk Road.

For your convenience, 24-hour laundry services are available at hotels in larger towns such as Dushanbe and the Pamir Mountains.

Repetek Biostate Reserve

We explore the sand-plain areas of Repetek Biosphere State Reserve for two full days, often referred to as Repetek Desert Reserve. In this IBA (Important Bird Area), we are searching for Zarudny Sparrow and other desert specialities like Pander’s Ground Jay and the local race of Trumpeter Finch. Here also, the Caspian Monitor Lizard occurs, and we hope to locate a few individuals during our visit to this unique Central Asian habitat.

During our time in Repetek Desert Reserve, we stay in a rustic hotel near the entry of the reserve. From here we make drives into the sandy dunes targeting the sparrow. Trusted Landcruisers provide sturdy and comfortable companions in these extreme conditions.