4-Day Turkmenistan History and Darvaza Adventure from Farap

• Morning: Meet your local guide at the Alat/Farap border point.
• Drive to Mary province, approximately 3-4 hours away.
• In the afternoon, visit the ancient Merv archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Explore the different fortresses at Merv, including Erk-kala (VI century BC), Gyaur-kala (III century), Kyz-kala (VI century), Sultan-kala (XI century), Abdullakhan-Kala (XV century), and Bairamalikhan-Kala (18th century).
• In the evening, enjoy a city tour of Mary, including shopping places such as the Green Bazaar.
• Depart from Mary to Ashgabat, with an approximate drive of 5-6 hours.
• Arrive in Ashgabat and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

• Morning: 08:00 AM breakfast at the hotel.
• Begin your Ashgabat city tour.
• Visit the Old Nisa fortress, the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings and the capital of the Parthian Empire.
• In the afternoon, explore Ashgabat's key landmarks, including:

• The sculptural ensemble of Oguzkhan and his six sons, with 27 synchronised light fountains.
• The health trail in the mountains.
• The highest flagpole in the world at 133 meters.
• The Monument and Park of Independence.
• The Neutrality Tower and Ferris wheel, both listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.
• The Ertogrul Gazi Mosque and National Memorial Complex (Halk Hakydasy).

• In the evening, visit one of the city's shopping and entertainment centres.
• At 11:00 PM, drive through Ashgabat to enjoy the city's night illuminations.

Overnight at the hotel.

• Morning: Breakfast at the hotel.
• Visit Altyn Asyr Gundogar Bazar to shop and explore the local marketplace.
• Drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater, located 270 km north of Ashgabat, with a journey time of about 5 hours.
• In the afternoon and evening, arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater and witness its flaming phenomenon, best viewed at sunset and into the night.
• Enjoy a picnic-style dinner at the camp near the crater.
• Experience the unique sounds and heat of the giant crater.
• Night: Overnight stay in a yurt camp near the Darvaza Gas Crater.

• Morning: Breakfast at the yurt camp.
• Drive to Kunya-Urgench, 270 km away, in about 5-6 hours. It was the capital of Khorezm during the X-XII centuries.
• In the afternoon, explore the architectural monuments of Old Urgench, including:

• The Mausoleum of Najm al-Din al-Kubra.
• The Tyurabek Khanum, Il-Arslan, and Tekesh Ibn Hadzhibey mausoleums.
• Kutlyg Timur, the highest minaret in Central Asia.

• In the evening, transfer to Dashoguz and the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border checkpoint, about 1-2 hours away.
• Cross the border and end the tour.