Arrival by air (late evening D1 or early morning D2, depending on airline used) or overland from Uzbekistan. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in hotel.

Start with a city tour, including visits of Independence Park, Neutrality Arch, Ferris Wheel, Wedding Palace Viewpoint. In the afternoon we visit the National Museum and Turkmenbashi Mosque and Mausoleum. Transfer to train station for night train to Turkmenbashi. Overnight on bunk bed in 4-bed sleeper compartment.

On arrival in Turkmenbashi, visit the local Russian Orthodox Church and then head out by jeep in approximately 4 hours to the canyons of Yangisuw. Overnight in tent.

Visit Yangikala canyons and Gozli Ata pilgrim site. Return in approximately 4 hours to Turkmenbashi. Transfer to airport for evening flight to Ashgabat. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in hotel.

Head out into the Karakum Desert early morning. Drive by jeep to Damla remote tribal settlement. Afternoon carry on off road to Darwaza. Overnight in tent.

Drive in 4 hours to Kunya Urgench for a visit of the UNESCO historical park. Afternoon transfer to Dashoguz. Arrival in Dashoguz by dinner time. Overnight in hotel.

Transfer to Dashoguz airport for flight to Mary. Afternoon visit Merw UNESCO historical park. Return to Mary by dinner time. Overnight in hotel.

Transfer to Serakhs land border with Iran. Cross into Iran and drive to Mashhad and its airport for evening flight to Shiraz. Overnight in hotel.

Full day to explore Shiraz.

Travel by road to Yazd with a visit of Persepolis, Nags-e Rostam and Pasargade on the way. Arrival in Yazd by dinner time. Overnight in hotel.

Full day to explore Yazd.

Travel by road to Esfahan, with visits of Ardakan and Nain on the way. Arrival in Esfahan by dinner time. Overnight in hotel.

Full day to explore Esfahan.

Another day to explore Esfahan. After dinner time, transfer to airport for evening flight to Tehran. Overnight in hotel.

Departure by air or overland to Turkey or Azerbaijan.