This 7-day tour is for people with a general interest in Turkmenistan, wanting to explore as many aspects of the country as possible in a week’s time.
Full day city tour, including visits of Nissa (UNESCO), National History Museum, Ferris Wheel, Wedding Palace Viewpoint, Earthquake Memorial, Independence Park, Neutrality Arch and Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque. Overnight in hotel.
Transfer to airport. Morning flight to Mary (40 min.). Visit Merw (UNESCO) historical park and Mary town center with its Russian-orthodox Church and bustling bazaar. Evening flight to Ashgabat and transfer to city. Overnight in hotel.
Morning at leisure in Ashgabat (visit a bazaar or the National Carpet Museum). Afternoon drive 4 hours north to the gas crater of Darwaza. Camp BBQ dinner and overnight in tents.
Drive another four hours north towards the border with Uzbekistan, for a visit of Kunya Urgench (UNESCO) historical park. Take the evening flight back to Ashgabat (50 min.) and transfer to the city. Overnight in hotel.
Day trip in the surroundings of Ashgabat, with visits of the Turkmenbashi Mosque and Mausoleum, Geok Depe Memorial Mosque, Kowata underground lake and Nohur mountain village with its tribal cemetery, pilgrim site and silk weaving traditions. Return to Ashgabat and take night train to Turkmenbashi. Dinner and overnight in sleeper compartment in train.
Arrival in Turkmenbashi by train, followed by day trip to the Yangikala prehistorical canyon region, which we reach after some 3.5 hours’ drive. Picnic lunch at spectacular viewpoint or at nearby Gozli Ata pilgrim site. Return to Turkmenbashi in the evening hours for overnight in hotel in the town or at the Caspian Sea coast.
Transfer to Turkmenbashi Airport for return flight to Ashgabat. Optional morning/afternoon/evening flight. Rest day at leisure in Turkmenbashi or in Ashgabat. Transfer to city. Overnight in hotel.
