Classic Turkmenistan 7 days/6 nights
- Explore UNESCO historic sites
- Experience the warm hospitality
- Modern architecture of Ashgabat
- Flaming crater at Darvaza
Discover Turkmenistan on a tour of Ashgabat's white marble buildings, UNESCO sites Old Nisa and Ancient Merv, and the stunning Darvaza Gas Crater. Explore historic districts, vibrant bazaars, and ancient ruins along the Silk Road. Experience village life and camp by the "Gates of Hell" in the Karakum desert, blending culture, history, and natural wonders.
Price: from $930 p/pax
Duration: 7 days/ 6 nights
Season: all year round
Group size: 2-16
Tour languages: default – English, other languages on availability
Ports of entry and exit: Ashgabat International Airport
Route: Ashgabat - Mary - Ashgabat - Darvaza - Ashgabat
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ashgabat
Arrival and Check-In: Arrive at Ashgabat International Airport with Turkish Airlines at 2:00 AM or other. You’ll be greeted and transferred to hotel for early check-in.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel and a leisurely morning to relax and acclimate.
Afternoon Adventure: Kick off the afternoon with a visit to Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, dedicated to Turkmenistan’s heroes and victims of WWII, the Geokdepe Battle, and the 1948 earthquake. Explore its three captivating halls with dramatic dioramas and poignant exhibits.
Modern Ashgabat: Drive through modern Ashgabat, famed for its white marble buildings. Explore the Park of Independence, the Monument of the Gigantic Book “Ruhnama,” the Monument of Constitution, and the Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center. End at the 60-meter high Magtymguly Monument and the iconic Monument of Neutrality topped with a golden statue of the first president.
Evening: Enjoy a welcome dinner with a panoramic view of the city.
Overnight: Return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Ashgabat.
Day 2: Ashgabat
Morning Kick-Off: Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Bagir village to explore the ruins of the UNESCO-listed Old Nisa Fortress, the ancient capital of the Parthian Empire. Wander through its atmospheric ruins, set against the picturesque Kopet-Dag Mountains.
Before lunch: Visit the State Museum of History and Ethnography to see ancient artifacts and treasures from Turkmenistan’s rich history.
Gokdepe Stud-Farm: Drive to Gokdepe village to visit the Gokdepe stud-farm to see the magnificent Ahal Teke horses. Ride, feed, and photograph these unique creatures, known for their exceptional speed and ancient heritage.
Return to Ashgabat: On the way to Ashgabat we will make a stop at an impressive complex in Kipchak village to see the biggest mosque of Turkmenistan “the Spiritual Mosque of Turkmenbashi” and “the family mausoleum of the first president”.
After an exciting day, drive back to Ashgabat for a relaxing evening.
Enjoy a comfortable overnight stay in Ashgabat, reflecting on the day’s adventures.
Day 3. Ashgabat – Mary (ca. 355 km, about 3.5-4 hrs drive)
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel. We will spend the morning visiting the Carpet Museum. Witness the wonders of craftsmanship as you marvel at the smallest carpet ever created designed to carry keys with utmost elegance. And hold your breath as you stand before the world’s largest handmade carpet, an astonishing feat with a total area of 301 square meters! No wonder it earned its rightful place in the Guinness Book of Records in 2003.
Exploring Anau: Just 12 kilometers from Ashgabat, we’ll stop near modern Anau at the medieval city of Bagabad. Here, you can visit the citadel of a significant Timurid-period center and the ruins of the Seyit Jemaleddin mosque. Known as the “house of beauty,” this mosque is notably controversial due to the depictions of two dragons on its entrance arch. This area dates back to the 5th millennium BCE and was inhabited by early Central Asian farmers who developed the renowned Anau culture.
Destination – Mary: After lunch, we’ll start our journey to Mary via newly built highway.
Upon arrival in Mary, we’ll check in at the hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Mary.
Day 4. Mary – Ashgabat (ca. 350 km, about 3 hrs drive)
After breakfast and check-out, we’ll drive 40 minutes to Bayramaly village to explore Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as “The Pearl of the Seljuk Empire.” Our tour will include landmarks like,
- Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum (the last Sultan of the Great Seljuk Empire)
- Yusuf Hamadani Mosque (Yusuf Hamadani was one of the most influencial Sufi masters whose teachings spread across Central Asia)
- Erk gala (was founded in the 6th century BCE; in the 3rd century BCE it became the citadel for the larger Hellenistic city of Antiochia/Margiana)
- Sultan gala (built in between 800-1400 AD, Sultan–Kala offers to explore the mudbrick work of Seljuk fortifications)
- Great and Small Gyz kala (7th-12th centuries), known as “Ladies Fortress”. One of the most well-preserved fortresses made from mud bricks.
- Mohammad ibn Zayd Mausoleum (the leader of the Shia movement against the Abbasid Caliphate)
Experience traditions: Enjoy lunch at the local guesthouse “Ancient Turkmen Hearth,” where you can watch turkmen traditional activitiess like making “pishme”, embroidery, felt making, ride a camel and enjoy the folk show (folk show at additional cost – $50). After the tour, we’ll drive back to Ashgabat via the newly built highway through the Eastern Karakum desert, arriving late in the evening.
Dinner and overnight stay in Ashgabat.
Day 5. Ashgabat – Darvaza (ca. 270 km, about 4 hrs drive)
Breakfast at the hotel and and we hop into our trusty 4×4 SUVs and make our way north to the Central Karakum desert. Today, we’re off to see the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as “the Gates of Hell.” But first, we’ll swing by the Tolkuchka bazaar, where you can test your bargaining skills for jewelry, traditional costumes, and more. Then, it’s onwards to the desert for an adventure you won’t soon forget!
Experience village life in Bokurdak, where tradition thrives. Explore homes built from unfired bricks and authentic yurts. Meet locals and see traditional crafts like embroidery and bread-making. Enjoy a homemade lunch and learn about Turkmen culture.
“Gates of Hell”: Next, we head to Darvaza, stopping to see bubbling water and sulfur-mud craters on the way.
Arriving at Darvaza, marvel at the crater before enjoying a special dinner with nomad-style kebabs. Watch the sunset over the desert as you sip traditional tea.
Overnight in tents or traditional yurts.
Day 6. Return to Ashgabat (ca. 270 km, 4 hrs)
Morning Farewell: Wake up to breakfast at the camp, take one last look at the mesmerizing flaming crater, and then we’ll head back to Ashgabat.
The rest of the day is yours to relax or continue exploring the city at your leisure.
Overnight in Ashgabat: Enjoy a restful overnight stay in Ashgabat, soaking in the experiences of the past few days.
Day 7. Departure from Ashgabat
After midnight, check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your international flight. This marks the end of our unforgettable journey. Safe travels!
- Comfort A/C transportation depending on the grou size and route
- Accommodation in TWN shared room
- Visa support (LOI)
- Water along the way
- Entrance fees to sites
- English-speaking tour guide
- Registration of tourists staying over 3 days
- Camping gear in Darvaza
- Breakfast and dinner in Darvaza
- Lunch in Bokurdak village and in Mary
- Folk show in Merv, for groups of 10 +
- Welcome dinner
- Visa cost $55-$85 paid in cash on arrival
- PCR test cost $31 upon arrival (paid by each traveller)
- Migration duty charge $14
- Additional services in the hotel
- Tips to the guide and the driver (recommended)
- Personal expenses
- Photo and video camera fees at sites/museums
- H/B, F/B, alcohol and beverages
- SGL supplement
