Caravans of the Train Silk Road: Turkmenistan

Welcome to Turkmenistan and the start of your Silk Road train journey! 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 tour of the capital's major landmarks. Ashgabat is famous for its white marble buildings, 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, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city. You will also visit the State Museum, where you can learn about the history of Turkmenistan from ancient times to the present day. The museum's collection includes artefacts from Nisa, Merv and other important sites along the Silk Road. Your guide will tell you about the history of Ashgabat and the role of the railway in the development of the country. The Trans-Caspian Railway, built in the late 19th century, connected the Caspian Sea with the cities of Central Asia. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight at your hotel in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, you will drive to 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. From the top of the fortress walls, you can enjoy views of the plains and the Kopetdag Mountains.

Next, you will visit the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque in Gypjak, one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. With its golden dome and four minarets, the mosque is an impressive example of modern Islamic architecture. After lunch, you will have some free time before heading to the railway station. In the afternoon or evening, you will board a train to Mary. The train journey follows the route of the historic Trans-Caspian Railway and passes through the Karakum Desert. You can relax, enjoy the views from the window and meet local passengers. On arrival in Mary, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. 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 more than two thousand years, under different empires and sultanates. This unique layout allows you to explore many periods of history in one place.

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. In the afternoon, you may visit the Mary History Museum to see artefacts from the region. In the evening, return to your hotel for dinner. Overnight in Mary.

After breakfast, you will drive into the desert to visit Gonur Depe, an important Bronze Age archaeological site. Gonur Depe was the centre of the ancient Margiana civilisation, which flourished around 2000 BC. You will explore the remains of a palace, temples, fire altars and a royal necropolis.

Your guide will explain the history of Margiana and the discoveries made by the archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi. Some researchers believe that Gonur Depe may be connected with the early development of Zoroastrianism. The site is located in a remote area, and its silence and isolation create a special atmosphere. After the visit, you will return to Mary and have lunch. In the afternoon, you will board a train to Turkmenabat, a city on the banks of the Amu Darya River. The journey passes through the eastern part of the Karakum Desert. On arrival in Turkmenabat, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Turkmenabat.

After breakfast, you will drive from Turkmenabat to the medieval caravanserai of Dayahatyn. The drive follows the Amu Darya River and passes through farmland and desert landscapes. Dayahatyn is one of the best-preserved caravanserais in Central Asia, dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries.

Caravanserais were roadside inns where merchants and their camels could rest during their long journeys along the Silk Road. You will explore the courtyard, rooms and walls of the caravanserai and see its beautiful brick decorations. Your guide will tell you about life on the Silk Road and the goods that were traded along this route. You will also learn about the importance of the Amu Darya River, known in ancient times as the Oxus. After the visit, you will return to Turkmenabat and have lunch. In the afternoon or evening, you will board a train back to Ashgabat. This overnight or long journey offers a chance to experience train travel in Turkmenistan. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, you will visit the National Carpet Museum, which houses a remarkable collection of Turkmen carpets. You will learn about the traditional patterns, called göls, which are unique to each Turkmen tribe. The museum also displays one of the largest hand-woven carpets in the world.

Next, you will visit the Akhal-Teke Horse Farm, home to the famous golden horses of Turkmenistan. These horses are known for their beauty, speed and endurance and are a symbol of national pride. You will learn about the history of the breed and see the horses up close. After lunch, you will have some free time before heading to the railway station. In the evening, you will board a train to Turkmenbashy on the Caspian Sea coast. The train follows the historic Trans-Caspian Railway, passing along the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains and through the desert. You can relax in your compartment and enjoy the views. Overnight on the train.

In the morning, you will arrive in Turkmenbashy, the main port city of Turkmenistan on the Caspian Sea. After meeting your local team and having breakfast, you will drive toward Yangykala Canyon. The route passes through the Balkan Mountains, with views of rugged peaks and desert plains.

In the afternoon, you will arrive at Yangykala Canyon, one of the most spectacular natural sites in Turkmenistan. The canyon's limestone 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 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. In the evening, your team will set up camp and prepare dinner. Far from city lights, the sky over the canyon is full of stars. Overnight camping 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, the resting place of a Sufi saint who lived in the 13th and 14th centuries. The mausoleum is an important pilgrimage site and attracts pilgrims from across the country.

