Itinerary
- Day 1
Ashgabat
You'll arrive in Ashgabat and get picked up at the airport, then head to your hotel to settle in. After resting a bit, the day opens up to see the ancient Parthian Fortresses of Nisa and the striking Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque along with Niyazov's mausoleum. There's time to pay respects at the Earthquake Memorial Complex, walk through Makhtumkuli Park, and get back to your hotel before evening.
- Start point
- Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (Airport Pick-up)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sport Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Parthian Fortresses of Nis
- Visit Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque (Gypjak Mosque)
- Visit mausoleum of Niyazov
- Visit Earthquake Memorial Complex
- Visit Makhtumkuli Park
Landmarks Parthian Fortresses of Nis Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque (Gypjak Mosque) Mausoleum of Niyazov Earthquake Memorial Complex Makhtumkuli Park - Day 2
Ashgabat
Following breakfast, you'll check out the National History Museum to see Silk Road artifacts, then head over to the Alem Center where the world's largest indoor Ferris wheel is located. From there, climb to the Wedding Palace Viewpoint for views across the city, stroll through Independence Park to see the Ruhnama monument, and visit the 75-meter Arch of Neutrality. Later you'll meet the famous Akhal-Teke horses at a local stable, tour the ornate Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, walk through Inspiration Park, and browse Gulistan Bazaar before returning to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sport Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit National History Museum
- Visit Alem Center with world's largest indoor Ferris wheel
- Visit Wedding Palace Viewpoint
- Visit Independence Park
- Visit Arch of Neutrality
- Visit horse stable to meet Akhal-Teke horses
- Visit Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
- Visit Inspiration Park
- Visit Gulistan Bazaar
Landmarks National History Museum Alem Center Wedding Palace Viewpoint Independence Park Ruhnama Monument Arch of Neutrality Ertugrul Gazi Mosque Inspiration Park Gulistan Bazaar - Day 3
Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi to Yangykala Canyon
You'll fly to Turkmenbashi and then drive about 3.5 hours through sand dunes toward Yangykala Canyon, stopping at Gozli Ata Mausoleum where goats and camels sometimes appear. Your guide takes you hiking through the canyon with the option to climb to cliff tops and see ancient coral reefs. After a picnic lunch at a scenic spot overlooking the canyon, you'll check out a couple more observation decks before heading back to Turkmenbashi for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch around the canyon at a spectacular viewpoint)
- Accommodation
- Hotel ( Beyik Yupel Yoly Hotel Turkmenbashi)
Included Activities
- Flight to Turkmenbashi
- Visit Gozli Ata Mausoleum
- Hike Yangykala Canyon
- Climb to canyon cliff tops
Landmarks Gozli Ata Mausoleum Yangykala Canyon - Day 4
Turkmenbashi to Dashoguz
After breakfast, explore Turkmenbashi and head to Awaza Resort on the Caspian Sea to see the clear waters and desert surroundings, plus watch cargo ships at the seaport. Stop by the local fish bazaar to see what they have like sturgeon and caviar. In the afternoon, you'll fly to Dashoguz and spend some time in the city center, including the Dashoguz Mosque.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dashoguz Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Awaza Resort
- Visit fish bazaar
- Flight to Dashoguz
- Visit Dashoguz Mosque
Landmarks Awaza Resort Fish Bazaar Dashoguz Mosque - Day 5
Dashoguz to Kunya Urgench to Darvaza Gas Crater
You'll drive 1.5 hours to Kunya Urgench Historical Park to explore structures dating from the 11th to 16th centuries, particularly the 60-meter Kutlug Timur Minaret, the tallest of its kind in Central Asia. Then comes a 5-hour drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater (called the 'Door to Hell') with its 70-meter crater and flames. You'll have a BBQ dinner under the stars and sleep in a yurt camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (BBQ dinner under the stars)
- Accommodation
- Camping (Yurt Camp)
Included Activities
- Visit Kunya Urgench Historical Park
- Visit Kutlug Timur Minaret
Landmarks Kunya Urgench Historical Park Kutlug Timur Minaret Darvaza Gas Crater - Day 6
Darvaza to Ashgabat
Breakfast happens at camp with a chance to see the burning crater one more time if you want before a 4-hour drive back to Ashgabat. Along the way, stop at the Water and Mud Crater in Darvaza. Once you reach the capital, explore the Turkmen Carpet Museum with over 2,000 carpets on display, then head to Teke Bazaar where local produce, baked goods, meat, and fruits fill the organized stalls, finishing at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sport Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Water and Mud Crater
- Visit Turkmen Carpet Museum
- Visit Teke Bazaar
Optional Activities
- Witness burning Darvaza Gas Crater at sunrise
Landmarks Water and Mud Crater Turkmen Carpet Museum Teke Bazaar - Day 7
Ashgabat to Mary
After breakfast, you'll ride for about 4 hours to Mary, stopping at the Seyit Jemaladdin Mosque Ruins in Annau on the way. You'll get to Ancient Merv, the famous Silk Road oasis that was reportedly the world's largest city back in the 12th century. Check out the Mary Regional Museum, see the pink and blue Pokrovskaya Church, visit the domed Gurbanguly Hajji Mosque with its four minarets, and wander through the local bazaar before settling into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mary Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Seyit Jemaladdin Mosque Ruins
- Visit Mary Regional Museum
- Visit Pokrovskaya Church
- Visit Gurbanguly Hajji Mosque (Juma Mosque)
- Visit local bazaar
Landmarks Seyit Jemaladdin Mosque Ruins Ancient Merv Mary Regional Museum Pokrovskaya Church Gurbanguly Hajji Mosque (Juma Mosque) - Day 8
Mary
You'll continue at the Ancient Merv State Historical and Cultural Park to see the four walled cities that show Merv's role as a major Silk Road crossroad. Start at Erk Kala, the oldest and smallest city where an Achaemenid-era ruler lived with office buildings and warehouses. Then explore Sultan Kala, the largest city with 200 semicircular towers and secret staircases, and climb up for panoramic views. Drive back to Ashgabat for free time at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sport Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit State Historical and Cultural Park Ancient Merv
- Visit Erk Kala
- Visit Sultan Kala
Landmarks State Historical and Cultural Park Ancient Merv Erk Kala Sultan Kala - Day 9
Ashgabat
Your 9-day Turkmenistan tour wraps up today. You'll get escorted to the airport based on your flight time. Safe travels home.
- End point
- Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (Airport See-off)
- Meals
- Breakfast
