5-day Tour Farap Ashgabat
About this tour
Explore Ancient Merv and Old Nisa fortress
Discover Ashgabat’s modern architecture and vibrant Altyn Asyr Bazaar
Experience the flaming Darvaza Gas Crater with sunset dinner and yurt stay
Swim in the warm emerald waters of Kow-Ata Underground Lake
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Farap, Turkmenistan to Merv, Turkmenistan
-Meet with your local guide at Alat/Farap border point. -The meeting time depends on what time you will cross the border. -Оbtaining a border visa (at our LOI). -Аnd perhaps after crossing the border you will have to take a Covid-test costing $35 US dollars. -Upon arrival to the border point go through custom procedures and drive to Mary province. -Тhe trip will take approximately 4-5 hours by car. -Arrival to Mary province. - Visit an Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site). -A tour of the entire facility located on an area with a radius of 10-14 km takes at least 2 hours. -One of the major archaeological sites of Central Asia, Merv played an important part in the development of the Silk Road for more than 2 000 years. -On the territory of Merv there are unique fortresses that belong to different eras. They different in size and degree of preservation. -Different fortresses - Erk-kala (VI century BC), Gyaur-kala (III century), Kyz-kala (VI century), Sultan-kala (XI century), Abdullakhan-Kala (XV century), Bairamalikhan-Kala (presumably 18th century). -Drive to Mary city. Visiting shopping places of Mary, Green baazar and etc. –Departure from Mary to Ashgabat by car. – Arrival to Ashgabat, transfer to the hotel. – Overnight at the hotel
Day 2: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
– Breakfast at the hotel. - Ashgabat City Tour starts with the historical monument “Old Nissa” fortress, which was the capital of the Parthian Empire (since 2007 under the protection of UNESCO) After excursions in Old Nisa fortress, a sightseeing tour of Ashgabat. - 2 days Ashgabat city tour include. - The Old Nissa fortress. - The Health trail in the mountains. - The highest flagpole in the world at 133 meters –(in the Guinness Book) The size of the giant cloth of the State Flag of Turkmenistan is 52x35 m, weight – 420 kg. - Olympic city (in the Guinness Book). - Monument and park of Independence. - Neutrality tower. - Magtymguly monument and park. - Ferris wheel (in the Guinness Book) you can ride on. - Earthquake victims complex. - Wedding palace. - Ruhnama Book. - The sculptural ensemble depicting the founder of the Turkmen nation Oguzkhan and his six sons. This complex includes 27 light fountains, working synchronously thanks to special software (in the Guinness Book). - International Airport (in the Guinness Book). - Ertogrul Gazy (Turkish) mosque. – Evening visit to one of the city's shopping and entertainment centers – (at your request). - Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Darvaza Gas Crater, Derweze, Turkmenistan
– Breakfast at the hotel. – Visit the Museum of History and Ethnography of Turkmenistan. - A tour of the museum with a professional guide will take 2 hours. -Visiting the museum complex exposition is divided into 7 thematic galleries to store over a total of 166,000 unique exhibits, many of which are of special historical and cultural importance. -The Museum of History and Ethnography has ancient artifacts found at the excavations of Nisa fortress, Merv and Gonur, collection of vintage Turkmen carpets, rare examples of national clothing, jewelries, and antique weapons. The 9 halls display figurines of Athens, Eros, silver gilded griffin, horn-shaped ivory vessels-rhytons of the Parthian era, gold jewelries and medallions-stamps from Margiana, and Buddhist artifacts. – Drive to the Gypjak city to visit Turkmenbashi mausoleum and mosque. – Drive to the oriental (and exotic) bazaar “Altyn Asyr”, shopping and buying souvenirs. If you're looking for a truly authentic shopping experience in Ashgabat, look no further than Altyn Asyr Bazaar. Located in the outskirts of the city, this bustling market is the largest in Turkmenistan and the fifth-largest in Central Asia. With its vibrant atmosphere, historical significance, and unique architectural features, Altyn Asyr Bazaar is a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike. The market is particularly busy selling a large number of goods including handicrafts, jewelry, animals, food and other products. In addition, you can buy traditional Turkmen clothes. Local ateliers create unique men's and women's clothing in a single copy, which has no analogues. – Trip to Darvaza Gas Crater, which is a huge flaming crater located 270 km (4 hours) to the north of Ashgabat. - In the evening, enjoy the spectacular and fascinating view of the Gas Crater. - In order to truly enjoy this end of the world, it is best to arrive at the Gate before the sunset. -Stay in a camp with tasty catering – dinner at picnic style. -The perfect way to enjoy this highlight. -Observe the fantastic view of the crater during daylight and at night, feel the heat, and listen to the sound that this giant oven creates. -Overnight at the camp in the yurt
Day 4: Darvaza Gas Crater, Derweze, Turkmenistan to Kow Ata, Turkmenistan
- Breakfast at the camp. – Departure from the camp to Ashgabat. Тhe trip will take approximately 4 hours by car. – Arrival to Ashgabat. – Drive to the Kow-Ata lake 1,5 hours of journey by car. Kow-Ata underground lake that is located 107 km from Ashgabat (1,5 hours). The Turkmen name Kow-Ata means Father of caves. At first glance, this underground area appears like a magnificent auditorium: the overall length of the cave is 230 m, its height reaches 20 m, and its width is at some points 57 m. The bottom of the cave is covered with lumps of dissolved limestone (stalagmites), and its warm and gushing water is clear and emerald colored. The water has a constant temperature of 33-37°C. (You can swim in the lake). – Return to Ashgabat. – Evening visit to one of the city's shopping and entertainment centers – (at your request). – Overnight at the hotel
Day 5: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat International Airport, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
- Breakfast. - Free time. -Check out from the hotel. - Transfer to the International Airport. - Flight. - End of the tour.
What's included
• Tour package • LOI • Register fee • permit fee • Accommodation • Guide – 5 days • Transport – 5 days • Entry tickets to museums • Fee for using cameras on monuments • Daily water
• Visa fee 55$-85$ • Covid-test 35$ • Meal • services • Private expenses • gratuities • Insurance
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Farap, Turkmenistan to Merv, Turkmenistan