Highlights of Turkmenistan: Darwaza, Ashgabat, Merv – exit to Bukhara

Itinerary

Day 1: Ashgabat International Airport – Ashgabat city tour

Arrival to Ashgabat, the Turkmen capital. At the airport, you will be met by our representatives and will be accommodated at Grand Turkmen Hotel. Free time. Afternoon city tour. During the tour you will visit Nissa fortress – the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings. The fortress was enrolled to UNESCO World Heritage list in 2007. Nissa described as one of the first capitals of the Parthians. It was founded by Arsaces I and was the royal necropolis of the Parthian Kings.

Drive to visit Turkmenbashy Ruhy mosque (the largest mosque in Central Asia), Ruhyyet Palace, Wedding Palace, modern “Yildyz” Hotel, Arch of Neutrality, Monument and park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazy mosque, and other beautiful places of Ashgabat city. Transfer and overnight at Grand Turkmen Hotel.

Day 2: Ashgabat – Orient Bazaar (Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun) – Darwaza Gas Crater

Breakfast in the camp. In the morning, drive to visit Altyn Asyr Orient Bazaar (Tolkuchka) located in 20 km to the north of Ashgabat. It is one of the largest open bazaars in the world filled with colourful carpets, jewellery, silk and national Turkmen costumes and animals.

Then drive to Darwaza burning Gas Crater. The Crater is also called as “The Door to Hell”. Darwaza area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 60 m and 20 m deep. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today. En-route we cross Karakum desert, will make a stop at small desert village. In the evening, watch the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater. BBQ Dinner at Gas Crater. Overnight in camp.

Day 3: Darwaza – Ashgabat – Mary

Picnic style breakfast in camp. After breakfast, drive to back to Ashgabat. Arrival and transfer to café where you can have lunch on your own. After lunch transfer to domestic flights airport. Flight to Mary city. Arrival and transfer to Mary hotel. Free time. Overnight at Mary hotel.

Day 4: Mary – Gonurdepe – Mary

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Gonurdepe (90km, 3h). Gonurdepe was a capital of Margush (Margiana) country that occupied an area of more than 3000 sq. km and consisted of 78 oasis and more than 150 compact settlements. The American newspaper Boston Globe wrote that before we had known four oldest centers of the worlds civilization: Egypt, India, China and Mesopotamia, and now due to the fantastic results of the Margiana expedition it is quite possible to think that there was another, the fifth center. Lunch box at the sight. Drive back to Mary city. Overnight at Mary Hotel.

Day 5: Mary – Merv – Farap

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Bayramali town to explore ancient Merv – “Queen of the world”, was one of the most important capitals of Islam along with Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. Sightseeing of ancient Merv includes Greater Kyz Gala and Lesser Kyz Gala (VI-VII), Complex of Askhabs (VIII-XIV), Erk Gala (VI BC), Gyaur Gala (IV BC), Hoja Yusuf Hamadani complex, Sultan Sanjar mausoleum, Muhamed Ibn Zeid mausoleum.

Drive to Turkmen-Uzbek border post “Farap”. End of the tour.