Turkmenistan Explorer Tour

Welcome to Turkmenistan and the start of your Explorer 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 exploring the capital's landmarks. 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, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and the Kopetdag Mountains. You will then visit the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque in Gypjak, one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. The mosque has a golden dome and four tall minarets and can hold thousands of worshippers. Your guide will tell you about the history of Ashgabat and its transformation into a modern capital after the 1948 earthquake. You will also receive a briefing on the ten-day journey ahead, which will take you from the Caspian Sea to the mountains of Koytendag. 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 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 more than two thousand years.

You will visit the ancient fortresses of Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala, which date back to the 6th century BC. Next, you will see Sultan Kala, the capital of the Seljuk Empire, and the impressive Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar. You will also visit the Kyz Kala mansions, with their distinctive ribbed walls, and the mausoleums of companions of the Prophet Muhammad. 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 return to Mary airport for a flight back to Ashgabat. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Turkmenbashy on the Caspian Sea coast. On arrival, you will drive by 4WD vehicle toward Yangykala Canyon, one of the most spectacular natural sites in Turkmenistan. The route passes through desert landscapes and offers views of the Balkan Mountains.

The canyon's cliffs, in shades of red, pink, orange and white, were formed from the bed of an ancient sea. You will stop at several viewpoints to admire the colourful rock formations and take photographs. There will also be time for a walk along the edge of the canyon. Next, you will visit 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. In the evening, enjoy dinner at camp. Overnight in tents or a guesthouse near Gozli Ata.

After breakfast, you will leave Gozli Ata and travel east through the mountains of western Turkmenistan. The route passes through rugged landscapes, with rocky peaks, deep valleys and small villages. Along the way, you will visit several sacred shrines that are important places of pilgrimage for local people.

Your guide will tell you about the legends connected with these shrines and the traditions of the pilgrims who visit them. One of the highlights of the day is the Parau Bibi Mausoleum, built high on a mountain slope. According to legend, a holy woman named Parau Bibi took refuge here, and the mountain opened to protect her from her enemies. Today, women come here to pray for health and the blessing of children. The view from the mausoleum over the surrounding plains is spectacular. Lunch will be served at a local café or as a picnic. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in the town of Serdar, also known as Gyzylarbat. Overnight at your hotel in Serdar.

After breakfast, you will leave Serdar and drive toward the area known as the Lunar Mountains. Here, eroded hills and unusual rock formations create a landscape that looks like the surface of the moon. You will stop for photographs and short walks to enjoy the unique scenery.

The journey continues south-west toward the ancient region of Dekhistan, near the border with Iran. Dekhistan was once an important stop on the Silk Road and flourished between the 10th and 15th centuries. You will explore the ruins of the medieval city of Misrian, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in western Turkmenistan. The remains of two tall minarets and the portal of a great mosque still stand above the plain. Your guide will explain how an advanced irrigation system once allowed a thriving city to grow here in the middle of the desert. The silence and remoteness of the site create a truly atmospheric experience. In the evening, enjoy dinner at your accommodation. Overnight near Dekhistan.

After breakfast, you will leave Dekhistan and drive north-east through the Sumbar Valley. This fertile green valley is known for its orchards, pomegranates, figs and walnut trees. The valley has a unique microclimate, which allows subtropical plants to grow among the dry mountains.

You will make several stops along the way to visit historic mausoleums and enjoy the scenery. Your guide will tell you about the history and traditions of the people who live in the valley. You may have the opportunity to visit a local family and taste fresh fruit from their orchard. The journey continues through the Kopetdag Mountains, with beautiful views of rocky peaks and deep valleys. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in the traditional mountain village of Nokhur. The people of Nokhur have their own customs and way of life, which have been preserved for centuries. You will stay in a local guesthouse and enjoy the warm hospitality of your hosts. Overnight in Nokhur.

After breakfast, you will walk through Nokhur and see its stone houses and the old cemetery, where graves are decorated with the horns of mountain goats. You will then leave the village and drive to the Kow-Ata underground lake. The lake is located inside a large cave, and you can swim in its warm, mineral-rich water.

After the visit, you will continue to Geok-Tepe, the site of a famous battle in 1881 between the Turkmen tribes and the Russian army. Here you will see the remains of the fortress and visit the Saparmurat Hajji Mosque, built as a memorial to the defenders. Your guide will tell you about the history of the battle and its importance to the Turkmen people. In the afternoon, you will visit an Akhal-Teke horse farm, home to the famous golden horses of Turkmenistan. You will learn about the history of the breed and see the horses up close. In the evening, you will continue to Ashgabat and check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight 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. On arrival, you will be met by your local guide and driver. You will then drive south to the Koytendag Nature Reserve, located in the far east of Turkmenistan near the border with Uzbekistan.

The Koytendag Mountains are the highest mountains in Turkmenistan, and the highest peak, Ayrybaba, reaches more than 3,100 metres. The reserve is known for its beautiful landscapes, rare plants and animals and unique geological features. Along the way, you will see farmland, villages and the mountains rising on the horizon. You may stop to visit the Kaynar Baba spring, a sacred site where water bubbles up from the ground. Your guide will tell you about the history and legends of the region. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at your guesthouse in the Koytendag area. You will enjoy dinner with your hosts. Overnight in a guesthouse in Koytendag.

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

Your guide will explain how these footprints were formed and what they tell us about the dinosaurs that lived here. Next, you will visit the Umbardere Gorge, a narrow canyon with steep cliffs and a beautiful waterfall. The walk through the gorge follows a mountain stream and passes through lush vegetation. In the afternoon, you will visit Kyrkgyz Canyon, whose name means "Forty Girls", connected with a local legend. The canyon is known for its dramatic cliffs and peaceful atmosphere. The reserve is also home to rare animals such as wild sheep and mountain goats, as well as 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 Koytendag.

After breakfast, you will drive back to Kerki and take a return flight to Ashgabat. On arrival, you will have some time for shopping before your departure. You will visit the Russian Bazaar, one of the oldest and most popular markets in the city.

Here you can buy fresh fruit, spices, dried fruits, nuts and local sweets, as well as souvenirs to take home. Next, you will visit the Berkarar shopping and entertainment centre, a modern mall where you can find clothing, jewellery and local products. Your guide will help you find the best places to buy souvenirs. In the afternoon, you will have some time to relax, 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. During this tour, you have explored the canyons of the west, the ancient city of Merv and the remote mountains of Koytendag. We hope you have enjoyed this journey of discovery through Turkmenistan. Thank you for travelling with us.