Take your adventure to Turkmenistan with our 10 days tour and make a journey to the heart of the Karakum Desert to see the Flaming Gas Crater in Darvaza, spend a day in a traditional and picturesque Nokhur village in Kopet Dag Mountains, visit pilgrimage sites, explore the magnificent scenery of Yangikala canyons and relax on the shores of the Caspian Sea spending a night in a luxurious hotel in Avaza seaside resort in extension of your visits to the World Heritage Sites – Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, Merv, and KunyaUrgench and exploring the capital city Ashgabat with its extravagant buildings.

TOUR DATES: any date upon request

TOUR DURATION: 10 Days / 9 Nights

PLACES TO VISIT: Ashgabat, Nisa, Mary, Merv, Karakum Desert, Darvaza, Dashoguz, Koneurgench, Geokdepe, Kow-ata, Nokhur Mountain Village, Balkanabat, Yangikala Canyons, Turkmenbashy, Avaza

TOUR PRICE: 1880 USD per person
*Based on twin/double shared room accommodation
Single room supplement: 280 USD

Number of travelers: min. 2 persons

*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

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PACKAGE ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrival in Ashgabat.

Arrival in Ashgabat. Pick up in the airport and transfer to the Sport 5* hotel.

Day 2: Exploring Ashgabat

Today we will have a full day 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. Panoramic tour to “Alem” the largest Indoor Ferris wheel. Continue tour to the historical and archaeological site “Ancient Nisa – the Residence of Parthian Kingdom” UNESCO site from 2007. The Parthian Empire was one of the most powerful and influential civilizations of the ancient world, and a brilliant rival of Rome which prevented the expansion of the Roman Empire to the east. Visiting of Turkmenbashi Mosque and Mausoleum, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia.  

Day 3: Ashgabat - Anau – Mary – Merv (385 km.)

Morning drive to Mary. Visit on the route Anau pilgrimage place (remains of Seyitjemaletdin mosque XV c). Arrive in Mary & check in hotel. In the afternoon 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.), IbnZeid Mausoleum (12th c.). After tour of Ancient Merv drive back to Mary (35 km). Arrival & rest. Overnight at Mary 4* hotel. 


Day 4: Mary – Ashgabat (by flt) – Darvaza (260 km)

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Ashgabat (flight No: T5 172 at 07:55). Arrival in Ashgabat at 08:35. In the afternoon drive to Darvaza by 4WD car. En route stopover to visit Erbent Nomadic village where you can enjoy seeing the local life in the desert - Turkmen yurts, dromedaries, tamdyr (mud oven) and many others. 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. Arrive at site of flaming gas crater. Explore the flaming gas crater at sunset. Having BBQ for dinner. Overnight in tent and sleeping bag.

Day 5: Darvaza – Koneurgench – Dashoguz (360 km)

In the morning depart Darvaza and drive to Kunya-Urgench. Sightseeing in Koneurgench: visiting mausoleums of Turabek-Khanym, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmuddin-Kubra, Sultan Ali. Discover the Kutlug Timur Minaret and Kyrk Molla Hill. Drive to Dashoguz city. Arrival and check in Dashoguz 4* hotel. In the evening short walking around the city center. O/N.   

Day 6: Dashoguz – Ashgabat (1 hr. by flt.) –  Geokdepe – Kow-ata – Nokhur Mountain Village (170 km.)

Morning drive to the airport to take a flight to Ashgabat. Arrival and drive to Nokhur Mountain Village (170 km. to the west from Ashgabat). En route stop in Geokdepe to visit a private Akhalteke Horse farm where you will enjoy meeting the famous Akhalteke Horses. Then continue visit to a heroic Geokdepe fortress and mosque where in 1881, defending their independence, the Turkmens showed courageous resistance to the invading Russian army.

Next stop to visit “Kow-ata” underground lake. A warm hydrogen sulphide lake lies in a cave at the Kopet Dag foothills. 276 steps lead into the lake. On your way down you will admire marvelous grapes and lines of stalactites and see bat’s bevies. This cave impresses with its greatness. It has the length of 250 m, width 50 m, depth of 65 m. The lake is available all year round because of constant temperature of water (33-37◦C) and air.

