Amazing 7 Days In Turkmenistan
About this tour
Explore Ashgabat, the world’s “white-marble city,” with modern architecture and historical monuments
Visit Nissa Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former capital of the Parthian Empire
Discover Ancient Merv, once a major Islamic capital and UNESCO-listed Silk Road city
Experience the fiery Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the “Door to Hell,” with overnight camping and BBQ dinner
Enjoy a hands-on pottery masterclass with a local artisan in Dashoguz
Explore the ancient ruins of Kunya Urgench, featuring mausoleums, minarets, and the tallest minaret in Central Asia
Marvel at the colorful cliffs of Yangikala Canyon and visit the pilgrimage site Gozli-Ata
Discover the mountain village of Nokhur, home to the unique Nokhuri tribe, sacred sites, and traditional culture
Visit an Akhalteke horse farm and see the legendary golden horses of Turkmenistan
Includes domestic flights, all ground transportation, comfortable hotels, professional guide service, and entrance fees
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport. You will be met by our representatives and transferred to the hotel (early check-in). Free time. Morning drive to visit Nissa fortress - the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings. UNESCO declared the fortress a World Heritage Site in 2007. Nissa is described as one of the first capitals of the Parthians. It was founded by Arsaces I (reigned c. 250 BC – 211BC) and is reputedly the royal necropolis of the Parthian Kings. However, it has neither been established that the fortress at Nissa was a royal residence nor a mausoleum. Afternoon you will have an Ashgabat city tour. 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. You will see the Wedding Palace, the modern “Yildyz” Hotel, the Ferries Wheel, the Constitution Monument, the Arch of Neutrality, the Monument and Park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Ashgabat Olympic Stadium, the Earthquake and Victims of WWII Monuments. Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 2: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Mary, Turkmenistan
BF at the hotel. Morning drive to Mary. You also see the ruins of Seyitjemalledin mosque in Anau. The mosque was built in 1456 when Abu-ibn-Kasim Baber Bahadurkhan ruled in Khorasan (1446-1457). Construction of the mosque was financed by Bahadurkhan’s vizier, Muhammed Hudaidot, who also selected a site of construction–near the grave of his father, sheikh Jemaleddin, a native of Anau. The square central hall (with the sides of 10.5 meters) was crowned with a dome. In later periods, the Seyit-Jemaleddin mosque was partially reconstructed. By the nineteenth century, the subsidence of land had already damaged the building heavily, and during the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake it was destroyed completely. Now, only the lower parts of the portal and some fragments of the walls are extant. On the way visit Abiwerd which was once an important trading town of North Khorasan. It was a key link on the Great Silk Road between Nisa and Merv, and also enjoyed ties in Nishapur, across the Kopetdag Mountains to the south. Drive to Merv to explore ancient Merv – “Queen of the world”, was one of the most important capitals of Islam along with Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. Sightseeing of ancient Merv includes Greater Kyz Gala & Lesser Kyz Gala (VI-VII), Complex of Askhabs (VIII-XIV), Erk Gala (VI BC), Gyaur Gala (IV BC), Hoja Yusup Hamadani complex, Sultan Sanjar mausoleum, Muhamed Ibn Zeid mausoleum. After sightseeing transfer to Mary airport for a back flight to Ashgabat. Arrival in Ashgabat. Accommodation & overnight at a hotel.
Day 3: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Door to Hell, Derweze, Turkmenistan
BF at the hotel. Drive to visit the Carpet Museum, one of the best in Central Asia featuring designs from the Tekke, Yamud, Sarik and Chodor tribes. The Turkmen Carpet Museum is one of the cultural centres of Turkmenistan, where about 2000 carpet exhibits, including rare ones, are exhibited. For example, the museum has the smallest carpet to wear keys, as well as the world's largest hand carpet with a total area of 301 m², which was woven in 2001, and in 2003 it was added to the Guinness Book of Records. Afternoon drive to Darwaza burning Gas Crater (3.5 h) dubbed by locals as "The Door to Hell". The Darwaza area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 70 meters. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided the best solution was to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today. En route, we cross the Karakum desert and will make a stop in the small desert village of Erbent. In the evening watch the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater. BBQ dinner at Gas Crater. Overnight in camp.
