Turkmenistan · Archaeology

9-Day Turkmenistan Sightseeing Tour with Merv and Koyten Dag

9 Days Round trip from Ashgabat Easy pace

Spot the Historical Bronze Statue of Turkmenistan

Spot dinosaur footprints at Turkmenistan

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the vibrant city of Ashgabat
02 Visit the State Museum and the ancient Nissa Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
03 Marvel at the world's largest Turkmen carpet at the Carpet Museum
04 Venture into the stunning Koyten Dag Mountains to see 2,500 dinosaur footprints
05 Discover the breathtaking Umbar Dere Canyon waterfall
06 Uncover the Bronze Age secrets of Margush at the Gonur Depe archaeological site

Embark on this 9-day adventure through the rich history and stunning landscapes of Turkmenistan. Explore the vibrant capital of Ashgabat, visiting the remarkable State Museum, ancient Nissa Fortress, and the world's largest Turkmen carpet. Journey to the breathtaking Koyten Dag Mountains to discover 2,500 gigantic dinosaur footprints and the beautiful Umbar Dere Canyon waterfall. Marvel at the ancient city of Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Central Asia's most significant archaeological gems, then uncover the mysteries of the Bronze Age at the fascinating Margush site before relaxing by the serene Bakharden Underground Lake.

Marvel at the ancient city of Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Central Asia's most significant archaeological gems, then uncover the mysteries of the Bronze Age at the fascinating Margush site before relaxing by the serene Bakharden Underground Lake.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Baherden, Ashgabat, Turkmenabat, Kerki, Mari

Languages English, German, Russian, Turkish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Ashgabat City Tour, Nissa Fortress and Carpet Museum

Late-morning city tour of Ashgabat, including a visit to the State Museum of Turkmenistan. Overnight in Archabil Hotel.
Continue exploring Ashgabat with visits to Nissa Fortress and the Carpet Museum, which houses a unique collection of famous Turkmen carpets, including the Giant Carpet, the biggest in the world.

Day 02

Flight to Turkmenabat and Drive to Koyten Dag

Take a morning flight to Turkmenabat city.
Drive to Koiten village (7-8 hours or 450 km) via Kerki, crossing the Amuderya (Oxus) bridge.
Stop near the beautiful "Texas Mountains" for photos. En route, visit the Kaynar Baba sulphur springs (31 C), located 9 km from the main road. Arrive late in Koyten village. Dinner and rest in the guesthouse.

Day 03

Dinosaurs Plateau, Kyrk Gyz Valley and Umbar Dere

After an early breakfast, drive by 4x4 vehicles over the Koyten Dag Mountains to the Dinosaurs Plateau.
Walk to the plateau and continue to Kyrk Gyz (40 Girls) Valley and cave.
Visit Umbar Dere Canyon with its wonderful waterfall. Return to the guesthouse for dinner and overnight.

Day 04

Drive from Koyten Dag to Turkmenabat

Have an early breakfast and drive to Turkmenabat City (450 km).
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 05

Ancient Merv Excursion on the Way to Mary

Have an early breakfast.
Drive to Mary City (300 km or 4 hours). En route, visit Ancient Merv. Due to its size and historical importance, Merv is one of the most significant sites in Turkmenistan and indeed in all of Central Asia. Merv consists of a series of towns, each succeeded by another throughout the course of history.
See Erk Gala (6th c BC), Gyaur Gala (3rd c BC), Sultan Gala (8th/11th c BC), Abdullah Khan Gala and Bairamali Khan Gala (15th c AD), the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar - the last ruler of the Seljuk Empire (12th c AD), Great and Little Gyz Galas (6th/7th c AD), and the Mausoleum of Muhammed ibn Zaid (12th c AD). Overnight in Mary Hotel.

Day 06

Gonur Depe and the Margush Archaeological Site

Have an early breakfast and drive by 4x4 vehicles to the Gonur Depe Bronze Age archaeological site (230 km or 3 hours).
Margush is truly interesting and takes a full day to explore all the excavations. Your guide will provide complete information, and you may also meet Prof. Sarianidi's group (optional), who say that Margush is the 5th center of civilization beside China, India, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. Picnic lunch. Overnight in Mary Hotel.

Day 07

Return to Ashgabat via Mekhnei and Abiverd

Have an early breakfast and drive to Ashgabat (350 km).
En route, visit the Mausoleum of Abu Said Abul Hayr Mekhnei, a saintly Sufi leader of the 11th century, located 80 km away, as well as Abiverd Fortress, which was the regional center in the Middle Ages. Overnight in Archabil Hotel.

Day 08

Bakharden Underground Lake, Gokdepe and Kipchak

Have an early breakfast and drive to Bakharden Underground Lake (110 km or 2 hours), where the water keeps a constant temperature of 37 C.
En route, visit Gokdepe Mosque and Kipchak Mosque, the biggest in Turkmenistan. Picnic lunch. Overnight in Archabil Hotel 4*.

Day 09

Departure from Ashgabat

Have your breakfast.
Afternoon transfer to the airport for your departure.

Where this trip takes you

Koyten Dag Mountains, Dinosaurs Plateau, Ancient Merv, Nissa Fortress

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Ashgabat 5 cities · 9 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation as indicated above
Meals: full board on Days 3 and 4; lunch on Days 5 and 7
ESG
A/C transport
Entrance fees to the sites mentioned
Visa support and travel pass
Camping gear
Plane ticket Ashgabat-Turkmenabat

What's Not Included

Visa fee
Tips
Insurance
Immigration card

Know before you go

From Turkmeabat to Koyten Dag, the drive takes around 8-9 hours.

Margush archaeological site is inside the desert.

Kow Ata underground lake is located inside a mountain cave.

Indeed, of all parts of the ancient world where early civilizations developed, Central Asia remains the least known. Ancient Turkmenistan is where the most evidence for these early civilizations has been discovered - itself one of the least known parts of the world. Our short desert crossing will take us to the country's most fascinating active archaeological site, Gonur Depe. This 4,000-year-old Zoroastrian capital is mysteriously located in the heart of the Karakum Desert and is Central Asia's sole entirely excavated city site, allowing the visitor to stroll through the countless alleyways, fire temples, and shrines. If you are seeking the secrets of Turkmen cultural traditions, handicrafts, and customs, then Nokhur is the right place for you. Nokhur is a unique culture within Central Asia itself - this almost Turkmen tribe inhabits the valleys on both sides of the Sumbar Valley. With its peculiar tribal heritage, outstanding carpentry, and typical stone-house villages, this culture is one of the least researched phenomena of the region. You will get to know the everyday life of one of the most hospitable people in the world. We will also be visiting major cultural monuments throughout Turkmenistan.

Logistics