7-Day Turkmenistan Adventure with Darvaza, Merv and Kunya-Urgench

Arrive at Ashgabat International Airport in the early morning.

Meet your tour guide at the airport with a signboard and transfer to the hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Begin a full-day Ashgabat city tour, starting with the historic Old Nissa Fortress, the former capital of the Parthian Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007.

Continue sightseeing in Ashgabat, including:

• The Health Trail in the mountains

• The highest flagpole in the world at 133 meters (Guinness World Record), featuring the giant national flag (52 x 35 m, 420 kg)

• Olympic City (Guinness World Record)

• Independence Monument and Park

• Neutrality Tower

• Magtymguly Monument and Park

• Ferris Wheel (Guinness World Record)

• People's Memory Memorial Complex - dedicated to earthquake victims and World War II

• Wedding Palace

• Ruhnama Book Monument

• Oguzkhan Sculptural Ensemble, depicting the founder of the Turkmen nation and his six sons, with 27 synchronized light fountains (Guinness World Record)

• Ertogrul Gazy Mosque (Turkish mosque)

• Optional evening visit to a shopping and entertainment centre

Overnight at the hotel in Ashgabat.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Drive to Mary city (approximately 3 hours).

Visit Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Central Asia's most important archaeological sites, which played a key role on the Silk Road for over 2,000 years.

• Explore the 12th-century mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammed ibn-Zeyd, showcasing exquisite Seljuk brickwork and architectural decor.

Take a short Mary city tour.

Return to Ashgabat in the evening.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Ashgabat.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Visit the private Ahal-Teke horses farm, where you can watch a short horse show and have the opportunity to ride these legendary horses.

Explore the Seyidjemaleddin Monument and Mosque in Annau city.

Continue the Ashgabat city tour with additional sightseeing highlights.

Transfer to the train station for your journey.

Depart from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi by train.

Overnight onboard the train.

Arrive in Turkmenbashi.

Explore Turkmenbashi city on a brief tour.

Drive approximately 3 hours to Yangikala Canyon, one of Turkmenistan's most scenic natural wonders.

• The name "Yangikala" translates as "fire fortresses," referring to the stunning cliffs in shades of white, yellow, ocher, purple, and red, shaped by wind and rain.

• Walk through the canyon, which resembles a natural park of sculpted soil formations, and admire the vibrant sunset views.

Visit Gozli Ata, a remote Sufi shrine located in a natural bowl and surrounded by pink and white rock escarpments.

• Explore the twin-domed mausoleum and its intricately carved old graveyard.

Overnight at a hostel in Gozli Ata village.

Enjoy breakfast at the hostel.

Drive to Nokhur Village, a remote mountain settlement in the Kopet Dag Range.

• Explore the village's narrow streets, traditional stone-and-mud houses, and visit Gyz Bibi Cave and the Nokhur Cemetery.

• Learn about the unique Nohkuri people, whose customs differ from those of other Turkmen tribes and who live in a few isolated villages near the Turkmenistan-Iran border.

Continue by car for 1.5 hours to Kow-Ata Underground Lake, located 107 km from Ashgabat.

• The lake, whose name means "Father of Caves," lies in a magnificent underground cavern 230 m long, 20 m high, and up to 57 m wide.

• Swim in its emerald, mineral-rich waters, maintained at a constant 33-37°C.

Return to Ashgabat for rest.

Overnight at the hotel.

Begin with breakfast at the hotel.

Visit the Museum of History and Ethnography in Ashgabat for a 1-2 hour guided tour.

• Explore 7 thematic galleries featuring over 166,000 artifacts, including excavations from Nisa Fortress, Merv, and Gonur, vintage Turkmen carpets, national clothing, jewelry, antique weapons, and Parthian-era relics.

• Highlights include figurines, silver griffins, ivory rhytons, gold medallions, and Buddhist artifacts.

Explore the bustling Altyn Asyr Bazaar, the largest in Turkmenistan and the fifth-largest in Central Asia.

• Discover traditional Turkmen clothing, handicrafts, jewelry, local foods, and unique designer pieces.

Depart for Darvaza Gas Crater, located 270 km north of Ashgabat (approximately 4-hour drive).

Witness the spectacular flaming crater, best seen after sunset for full effect.

Dinner at the camp in picnic style.

Overnight stay in a yurt at the crater, enjoying the dramatic night-time views and the sounds of this "giant oven."

Begin with breakfast at the camp.

Drive to the northern province of Turkmenistan to explore the architectural treasures of Kunya-Urgench, the capital of Khorezm during the 10th-12th centuries.

Visit key monuments, including the Mausoleum of Najm al-Din al-Kubra, Tyurabek Khanum, Il-Arslan, Tekesh Ibn Hadzhibey, and the Kutlyg Timur Minaret, the tallest in Central Asia.

Transfer to Dashoguz and reach the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border (approximately 2-hour drive).

Cross the border and conclude the tour.