7-Day Turkmenistan Silk Road Tour with Darvaza and UNESCO Sites

• Meet your guide at the Dashoguz-Shavat border and receive assistance with border formalities, with timing depending on the crossing time.
• Drive for approximately 1.5 hours to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kunya Urgench.
• Visit the Kutlug Timur Minaret, Turabek Khanym Mausoleum, and the mausoleums of Najmuddin Kubra and Sultan Tekesh.
• Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
• Continue to the Darvaza Gas Crater with a drive of approximately 4 to 5 hours.
• Arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater, known as the Door to Hell, and watch the sunset and the flames at night.
• Dinner will be cooked over the fire at the desert camp.

Overnight stay in traditional yurts near the crater.

• Breakfast at the camp.
• Drive to Ashgabat for approximately 4 hours.
• Arrive and check in at the hotel, followed by a short rest.
• Visit the UNESCO site of Old Nissa, the Parthian capital, including the temple area, royal mausoleums, and city fortifications.
• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Continue with a city tour to Gokdepe Fortress and Museum, Gokdepe Blue Mosque, and the Akhal-Teke Horse Farm, with an optional horseback ride.
• Dinner at a traditional restaurant.

Overnight stay in an Ashgabat hotel.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Visit the Wedding Palace, Yyldyz Hotel viewpoint, Constitution Monument, Arch of Neutrality, Independence Monument and Park, Ertogrul Gazi Mosque, Ashgabat Olympic Stadium, and Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex.
• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Optional visits to the National Museum of History, Turkmen Carpet Museum, and Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center.
• Dinner at a traditional restaurant.

Overnight stay in an Ashgabat hotel.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Drive to the Avaza coastal region.
• Visit a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Caspian Sea bay.
• Lunch at a seaside restaurant or hotel.
• Explore the Avaza resort area, including its canals, modern architecture, and a beach walk.
• Optional water activities such as a boat ride or jet ski may be available.
• Enjoy sunset at the Caspian Sea.
• Dinner at a seaside restaurant or hotel.

Overnight stay in a Turkmenbashi hotel.

• Early breakfast and drive to Yangykala Canyon for scenic exploration.
• Visit the Gozli Ata Mausoleum pilgrimage site.
• Lunch en route or in Balkanabat.
• Visit Kow Ata Underground Lake and swim in its thermal waters.
• Return to Ashgabat and check in at the hotel.
• Dinner at a traditional restaurant.

Overnight stay in an Ashgabat hotel.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Drive to Mary for approximately 3 hours.
• Visit the UNESCO site of Ancient Merv, including Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Kyz Kala, Erk Kala, and Gyaur Kala.
• Lunch in Mary.
• Enjoy a short city tour of Mary, including Central Park and the local bazaar.
• Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight stay in a Mary hotel.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Transfer to the Farap border for approximately 3 to 4 hours.
• Lunch in Lebap or Turkmenabat.
• Complete border formalities and depart for Bukhara in Uzbekistan.
• End of tour.