Turkmenistan Unveiled: Where History Meets the Desert
Discover the highlights of northern and central Turkmenistan on an unforgettable journey from Ancient Konye-Urgench to the legendary Darvaza Gas Crater, the white marble capital of Ashgabat, and the ancient Silk Road city of Merv. Experience the country's rich history, unique culture, famous Akhal-Teke horses, and spectacular desert landscapes.
Tour Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrival on Dashoguz/Shavat border (Uzbekistan) – Konye-Urgench – Darvaza
Welcome to Turkmenistan! You arrive at the border in the morning and meet your guide, who helps you through the border formalities. From there you transfer to Ancient Konye-Urgench and explore the impressive monuments of the old Khorezm capital, one of the most important sites on the ancient Silk Road. After the visit you have a late lunch and prepare dinner and breakfast for the desert journey. You then continue into the Karakum Desert and drive to the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, where dinner is served beside the burning pit and the crater glows spectacularly after dark. The night is spent in a yurt camp under the desert sky.
Darvaza – Ashgabat
Enjoy breakfast in the desert before driving south towards Ashgabat. On the way you stop at the Water Crater and at Yerbent Village, both in the heart of the Karakum Desert, for a glimpse of everyday life in the sands. On arrival in Ashgabat you have lunch at a local restaurant and check in at your hotel. In the evening a city tour takes you through a capital built almost entirely of white marble, past the Independence Tower, the Arch of Neutrality, the Alem Ferris Wheel and the Wedding Palace, with a stop at the Russian Bazaar, before dinner at a local restaurant.
Ashgabat – Mary
After breakfast at the hotel and check-out the journey begins with Ancient Nisa, the sanctuary of the Parthian kings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by the Spiritual Mosque in Gypjak, one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. Afterwards you visit an Akhal-Teke horse farm and meet Turkmenistan's famous national horses. You return to Ashgabat for lunch before continuing to Mary. On arrival you have dinner and enjoy an evening tour of the city, then check in at your hotel.
Mary – Turkmenabat – Departure Farap/Alat border (Uzbekistan)
After breakfast at the hotel and check-out you drive to Ancient Merv, one of the most important cities on the Great Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the walls, fortresses and mausoleums of a once vast oasis capital still stand in the desert. After the visit you have lunch and continue towards Turkmenabat and the Farap/Alat border, where your guide assists you with the crossing formalities for your departure to Uzbekistan.
What's Included
- Turkmenistan visa
- Accommodations
- All in-country transportation (cars, train tickets, plane tickets)
- Local guide for the full duration of the program
- Full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Entrance fees to the sites mentioned in the program
- Bottled drinking water, 1.5 L per person per day
Not Included
- Turkmenistan migration tax
- PCR test
- Photo / video fees
- Tips
- Travel insurance
- Souvenirs and other personal items
- All other charges and services not mentioned under "Included"
Earliest start is 21 days from today, to allow time for bookings and visa processing.
Visa prepayment: 200 to 250 USD per person, paid online before the trip. Everything else is paid on arrival.
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