Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan: any advice?

[wickychicky]

Hi

Anyone got any advice for which route might be better on the Transit Visa (5 day) option through Turkmenistan?

We'll be taking the ferry from Baku to Turkmenbasy, which might cut into a day of the 5 days if we are unlucky.

We could either go straight across the north via the Kaplankyr Reserve to Konurgench
or down to Ashgabat and up to the reserve (if it's worth seeing?)
or down to Ashgabat and across to Mery and Turkmenabat.

In the long run we would like to be up in the NW of Uzbekistan anyway to Khiva so the first option above might be best
but I also heard that Ashgabat shouldn't be left out: truly worth seeing ?!

And while I'm here: the consulate here is telling me we need to define the route we will take when we apply for the visa already, so we can't change our mind once it's done.

Any thoughts appreciated!