Splendor Of Turkmenistan
About this tour
Indeed, of all parts of the ancient world where early civilizations developed, Central Asia remains the least known. Ancient Turkmenistan is where the most evidence for these early civilizations have been discovered-itself one of the least known parts of the world. Our short desert crossing will take us to the country's most fascinating active archaeological site, Gonur Depe. This 4,000 year-old Zoroastrian capital is mysteriously located in the heart of the Karakum desert and is Central Asia's sole entirely excavated city site, allowing the visitor to stroll through the countless alleyways, fire temples and shrines. If you are seeking for the secrets of Turkmen cultural traditions, handicrafts and customs, then Nokhur is a right place for you. Nokhur is a unique culture within Central Asia itself – this almost Turkmen tribe inhabits the valleys on both sides of the Sumbar valley. With its peculiar tribal heritage, outstanding carpentry and its typical stone house villages this culture is one of the least researched phenomena of the region. You will get to know the everyday life of one of the most hospitable people in the world. We also we be visiting major cultural monuments throughout Turkmenistan.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ashgabat International Airport, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Early morning arrival to Ashgabat. Transfer to hotel. Late morning excursion of Ashgabat, including a visit of the Arch of Neutrality and Independence Monument. Visit the of the Ertogrul Gazi mosque, Ashgabat’s largest Mosque, and the memorial dedicated to the victims of the 1948 earthquake, which completely destroyed the city. Visit State Museum of Turkmenistan. This museum has 9 halls, each dedicated to a particular period and theme. One of the highlights in the museum is a unique collection of ivory rythons/ horn like vessels. Today you will also visit Nissa Fortress, built in 2nd century BC it was the first capital of Parthian Empire.After this unique visit Overnight in Hotel
Day 2: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Mary, Turkmenistan
After breakfast drive to Mary, some 370 km form Ashgabat. En route visit Seyit Jemaleddin Mosque and the Mausoleum of Abu Seyit Abul Hayr Mekhnei – in Turkmenistan called Mane Baba Shrine. Overnight in Mary hotel
Day 3: Mary, Turkmenistan to Goňur, Mary, Turkmenistan
After early breakfast we drive northeast from Mary to Margush / Gonur Depe. Here first agricultural settlements appeared in the old delta of Murgab river as back as 3 millennium BC. Fertile silt coming from mountains, abundance of water and moderate climate had created favorable conditions for good crops and the progress of the ancient economy was continuing for several centuries. The American newspaper "Boston Globe" wrote that before we knew the four oldest centers of the world's civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China, and due to the fantastic results of the Margiana expedition it is quite possible to think that there was another, the fifth center. Picnic lunch. After lunch we will visit Mary regional museum. Overnight in Mary Hotel
Day 4: Mary, Turkmenistan to Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan
Early morning visit the old city of Merv. Visit the unique series of cities, not built on top of each other, as is so often the case, for instance at Damascus or Jerusalem, but constructed on adjacent virgin sites. The sites of the ancient town Erk-Kala (the fortress- citadel), Gyaur-Kala, Sultan-Kala, Abdulla-khan-Kala correspond to the different periods of Mervs' existence .The monuments we will tour and walk through are the Great and Little Kiz Kalas, the Kiz Bibi mausoleum, the magnificent Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, the Palace and keshk in the Shahriar Ark or Royal Citadel, the mosque of Yusuf Hamdani, the Timurid iwans or Askhab, and the Mausoleum of Muhammad ibn Zeid. Then we will drive to Turkmenabat. Overnight in Turkmenabat city
Day 5: Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan to Köýtendag, Turkmenistan
After breakfast drive to Kugitang Mountains. En route stop near Kaynar Baba Lake and Texas like mountains. Picnic Lunch. Then continue to drive toward Kugitang. Dinner and overnight at local guest house
Day 6: Köýtendag, Turkmenistan
After breakfast drive to visit Kugitang mountains. Today you will see here the huge footprints of Giant Lizards – Dinosaurs that passed here millions years ago. Then you will visit beautiful waterfall and the cave of 40 girls. Picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight in local g/h
Day 7: Köýtendag, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
After breakfast drive back to Turkmenabat. Lunch en route. Dinner in local restaurant in Turkmenabat. Take late evening flight to Ashgabat. Overnight in Hotel
Day 8: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Dashoguz, Turkmenistan
After breakfast take morning flight to Dashoguz. Drive to visit Ancient Urgench or by its local name Koneurgench. Here you will see the unique mausoleum of Torebeghanym, mausoleum of Najmeddin Kubra and Fahreddin Razi. Lunch in local restaurant. Take evening flight to Ashgabat. Overnight in Hotel
Day 9: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Darvaza Gas Crater - "Door to Hell", Derweze, Turkmenistan
Morning free. Afternoon drive to Darvaza gas crater. Dinner and overnight in tents near burning gas crater
Day 10: Darvaza Gas Crater - "Door to Hell", Derweze, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
After breakfast drive to Ashgabat. Overnight in Hotel
Day 11: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat International Airport, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Early morning transfer to Airport to take Turkish Airlines flight. See Off
What's included
Accommodation as indicated above Meals: Full Board on Day 2,3,4,6,7; Lunch on day 5 ESG A/C transport Entrance fees to the sites mentioned Visa support and travel pass Camping gear Plane ticket Ashgabat-Dashoguz-Ashgabat
Visa fee Tips Insurance Immigration card
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Ashgabat International Airport, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan