8-Day Turkmenistan Highlights Tour with Darvaza and Ancient Merv

• Meet the group at Ashgabat International Airport.

• Check in to the hotel.

• Go on a city tour to visit places of interest, including the State Historical Reserve "Nissa," a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Stop for lunch.

• Continue the tour to the Park of Independence, the Arch of Neutrality, the Monument of Ashgabat, the indoor Ferris wheel "Alem," and "Gulistan Bazaar," also known as the Russian Bazaar.

• Drive back to the hotel.

Overnight in the hotel.

• Eat breakfast.

• Tour the memorial complex in Kypchak village, Gokdepe Fortress, and Saparmurat Hadji Mosque, 45 km west of Ashgabat.

• Visit a private horse stable. The famous Akhalteke horses, known as "Fast as a Wind," have glorified Turkmenistan worldwide and were shown on the national emblem of the country. The Akhalteke breed was developed by Turkmens 5,000 years ago in the foothills of Turkmenistan. Turkmens are natural horse riders.

• Drive to the underground lake "Kow-Ata," 100 km west of Ashgabat. At a depth of 60 meters from the entrance of the cave in the Kopetdag Mountains lies a lake with healing water that breathes warm steam. Swimming in this water has a beneficial effect on the body and is believed to help cure many diseases.

Переезд в подземное озеро «Ков-Ата» (100км западнее Ашхабада). Подземное озеро Ков-Ата.

• Break for lunch on site.

• Drive to Nohur, a mountain village 50 km from the cave. High in the Kopetdag Mountains, Nohur and its neighbouring settlements are located on the steep sides of mountain valleys and differ from other regions of Turkmenistan. Surrounded by mountains, the village offers a unique opportunity to walk in nature and discover a deep rural lifestyle. Explore the area.

• Check in to the guest house and enjoy dinner.

• Wake up for breakfast.

• Drive to Balkanabad, 420 km west of Ashgabat.

• Eat lunch and then drive to the Yangigala Canyons with your Turkmenistan tour guide.

• Explore the canyons, located 130 km west of Balkanabad, and admire these marvellous natural formations in the Balkan region of northwestern Turkmenistan. Translated from the Turkmen language, Yangigala means "fire fortress." This name was given to the canyons because of their naturally formed red-coloured mountain ranges and cliffs.

• Drive to the holy pilgrimage site of Gozli-Ata.

• Camp there and enjoy dinner.

• Rise for breakfast.

• Drive to the national recreation zone of "Awaza," 200 km from Yangigala.

• Walk along the Caspian seashore.

• Transfer to Turkmenbashy Airport for a flight to Ashgabat.

• Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in accommodation.

• Transfer to the airport for a flight to Mary.

• Eat breakfast.

• Visit the Museum of Ethnography of the Mary Region.

• Drive to Bayramali, 30 km away.

• Tour the State Historical Reserve "Ancient Merv" - the "Queen of the World" - one of the important capitals of Islam alongside Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus. The most prosperous years of Merv were the 11th and 12th centuries, when it was the capital of the Great Seljuk Empire. That empire stretched from the Amudarya River to the Mediterranean Sea. Seljuk Merv covered more than 640 hectares and was one of the prosperous cities of its time. It attracted scientists and traders from across the Islamic world. However, Merv could not resist the Mongol assaults in 1221 and was destroyed, along with its marvellous monuments.

• Stop for lunch.

• Drive to Ashgabat, 350 km away.

• On the way, stop briefly at Abiverd to see the ruins of the Seyidjemalettin Mosque.

• Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation and overnight in a hotel.

• Wake up to breakfast.

• Transfer to the airport for a flight to Dashoguz.

• Drive to Kunya-Urgench, 105 km away.

• Visit the State Historical Reserve "Ancient Kunya-Urgench," a massive complex with the ruins and monuments of modern Kunya-Urgench. Famous scientists such as Ali Biruni and Avicenna worked here. The city once fought back against the army of Genghis Khan. Only a few architectural monuments and buildings remain from that period, but many significant monuments have been explored and studied. This place is still holy for Muslims.

• Stop for lunch.

• Drive to Darvaza.

• See the Gas Crater at Darvaza, located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. It is a huge burning hole with long flames, and the light of the fire can be seen from many kilometres away.

• Explore the area and enjoy dinner (barbecue).

Stay overnight at the tent camp.

• Eat breakfast.

• Drive to Ashgabat via Yerbent village, 250 km south of Darvaza.

• Check in to the hotel and enjoy some free time.

• Enjoy breakfast.

• Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport.

Farewell. End of tour.