| Duration: | 10 Day(s) - 9 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Culture Tours |
Day 1: Early Arrival in Ashgabat.
Arrival in Ashgabat by morning flight. Ashgabat is the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan even though it is a relatively young city. In 2013 the Guinness Book of Records named Ashgabat a “white marbled city” – here you can see the biggest number of structures in the world made out of white marble. Transfer to the Grand Turkmen Hotel 4*. Early check-in and free time.
You can walk around the hotel; near the hotel, you can visit the beautiful monument of Akhalteke horses, the park of “Ylham” (Inspiration), the “Altyn Asyr” trade market, and “Gulistan” market (so-called Russian bazaar).
After lunch half day tour of Ashgabat including a visit to: the Park and Monument of Independence, National Museum of History and Ethnography, Arch of Neutrality, a 75 m-high monument with a revolving golden statue of the first President Turkmenbashy. Hit the viewing platform of the Arch of Neutrality to see the beautiful panorama of Ashgabat.
Panoramic tour to “Alem” Ferris wheel, “Bagt Koshgi” (wedding palace). Continue the tour to the historical and archaeological site “Ancient Nisa – the Residence of Parthian Kingdom” UNESCO site from 2007. The Parthian Empire was one of the most powerful and influential civilizations of the ancient world and a brilliant rival to Rome that prevented the expansion of the Roman Empire to the east.
Day 2: Ashgabat – Nokhur
After breakfast drive to Nokhur Mountain Village by 4WD car (190km, 3,5 h). En route stop to visit the “Kow-ata” underground lake. A warm hydrogen sulfide lake lies in a cave at the Kopet Dag foothills. 276 steps lead into the lake. On your way down you will admire marvelous grapes and lines of stalactites and see bat’s bevies. This cave impresses with its greatness. It has a length of 250 m, width of 50 m, and depth of 65 m. The lake is available all year round because of the constant temperature of water (33-37◦C) and air.
Arrival in Nokhur village. Short sightseeing of Nokhur village and visiting of "Gyz Bibi" Pilgrimage site & its unique cemetery where each tomb has the horns of mountain goats, the Great Tree - the oldest tree in the village thought to be 800 years old. Evening short introduction with local silk textile weavers and having dinner with a local family. Overnight in tents or at a local family’s house.
Day 3: Nokhur – Yangikala Canyons
Morning drive to Yangikala where impressive limestone formations rise up from the desert sands with views of the Karabogaz Gulf in the distance. These limestone cliffs are the remains of massive coral reefs from the pre-historical Parathetys Sea. En route to Yangikala stop in Balkanabat to have lunch and visit the local bazaar to stock up with food & drinks for dinner. Continue to the canyon of Yangikala, home to some of the best scenery in Turkmenistan. Arrive and explore the site. Take a picnic among the cliffs.
When the sun sets we drive to the pilgrimage site of Gozli Ata - one of the holiest pilgrim sites in Turkmenistan. The mausoleum of Gozliata is located on a low platform against the backdrop of stunning pink and red limestone rock formations. Overnight at a local pilgrim house (multi-share accommodation) or camping.
Day 4: Yangikala – Turkmenbashi - Avaza
Morning drive to Turkmenbashy - the biggest port town of Turkmenistan. The town is enclosed by low mountains and faces the Caspian Sea. Arrive and accommodation in one of the best hotels in Avaza – the most popular sea resort center (10 km from Turkmenbashi) that is promising much in the future. Rest on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Short sightseeing in Avaza with its nice beaches which will be turned soon into a free economic touristic zone with decades of luxurious hotels, resorts, and health clubs. Overnight at “Seyrana”5* hotel or similar.
Day 5: Turkmenbashy – Dashoguz (by flight)
Transfer to the airport and flight to Dashoguz. Arrival & check-in at Uzboy Hotel. Short sightseeing in Dashoguz city. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Dashoguz – Koneurgench – Darvaza
In the morning drive to Koneurgench - the capital of Khorezmshahs (3-16th cc.) inscribed into the World Heritage Book of UNESCO. Koneurgench (known as Gurganch in the past) is the largest historical and archaeological park in the north of Turkmenistan. It is a large reserve with numerous ruins and monuments on the territory of modern Kunyaurgench. Such great Muslim scholars as al-Biruni, al-Khorezmi, and Avicenna once worked here.
Sightseeing of the old city: Portal of Caravansaray (11-14th cc.), Il Arslan Mausoleum (12th c.), Mausoleum of Khorezm shahSultan Tekesh (13th c.), Academy of Horezm (3-13th cc.), Mausoleum of TurabekHanum, Minaret of KutlugTimur (14th c.) - one of the tallest minarets in Central Asia, Najmeddin Kubra (13th c.) and Soltan Ali (15th c.) Mausoleums.
After sightseeing in KoneUrgench drive to Darvaza. Arrive at Darvaza and explore the flaming Gas Crater at sunset. Having dinner (barbecue). Overnight in tents. (D).
Day 7: Darvaza – Ashgabat
Drive to Ashgabat. En route explore the gas craters, first full of water, and second the sulfur - muddy. Make the next stopover to visit Yerbent Nomadic village where you can enjoy seeing the local life in the desert - Turkmen yurts, dromedaries, Tamdyr (mud oven), and many others. Arrive & check in at the Hotel “Grand Turkmen”. Overnight.
Day 8: Ashgabat – Mary – Merv
Drive to Mary. Visit on the route: Anau pilgrimage place (remains of Seyitjemalatdin mosque XV c). Lunch at Hanhovuz Chayhana to taste silver or grass carp fish. Arrive in Mary & check in Margush hotel.
Visit the Museum of History and Ethnography of the Khorassan region in Turkmenistan. Drive to Merv historical site. The ancient city of Merv (Persian Marv) contains a succession of ancient cities developed over a period of 2500 years at the heart of the oasis formed by the Murgab river delta, and close to the course of where the main river channel flowed in ancient times. Together, the cities of Merv once encompassed over 1000 hectares. In 1999, the United Nations declared Merv a World Heritage Site. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: Mary – Margush (Gonur) – Turkmenabat
Transfer by 4WD (110km & 2,5 h) to visit Margush Country (GonurDepe - the capital of Margush) - Bronze Age Civilization Sites recognized as 5th Civilization of the Earth recently & Birthplace of Zoroastrianism - Fire Worshipping (4-3 mil. BC- 6th c. BC) inscribed in the World Heritage Book. After sightseeing Margush drives to the Mary Airport for an evening flight to Ashgabat. Arrive & transfer to the hotel. Check-in Grand Turkmen Hotel. Overnight.
Day 10: Flight to Home
Transfer to the International Airport of Ashgabat for a flight to your city. Farewell. End of tour.
