7-Day Turkmenistan Cultural and Desert Tour with Merv and Darvaza

• Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport, where you will be greeted by your English-speaking guide.
• Transfer to your hotel and check in.
• In the afternoon, enjoy an Ashgabat city tour, including the Alem Cultural & Entertainment Centre, home to the world's largest indoor Ferris wheel.
• Take a panoramic drive past the Constitution Monument and the Monument of Neutrality.
• Visit the Turkmen Carpet Museum, home to the world's largest handmade carpet.
• Continue to the National Flagpole and the National Museum to learn about Turkmen history and culture.
• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Visit the Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque, the largest mosque in Central Asia.

Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Drive to Mary, with an en route visit to the Seyit Jemal ad-Din Mosque & Memorial Complex.
• Lunch at a local restaurant in Mary.
• Enjoy a short city tour of Mary, including the local bazaar.
• Explore Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum.
• See the Large and Small Gyz Gala.
• Visit the Muhammed ibn Zaid Mausoleum.
• Explore the ruins of the ancient Keshk Fortress.
• In the evening, drive back to Ashgabat.
• Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Visit the Ancient Parthian City of Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Check out from the hotel and enjoy a scenic drive through the Karakum Desert to the Darvaza Gas Crater (275 km / approximately 4 hours).
• Witness the fiery crater glowing endlessly.
• Explore the nearby water and mud craters.
• Experience the silence and nomadic atmosphere of the Karakum Desert.
• Enjoy an evening BBQ dinner near the crater.

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

• Enjoy an early picnic-style breakfast near the Darvaza Gas Crater.
• Drive back to Ashgabat, check in at the hotel, and rest.
• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• In the afternoon, take an excursion to Gökdepe to visit Gökdepe Fortress and Gökdepe Mosque.
• Explore the Museum of the Battle of Gökdepe.
• Optional visit to an Akhal-Teke horse farm and horse riding.
• Return to Ashgabat.

Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.

• Breakfast and check-out from your Ashgabat hotel.
• Flight to Turkmenbashy.
• Drive to Yangykala Canyon (approximately 2 hours).
• Marvel at the dramatic multicoloured limestone cliffs.
• Enjoy photography opportunities and short scenic walks.
• Have a picnic or lunch surrounded by pristine nature.
• Drive to Gozlu Ata and visit the sacred pilgrimage site.
• In the evening, continue to Nebitdag city.

Dinner & Overnight: Nebitchi Hotel, Nebitdag.

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

Hotel check-in and overnight stay.

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