8 Day Turkmenistan Tour: Darvaza, Ashgabat, Yangykala & Ancient Merv

• We recommend planning your arrival at the border checkpoint for around 09:00. After crossing to the Turkmenistan side, our guide will meet the guests and provide the necessary assistance with border procedures and obtaining the visa, if the visa is being issued on arrival.
• Border formalities usually take around 1–2 hours, although the actual processing time depends on the work of the border authorities.
• After meeting the guide, we will travel to Dashoguz, a major city in northern Turkmenistan. Lunch is planned at a local restaurant, where guests can become acquainted with the traditional cuisine of the region.
• Before continuing the journey, the group and guide will visit a local market. Here, fresh products can be purchased that will later be used to prepare dinner near Darvaza. Whenever possible, the menu will take into account the preferences of the tour participants.
• The next stop is Kunya-Urgench, one of the most important historical cities of the region and a former major centre of the Great Silk Road.
• During the excursion, we will explore the historical and cultural heritage of the city and see the Turabek Khanum Mausoleum, Kutlug Timur Minaret, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Il-Arslan Mausoleum, as well as other monuments of the complex.
• After the excursion, we will continue through the Karakum Desert toward the Darvaza Gas Crater. Short stops for rest and photographs will be made along the way.
• We plan to arrive at the crater closer to the evening. The flames become especially impressive against the desert landscape after sunset.
• After settling into the yurt camp, we will walk to the crater together with the guide, enjoy dinner and have free time for relaxation and photography.
• Distance of the day:
  Dashoguz – Kunya-Urgench: approximately 93 km / around 1.5 hours.
  Kunya-Urgench – Darvaza: approximately 300 km / around 4–5 hours.
• Overnight: Yurt camp near the Darvaza Gas Crater.

• The morning will begin with breakfast at the yurt camp, after which we will leave Darvaza and travel south toward Ashgabat.
• Along the way, we will discover several more natural sites in the Darvaza area and make stops among the landscapes of the Karakum Desert.
• We will then continue to Ashgabat, the modern capital of Turkmenistan, known for its white-marble buildings, wide avenues and unusual city architecture.
• After arrival, we will check into the hotel and have a short break to rest after the road journey and the overnight stay in the desert. Lunch will then be arranged at a local restaurant.
• In the afternoon, we will travel to Ancient Nisa, one of the most important archaeological monuments of Turkmenistan.
• The programme also includes an introduction to the magnificent Akhal-Teke horses, one of the country's most famous national treasures.
• In the evening, dinner will be arranged before returning to the hotel.
• Distance of the day:
  Darvaza - Ashgabat: approximately 270 km / around 3.5-4 hours.
• Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.

• Today we will dedicate the entire day to the capital and experience both the historical and modern sides of Ashgabat.
• The first part of the programme will be a visit to the National Museum, where archaeological discoveries, materials relating to the history of the country and the cultural heritage of Turkmenistan are displayed.
• We will continue the tour with a walk through Independence Park and an introduction to the main monuments of the capital, including the Arch of Neutrality and other well-known architectural complexes.
• Lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant around the middle of the day.
• Afterward, we will visit the Russian Bazaar, a popular city market offering local sweets, dried fruits, spices, souvenirs and other products. If possible, guests will also have the opportunity to take photographs wearing traditional Turkmen clothing.
• After visiting the market, we will continue exploring the modern architecture of the city. Stops will include the Wedding Palace, the Alem complex with its Ferris wheel, and other interesting attractions of Ashgabat.
• The programme will conclude with an evening sightseeing drive through the capital. After dark, the city's illumination creates a completely different atmosphere, especially among the numerous white-marble buildings.
• Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.

• After breakfast, we will begin our journey westward.
• Our first stop will be Gokdepe, a historically significant place connected with important events in Turkmenistan's past. During the visit, the guide will explain the history of the region and its role in the formation of the modern country.
• We will then travel to Kow Ata, the famous underground lake located inside a natural cave.
• The water maintains a relatively stable temperature throughout the year. If conditions allow and guests would like to swim, we recommend bringing swimming gear in advance.
• After visiting the cave, we will stop for lunch.
• The route will then continue through the unusual landscapes of the Moon Mountains. The light-coloured rock formations and unusual terrain create scenery reminiscent of the surface of another planet. There will be time here for a short walk and photographs.
• By evening, we will arrive in Gyzylarbat, check into the hotel and rest after the journey.
• Distance of the day:
  Ashgabat – Gokdepe: approximately 50 km / around 1 hour.
  Gokdepe – Kow Ata: approximately 42 km / around 40-45 minutes.
  Kow Ata - Gyzylarbat: approximately 164 km; travel time depends on road conditions.
• Overnight: Hotel in Gyzylarbat.

