Within this fascinating tour you will visit the most interesting and mysterious places of Turkmenistan. You will see the modern Ashgabat city with its impressive white marbled buildings entered into the Guinness Book of World Records, visit the World Heritage Sites – Parthian Fortresses of Nisa exploring the past along the mystical Silk Road. You will also make a journey to the heart of the Karakum Desert to see the Burning Gas Crater in Darvaza and explore the magnificent scenery of Yangikala canyons
Places to visit: Ashgabat, Nisa, Darvaza, Geokdepe, Kow-ata, Gyzylarbat, Balkanabat, Yangikala, Turkmenbashi
TOUR DATES: 25-31 MAY, 2024
DURATION: 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
TOUR PRICE: 1150 USD per person
Group size: min. 2 persons
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
1. Letter of invitation to Turkmenistan, entry travel pass and visa registration;
2. A/C land transportation as per program, 4WD car for off road part
3. All accommodation (breakfasts and travel tax at hotels included) in twin / double shared room in hotels, check in / check out time: 12:00:
Sport 5* hotel - 2 nights in Ashgabat,
Margush 3 hotel - 2 nights in Mary,
Chinar 3* hotel - 1 night in Gyzylarabat city,
Overnight in Turkmen yurt - 1 night in Darvaza (dinner and camp style breakfast);
4. Local English speaking guide-driver services
5. Economy class domestic flight tickets from Mary to Ashgabat and from Turkmenbashy to Ashgabat
*Deadline for receipt of applications 35 days before the tour start date. Please see how to apply for letter of invitation to get the visa to Turkmenistan here: https://turkmentravels.com/eng/visa-support/turkmenistan-visa-support-invitation/
*Terms of payment: upon arrival by cash
PACKAGE ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrive in Ashgabat early in the morning. Sightseeing tour of Ashgabat including visits to Park and Monument of Independence, Arch of Neutrality, a 95m- high monument with a revolving golden statue of the first President Turkmenbashy. Hit the viewing platform of the Arch of Neutrality to see the beautiful panorama of Ashgabat. Visit “Alem” the largest Indoor Ferris wheel, the Memorial Complex. Continue tour to the historical and archaeological site “Ancient Nissa – the Residence of Parthian Kingdom” UNESCO site. Visit Turkmenbashi Mosque and Mausoleum, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. Overnight in Sport 5* hotel.
Day 2: Ashgabat - Mary (370 km.)
Drive to Mary. Visit on the route Anau pilgrimage place (remains of Seyitjemaletdin mosque XV c.) and Abiverd. Arrive in Mary and check in Margush 3* hotel.
Day 3: Full day exploring Mary and Ancient Merv
Today we will have full day sightseeing to Ancient Merv known as Mary ShahuJahan-King of the World for about 300 years became the biggest city in Asia, inscribed into the monuments list of World Heritage Book, protected by the UNESCO. Visiting of Gyz Gala & Oglan Gala (6-7th cc.), Complex of Askhabs (8-14th cc.), Giaur Gala (4th c. BC), Buddist Complex (4-6th cc.), Erk Gala (6th c. BC), Soltan Gala (11th c.), Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum (12th c.), Muhammed Ibn Zeid Mausoleum (12th c.), Hoja Yusup Hemedany mosque. After tour of Ancient Merv return to Mary (35 km). Overnight in Margush 3* hotel.
Day 4: Mary - Ashgabat - Darvaza
Transfer to the airport to take a morning flight to Ashgabat (40 min.). Upon arrival drive to Darvaza (260 km.). En route visit Erbent nomadic village. Arrive at Darvaza, explore the gas craters, first full of water, and second the sulfur - muddy. Leave the road and venture in the desert to see the flaming gas crater. Arrival and have BBQ dinner on spot. Explore the flaming gas crater at sunset. Overnight in yurt at campsite.
Day 5: Darvaza - Geokdepe - Kow-ata - Gyzylarbat
Drive to Gyzylarbat city (480 km.). En route visit Akhalteke horse farm in Geokdepe and Kow ata underground lake.
Overnight in Chinar 3* hotel.
Day 6: Gyzylarbat - Balkanabat - Yangikala - Turkmenbashy - Ashgabat (by flt.)
Drive to Yangikala canyons (375 km.). En route visit local bazaar in Balkanabat to stock up with food and drinks. Visit Gozli ata pilgrimage site. Arrive and sightseeing of Yangikala Canyons. Lunch at site. Transfer to Turkmenbashy city airport (170 km.) to take a domestic flight to Ashgabat at 21:50.
Arrive in Ashgabat airport at 22:50.
Day 7: Ashgabat - departure
Departure from airport by early morning TK flight back to Istanbul (04:05 A.M.). Farewell. End of the program.
TOUR DATES: 25-31 MAY, 2024
DURATION: 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
TOUR PRICE: 1150 USD per person
Group size: min. 2 persons
PRICE INCLUDES:
1. Letter of invitation to Turkmenistan, entry travel pass and visa registration;
2. A/C land transportation as per program, 4WD car for off road part
3. All accommodation (breakfasts and travel tax at hotels included) in twin / double shared room in hotels, check in / check out time: 12:00:
Sport 5* hotel - 2 nights in Ashgabat,
Margush 3 hotel - 2 nights in Mary,
Chinar 3* hotel - 1 night in Gyzylarabat city,
Overnight in Turkmen yurt - 1 night in Darvaza (dinner and camp style breakfast);
4. Local English speaking guide-driver services
5. Economy class domestic flight tickets from Mary to Ashgabat and from Turkmenbashy to Ashgabat
PRICE EXCLUDES: International flights, consular fees for Turkmenistan tourist visa (85$ at Ashgabat airport or at the border crossings for most nationalities), migration card paid upon arrival - 14 USD, entrance, photo, video fees at sites (10 USD p.p.), meals (allow 15 USD per person) & other services not mentioned above.
*Deadline for receipt of applications 35 days before the tour start date. Please see how to apply for letter of invitation to get the visa to Turkmenistan here: https://turkmentravels.com/eng/visa-support/turkmenistan-visa-support-invitation/
*Terms of payment: upon arrival by cash
