Aral Sea and khiva
 

I'm going through Uzbekistan in July from Tashkent / Bukhara to Turkmenistan
However I also want to see the Aral Sea and Khiva but they are both a big detour from Tashkent

Any suggestions...I could take a side trip by Air to Nukus...not sure though if these trips do BOTH the Aral Sea and Khiva... Any suggested tours?

Alternatively I could ride to Khiva/ Nukus (I think) and then go through Turkmenistan from the north but it is a very long hot ride (I believe in July) and then I miss Mary in TM

Not sure which is most interesting way...Anyone done either???

Why not just do a taxi ride from Bukhara - Khiva - Aral Sea? You have to leave Tashkent to get to Bukhara and then Turkmenistan ... so you are already halfway there?

Mary is not an interesting place, but I guess you mean Merv? Merv is a huge area with remains from 1000s of years of civilisation, I really liked it. Khiva is very beautiful but a bit sterile and museum like, and not quite in the same league as Bukhara / Samarkand.

Seeing the remains of the Aral Sea in UZ is a long, bumpy, hot, dusty journey to some muddy water, and then back again. I never bothered to do it, but visited in KZ instead where there is a lot more life and activity.

Thanks Danielsprague. Yes I did mean Merv. Your right about Aral Sea but it is still something to behold and I can't do it from KZ. Good idea to visit Khiva from Bukhara...

That is the road we took. In addition to Khiva and Nukus there is the fascinating City of the Dead at Mizdakhan. And the burning Derweze Gas Crater in Turkmenistan. Both worth a detour IMHO - but I haven't seen Merv.

Khiva and the Aral Sea come highly recommended. Are you on a Moto?

We actually preferred Khiva to both Bukhara and Samarkand, less tourists, less hassle and a nice place to chill out. Read 'A Carpet Ride to Khiva' before you go for some insight into not just Khiva but Uzbekistan on the whole.

G

There is also Konye-Urgench, which while not as spectacular as Samarkand, or as harmonious as Bukhara's old city, is a very different experience and one I really enjoyed.

If you want to see Merv, you could enter at Konye-Urgench, then head SE to Turkmenabat on a small road along the Amu Darya (stopping to see Dayhattan Caravanserai), then head SW to Bayramaly (for Merv). You would have to insist on this route from the border guards who set your route permit, but they should let you do it. I have not driven the road between Konye-Urgench and Turkmenabat, but I believe it is paved and OK.

Thanks
 

Great comments. Thanks. Will study the map... Yes, I'm on a motorcycle