Discover Central Asia’s secretive country

Itinerary

Friday 26 September – Ashgabat

• Arrival in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s city of white marble. This city even holds the Guinness World Record for the most marble-clad buildings in the world.
• Airport pickup and transfer to the hotel.
• Overnight stay in Ashgabat.

Saturday 27 September – Ashgabat

• We start the day with a visit to the Erogrul Ghazi Mosque, named after the leader of the Ottoman Empire.
• Next, we explore the main sights of Ashgabat, such as the Wedding Palace, the Earthquake Memorial, the Monument of Constitution, and the Ruhnama Monument, all of which give an insight into the country’s culture and history.
• We visit the impressive Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Olympic Stadium, built for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.We head to Nisa, an ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage site, once the capital of the Parthian Empire.
• We stop at the Alem Centre, where we can admire the world’s largest indoor Ferris wheel.
• Highlight: Today we hopefully join the Independence Day celebrations, with parades, traditional dances, and live music.
• Highlight: We walk through the Independence Park and visit the striking Neutrality Arch.
• Overnight in Ashgabat.

Sunday 28 September – Ashgabat – Darwaza

• We start the day by visiting the local bazaar for an authentic shopping experience.
• Then, we drive to Darwaza, stopping along the way to explore a desert village and spot camels.
• Highlight: We arrive at the Gates of Hell, a fiery crater that has been burning since the 1970s. The view of the crater against the vast desert landscape is breathtaking.
• After enjoying the crater, we have a barbecue and spend the night in tents at Darwaza.

Monday 29 September – Darwaza – Ashgabat – Turkmenbashi

• We wake up early to witness a spectacular sunrise over the Gates of Hell – a unique experience!
• We visit the nearby water and mud craters, a fascinating natural phenomenon.
• On the way back to Ashgabat, we stop at the ruins of the Anau Mosque, a historical mosque from the 15th century.
• Highlight: We visit an Akhalteke horse farm, home to the famous Turkmen horse breed.
• Group A: End of the tour.
• Group B: We take the overnight train to Turkmenbashi on the western coast of Turkmenistan.

Tuesday 30 September – Turkmenbashi – Yangikala

• In Turkmenbashi, we explore the city center, the local bazaar, and the Russian Church.
• Highlight: We drive to Yangykala Canyon, known as the “Grand Canyon of Central Asia.” We enjoy panoramic views over the striking red cliffs, rich in minerals.
• We take a short walk around the canyon to experience the landscape up close.
• We visit the Gozli Ata Pilgrim House, an important spiritual site dedicated to the 14th-century Sufi teacher Gozli Ata.
• Overnight in the Pilgrim House.

Wednesday 1 October – Yangikala – Nokhur – Ashgabat

• Today, we start our scenic drive back to Ashgabat. Along the way, we stop in the traditional mountain village of Nokhur, which, according to local legends, was the landing place of Noah’s Ark.
• We visit the Nokhur Cemetery, famous for its gravestones decorated with the horns of mountain goats, and the Gyz Bibi Pilgrim Site, dedicated to a legendary spiritual figure.
• We make a stop at Kow Ata, an underground lake where you’ll have the chance to swim in its warm waters.
• We also visit the Geok Depe Mosque, one of the most famous mosques in the region.
• Overnight in Ashgabat.

Thursday 2 October – Ashgabat – Mary – Merv – Ashgabat

• We drive to Mary, located in the Karakum Desert, and visit an Akhalteke horse farm to learn more about this famous breed.
• We stop at the 7,000-year-old Anau Fort, a historical site with fascinating ruins.
• We continue to Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an important city along the Silk Road.
• Highlight: We explore the ancient ruins of Merv, including the impressive Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, which is 40 meters tall and an architectural wonder.
• In the evening, we fly back to Ashgabat, with stunning views of the bird-shaped airport.
• Overnight in Ashgabat.

Friday 3 October – Ashgabat

• Airport drop-off.
• End of tour.