Your guide will explain the customs and rituals associated with this sacred place. You will also visit the sacred cemetery that surrounds the mausoleum, with its many interesting gravestones. Pilgrims often walk around the mausoleum and tie pieces of cloth to the trees as a symbol of their wishes. After the visit, you will begin the return drive to Turkmenbashy. Along the way, you can stop to take photographs of the desert and mountain landscapes. Lunch will be served at a local café or as a picnic. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Turkmenbashy and check into your hotel. Overnight in Turkmenbashy.

After breakfast, you will explore the port city of Turkmenbashy, formerly known as Krasnovodsk. You will visit the local bazaar, where traders sell fresh fish, smoked sturgeon and other Caspian specialities. The bazaar is a great place to see daily life in the city and to taste local seafood.

Next, you will take a walk along the seafront and enjoy views of the Caspian Sea, the largest enclosed body of water in the world. You may also visit the local history museum, where you can learn about the history of the city and its role as a gateway between Central Asia and the Caucasus. Your guide will tell you about the construction of the Trans-Caspian Railway, which began here in the 19th century. If time allows, you may visit the nearby Avaza resort area. In the evening, you will board a train back to Ashgabat. The journey takes you along the historic railway route through the desert. Overnight on the train.

In the morning, you will arrive in Ashgabat. After breakfast, you will visit the Altyn Asyr Bazaar, also known as Tolkuchka, one of the largest markets in Central Asia. Here you can find carpets, textiles, jewellery, spices and household goods.

Next, you will drive to the village of Anau to visit the ruins of the Seyitjemaleddin Mosque. This 15th-century mosque was famous for the images of dragons on its portal and was destroyed by the earthquake of 1948. Your guide will tell you about the history of the mosque and its importance as a pilgrimage site. After lunch, you will have some free time before heading to the railway station. In the evening, you will board a train to Dashoguz in northern Turkmenistan. The train crosses the Karakum Desert from south to north. You can relax in your compartment and enjoy the journey. Overnight on the train.

In the morning, you will arrive in Dashoguz in northern Turkmenistan. After breakfast, you will drive to Kunya Urgench, the ancient capital of Khorezm and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kunya Urgench was one of the most important cities of the Islamic world until it was destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century.

You will visit the Gutlug Timur Minaret, which stands around 60 metres high and is one of the tallest minarets in the region. Next, you will see the Mausoleum of Turabek Khanum, famous for its beautiful mosaic dome. You will also visit the Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh, the Mausoleum of Il-Arslan and the Mausoleum of Najmeddin Kubra. Your guide will tell you about the history of these monuments and the archaeological features of the site. You will also learn about the traditions of the pilgrims who visit them. After the visits, you will return to Dashoguz. On arrival, you will check into your hotel. Overnight in Dashoguz.

After breakfast, you will drive south from Dashoguz deep into the Karakum Desert. The road crosses a vast landscape of sand dunes and desert shrubs, with stops along the way for photographs. Your guide will tell you about the plants and animals of the desert and how they have adapted to the harsh environment.

You will pass small villages where people still live by herding camels and sheep. 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 view. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner at the yurt 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 set off on a trek across the desert toward the village of Damla. The route crosses sand dunes and clay plains, offering a true sense of the vastness of the Karakum. Depending on the conditions, part of the journey may be made by 4x4 vehicle.

Along the way, you will stop to admire the landscape and look for signs of desert wildlife. In the afternoon, you will arrive at Damla, a traditional desert settlement where families still live by herding camels, sheep and goats. You will be welcomed by local families and learn about their way of life, which has changed little over the centuries. Your hosts may invite you to share tea and bread baked in a clay tamdyr oven. You may also see how they care for their animals and make felt and other household items. This is a rare opportunity to experience the hospitality of desert communities. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner with your hosts. Overnight in a yurt or guesthouse in Damla.

After breakfast with your hosts, you will say goodbye to the people of Damla and begin the return journey to Ashgabat. The route crosses the desert landscape, with stops along the way for photographs and rest. Your guide will tell you more about the desert and the people who live there.

On arrival in Ashgabat, you will have some time to rest and freshen up at a hotel. In the evening, you will enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, featuring traditional Turkmen dishes and music. This is a wonderful opportunity to share memories of your journey with your fellow travellers and guide. After dinner, you will 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 travelled across Turkmenistan by train, visiting ancient cities, canyons, the Caspian Sea and the desert. We hope you have enjoyed this unique journey along the Silk Road. Thank you for travelling with us.