Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Ashgabat – Grand City Introduction & Cultural Exploration

   • Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport, greeted by your English-speaking guide.
   • Transfer to hotel and check-in.
   • Afternoon Ashgabat City Tour: Alem Cultural & Entertainment Centre – largest indoor Ferris wheel.
   • Panoramic drive past Constitution Monument and Monument of Neutrality.
   • Turkmen Carpet Museum – world’s largest handmade carpet.
   • National Flagpole & National Museum – Turkmen history and culture.
   • Lunch at a local restaurant.
   • Visit Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque, largest in Central Asia.

   Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.

2. Day 2: Ashgabat – Mary – Ancient Merv

   • Breakfast at hotel.
   • Drive to Mary, en route visit Seyit Jemal ad-Din Mosque & Memorial Complex.
   • Lunch at a local restaurant in Mary.
   • Short city tour of Mary including the local bazaar.
   • Explore Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site): Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum.
   • Large and Small Gyz Gala.
   • Muhammed ibn Zaid Mausoleum.
   • Ruins of the ancient Keshk Fortress.
   • Evening drive back to Ashgabat.
   • Dinner at a local restaurant.

   Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.

3. Day 3: Ashgabat – Darvaza Gas Crater (Door to Hell)

   • Breakfast at hotel.
   • Visit Ancient Parthian City of Nisa (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
   • Hotel check-out and scenic drive through the Karakum Desert to Darvaza Gas Crater (275 km / approx. 4 hours).
   • Highlights: Witness the fiery crater glowing endlessly.
   • Explore nearby water and mud craters.
   • Experience the silence and nomadic atmosphere of the Karakum Desert.
   • Evening BBQ dinner near the crater.

   Overnight: Traditional Turkmen yurt or private desert tent under the stars.

4. Day 4: Darvaza – Ashgabat – Gökdepe Fortress – Ashgabat

   • Early picnic-style breakfast near the Darvaza Gas Crater.
   • Drive back to Ashgabat, check-in and rest at hotel.
   • Lunch at local restaurant.
   • Afternoon excursion to Gökdepe: Visit Gökdepe Fortress and Gökdepe Mosque.
   • Explore Museum of the Battle of Gökdepe.
   • Optional visit to Akhal-Teke horse farm and horse riding.
   • Return to Ashgabat.

   Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.

5. Day 5: Ashgabat – Yangykala Canyon – Gozlu Ata – Nebitdag

   • Breakfast and check-out from Ashgabat hotel.
   • Flight to Turkmenbashy.
   • Drive to Yangykala Canyon (approx. 2 hours).
   • Highlights: Marvel at the dramatic multicoloured limestone cliffs.
   • Photography and short scenic walks.
   • Picnic or lunch surrounded by pristine nature.
   • Drive to Gozlu Ata and visit the sacred pilgrimage site.
   • Evening drive to Nebitdag city.

   Dinner & Overnight: Nebitchi Hotel, Nebitdag.

6. Day 6: Nebitdag – Nohur Village – Kow-Ata – Ashgabat

   • Breakfast at hotel.
   • Cultural stops along the way:
   • Nohur Village – traditional mountain lifestyle and local customs.
   • Soygi Dagy (Mountain of Love).
   • Nohur Cemetery with unique ram-horn-shaped tombstones.
   • Visit local silk weavers.
   • Lunch in Nohur Village.
   • Visit Kow-Ata Underground Lake:
   • Swim in naturally warm (+36°C) mineral-rich cave lake.
   • Observe bat colony inside the cavern.
   • Evening drive to Ashgabat.

   Hotel check-in and overnight stay.

7. Day 7: Ashgabat – Markets & Departure

   • Breakfast at hotel.
   • Visit Gulistan Bazaar for shopping and local atmosphere.
   • Optional visit to Arkaç or Berkarar Shopping Centres.
   • Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for departure.