Turkmenistan Exploration Tour

Welcome to the energy-rich Turkmenistan! Today on your arrival, our guide will pick you up from the airport and escort you to check in the hotel. The rest of the day is on your own. Ashgabat is the capital as well as the political, cultural and economic center of Turkmenistan. It is known as the "white marble city" as having the world's highest density of buildings clad with marble. After a good rest at the hotel, you could take a walk around nearby neighborhoods. A visit of the city center at night offers a spectacular look of the modern skylines.

Accommodation: Sport Hotel (4 stars)

The 7 days Turkmenistan tour officially starts today. The guide will first lead you to the archaeological site of Nissa. It was one of the earliest and most important cities of Parthian Empire. Next we will go to the city center and visit: National History Museum with rare works of ancient paintings, sculptures, carpets, musical instruments, household utensils and fossils; Ferris Wheel – the world's largest one of its kind featuring a 57-meter (187 feet) diameter glass and white-steel casing on its top; and Wedding Palace Viewpoint – a surreal building in the city which is topped by a massive, geometrically caged disco ball globe. Earthquake Memorial, Independence Park, Neutrality Arch and Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque are also on our today's visiting list.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sport Hotel (4 stars)

After breakfast, we will drive to Mary, also called Merv, in 4 hours and visit Anau Mosque ruins and Abiverd Silk Road Town remains on the way. After arrival, the guide will accompany you to pay a visit to Ancient Merv Historical Park with remains spanning 4,000 years. Ancient Merv is one of the oldest oasis-cities along the Silk Road. Later, we will go to Mary town center, visit the eye-catching Russian Orthodox Church and explore the local bazaar. Stay overnight at the hotel in Merv.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mary Hotel (4 stars)

In the morning, the guide will accompany you on the flight journey back to Ashgabat. After arrival, we will spend some time wandering around the local market and tour the National Carpet Museum. The museum has a rich collection of Turkmen carpets from the medieval to the 20th century. There you could learn how to appreciate the time-honored Turkmen carpet weaving art.

In the afternoon, we will take a 4-hour car ride to Darwaza gas crater and pay a visit to a desert village on route. Darwaza gas crater, popularly known as the "Door to Hell", have been burning for about 50 years since Soviet geologists set it on fire to prevent the spread of the methane gas. We will set a camp near it, then enjoy BBQ dinner and stay one night there, which will be a once in a lifetime experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Yurt Camp

Drive to the city Dashoguz in 4 hours and visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kunya Urgench Historical Park. Kunya-Urgench was a major trade center on the Silk Road and capital of Khorezm region. The monuments mainly include a mosque, fortresses, mausoleums and a soaring minaret dating from the 11th century to the 16th century. After the visit, the guide will escort you to fly back to Ashgabat.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sport Hotel (4 stars)

Today we will first go to visit two impressive mosques: Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque and Geok Depe Saparmurat Hajji Mosque. The former is the largest mosque in Central Asia and next to it stands the mausoleum where the former president Saparmurat Niyazov is buried; while the latter with an eye-catching blue doom is established in memory of the soldiers and defenders of the Gökdepe Fortress. Then we will drive to Kow Ata underground lake located inside a natural cave, famous for its curative characteristics.

Next, we will set out for the Nohur mountain village, a unique tribe situated 4 hour's drive from Ashgabat. Legend has it that this was the place where Noah's Ark moored and all animals were let out and seeds were planted. Thus Nohur is rich in history, tribal custom, flora and fauna. We will visit its tribal cemetery. Each grave is marked by a huge horn of mountain goat which according to locals are sacred and can ward off the evil spirits. We will also tour the pilgrimage site and learn about the silk weaving traditions of the locals.

In the afternoon, go to visit the Gokdepe fortress and Horse Farm. You will see Akhal-Teke horses in the farm which is notable for its extraordinary aptitude for long-time riding and beautiful metallic sheen of their coats. It's a pride of Turkmens and part of the national emblem. After the visit we will drive back to Ashgabat.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sport Hotel (4 stars)

Today we will transfer you to the airport according to your flight schedule. Thank you very much for choosing us as your service provider. Wish you a pleasant journey home!

Meals: Breakfast