This 11-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. 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.
Free time in the morning. In the afternoon sightseeing in Turkmenbashi. Visit fish bazaar, Gate of Central Asia, Awaza beach area. Transfer to train station for an overnight train to Ashgabat.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
In the morning arrive in Ashgabat. After breakfast visit National museum. 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.
Drive to Dashoguz. En route visit Kunya-Urgench historical sites which have been included into the UNESCO World Heritage List: visit mausoleums of Turebek-Khanym, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmaddin-Kubra, Sultan Ali. Discover the Kutlug Timur Minaret and KyrkMolla Hill. Arrive in Dashoguz, overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Morning flight to Ashgabat. Upon arrival in Ashgabat drive to Mary (370 km, 8-9hours). En route visit Anau Mosque remains and pilgrim site and Abiverd urban Silk Road remains on the way. Arrive in Merv. Sightseeing Merv, an ancient city that was a major center of international trade and crafts located on the Silk Road. Afternoon visit History museum of region. Discover historical park with Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Gala, ErkGala, Gyaur Gala, Keshk Fortresses, and others. Return to Mary. Transfer to the hotel upon arrival. Overnight at the hotel.
Full morning for visit to the excavations of the ancient Margush country capital – Gonur, which consist of the Palace of the city, Fire and Water Temples, Royal Necropolis. In the afternoon drive to Merv. Sightseeing in Merv, an ancient city that was a major center of international trade and crafts located on the Silk Road.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
In the morning transfer to the airport for flight to Ashgabat. Arrive in Ashgabat. Visit Altyn Asyr Bazaar and Hippodrome (race or stables, depending on the weekday and season). Continue sightseeing in Ashgabat. Explore archeological site of Old Nissa (included in UNESCO World Heritage list) and Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Accommodation:
| City |
OPTION 1 Comfort |
OPTION 2 Economy |
Number of nights |
| Ashgabat | Oguzkent, Nusay | Ashgabat, Grand Turkmen | 2 |
| Dashoguz | UzBoy | UzBoy | 1 |
| Mary | Margush, Yrsgal, Dayanch | Margush, Yrsgal, Dayanch | 2 |
| Serdar | Chinar | Chinar | 1 |
| Balkanabat | Nebitchi | Nebitchi | 1 |
| Turkmenbashi | Charlak | Charlak | 1 |
- 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 Darwaza);
- English speaking tour leader;
- Sightseeing tour program in each city;
- Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
- Domestic airline tickets Dashoguz-Ashgabat and Mary-Ashgabat;
- Domestic night train ticket Turkmenbashi-Ashgabat (in shared 4-person sleeper coaches);
- 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;
- A tax of 2 USD per night, paid to the hotel upon check out;
- Consular fees for tourist visa and Turkmenistan migration tax (14 USD);
- Personal travel insurance;
- Photo/video fees;
- Tips for local guide and driver;
- Souvenirs and other personal items;
- Excess luggage charges;
- Other expenses not mentioned in the section “Included”.