Day 4: Door to Hell, Derweze, Turkmenistan to Dashoguz, Turkmenistan
Picnic-style breakfast. Morning drive to Dashoguz (5h). Transfer to hotel. Then you will have a pottery-making master class where you will learn the basics of this ancient art form from a master potter. Your class will begin with a brief introduction to the different types of clay and the tools and techniques used in pottery making. You will then learn how to prepare the clay and centre it on the pottery wheel. Once the clay is centred, you will be able to start throwing your pots and bowls. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Dashoguz, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
BF at the hotel. Drive to Kunya Urgench. Sightseeing tour in Kunya Urgench: visit Portal of Caravansaray, Mamun Minaret, II Arslan Mausoleum, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Academy of Horezm, Kutlug Timur Minaret, Turabek Hanum Mausoleum. After sightseeing, drive to Dashoguz for a flight to Ashgabat. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Balkanabat, Turkmenistan
BF at Hotel. Transfer to the Ashgabat International Airport for a flight to Turkmenbashi. After arrival at the Turkmenbashi Airport, drive to Yangikala Canyon. Visit to pilgrimage sight Gozli-Ata on the way to drive to Yangykala Canyons, one of the scenic natural objects of Turkmenistan. The word expression “Yangy kala” translates from Turkmen as “fire fortress”. Indeed, the sheer cliffs of white, yellow, ocher, purple and red colours, fancily carved by winds and rains, are very similar to the stone castles from a fantasy. Explore the Canyons. After exploration, drive to Balkanabat. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Balkanabat, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Then drive to Nokhur mountain village (315 km). The village itself fills a small depression valley in the mountains of the Kopet Dag Range, apart from the main street through the middle of the town, the streets are so narrow that they only just fit a car between the high stone retaining walls on each side. The Nohkuri people who populate this remote mountain village are quite different to other Turkmen tribes. According to legends, this was the place where Noah’s Ark was moored and all animals were let out and various seeds were planted. Indeed, the nature of Nokhur differs from the surrounding places. Visit the great tree and one of the unique cemeteries, which is isolated. Nearly every grave is marked by a wooden post decorated with the horns of a mountain goat. Make your sacred wishes by visiting a wish tree named after Kyz Bibi. Later drive to visit Horse Stable to see a national pride of the Turkmen people – Akhalteke horses, the nicest horses in the world. 5000 years ago, Turkmens began to breed Akhalteke horses. The World’s unique breed was never mixed with other breeds. Such illustrious Emperors like Alexander the Great, and Darius I desired to own Ahalteke horses. There are over 35 beautiful horses on the farm. Per superstition, every sick person who touches an Ahalteke horse will get well soon. After visiting the horse stable, drive to your hotel. Check-in and rest till departure time.
Day 8: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport. Departure.
What's included
• Letter of invitation • Registration in Ashgabat city • Accommodation in DBL/TWIN rooms – 7 nights • Darvaza Yurt Camp – 1 night • Transportation throughout the tour • Flight ticket: Mary – Ashgabat, Dashoguz – Ashgabat, Ashgabat - Turkmenbashi • Escort English-speaking guide service • Entrance tickets to Nissa fortress, KunyaUrgench and Merv sites, Kowata underground lake, horse farm, pottery master-class • Meals: BBQ Dinner & BF at Gas Crater • 1,5 L water per person per day • Travel Tax: 2USD per person per nigh
• International flights • Cost of Turkmen visa & border fees (70 – 100 USD) • PCR test • Payment for photo and video • Tips for guide and driver • Medical insurance • Meals: L, D • Services not shown in the program
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me. Notes: 1. Due to the changing conditions of some roads & traffic, it might take slightly more or less time to drive than the mentioned driving time in the program 2. Flight times are subject to change by Turkmenistan Airlines, the handbag is 5kg, and the baggage is 20kg per person, if the baggage is overweight you pay between 2-3$ per kg). 3. If the traveller stays more than 3 working days in Turkmenistan, the travel agency will register and stamp your passport on a local Tourist Board. 4. An express PCR test for Covid-19 will be taken upon arrival. It costs between 33-37 USD. 5. Breakfast box in case of very early morning departures. 6. Make sure you have a spare charge with you to facilitate and expedite visa and other procedures at the airport.
Route & locations
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan