Name of tour: Ancient Path tour
Length: 7 days
Places of interest: Ashgabat, Darwaza, Abiwerd, Nedir Shah, Mary, Merv, Kow Ata, Nokhur
Day 1: Ashgabat
After arriving in Ashgabat in evening D1 or early morning D2, it will depend on airline; you will drive to the hotel where you can take a rest for overnight. After breakfast you will transfer to observe the significant landmark “Old Nisa”. This is an ancient city of the Parthians, which has been included in the UNESCO protection list since 2007. After that you will explore the remarkable sites as “Gypjak” Mosque and Mausoleum of the late President of Turkmenistan. There you will have a chance to take amazing photos. After that we will transfer to the State Museum of History. There store priceless artifacts of sites as Nisa, Merv and Gonurdepe and collection of Turkmen national carpets, outfits, jewelries, and antique weapons. There are 9 halls which present attributes of Athens, Eros, silver gilded griffin, horn-shaped ivory vessels-rhytons which belong to the Parthian era. You will also have a chance to observe there gold jewelries, medallions-stamps from Margiana and Buddhist artifacts as well. A lot of people admire exploring capital of Turkmenistan due to the old artifacts as fossilized piece of wood of the Paleozoic period which was found 270,000,000 years ago, also dinosaurs’ footprints and 820-kg meteorite which fell down in Kunya-Urgench in 1998. The overnight is in the hotel.
Day 2: Ashgabat – Darwaza
This day you will start with amazing adventure to the North of Turkmenistan where we can explore Bahardok village. Travelling in Bahardok you will have a chance to discover the way of life of Turkmen people and try delicious national cuisine. Then we will head on to the mysterious gas crater which is called Darwaza. It was mistakenly made by human in 1971 and now it gives us spectacular views. Don’t miss chance to have fantastic photos here. You will discover the North of Ashgabat. No doubt, you will like it! People call this place as “Gates to the Hell”. It will be nice solution to see the dazzling views in the night of the gas crater and have great impression. Then you will have a picnic as a dinner and rest the night in the tent observing the starry night.
Day 3: Darwaza – Ashgabat
This day you will fabulous tour to country’s parks and monuments as “Ertugrul Gazy” mosque. You will have an amazing opportunity to feast your eyes upon remarkable attractions of the capital. In course of the tour you will visit Cultural center "Alem", Arch of Neutrality, the Memorial complex, Independence Monument, Oriental bazaar, Horse Hippodrom with Ahalteke horses and Wedding Palace building with Observation platform. Explore the fabulous panoramic views of Ashgabat and have positive emotions! Night will be in the hotel.
Day 4: Ashgabat – Abiverd – Nedir Shah – Mary
After hearty breakfast we will transfer to Mary region. The road will take about 360 km. The tour route will take you to ancient ruins belonging to the 15th century and called Seyit Jamal-ad-Din Mosque. It was created by Mohammed Khudaiot in 1456. You will also explore Castle of Abiverd which which was comparable to such significant places in Turkmenistan as Kunya-Urgench, Nissa, Merv and Dakhistan. It is situated between Ashgabat and Mary. During the tour you will explore the Castle of Nedir Shakh which is also cultural heritage of Turkmenistan. You will continue moving to Mary region. Night will be in the tent.
Day 5: Mary – Merv – Ashgabat
Today you will explore Old Merv. It was one of the most important and busiest centers along the routes of Great Silk Road. During the tour you will explore the remarkable sites of the city as Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Soltan Gala, Sanjar Mausoleum, Ibn Zeid Mausoleum. Then you will have a chance to discover the 5th center of civilization as Margush in the Karakum desert. You will complete the tour will driving to the capital Ashgabat and have night in the hotel.
Day 6: Ashgabat – Kow Ata – Nokhur – Ashgabat
This day you will have a tour to underground Lake KowAta lake which is translated as Father of caves. This underground lake has healing properties and is located 107 km from the capital of Turkmenistan. This lake is one of the largest underground lakes in the world. The lake has overall length of the cave is about 230 m, height - 20 m and width is about 57 m. The lake is clear and emerald. The water temperature ranges from 33-38 degrees Celsius. The lake contains about 38 chemical elements that have a positive effect on the body. We will continue tour with transferring to Nokhur. In the West of the Kopetdag range, there is an extraordinary region in its beauty and culture, inhabited by the Turkmen of the Nokhur mountain tribe, who have preserved their unique culture, traditional crafts and unique architecture through the centuries. The village surprises with its beauty and harsh architecture of 2-storey houses. Village has so narrow streets and even small cars have problems. The population of the village is thousand or two thousand people. After that we will drive to Ashgabat city. We promise you will like your tour in Turkmenistan exploring the best highlights of the country. The night is in the hotel.
Day 7: Flight
Airport transfer.
Price per person:
02 pax – 1 080 $
04 pax – 730 $
06 pax – 605 $
08 pax – 545 $
10 pax – 650 $
Single – 130 $
Early check-in – 35 $
Single early check-in – 65 $
Half board – 65 $
Full board – 130 $
Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Ashgabat – “Menzil” Hotel 3*
Mary – “Mary” 4*
Darwaza – Tents
- Visa support
- English speaking guide
- Museum admissions
- Provision of drinking water
- Domestic flights and trains (if any)
Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Single rooms
- Bank tax (4 $)
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Migration tax (12 $)
- Use of cameras on monuments for additional fee.
Note: Availability of 2 photos (5×6) at the points of entry.