8-Day Turkmenistan Tour to Darvaza, Merv and Yangykala Canyon

1

Day 01

Arrival in Ashgabat and Drive to Darvaza Gas Crater

• Early in the morning, arrive at Ashgabat Airport and meet your Turkmenistan guide.
• Drive from Ashgabat to the Darvaza Gas Crater, located in the middle of the Karakum Desert.
• Arrive at the crater.
• Enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater.
• Overnight in a yurt camp. Meals: Dinner

2

Day 02

Kov-Ata Underground Lake and Ashgabat City Tour

• In the morning, drive to Ashgabat.
• Start the day with Kov-Ata Underground Lake, where the water remains at 36 degrees all year round.
• Drive back to Ashgabat.
• Then enjoy a sightseeing tour in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, which has recently been noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as having more white marble buildings than any other city in the world.
• During the city tour, explore the Carpet Museum, the National Museum of History, and the archaeological site of Old Nisa, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• This intense and interesting excursion also includes a stop at the Akhalteke horse stables/complex.
• Visit the Annau Seýit Jemaleddin Mosque on the way.
• Overnight at the hotel.

3

Day 03

Ashgabat Monuments and Drive to Merv

• Visit the Monument of Neutrality, Independence, AltynAsyr Oriental Bazaar, Jygyldyk Bazaar - one of the biggest bazaars in Central Asia - Gulistan Bazar, the Monument for the Victims of the Earthquake of 1948, the Monument of Lenin, and Ertogrul Gazy Mosque.
• See the Arch of Neutrality and the Park of Independency along its hundreds of fountains and statues, with stops to visit the Monuments of Independency and Ruhnama.
• Drive to Merv at 16:00.
• Farewell dinner and overnight at the hotel. Meals: Dinner

4

Day 04

Ancient Merv and Mary

• After breakfast at 7:00, drive to the ancient city of Merv, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and once a major center of international trade and crafts on the Silk Road.
• Visit the Hazrat Yousuf Hamadani Mausoleum, Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Gala, Keshk Fortress, and other sites.
• You will observe many camels on the site. After lunch, visit the museum and church in Mary.

5

Day 05

Gonur in Ancient Margush and Return to Ashgabat

• Dedicate the full morning to visiting the excavations of Gonur, the capital of the ancient Margush country, which consists of the city palace, Fire and Water Temples, and the Royal Necropolis.
• Return to Mary, then drive back to Ashgabat in the late afternoon (370 km, 2.5 hrs).
• Transfer to the hotel upon arrival.
• Overnight at the hotel.

6

Day 06

Drive to Balkanabat and Yangykala Canyon

• In the morning at 08:00, drive to Balkanabat.
• Have lunch between 13:00 and 14:30, and get food for dinner at the canyon.
• Depart for an overnight trip to Yangykala Canyon.
• The first 2 hours are on tarmac, followed by potholed tarmac and gravel tracks.
• Dinner and overnight stay at the pilgrim house Gozli Ata.

7

Day 07

Nohur Village Excursion and Return to Ashgabat

• Drive for a day trip to Nohur Village in the Kopet Dag Mountains, where you will visit a tribal cemetery, a pilgrim site, and silk-weaving homes, with visits to the Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum and Gokdepe Mosque on the way.
• Arrive in Ashgabat.
• Overnight at the hotel.

8

Day 08

Departure from Ashgabat

• Free time until your transfer to the airport.
• End of the tour.