Highlights Of Turkmenistan Tour
About this tour
During this trip you will visit middle aged site Kunya urgench, Darwaza burning Gas Crater, city tour of white marbled Ashgabat, ancient Merv – “Queen of the world”
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Dasoguz to Daşoguz Welaýaty
Our representative will meet you at Turkmen/Uzbek border “Shavat”. Drive to Kunya Urgench (1.5h). 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. Afternoon drive to Darwaza burning Gas Crater (3.5 h) The Crater is also called as "The Door to Hell". The 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 60 m and 20 m deep. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided 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. In the evening, watch the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater. BBQ dinner & overnight at Gas Crater.
Day 2: Daşoguz Welaýaty to Ashgabat
BF at the camp. Morning drive to Ashgabat (3.5 h). En-route we cross Karakum desert, will stop in a small desert village Erbent. Arrival in Ashgabat and accommodation at Hotel. Free time. You will have Ashgabat city tour. You will see Presidential Palace, Ruhyyet Palace, Wedding Palace, modern “Yildyz” Hotel, Ferries Wheel, Constitution Monument, Arch of Neutrality, Monument and park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Ashgabat 2017 Sports and Housing facilities. Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 3: Ashgabat to Mary Welaýaty
BF at the Hotel. Morning drive to Mary. You also see 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 lower parts of the portal and some fragments of the walls are extant. On the way visit Abiwerd that 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. Drive to Ulug Depe is an ancient Bronze Age site in the foothills of the Kopet Dag Mountains. Then 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. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Mary.
Day 4: Mary Welaýaty to Turkmenabat
BF at hotel. Morning drive to Turkmen-Uzbek border Farap border (3h).
What's included
• Letter of Invitation • Registration in Ashgabat city • Accommodation in DBL/TWIN room: • Mizan 3* hotel – 1 night • Merw 3* hotel – 1 night • Tent stay – 1 night • Escort English speaking guide service • Transportation throughout the tour • Entrance fee: Kunya Urgench, Merv sites • Meals: BF at hotels and BBQ Dinner and breakfast at Gas Crater • 1.5 L water per person per day • Travel tax: 2 usd per person per night
• International flights • Cost of Turkmen visa w/border fees • Payment for photo and video • Meals: L,D • Tips for guide and driver • Medical insurance • Services not shown in the program
What to know
Bring hats and sun cream
Route & locations
Dasoguz to Daşoguz Welaýaty