Visit the most interesting and mysterious places of Turkmenistan in a fascinating 12 days tour. 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 and Ancient Merv exploring the past along the mystical Silk Road.
Explore the Koytendag Nature Reserve, which offers dinosaur footprints, majestic natural waterfalls, a vast network of caves and Turkmenistan’s highest peak. Make a journey to the heart of the Karakum Desert to see the flaming Gas Crater in Darvaza and explore the magnificent scenery of Yangikala canyons.
DURATION: 12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS
TOUR DATES: SEPTEMBER 5-16, 2024
TOUR PRICE: 1550 USD per person
Group size: min. 2 persons, max 12.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
Visa support for Turkmenistan tourist visa, entry travel pass and visa registration;
All transfers with A/C land transportation according the group size: sedan type car (3 seats) in the cities, 4 WD car for off road parts
Train tickets from Turkmenbashy to Ashgabat, from Mary to Kerki city
Sightseeing tour program with English speaking local guides;
Meals (dinner and breakfast) at Darvaza and Nokhur village
Travel tax per night in Turkmenistan, paid to the hotel upon check out;
Accommodation (local star & standard): Double or twin shared room in hotels, all breakfasts included;
Ashgabat: Sport 5* hotel - 2 nights
Darvaza: Tents and sleeping bags or in traditional yurt (BBQ dinner and camp style breakfast included) - 1 night
Nokhur Mountain Village: Family house (breakfast and dinner included) - 1 night
Gozli ata or Yangikala: Pilgrim house or tents with sleeping bags - 1 night
Turkmenbashy - Ashgabat: train - 1 night
Mary: Margush 3* hotel - 1 night
Mary - Kerki: train - 1 night
Koyten village: hostel - 2 nights
Turkmenabat: Yupek Yoly hotel - 1 night
*Deadline for receipt of applications 65 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/
TOUR PACKAGE ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival in Ashgabat.
Pick up at the airport. Transfer and accommodation in Sport 5* hotel. This hotel is new with good service and perfect location near Berkarar mall, parks and monuments and Olympic complex. Check-in and free time for rest.
Day 2: Exploring Ashgabat
Today we will have sightseeing in 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. Visiting of the Memorial Complex. 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 Ruhy Mosque and Turkmenbashy Mausoleum in Kypjak. Overnight in Sport 5* hotel.
Day 3: Ashgabat – Darvaza (260 km)
Drive to visit flaming gas crater in Darvaza by 4x4 car. En route visit a nomad village Erbent. Then continue to gas crater. Upon arrival 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 tents with sleeping bags or in yurt.
Day 4: Darvaza – Geokdepe - Kowata – Nokhur Mountain Village (430 km.)
Morning drive to Nokhur. En route visiting of Geokdepe Memorial Mosque and Akhalteke Horse farm. Continue tour to Nokhur village. Arrive and visiting of 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. Overnight at local family house.
Day 5: Nokhur – Balkanabat – Gozli ata (350 km.)
In the morning leave Nokhur behind and drive to Balkanabat. Visit Parau Bibi pilgrim site along the route. Arrive in Balkanabat and visit the local bazaar to stock up with food and drinks for dinner. Continue driving to 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. Arrival and sightseeing. Overnight in tents or pilgrim house at Gozli ata.
Day 6: Gozli ata - Yangikala – Turkmenbashy (310 km.)
Drive to Yangikala 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. Arrive and explore Yangikala. Take a picnic among the cliffs. Drive to Turkmenbashy - the biggest port town of Turkmenistan. The town is enclosed with low mountains and faces the Caspian Sea. Arrive and transfer to the railway station. Take a night train to Ashgabat.
Day 7: Ashgabat – Anau – Mary (350 km)
Arrive in Ashgabat and drive to Mary. Visit on the route Anau pilgrimage place (remains of Seyitjemaletdin mosque XV c.) Continue driving. Arrive in Mary and check in Margush 3* hotel.
Day 8: 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 drive to the Rail Way Station of Mary to take a train to Kerki city (departure at 21:00, arrive in Kerki *07:30). Overnight in the train.
Day 9: Mary – Kerki (by train) – Koytendag Mountains
Arrival in Kerki city at 07:30 in the morning. Drive to Koyten village to explore the Koytendag Nature Reserve, which offers dinosaur footprints, a vast network of caves and Turkmenistan’s highest peak. The region has some fine historical monuments and holy places as well. Crossing Amudarya River. Arrival in Koyten. Accommodation in the hostel. Overnight.
Day 10: Explore Koytendag mountains
Morning drive along the Koytendag mountain gorge. Koytendag is the home of the highest mountains in Turkmenistan, the deepest lake, the longest caves and the most majestic natural waterfalls in the country. Koytendag Nature Reserve is a huge geological research center, the pride of which is the rocky plateau with hundreds of dinosaur footprints. Explore “Forty Girl`s Gorge”, “Plateau of Dinosaurs”. Lunch outdoors. Visit of Umbar-Dere Waterfall. Return to the hostel. Excursion to the Kaynar Baba Lake. Overnight at the hostel.
Day 11: Koyten - Kerki - Turkmenabat (400 km)
Drive to Turkmenabat city. En route visiting of Astana Baba mausoleum. Arrival in Turkmenabat city. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 12: Turkmenabat – Farab border (37 km) Turkmenistan / Uzbekistan
Drive to Farab. Proceed to Turkmen/Uzbek border Farab/Alat. Customs formalities. Passport control. Cross into Uzbekistan. Farewell.
DURATION: 12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS
TOUR DATES: SEPTEMBER 5-16, 2024
TOUR PRICE: 1550 USD per person
Group size: min. 2 persons, max 12.
PRICE INCLUDES:
Visa support for Turkmenistan tourist visa, entry travel pass and visa registration;
All transfers with A/C land transportation according the group size: sedan type car (3 seats) in the cities, 4 WD car for off road parts
Train tickets from Turkmenbashy to Ashgabat, from Mary to Kerki city
Sightseeing tour program with English speaking local guides;
Meals (dinner and breakfast) at Darvaza and Nokhur village
Travel tax per night in Turkmenistan, paid to the hotel upon check out;
Accommodation (local star & standard): Double or twin shared room in hotels, all breakfasts included;
Ashgabat: Sport 5* hotel - 2 nights
Darvaza: Tents and sleeping bags or in traditional yurt (BBQ dinner and camp style breakfast included) - 1 night
Nokhur Mountain Village: Family house (breakfast and dinner included) - 1 night
Gozli ata or Yangikala: Pilgrim house or tents with sleeping bags - 1 night
Turkmenbashy - Ashgabat: train - 1 night
Mary: Margush 3* hotel - 1 night
Mary - Kerki: train - 1 night
Koyten village: hostel - 2 nights
Turkmenabat: "Turkmenabat" hotel or "Yupek Yoly" hotel - 1 night
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 65 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/
We are looking forward to see you in Turkmenistan!