Turkmenistan Tour: Cros The River Gate
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, we drive to Mary overnight (30 km, 30-40 minute drive). Overnight in Margush or Mary Hotel.
Day 2: Mary, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Early breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Mary airport for morning flight to Ashgabat. Arrive in Ashgabat and we start the tour by exploring the historical site of Old Nisa Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage Site), located 15 km from Ashgabat city center. The earliest of Parthian Empire capitals (III c. BC – III c. AD). Located in an atmospheric area at the foot of the Kopet-Dag Mountains. Archaeological excavations in two parts of the site have revealed richly decorated architecture, illustrative of domestic, state, and religious functions. Situated at the crossroads of important commercial and strategic axes, this powerful empire formed a barrier to Roman expansion while serving as an important communication and trading center between East and West, North and South. National Museum of History where you can take a close look at exclusive ancient artifacts and treasuries from different historical and archaeological sites of Turkmenistan. PM we will explore Ashgabat, translated from Persian as “the City of Love”. Drive to “Bagt Koshgi” the Wedding Palace (translated as “the Palace of Happiness) platform on the hill with a scenic panoramic view of the city. Continue to Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center, has been awarded the Guinness World Record for the largest indoor Ferris Wheel ever made. Visit the Monument of Neutrality and Independence Monument surrounded by statues of historical figures/leaders of the Turkmen nation who have built the country and the monument to the giant book of Ruhnama (translated as the Book of Soul, a book that was written by the first president of Turkmenistan) in the Park of Independence. Overnight in Ashgabat.
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 SUVs 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
Standard services included in the travel program: 1. Assistance in building travel itinerary and the route 2. Visa support (obtaining the Letter of Invitation/LOI, registration of tourists, travel pass) 3. Comfort A/C transportation depending on group size and route (coach, minibus, minivan, sedan, and 4x4) for transfers and throughout the tour 4. Accommodation in hotels, yurts, tents, and guesthouses (depending on the route) 5. Tour guide throughout the tour (meeting/see off at the borders and assistance with border crossing formalities is included) 6. Entrance fees to the museums and other sites 7. Domestic flights or train tickets 8. Campin gear for desert overnights 9. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner for desert overnights
Services excluded: 1. The cost of the visa $85-$155 (depending on the citizenship) not included in the tour package) 2. Migration duty $14 3. PCR test $33 on arrival to Turkmenistan 5. Travel insurance 6. International flights or shuttles between borders 7. Photo and camera fees at the sites 8. Extra services at the hotels 9. Meals that are not mentioned in the itinerary + beverages/alcohol
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Farab, Turkmenistan to Mary, Turkmenistan