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Ashgabat · Ahal · Turkmenistan
11-Day Splendor of Turkmenistan
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From $5,199.76 per person
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The Experience
What your day looks like
Of all the regions where early civilizations developed, Central Asia remains the least known. Ancient Turkmenistan, however, stands out, as it has yielded the most significant evidence of these early cultures—despite being one of the most remote parts of the world. Our short desert crossing will take us to Gonur Depe, the country's most fascinating active archaeological site. This 4,000-year-old Zoroastrian capital, located mysteriously in the heart of the Karakum Desert, is the only fully excavated city site in Central Asia. Visitors can explore its countless alleyways, fire temples, and shrines. For those seeking insight into Turkmen cultural traditions, handicrafts, and customs, Nokhur is the ideal destination. This unique culture, almost a tribe unto itself, inhabits the valleys on both sides of the Sumbar Valley. With its distinctive tribal heritage, remarkable carpentry, and typical stone villages, Nokhur remains one of the least researched cultural phenomena in the region. Here, you will experience the daily life of some of the most hospitable people in the world. Additionally, we will visit major cultural monuments throughout Turkmenistan.
Highlights
Why travelers choose this experience
- Visit major cultural monuments throughout Turkmenistan
- Gain insight into the region's early civilizations and history
- Experience traditional Turkmen handicrafts, customs, and daily life
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Ashgabat
Day 01 - Welcome to Turkmenistan! Early morning arrival in Ashgabat. Transfer to the hotel.
Continued
Ashgabat
Sightseeing at Neutrality Monument. Day 01 - Ashgabat: Late morning excursion in Ashgabat, including visits to the Arch of Neutrality and the Independence Monument. Explore the Ertogrul Gazi Mosque, Ashgabat’s largest mosque, and the memorial dedicated to the victims of the 1948 earthquake, which destroyed the city. Visit the State Museum of Turkmenistan, featuring 9 halls, each dedicated to a specific period and theme. One of the highlights is the unique collection of ivory rhytons (horn-like vessels). Today, you will also visit the Nissa Fortress, built in the 2nd century BC, which was the first capital of the Parthian Empire.
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Ashgabat
Day 01 - Accommodation: Overnight in Archabil Hotel 4*
Day 2
Ashgabat
Transportation. Day 02 - Ashgabat to Mary: After breakfast, drive to Mary, approximately 370 km from Ashgabat. Along the way, visit the Seyit Jemaleddin Mosque and the Mausoleum of Abu Seyit Abul Hayr Mekhnei, known in Turkmenistan as the Mane Baba Shrine.
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Ashgabat
Day 02 - Meals included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
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Ashgabat
Day 02 - Accommodation: Overnight in Mary hotel
Day 3
Ashgabat
Transportation at Gonur Depe. Day 03 - Mary to Margush/Gonur Depe: After an early breakfast, we drive northeast from Mary to Margush/Gonur Depe.
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Ashgabat
Archaeological Exploration at Gonur Depe. Day 03 - Gonur Depe: The first agricultural settlements appeared here in the ancient delta of the Murgab River as far back as the 3rd millennium BC. Fertile silt from the mountains, an abundance of water, and a moderate climate created ideal conditions for successful crop cultivation, allowing the ancient economy to thrive for several centuries. The American newspaper Boston Globe noted that we previously recognized four of the world's oldest centers of civilization: Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China. However, due to the remarkable discoveries of the Margiana expedition, it is now possible to consider this region as a fifth center of civilization. After lunch, we will visit the Mary Regional Museum.
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Ashgabat
Day 03 - Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
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Ashgabat
Day 03 - Accommodation: Overnight in Mary Hotel
Day 4
Ashgabat
City/Town Tour at Merv. Day 04 - Merv: In the early morning, visit the ancient city of Merv. Unlike many other ancient cities, such as Damascus or Jerusalem, Merv's cities were not built on top of each other but constructed on adjacent, untouched sites. The ancient towns of Erk-Kala (the fortress-citadel), Gyaur-Kala, Sultan-Kala, and Abdulla-khan-Kala each correspond to different periods in Merv’s history. During our tour, we will explore the Great and Little Kiz Kalas, the Kiz Bibi Mausoleum, the magnificent Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, the Palace and Keshk in the Shahriar Ark (Royal Citadel), the mosque of Yusuf Hamdani, the Timurid iwans of Askhab, and the Mausoleum of Muhammad ibn Zeid. Afterward, we will drive to Turkmenabat.
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Ashgabat
Day 04 - Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
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Ashgabat
Day 04 - Accommodation: Overnight in Turkmenabat city
Day 5
Ashgabat
Transportation. Day 05 - Turkmenabat to Kugitang: After breakfast, drive to the Kugitang Mountains. En route, stop near Kaynar Baba Lake and the Texas-like mountains for a picnic lunch. Then continue the drive toward Kugitang.
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Ashgabat
Day 05 - Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
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Ashgabat
Day 05 - Accommodation: Overnight at a local guest house
Day 6
Ashgabat
Eco Tour at Köýtendag Nature Reserve. Day 06 - Kugitang: After breakfast, drive to the Kugitang Mountains. Today, you will see the enormous footprints of giant lizards—dinosaurs that roamed this area millions of years ago. You will also visit a beautiful waterfall and the Cave of 40 Girls.
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Ashgabat
Day 06 - Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
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Ashgabat
Day 06 - Accommodation: Dinner and overnight in local g/h
Day 7
Ashgabat
Day 07 - Kugitang to Ashgabat: After breakfast, drive back to Turkmenabat with lunch en route. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Turkmenabat before taking a late evening flight to Ashgabat.
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Ashgabat
Day 07 - Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
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Ashgabat
Day 07 - Accommodation: Overnight in Archabil Hotel
Day 8
Ashgabat
Day 08 - Ashgabat to Dashoguz: After breakfast, take the morning flight to Dashoguz.
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Ashgabat
Archaeological Exploration at Konye-Urgench. Day 08 - Konye-Urgench: Drive to visit Ancient Urgench, locally known as Koneurgench. Here, you will see the unique mausoleum of Torebeghanym, the mausoleum of Najmeddin Kubra, and the mausoleum of Fahreddin Razi.
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Ashgabat
Day 08 - Dashoguz to Ashgabat: Take the evening flight to Ashgabat.
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Ashgabat
Day 08 - Accommodation: Overnight in Archabil Hotel
Day 9
Ashgabat
Hiking at Darvaza gas crater. Day 09 - Darvaza gas crater: The morning is free for leisure, followed by an afternoon drive to the Darvaza gas crater.
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Ashgabat
Day 09 - Meals included: Dinner
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Ashgabat
Day 09 - Accommodation: Overnight in tents near the burning gas crater
Day 10
Ashgabat
Day 10 - Darvaza to Ashgabat: After breakfast, drive to Ashgabat.
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Ashgabat
Day 10 - Accommodation: Overnight in Archabil Hotel
Day 11
Ashgabat
Day 11 - We hope you enjoyed your trip with us! Early morning transfer to the airport for your Turkish Airlines flight. Once we drop you off, our services are finished.
Planning Details
Before you go
Included
Accommodation ESG A/C transport Entrance fees to the sites mentioned Visa support and travel pass Camping gear Plane ticket Ashgabat-Dashoguz-Ashgabat Food and Drinks
Not Included
Tips and gratuity Visa fee Insurance Immigration card
What to Bring
Camera Sunglasses Sunscreen & Hat Bag for Essentials Comfortable clothing and footwear
Meeting & Pickup
Pick-up is available from Ashgabat International Airport
Planning Notes
Minimum age: 5 Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Manual By Business
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