Itinerary

1. Day 1: Farap – Turkmenabad – Mary

   • Meet your local guide at the Alat or Farap border point.
   • The meeting time depends on when you cross the border.
   • After crossing the border, you may need to take a COVID test, which costs 35 USD.
   • Complete customs procedures and drive for one hour to Turkmenabad International Airport to catch a flight to Ashgabat.
   • The journey takes approximately six hours if travelling by car.
   • Arrive in Mary and visit Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that played a major role along the Silk Road for more than 2,000 years.
   • Drive to Gonur Depe, an early Bronze Age archaeological site located about 60 kilometres north of Mary, considered the capital of the Bactria Margiana Archaeological Complex.
   • Return to Mary and visit the Mary History Museum.
   • Enjoy a short city tour and visit local shopping areas such as the Green Bazaar.
   • Drive to Ashgabat by car, which takes approximately three hours.

   Overnight at the hotel.

2. Day 2: Ashgabat – City Tour – Darvaza

   • Breakfast will be served at the hotel and the tour will start early.
   • The day includes an Ashgabat City Tour and a visit to Old Nisa Fortress.
   • Old Nisa, the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings, was once the capital of the Parthian Empire, which lasted for 600 years and was one of the greatest rivals of the Roman Empire.
   • After visiting Old Nisa, continue with a sightseeing tour of Ashgabat.
   • The tour continues to the Health Trail in the mountains, the Monument and Park of Independence, the Neutrality Tower, the Ferris wheel, and the Wedding Palace.
   • The city is known for its impressive white marble architecture, which has earned Ashgabat the name White Marble Capital.
   • From a bird’s eye view, Ashgabat appears white and green, with marble buildings and many beautiful parks.
   • Local residents are very proud of these parks, where families relax and stroll during warm evenings.
   • At 15:00, depart for the Darvaza Gas Crater, located 270 kilometres north of Ashgabat, a journey of approximately five hours.
   • On the way, visit the village of Erbent or Bahardok to observe traditional rural life in Turkmenistan.
   • Erbent is known for nomadic traditions, felt products, carpets, camel milk, yurt life, hunting dogs, and folklore.
   • Continue towards the water, clay, and gas craters.
   • Enjoy the spectacular view of the Darvaza Gas Crater in the evening.
   • Arriving before sunset allows you to see the crater transform as darkness falls, revealing dramatic flames and powerful gas eruptions.
   • Spend time observing the glowing crater, feeling the heat, and listening to the sound of the burning gas.

   Stay overnight at the campsite, with dinner served picnic style.

3. Day 3: Darvaza – Koneurgench – Border Area

   • 6:00 AM: Breakfast at the camp.
   • 7:00 AM: Drive to the North province of Turkmenistan to visit the architectural monuments of Old Urgench, which is 270 km away and will take 5-6 hours.
   • Kunya-Urgench served as the capital of Khorezm in the X-XII centuries.
   • 1:00 PM: Visit the Mausoleum of Najm al-Din al-Kubra, Tyurabek Khanum, Il-Arslan, Tekesh Ibn Hadzhibey, and the highest minaret in Central Asia, Kutlyg Timur.
   • 3:00 PM: Transfer to Dashoguz, to the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border point (1-2 hours). Cross the border.
   • End of the tour.