Itinerary

1. Day 01: Welcome to Turkmenistan – Ashgabat City and Cultural Heritage

   • Meet and greet at the airport, followed by a friendly lunch at a local restaurant in Ashgabat.
   • Check in at the hotel.
   • Explore Old Nisa Fortress (UNESCO), the ancient royal seat of the Parthian Empire.
   • Visit Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque in Kipchak, one of Central Asia’s largest mosques.
   • Continue to Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, honoring heroes and victims of Turkmenistan’s past.
   • See Ahalteke horses at Ashgabat Hippodrome.
   • Visit the National Museum and Carpet Museum.
   • Explore Independence Park.
   • Visit Berkarar Centre, a lively shopping area blending tradition and modern life.

   Overnight stay at the hotel.

2. Day 02: The Fiery Heart of the Desert – Ashgabat to Darvaza

   • Breakfast at the hotel.
   • Visit Gulistan (Russian) Bazaar to browse souvenirs, handicrafts, and Turkmen textiles.
   • Depart for Darvaza Gas Crater via Karakum Desert (approx. 5 hours).
   • Stop at Bokurdak village to meet local desert families and learn about traditional nomadic life.
   • Take part in a photo and video session near a traditional yurt.
   • Enjoy homemade Turkmen dishes for cultural lunch.
   • Continue to Darvaza, arriving before sunset.
   • Enjoy barbecue dinner beside the glowing crater.
   • Stargazing and photography at night.

   Overnight stay in a yurt camp under the desert stars.

3. Day 03: Kov Ata Underground Lake and Balkanabat

   • Breakfast near the crater.
   • Drive to Kov Ata underground lake (~5–6 hours) via Ashgabat, with a cultural stop in Bokurdak village.
   • Swim in the mineral-rich underground lake.
   • Enjoy outdoor lunch and relaxing nature time by the lake.
   • Evening drive to Balkanabat (~3 hours).

   Overnight stay in hotel in Balkanabat.

4. Day 04: Yangikala Canyons Exploration

   • Breakfast at hotel.
   • Morning tour around Balkanabat visiting local points of interest.
   • Drive to Yangikala Canyons (~3.5 hours).
   • Enjoy picnic lunch surrounded by dramatic canyon landscapes.
   • Photography and video session at the canyons.
   • Watch sunset over the canyon formations.
   • Return to Balkanabat for overnight stay at hotel.

5. Day 05: Nohur Village and Gokdepe Fortress

   • Breakfast at hotel in Balkanabat.
   • Drive to Nohur Village (~2.5 hours).
   • Guided exploration of traditional village life, local waterfall, and Horned Ancient Cemetery.
   • Continue drive to Ashgabat (~1.5 hours).
   • Stop at Gokdepe Fortress, including museum and mosque visit.
   • Arrival in Ashgabat, dinner, and overnight stay at hotel.

6. Day 06: Ancient Merv and Transfer to Farap Border

   • Early drive to Mary (~3.5 hours).
   • Explore Ancient Merv UNESCO World Heritage Site: Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Gyaur Kala, Erk Kala, Grand Kyz Kala.
   • Visit local bazaar for souvenirs.
   • Farewell lunch at a local café in Mary.
   • Drive to Farap Border Crossing (~4 hours) for customs and exit formalities.
   • Continue journey to Bukhara, Uzbekistan.