Yekegowak Cave Expedition

Welcome to Turkmenistan and the start of your Yekegowak Cave Expedition! 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 impressive monuments.

Your first stop is Independence Park, where the Independence Monument stands surrounded by fountains and statues of national heroes. Next, you will visit the Arch of Neutrality, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and the Kopetdag Mountains. As you travel around the city, your guide will tell you about the history of Ashgabat and its reconstruction after the earthquake of 1948. You will also see many government buildings, parks and fountains along the city's broad avenues. This tour gives you a good introduction to the country before your expedition to one of its most mysterious sites. In the evening, your guide will give you a briefing on the program and practical advice for the cave visit. Enjoy a welcome dinner featuring traditional Turkmen cuisine. Overnight at your hotel in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, you will leave Ashgabat and drive about 350 kilometres east to the city of Mary. Along the way, you will visit several important historical sites. Your first stop is the ruins of the Seyitjemaleddin Mosque near the village of Anau, a 15th-century mosque famous for the images of dragons on its portal.

Although the mosque was destroyed by the earthquake of 1948, it remains an important place of pilgrimage. Next, you will visit the medieval settlement of Abiverd, which was an important trading town on the Silk Road between the 9th and 13th centuries. You will walk among the ruins of the city walls and learn about the history of the area. Your guide will tell you about the caravans that once travelled along this route between Persia and Central Asia. You will have lunch at a local café along the way. The road then continues across the plains to the city of Mary, the centre of one of the oldest oases in Central Asia. On arrival, you will check into your hotel. In the evening, you can relax or take a walk around the city centre. Overnight in Mary.

Today is the highlight of your expedition, a visit to the mysterious Yekegowak cave complex. After an early breakfast, you will set off on a journey of about 225 kilometres through the southern part of the Mary region. The road passes through farmland, villages and semi-desert landscapes, with the hills near the Afghan border rising in the distance.

The Yekegowak cave, also known as Yekedeshik, is a remarkable underground complex carved into a hillside. It has two levels and around 44 rooms, connected by narrow corridors and staircases. Historians have different theories about its origin, and it may have been used as a Buddhist monastery, a refuge from invaders or a retreat for Sufi mystics. Your guide will lead you through the rooms and explain the architectural features and the archaeological research carried out here. You will need a torch, and comfortable shoes are recommended, as the floors can be uneven. A packed lunch will be served during the excursion in a scenic spot near the cave. Few travellers visit this site, making it a truly unique experience. In the late afternoon, you will return to Mary. Overnight at your hotel.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Mary airport for a short domestic flight to Ashgabat. On arrival, you will visit the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, dedicated to the victims of the 1948 earthquake and those who lost their lives in the wars of the 20th century. The memorial is an important place of remembrance and offers insight into the history of the Turkmen people.

After the visit, you will begin your journey north into the Karakum Desert. The drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater takes about four hours, with stops along the way for photographs. You will pass through small desert villages and see camels grazing among the dunes. Your guide will tell you about life in the desert and the history of the gas crater, which was formed during gas exploration in the 1970s. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at the crater, known as the "Gates of Hell". You will watch the sunset and see the flames become more dramatic as darkness falls. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner at the camp. Overnight camping near the crater.

If you wish, you can wake up early to see the crater once more at sunrise. After breakfast at the camp, you will begin the return journey to Ashgabat. The drive through the Karakum Desert takes around four hours, with stops for photographs along the way.

On arrival in Ashgabat, you will have time for some bazaar shopping. You may visit the Russian Bazaar in the city centre, where you can buy fresh fruit, spices, dried fruits and local sweets. Another option is the Altyn Asyr Bazaar, one of the largest markets in Central Asia, where you can find carpets, textiles and souvenirs. Your guide will help you find the best places to buy gifts and souvenirs. After shopping, you will have lunch and some time to rest, depending on your flight schedule. You will then be transferred to Ashgabat International Airport for your departure flight. Our team will assist you with your luggage and check-in. We hope you have enjoyed this unique expedition to the hidden treasures of Turkmenistan. Thank you for travelling with us.