This 10-day tour to Turkmenistan includes all country’s major cities with all its modern wealth and heritage of the ancestors. In addition you will enjoy the grandeur of the Karakum Desert crossed by the tour route, and along with that you will stay on the edge of gas crater, called by the locals as «The Gate to Blazes». The tour program full of events will not make you feel bored, because historical sites alternate with natural landscapes and large cities with picturesque villages.
Tour itinerary:
Arrival in Ashgabat. Transfer to the hotel. Check in at noon. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast drive to Nohur mountain village in the Kopet Dag Mountains (visit tribal cemetery and pilgrim site; silk weaving households, Kyz Bibi site and cemetery, waterfall, and Greet Tree). On the way stop to see Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum and Geok Tepe Mosque. Continue drive to Serdar through Kopet Dag Mountains. Arrive in Serdar, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Drive to Dekhistan and Mashat Ata via Karakala and Moon Mountains, and Sumbar River valleys. Arrive in Balkanabat. Overnight at the hotel.
Drive to Turkmenbashi at Caspian Sea via Mollagara salt lake. Arrival in Turkmenbashi, check in to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
In the morning sightseeing Turkmenbashi. Visit fish bazaar, Gate of Central Asia, Awaza beach area. After sightseeing transfer to airport. Take a flight to Ashgabat. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
After breakfast start sightseeing tour in Ashgabat - the capital of Turkmenistan which has experienced boom of “Marble Architecture”. Visit Central Square, Monument of Neutrality and newly built Independence Park with monuments of the first President of Turkmenistan. Continue sightseeing in Ashgabat. Explore archeological site of Old Nisa (included in UNESCO World Heritage list) and Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia.
In the afternoon depart to Darvaza gas crater located in the middle of Karakym desert with visit of Kekirdek (270 km, 4 h.). Arrive at the crater, set up the camp. Enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater. Overnight in tents.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
In the afternoon depart to Darvaza gas crater located in the middle of Karakym desert with visit of Kekirdek (270 km, 4 h.). Arrive at the crater, set up the camp. Enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater. Overnight in tents.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
After camp style breakfast, drive to Kunya-Urgench (270 km, 4 hrs). Visit mausoleums of Turebek-Khanym, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmaddin-Kubra, Sultan Ali. Discover the Kutlug Timur Minaret and Kyrk Molla Hill. After sightseeing continue driving to Dashoguz airport (100 km, 1 h 30 min). Take an evening flight to Ashgabat, upon arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take a morning flight to Mary (370 km, 40 min). Upon arrival drive to Merv (40 km, 30 min). Sightseeing Merv, an ancient city that was a major center of international trade and crafts located on the Silk Road. In the afternoon visit History museum of region. Discover historical park with Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Kala, Erk-Kala, Gyaur-Kala, Keshk Fortress, and others. Return to Mary. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Full morning for visit to the excavations of the ancient Margush country capital – Gonur, which consists of the Palace of the city, Fire and Water Temples, Royal Necropolis. Return to Mary. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for flight to Ashgabat. Arrive in Ashgabat. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
- All transfers: 1-2 pax by sedan type car; 3 pax by 5 seat minivan; 4-8 pax by 14 seat minibus; 9-20 pax by 35 seat bus or two minibuses; 20 pax and more by 55 seat bus; 4WD vehicle on days 4-6;
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, gender or couple shared homestay room, shared 2-person tent, shared 4-person sleeper coach (all including breakfast);
- Utensils and necessary equipment for staying in tents (sleeping bags, sleeping mats, pillows, dining table, chairs);
- Meals (4 dinners) in locations where no public dining options are available (Nohur, Dehistan, train and Darvaza);
- English speaking tour leader;
- Sightseeing tour program in each city;
- Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
- Economy class domestic tickets for flights Turkmenbashi-Ashgabat, Dashoguz-Ashgabat-Mary-Ashgabat;
- Visa support for Turkmenistan tourist visa;
- Porter services on the tour;
- Bottled water 1.5l per person a day.
- Full board (lunches and dinners);
- Hotel charges for additional services;
- Consular fees for Turkmenistan tourist visa;
- Migration card paid upon arrival on the border 14 USD;
- A tax of 2 USD per night, paid to the hotel upon check out;
- Travel insurance;
- Photo/video fees;
- Tips for local guide and driver;
- Souvenirs and other personal items;
- Excess luggage charges;
- International flight tickets before and after the tour;
- Other not mentioned expenses;
- Tips are not included, but would be appreciated.
Accommodation:
| Ashgabat - 4 nights | |
| Sport, Ak-Altyn, Grand Turkmen | Nusay, Oguzkent |
| Mary - 1 night | |
| Mary or similar | Mary or similar |
| Serdar - 1 night | |
| Chinar | Chinar |
| Balkanabat - 1 night | |
| Nebitchi | Nebitchi |
| Turkmenbashi - 1 night | |
| Charlak | Seyrana, Charlak |
| Darvaza - 1 night | |
| Tents (optional alternative: yurt shared with other group members) | Tents (optional alternative: yurt shared with other group members) |
