Turkmenistan Highlights Tour

The first stop of our sightseeing will be the UNESCO-listed site, Parthian Fortresses of Nisa. Let’s step back in time to the 3rd century BC, when this site thrived as the capital of the Parthian Empire (247-224BC), with 20-meter (66-foot) tall adobe city walls and 43 towers guarding its two parts - Old and New Nisa. Old Nisa conjures the opulent life scenes of the Parthian Empire, where you can glimpse the Greek influences in their architecture and art through remnants of murals and marble statues of Artemis and Aphrodite. Next, we’ll proceed to the National History Museum, home to over 40 ivory rhytons unearthed from Nisa, which once served as sacrificial and drinking vessels. Peruse these rhytons carefully, and you may find intricate carvings of Greek gods in Persian-style robes, which showcase the region’s cultural blending. After that, marvel at the world’s largest indoor Ferris Wheel at Alem Center, and then you’ll ascend to the Wedding Palace Viewpoint to appreciate panoramic views of Ashgabat and observe the surreal appearance of the opposite Wedding Palace.

Afterward, our guide will lead you to the Earthquake Memorial Complex, built in memory of the dead of the 1948 Ashgabat Earthquake. A notable monument features a bull with a shattered sphere on his neck and a woman striving to save her child, symbolizing both the catastrophic earthquake and the hope of rebirth, inspired by an ancient Turkmen lore that states the Earth rests on a giant bull’s back since it exists. Then stroll around Independence Park and view the Arch of Neutrality, which stands as a celebrated symbol of Turkmenistan’s esteemed position as the only neutral country in Asia recognized by UN. From here, we’ll head to the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque. This architectural marvel boasts white marble splendor with four soaring minarets surrounding a majestic dome. Inside, the opulent decorations and intricate stained glass windows will leave you in awe. After today’s tour, the guide and driver will whisk you away to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sport Hotel Ashgabat (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, you’ll be escorted to the airport for a 50-minute flight to Dashoguz. Upon arrival, let’s head to Kunya Urgench, also called Gurganj, which was once the proud capital of the Khwarazmian Empire (1077-1231) and a center of medieval prosperity, boasting a variety of architectural marvels, prosperous trade, and complete irrigation systems.

However, it also caught the attention of many conquerors, including the formidable Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire (1206-1368). In the 12th century, Genghis Khan sent a caravan of about 450 men to Kunya Urgench for trade, but they were mistaken for spies and executed by a greedy local army leader. After receiving the harrowing news from a survivor, the Khan dispatched another envoy to demand the surrender of the murderer, but they were killed again, resulting in a seven-month Mongol siege of Kunya Urgench. Ultimately, the city was flooded by the Amu Darya River as the Mongols breached the dams. Later, the city was rebuilt twice but ravaged again by Timur in the 14th century and eventually abandoned in the 20th century.

Today, the site features remnants of Silk Road caravansaries, mosques, minarets, and mausoleums from various periods. Among these, Kyrk Molla is one of the oldest monuments, dating back to the first century BC. It formerly housed a library containing manuscripts of renowned scholars, but now only a mound with 12.5-meter (41-foot) high crumbling fortress walls remains. The most splendid structure left by the Mongols is the best-preserved Turabek Khanum Mausoleum. It showcases a distinct double-dome design, visible from the outside collapsed ruins. Inside, you’ll marvel at the gorgeous restored dome, adorned with intricate circular and star-shaped enamel tile decorations. When the visit is over, take a flight from Dashoguz back to Ashgabat and then you’ll be transferred to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sport Hotel Ashgabat (4 stars) or similar

Today, we’ll proceed to Mary on a 40-minute flight and visit another UNESCO archaeological site called Ancient Merv, which is the oldest and best-preserved Silk Road city in Central Asia. Our expert guide will lead you to unveil its rich history spanning over 4,000 years, from the Bronze Age to the post-Middle Ages. Like many great cities, Merv experienced fluctuations in power, which was ruled successively by the Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Seljuks, and Turks, reaching its zenith in the 12th century before gradually declining after the Mongol invasion in the 13th century.

The city walls, mausoleums, and mosques within the State Historical and Cultural Park Ancient Merv stand as enduring symbols of this cultural crossroads. At the heart of ancient Merv, the Erk Kala evolved from a settlement into a fortress of the Parthian Empire, once encircled by adobe brick city walls measuring 60 meters (197 feet) thick. These walls have now eroded to 25-29 meters (82-95 feet) with steep slopes, allowing you to climb to the top for views of the remnants of royal palaces, Zoroastrian temples, and city squares. The Sultan Sunjar Mausoleum is another architectural masterpiece, reflecting the prosperity of the Seljuk Empire (1037-1194). This cubic sanctuary is covered with a 38-meter (125-foot) high dome, once embellished with blue tiles. Although the glimmering blue hues are invisible due to the Mongols’ destruction, the mausoleum’s harmonious proportions and symmetrical beauty are still commendable. Additionally, you can visit the square Timurid Pavilion, featuring exquisite mud plaster decorations, one of the few remaining Timurid-era buildings on the site.

Next, pay a visit to Mary Regional Museum, where you can appreciate various artifacts from Ancient Merv and the site of Gonur Depe, an ancient city of the Bronze Age, including ceramics, hair ornaments, and chests. Afterward, take a flight back to Ashgabat and head to the hotel for rest.
Please note that the flight schedule is subject to change depending on the airline, and we will arrange a 4-hour private transfer instead if there’s no flight available.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sport Hotel Ashgabat (4 stars) or similar

On the last day, we will send you to the airport on schedule. Thanks for booking this tour, and we hope you’ve had a fruitful trip!

If you want to marvel at the mysterious Darvaza Gas Crater, known as the Door to Hell, or explore more ancient cities in Central Asia, like Samarkand in Uzbekistan and Penjikent in Tajikistan, don’t hesitate to customize your itineraries with our travel consultants, who are very willing to hear your wonderful travel ideas!

Meals: Breakfast