Arrival in Nokhur village. Sightseeing of Nokhur village and visiting of "Gyz Bibi" Pilgrimage site & its unique cemetery where each tomb has the horns of mountain goats, the Great Tree - oldest tree in the village thought to be 800 years old. Evening short introduction with local silk textile weavers and having dinner at local family. O/N at local family’s house.

Day 7: Nokhur – Balkanabat - Yangikala Canyons (470 km.)

Start drive to Balkanabat. Visit Parau Bibi pilgrim site along the route. Arrive in Balkanabat and visit the local bazaar to stock up with food & drinks. Drive to Yangikala Canyons where impressive limestone formations rise up from the desert sands. These limestone cliffs are the remains of massive coral reefs from the pre-historical Parathetys Sea.  En route, visit the pilgrimage site of Gozli Ata - one of the holiest pilgrim sites in Turkmenistan. The mausoleum of Gozliata, located on a low platform against the backdrop of stunning pink and red limestone rock formations. Arrive and explore Yangikala. Take a picnic among the cliffs. Overnight in tent and sleeping bag.

Day 8: Yangikala - Turkmenbashi – Avaza (170 km.)

Drive to Turkmenbashy - the biggest port town of Turkmenistan. The town is enclosed with low mountains and faces the Caspian Sea. Arrive and accommodation in Turkmenbashy or Charlak hotel. Sightseeing in Turkmenbashy city and in Avaza with its nice beaches which will be turned soon into the free economic touristic zone with decades of luxurious hotels, resorts and health clubs. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Turkmenbashy – Ashgabat (1hour by flt.)

Check out hotel till noon. Transfer to the airport to take a flight to Ashgabat. Arrive in Ashgabat. Check in Sport 5* hotel. Enjoy free time in the evening for shopping and walking around.

Day 10: Departure

Check out hotel till noon. Transfer to the airport according your departure flight to home. Farewell. End of the tour.

TOUR DATES: any date upon request

TOUR DURATION: 10 Days / 9 Nights

PLACES TO VISIT: Ashgabat, Nisa, Mary, Merv, Karakum Desert, Darvaza, Dashoguz, Koneurgench, Geokdepe, Kow-ata, Nokhur Mountain Village, Balkanabat, Yangikala Canyons, Turkmenbashy, Avaza

TOUR PRICE: 1880 USD per person
*Based on twin/double shared room accommodation
Single room supplement: 280 USD

Number of travelers: min. 2 persons

*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

BOOK NOW

PRICE INCLUDES:

  1. Visa invitation to Turkmenistan, entry travel pass and visa registration
  2. A/C Transport services according the program, 4 WD cars for off road parts
  3. Economy class domestic flight tickets: Mary – Ashgabat, Dashoguz – Ashgabat, Turkmenbashy – Ashgabat
  4. Local English speaking guide-driver’s services during the whole tour as per program
  5. Entrance fees to all sights according the program
  6. Tent and sleeping bags for overnight at Darvaza and Yangikala
  7. All accommodation in double or twin shared room (local star & standard) including breakfasts and travel tax at 4-5* hotels as below:
    Ashgabat: Sport 5* hotel (breakfast is included), 3 nights
    Mary: Mary 4* hotel (breakfast is included), 1 nights
    Dashoguz: Dashoguz 4* hotel (breakfast is included), 1 night
    Darvaza: Tents and sleeping bags (breakfast and dinner included), 1 night
    Nokhur Village: Family house (breakfast and dinner included), 1 night
    Yangikala: Tents and sleeping bags (breakfast and dinner included), 1 night
    Turkmenbashy: Turkmenbashy or Charlak hotel, 1 night

PRICE EXCLUDES: International flights, consular fees for Turkmenistan tourist visa (depends on the place you obtain - 40$ at Turkmenistan Embassy abroad, 90 $ on arrival at Ashgabat airport for most nationalities), migration card paid upon arrival - 14 USD, photo/video fees at sites, meals (allow up to 15$ per person) & other services not mentioned above.

Map Of Turkmenistan