Turkmenistan 4 Days 3 Nights Tour

Welcome to Turkmenistan! Upon arrival at Ashgabat International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. After check-in and a short rest, you will begin a sightseeing tour of the capital. Ashgabat is famous for its white marble buildings, golden domes and grand monuments.

Your first stop is Independence Park, home to the Independence Monument and statues of national heroes. Next, you will visit the Arch of Neutrality, a tall monument crowned with a golden statue, which offers views across the city. You will then visit the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, an elegant building inspired by the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. In the afternoon, you will visit the State Museum, where you can learn about the history of Turkmenistan from ancient times to the present. The museum's collection includes artefacts from Nisa, Merv and other important archaeological sites. Your guide will tell you about the history of Ashgabat and its development into a modern capital. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight at your hotel in Ashgabat.

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for a short domestic flight to Mary. On arrival, you will drive into the desert to visit Gonur Depe, the centre of the Bronze Age Margiana civilisation. The site dates back to around 2000 BC and includes the remains of a palace, temples and a royal necropolis.

Your guide will explain the history of Margiana and the discoveries made by archaeologists at this important site. After the visit, you will drive to Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest cities of the Silk Road. You will visit the fortresses of Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala, which date back more than two thousand years. Next, you will see the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, a masterpiece of 12th-century Seljuk architecture. You will also visit the Kyz Kala mansions, with their distinctive ribbed walls. Your guide will tell you about the history of Merv and its importance as a centre of trade and culture. In the evening, you will fly back to Ashgabat. Overnight at your hotel.

After breakfast, you will begin a full day of exploring the area around Ashgabat. Your first visit is the ancient fortress of Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the first capitals of the Parthian Empire. You will then visit the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque in Gypjak, one of the largest mosques in Central Asia.

Next, you will visit the Akhal-Teke Horse Farm, home to the famous golden horses of Turkmenistan. The journey continues to Gokdepe, where you will visit the Saparmurat Hajji Mosque, built on the site of a famous 19th-century battle. In the afternoon, you will visit the Kow-Ata underground lake, located inside a large cave. You can swim in the warm, mineral-rich water, which stays at a pleasant temperature all year round. Afterwards, you will drive into the mountains to the traditional village of Nokhur. You will see the old cemetery with graves decorated with the horns of mountain goats and learn about local traditions. In the evening, you will return to Ashgabat. Overnight at your hotel.

After breakfast, you will visit the National Carpet Museum, which houses a remarkable collection of Turkmen carpets. You will learn about the traditional patterns and the techniques used to make these beautiful carpets. The museum also displays one of the largest hand-woven carpets in the world.

After the visit, you will drive north into the Karakum Desert to the Darvaza Gas Crater. The drive takes around four hours, with stops along the way for photographs. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at the crater, known as the "Gates of Hell", which has been burning for decades. You will watch the sunset and see the flames become more dramatic as darkness falls. In the evening, you will enjoy a farewell dinner at the camp, with the glowing crater as a dramatic backdrop. After dinner, you will drive back to Ashgabat and be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Please note that this is a long day, and you may wish to rest during the drive. We hope you have enjoyed your journey through Turkmenistan. Thank you for travelling with us.