Garabogaz to Dashoguz Border: 7 Days, 6 Nights Expedition

Your expedition through Turkmenistan begins at Garabogaz in the far north-west of the country, near the shores of the Caspian Sea. After meeting your guide and driver, you will set off in 4x4 vehicles toward Yangykala Canyon. The route takes you through remote desert landscapes, where you may see camels and wild birds.

Yangykala Canyon is one of the most spectacular natural sites in Turkmenistan, with cliffs in shades of red, pink, orange and white. The canyon was formed from the bed of an ancient sea that once covered this region millions of years ago. You will stop at several viewpoints to admire the dramatic landscape and take photographs. There will also be time for a walk along the edge of the canyon. In the late afternoon, you will watch the sunset, when the colours of the cliffs become even more vivid. This is one of the most beautiful moments of the journey. In the evening, your team will set up camp near the canyon and prepare dinner over a campfire. Overnight in tents under the stars.

Wake up early to watch the sunrise over Yangykala Canyon. After breakfast at the camp, you will drive to the Gozli Ata Mausoleum, an important pilgrimage site in western Turkmenistan. Gozli Ata was a Sufi teacher who lived in the 13th and 14th centuries, and his mausoleum attracts pilgrims from across the country.

Your guide will explain the customs and rituals associated with this sacred place. You will also see the old cemetery that surrounds the mausoleum, with many interesting gravestones. After the visit, you will continue your journey east toward Balkanabat, the administrative centre of the Balkan region. The town was founded in the 20th century as a centre of the oil and gas industry. Along the way, you will see the Balkan Mountains and wide desert plains. Lunch will be served at a local café or as a picnic. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Balkanabat and check into your hotel. After two days in the desert, you can enjoy a hot shower and a comfortable bed. Overnight in Balkanabat.

After breakfast, you will begin a full-day journey east to the remote mountain village of Nokhur. The route follows the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains, with views of the mountains to the south and the desert to the north. You will make several stops along the way to rest and take photographs.

In the afternoon, you will leave the main road and drive into the mountains on a winding road. The scenery becomes more dramatic as you climb, with rocky peaks, deep valleys and small villages. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Nokhur, one of the most traditional villages in Turkmenistan. The people of Nokhur have their own customs and way of life, which have been preserved for centuries. You will walk through the village and see the stone houses and the old cemetery with graves decorated with the horns of mountain goats. You will stay in a local guesthouse and enjoy the warm hospitality of your hosts. Dinner will be served with home-cooked dishes. Overnight in a guesthouse in Nokhur.

After breakfast with your hosts, you will leave Nokhur and drive to the Kow-Ata underground lake. The lake is located inside a large cave, and you will reach it by walking down a long staircase. The water is warm and rich in minerals, and you can enjoy a relaxing swim.

After the visit, you will continue to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. On arrival, you will begin a sightseeing tour of the city, known as the "white marble city". You will visit Independence Park and the Arch of Neutrality, two of the city's most famous landmarks. You will also see the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and other impressive buildings along the city's wide avenues. Your guide will tell you about the history of Ashgabat and its development into a modern capital. In the evening, you will check into your hotel and enjoy dinner. After several days in remote areas, the city offers a striking contrast. Overnight at your hotel in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, you will have some free time in Ashgabat before beginning your journey 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. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater, known as the "Gates of Hell". This huge burning crater has been on fire since the 1970s and is one of the most unusual sights in the world. You will have time to walk around the crater and watch the sunset over the desert. As darkness falls, the flames become even more dramatic, creating an unforgettable evening spectacle. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner at the camp. The quiet of the desert and the starry sky make this a magical experience. Overnight in a yurt near the crater.

After breakfast at the camp, you will begin a long drive north through the desert to Kunya Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kunya Urgench was once the capital of Khorezm and one of the most important cities of the Islamic world. Its surviving monuments are among the finest examples of medieval architecture in Central Asia.

You will visit the Gutlug Timur Minaret, which stands around 60 metres high. Next, you will see the Mausoleum of Turabek Khanum, famous for its beautiful mosaic dome. You will also visit the Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh and the Mausoleum of Najmeddin Kubra, an important Sufi teacher. Your guide will tell you about the history of these monuments and the traditions of the pilgrims who visit them. After the visits, you will continue to the city of Dashoguz. On arrival, you will check into your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the end of your expedition. Overnight at your hotel in Dashoguz.

Today your expedition across Turkmenistan comes to an end. After breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and prepare for your onward journey. Your guide and driver will meet you in the hotel lobby at the agreed time.

You will then be transferred to the Dashoguz border crossing with Uzbekistan. The drive is short, and you will arrive at the border in good time. Your guide will assist you with the departure formalities. During this expedition, you have travelled from the shores of the Caspian Sea to the northern border of the country. You have explored the colourful Yangykala Canyon, the mountain village of Nokhur, the burning crater of Darvaza and the ancient city of Kunya Urgench. We hope you have enjoyed this unforgettable journey through Turkmenistan. Thank you for travelling with us. We wish you a pleasant onward journey to Uzbekistan.