• In the morning, we will continue west toward Balkanabat.
• Along the route, we will stop at a local market to purchase the necessary products for the evening dinner and also experience ordinary daily life in the region away from the major tourist areas.
• The main natural attraction of today's programme will be the Yangykala Canyons.
• This remote region is known for its enormous rock formations, multicoloured layers of stone and impressive panoramic views. The area was once connected with ancient marine landscapes, while erosion has shaped its unusual terrain into what we see today.
• We will visit several viewpoints and make stops for walking and photography.
• After Yangykala, we will continue to Gozli-Ata, one of the well-known pilgrimage sites of western Turkmenistan. Here, guests can learn about the spiritual traditions of the region and discover another side of the local culture.
• In the evening, the guide and driver will prepare dinner. Afterward, there will be free time to relax at the yurt camp surrounded by peaceful desert landscapes.
• Distance of the day:
  Gyzylarbat – Balkanabat: approximately 184 km / around 3 hours.
  Balkanabat – Yangykala: approximately 165 km / around 2–2.5 hours.
  Yangykala – Gozli-Ata: approximately 50 km.
• Overnight: Yurt camp in the Gozli-Ata / Yangykala area.

• After breakfast, we will continue exploring the western part of the country and travel to Kemal-Ata, another pilgrimage site connected with the spiritual culture of the local population.
• After visiting Kemal-Ata, the route will take us to the coast of the Caspian Sea and the city of Turkmenbashi.
• After several days among deserts, rocks and canyons, travelers will experience a completely different landscape here: the sea, the coastline and the fresh Caspian air.
• A walk near the sea is planned, after which we will stop for lunch at a restaurant overlooking the coast. Depending on the available menu, guests may have the opportunity to try local dishes and fish dishes.
• After lunch, we will begin the return journey to Gyzylarbat.
• In the evening, we will check into the hotel and rest.
• Distance of the day:
  Yangykala / Gozli-Ata area – Turkmenbashi: approximately 160 km / around 2–2.5 hours.
  Turkmenbashi - Gyzylarbat: approximately 356 km / around 4-5 hours.
• Overnight: Hotel in Gyzylarbat.

• Today the route will take us to Nokhur, a traditional mountain settlement located among the Kopet Dag Mountains.
• Unlike the capital, the Karakum Desert and the western canyons, Nokhur introduces travelers to a quieter and more traditional side of life in Turkmenistan.
• During the visit, we will walk through the settlement, learn about the local culture, see the mountain landscapes, the ancient cemetery and the characteristic streets of the area.
• After the excursion, we will continue toward Mary.
• This is one of the longest transfers of the entire journey, so stops for rest will be organised along the route.
• Upon arrival in Mary, we will check into the hotel, have dinner and rest before the final day of the journey.
• Distance of the day:
  Gyzylarbat – Nokhur – Mary: approximately 670–700 km.
• Overnight: Hotel in Mary.

• The final day of the programme will be dedicated to Ancient Merv, one of the most important historical cities of the Great Silk Road.
• Merv was once a major trading, political and cultural centre of the region. Today, the vast territory of the ancient city allows visitors to see traces of many different historical periods.
• During the excursion, we will explore ancient settlements, defensive structures, mausoleums, palace ruins and other monuments within the archaeological complex.
• After the sightseeing programme, lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant.
• We will then travel via Farap toward the border between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
• Upon arrival at the border checkpoint, the guide will assist guests with the necessary organisational matters on the Turkmenistan side. This marks the end of the eight-day journey through Turkmenistan.
• Distance of the day:
  Mary – Merv – Farap: approximately 250–300 km, depending on the route and road conditions.
• Finish: Farap Border.

Private Yurt