8-Day Craft Tour in Turkmenistan

Welcome to Turkmenistan and the start of your Craft Tour! 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 city tour of Ashgabat. The capital is famous for its white marble landmarks, golden domes and grand monuments.

You will visit Independence Park, home to the Independence Monument and statues of national heroes. Next, you will see the Arch of Neutrality and other impressive buildings along the city's wide avenues. As you explore the city, you will notice that traditional Turkmen patterns appear on many buildings and monuments. These patterns, inspired by carpet designs, show the importance of crafts in Turkmen culture. Your guide will tell you about the history of the city and the role of traditional crafts in the life of the Turkmen people. You will also receive an introduction to the program of workshops and masterclasses ahead. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring traditional Turkmen dishes. Overnight at your hotel in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, you will visit the National Carpet Museum, the best place to learn about the most famous Turkmen craft. The museum houses a remarkable collection of carpets, some of which are hundreds of years old. You will learn about the traditional patterns, called göls, which are unique to each Turkmen tribe.

You will also see one of the largest hand-woven carpets in the world, which is displayed in the museum. Your guide will explain the techniques used to make carpets, from preparing the wool and dyes to the knotting process. You may also see weavers working on looms and demonstrating their skills. In the afternoon, you will visit the Tolkuchka Bazaar, officially known as the Altyn Asyr Bazaar, one of the largest markets in Central Asia. Here you can find carpets, textiles, jewellery, embroidered clothes and other handicrafts. The bazaar is a great place to see the work of local artisans and buy souvenirs. Your guide will help you understand the quality and value of the items. In the evening, return to your hotel for dinner. Overnight in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, you will drive into the Kopetdag Mountains to the traditional village of Nokhur. The village is known for its unique customs and traditions, as well as its skilled craftswomen. Today you will take part in masterclasses in felt-making and embroidery, two of the most important traditional crafts of Turkmenistan.

During the felt-making masterclass, you will learn how sheep's wool is prepared, laid out in patterns and pressed into felt. Felt has been used by Turkmen nomads for centuries to make carpets, yurt covers, clothing and other household items. Next, you will join an embroidery masterclass, where local women will show you the traditional stitches and patterns. Turkmen embroidery is famous for its bright colours and intricate designs, which are often used to decorate clothing and headwear. You will have the opportunity to create your own small piece to take home as a souvenir. Lunch will be served at a local home, where you can enjoy home-cooked dishes. In the afternoon, you will return to Ashgabat. Overnight at your hotel.

After breakfast, you will leave Ashgabat and travel east to Mary, the gateway to the ancient Silk Road city of Merv. On arrival, you will visit the Mary History Museum, which displays a rich collection of artefacts from Merv, Gonur Depe and other archaeological sites in the region. You will see pottery, jewellery, textiles and other objects that show the skills of the craftsmen who lived here thousands of years ago.

Your guide will explain how many of the traditional crafts of Turkmenistan have their roots in these ancient civilisations. You will then explore the city of Mary and its local bazaar. The bazaar is a great place to see local products and handicrafts. You may find traditional hats, embroidered clothing and handmade jewellery. Your guide will tell you about the history of Mary and its role as a gateway on the Silk Road. In the evening, you will check into your hotel and enjoy dinner. The rest of the evening is free to relax. 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. You will visit the fortresses of Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala, the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar and the Kyz Kala mansions. Your guide will tell you about the history of Merv and its role as a centre of trade, science and crafts.

Merv was famous for its silk, textiles and ceramics, which were traded along the Silk Road. In the afternoon, you will visit a local village to see traditional craft demonstrations. You may see carpet weaving, pottery, jewellery making or other crafts, depending on the village. The artisans will show you their techniques and tell you about how their skills have been passed down through generations. You will have the opportunity to try some of the crafts yourself. This is a great chance to meet local people and learn about their way of life. In the evening, you will return to Mary. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

After breakfast, you will travel north into the Karakum Desert. Along the way, you will visit nomadic settlements, where families still live by herding camels and sheep. You will learn about the crafts of the desert, such as making felt, weaving and preparing camel and sheep wool.

The women of the desert settlements are skilled in making textiles and household items using traditional methods. You may see how they spin wool, weave on small looms or make ropes and bags. Your guide will tell you about the importance of these crafts in the daily life of nomadic families. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at the Darvaza Gas 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 a campfire dinner near the crater. The quiet of the desert and the starry sky make this a magical experience. Overnight in a yurt or tent near the crater.

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 visit the Gulustan Bazaar, also known as the Russian Bazaar.

This lively market is one of the oldest in the city and is a great place to experience local food. You will taste a variety of local products, such as fresh bread, dried fruits, nuts and sweets. Your guide will introduce you to traditional Turkmen dishes and explain how they are prepared. You may also visit a local café or restaurant to try dishes such as plov, manty or dograma. In the afternoon, you will have free time to buy souvenirs or relax at your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the end of your craft tour. This is a good opportunity to share your experiences and show the crafts you have made. Overnight at your hotel in Ashgabat.

Today your Craft Tour in Turkmenistan comes to an end. After breakfast at the hotel, you will have some free time depending on your flight schedule. You may wish to buy some last-minute souvenirs 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 departure flight. If you have bought carpets or handicrafts, please keep your receipts and certificates ready for customs. During this tour, you have learned about traditional crafts such as carpet weaving, felt-making and embroidery. You have also met local artisans and explored the ancient city of Merv and the burning crater of Darvaza. We hope you will take home not only beautiful souvenirs but also wonderful memories. Thank you for travelling with us.