Koytendag Mountain & Dinosaur Plateau

Welcome to Turkmenistan! Upon arrival in Ashgabat, 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 and impressive 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, from where you can enjoy views of the city. You will also visit several cultural monuments that reflect the history and traditions of the Turkmen people. Your guide will tell you about the history of Ashgabat and its development into a modern capital. This tour offers a perfect introduction to the country before your adventure to the remote mountains of Koytendag. In the evening, your guide will give you a briefing on the program and practical advice for the mountain part of the journey. Comfortable walking shoes and layers of clothing are recommended for the days ahead. Enjoy a welcome dinner featuring traditional Turkmen cuisine. Overnight at your hotel in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Kerki, a historic town on the banks of the Amu Darya River in eastern Turkmenistan. On arrival, you will be met by your local guide and driver. You will then drive to the Kaynar Baba spring, a sacred site where water bubbles up from the ground.

Local people believe the water of the spring has healing properties, and many pilgrims come here to pray and drink from it. Your guide will tell you about the legends connected with the spring and its importance in local traditions. The journey then continues south toward the Koytendag Mountains, the highest mountain range in Turkmenistan. The highest peak, Ayrybaba, reaches more than 3,100 metres above sea level. Along the way, you will see farmland, villages and the mountains rising on the horizon. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at Koyten village, located at the foot of the mountains. You will check into a local guesthouse and enjoy dinner with your hosts. Overnight in Koyten village.

Today you will explore the Koytendag Nature Reserve, one of the most beautiful and remote areas in Turkmenistan. After breakfast, you will drive into the mountains to visit the famous Dinosaur Plateau. Here you can see hundreds of fossilised dinosaur footprints preserved in the limestone, dating back around 150 million years.

The footprints are among the largest collections of dinosaur tracks in the world and are an impressive sight. Next, you will visit the Umbar Dere canyon, a narrow gorge with steep cliffs and a beautiful waterfall. The walk through the canyon follows a mountain stream and passes through lush vegetation. In the afternoon, you will visit the Kyrk Gyz canyon, which means "Forty Girls", a name connected with a local legend. Your guide will tell you the stories behind the names of these places and the history of the region. The reserve is also home to rare plants and animals, including wild sheep, mountain goats and many species of birds. Lunch will be served as a picnic in a scenic spot. In the evening, you will return to the guesthouse for dinner. Overnight in Koyten village.

After breakfast, you will say goodbye to your hosts in Koytendag and drive to the railway station at Amyderya. Today you will travel by train from Amyderya to Mary, a journey that offers a unique way to see the landscapes of eastern Turkmenistan. The train passes through farmland, villages and stretches of the Karakum Desert.

Train travel is a popular way of getting around the country, and the journey offers an opportunity to see daily life and meet local passengers. Your guide will accompany you and tell you about the regions you are passing through. You may see cotton fields, irrigation canals and small towns along the way. The journey takes several hours, so you can relax, read or enjoy the views from the window. Snacks and drinks can be bought on the train or brought with you. In the evening, you will arrive in Mary, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, you can enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Mary.

After breakfast, you will drive to Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest cities of the Silk Road. Merv was home to several cities built side by side over thousands of years, and its ruins tell the story of many different empires. You will visit the fortresses of Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala, which date back to the 6th century BC.

Next, you will see the impressive Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, a masterpiece of 12th-century Seljuk architecture. You will also visit Sultan Kala, the Seljuk capital, and the Kyz Kala mansions with their distinctive ribbed walls. Your guide will tell you about the history of Merv and its role as a centre of trade, science and culture. You will also learn about the destruction of the city by the Mongols in the 13th century. After lunch, you will visit the Mary History Museum if time allows. In the evening, you will board a train to Ashgabat. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, you will begin a full day of excursions 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 walk among the ruins of palaces and temples and learn about the history of this ancient empire.

Next, you will visit the Akhal-Teke Horse Farm, home to the famous golden horses of Turkmenistan. You will then continue 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 for a farewell dinner. Overnight at your hotel.

Today your Koytendag Mountain and Dinosaur Plateau adventure comes to an end. After breakfast at the hotel, you will have some free time depending on your flight schedule. You may wish to visit a souvenir shop or take a final walk through the city.

Please check out of your room by the agreed time. Your guide and driver will meet you in the hotel lobby and transfer you to Ashgabat International Airport. Our team will assist you with your luggage and check-in for your onward flight. If you have bought carpets or handicrafts, please keep your receipts and certificates ready for customs. During this tour, you have explored the remote mountains of Koytendag, walked among dinosaur footprints and visited the ancient city of Merv. You have also travelled by train across the country and experienced the hospitality of local families. We hope you have enjoyed this unique adventure in Turkmenistan. Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to see you again soon.