Day 1: Aug 28, 2024; Sep 4, 2024; Sep 18, 2024; Oct 2, 2024; Oct 16, 2024.

Itinerary: Farap – Mary or Ashgabat – Mary

Tour itinerary map
• Arrival in Turkmenistan
• OPTION 1: Arrival by land border from Uzbekistan (Alat border crossing point) at 09.00 am.
• OPTION 2: Arrival by flight to Ashgabat International Airport. If your flight arrives very early in the morning we can book hotel for you in Ashgabat at extra charge.
• Meeting local guide, transfer to Mary - the third largest city of Turkmenistan, located 370 km East from Ashgabat on an oasis in the Karakum desert. The city was founded in 1884 as a Russian military and administrative post and today it is a large industrial centre for the natural gas and cotton industries. The ruins of the ancient city of Merv are located in 30 km from Mary.
• Drive to Merv - located in 33 km from Mary, it is an ancient city on the Silk Road. The earliest references of Merv were found in the 8-6th centuries B.C. During the XII and XIII centuries it became one of the largest cities in the world with a population of about 500,000 and chroniclers described Merv as “the city that holds the universe." In 1221 Merv was invaded by Mongolian nomads and completely devastated. Even after being rebuilt after the Mongol destruction, the city could never regain its former prosperity.
• Sightseeing in ancient Merv - we will be driving through the State Historical and Cultural Park to see the many remains. They include Bronze Age (2500-1200 BC), Iron Age (1200-300 BC) and other historic urban centers, as well as the post-medieval city. The Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar and Kiz Kala fortress are one of the best preserved monuments of ancient Merv.
• Drive back to Mary
• If time permits, you will also visit Mary Bazaar to see a variety of local products and the Russian Orthodox church (one of the oldest in Turkmenistan).

Day 2: Aug 29, 2024; Sep 5, 2024; Sep 19, 2024; Oct 3, 2024; Oct 17, 2024.

Itinerary: Mary – Ashgabat

Remains of Kiz Kala fortress in Merv

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Drive to Ashgabat
• On the way to Ashgabat, visit to Horse Stable in Anew to see beautiful Akhalteke horses. This horse breed exists since 5000 years ago and is the real proud of the Turkmens. Akhaltheke horse breed was never mixed with other breeds.
• In the afternoon you will have ASHGABAT CITY TOUR including main attractions such as Wedding Palace, the modern “Yildyz” Hotel, the Ferries Wheel, the Constitution Monument, the Arch of Neutrality, the Monument and Park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Ashgabat Sports and Housing facilities.
• Check-in at the Sport Hotel - very good 4* hotel in Ashgabat city center. The Berkarar shopping center is just across the street.The Sport hotel was completed in 2017 for the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. From the restaurant on the top floor you can enjoy a fantastic city panorama.

Day 3: Aug 30, 2024; Sep 6, 2024; Sep 20, 2024; Oct 4, 2024; Oct 18, 2024.

Itinerary: Ashgabat – Darwaza or Ashgabat – Darwaza – Ashgabat

Ashgabat

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Carpet Museum - one of the cultural centres of Turkmenistan, where about 2000 carpet exhibits, including rare ones, are exhibited. For example, the museum has the smallest carpet to wear keys, as well as the world’s largest hand carpet with a total area of 301 m², which was woven in 2001, and in 2003 it was added to the Guinness Book of Records.
• In the afternoon drive to Darwaza Gas Crater - located in 3,5 hrs ride from Ashgabat, this place is dubbed by locals as "The Door to Hell". The Darwaza area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists discovered a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 70 meters. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but amazingly Darwaza is still burning today. In the evening, the view of the burning Darwaza is even more spectacular.
• Dinner with a view on the Gas Crater
• OPTION 1: Overnight at Tents - every tent's capacity is 2 people, sleeping bags included
• OPTION 2: Drive back to Ashgabat, catch your international flight

Day 4: Aug 31, 2024; Sep 7, 2024; Sep 21, 2024; Oct 5, 2024; Oct 19, 2024.

Itinerary: Darwaza – Dashoguz

Darwaza Gas Crater

• Breakfast with a view on the Gas Grater
• Drive to Dashoguz - capital city of northern Turkmenistan's Dashoguz Province located in 10 km from the Uzbek border. In ancient times Dashoguz was and an important stop on the Silk Road. The modern Dashoguz is a Soviet-designed city and an important agricultural center.
• Drive to the Dashoguz-Shavat border crossing point with Uzbekistan. This border is convenient if you want to continue your trip to Khiva and Urgench in Uzbekistan