4-day Tour To The Highlights Of Turkmenistann
About this tour
Bukhara/Farap - Mary/Old Merv - Ashgabat - Darvaza - Dashoguz/Shavat/Khiva
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Farab, Turkmenistan to Mary, Turkmenistan
Early arrival to the Farap border. Meet your guide and complete arrival formalities (all travelers must undergo a PCR test and pay $33). Drive to Bayramali (240 km, approximately 4-hour drive) to visit Ancient Merv. Old Merv, known as the “The Pearl of Seljuk Empire” 11-12th centuries (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The tour will include: - Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum (the last Sultan of the Great Seljuk Empire) - Yusuf Hamadani Mosque (Yusuf Hamadani was an important figure in religious affairs during Malik Shah, the father of Sultan Sanjar) - Erk Gala (was founded in the 6th century BCE; in the 3rd century BCE it became the citadel for the larger Hellenistic city of Antiochia/Margiana) - Sultan Gala (built between 800-1400 AD, Sultan-Kala offers to explore the mudbrick work of Seljuk fortifications) - Great and Small Gyz kala (7th-12th centuries), known as “Ladies Fortress”. One of the most well-preserved fortresses made from mud bricks. - Mohammad ibn Zayd Mausoleum (the leader of the Shia movement against the Abbasid Caliphate) After the tour to Merv, Depart from Mary to Ashgabat (approx. 5-6 hours drive). Arrival in Ashgabat and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Morning:08:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the Ashgabat city tour. Visit Old Nisa fortress, the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings, the capital of the Parthian Empire. Afternoon: Explore Ashgabat's key landmarks, including: The sculptural ensemble of Oguzkhan and his six sons, with 27 synchronised light fountains. Health trail in the mountains. The highest flagpole in the world at 133 meters. Monument and park of the Independence. Neutrality tower and Ferris wheel (both in the Guinness Book of World Records). Ertogrul Gazi mosque and National Memorial complex (Halk Hakydasy). Evening: Visit one of the city's shopping and entertainment centres. Drive through Ashgabat to enjoy the city's night illuminations. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Darvaza Gas Crater - "Door to Hell", Derweze, Turkmenistan
Breakfast at the hotel. We check out and get in our 4x4 SUV or Sedan and head north towards the central Karakum, to see the Darvaza gas crater (270 km, 4 hours), internationally known as “Door to Hell”. En route make short sightseeing at Bokurdak desert village to see the lifestyle of local semi-nomadic families. We will guest in the traditional Turkmen house in Bokurdak village. Watch the lifestyle in the semi-nomadic families: felt making, embroideries, camel milking, cooking “pishme”-bread and “ishlekli” – a meat pies. After spending 2-3 hours with local family we continue our ride. On the way to Darvaza, we will also see “bubbling water” and “bubbling sulfur-mud” craters. Short tour at the site upon arrival while nomad-style kebabs are being prepared. Dinner at sunset and another photo session by the flaming crater. The crater was formed in the early 1970s when the ground collapsed during a Soviet gas drilling expedition. Scientists reportedly lit the massive hole on fire to prevent the spread of natural gas, and it’s been burning since then. The National Geographic expedition revealed that some unusual lifeforms were thriving in inhospitable conditions.
Day 4: Darvaza Gas Crater - "Door to Hell", Derweze, Turkmenistan to Turkmenistan Border Terminal, Dashoguz, Turkmenistan
Breakfast at camp and drive 6 hours through the Central Karakum desert to Dashoguz. Be prepared for the road challenge for the next few hours. The road from Darvaza to Dashoguz is quite damaged but our experienced drivers have strong wheels to handle it. Upon arrival to Dashoguz, we will stop for lunch (optional). After lunch, we transfer to Shavat to cross the border to Uzbekistan/Khiva. Your guide will assist you with border crossing formalities and see you off. End of services.
What's included
Tour package (LOI, Register fee, permit fee) Accommodation: camping -1 night Guide –4 days Transport -4 days (all our vehicles are equipped with air conditioning) Tickets to the train Meal (partially) - dinner and breakfast at the camp Entry tickets Daily water
Visa fee 55$-85$ Migration tax 12$+4 $ bank fee Covid-test 30$ Meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner), services Private expenses, gratuities Insurance Using the cameras on the monuments
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me. Note: Each traveller should have 2 photos (5x6) to be presented at entry points.
Route & locations
Farab, Turkmenistan to Mary, Turkmenistan