Turkmenistan Highlights

Title of tour: Turkmenistan Highlights

Sites to visit: Ashgabat, Kow-Ata, Darwaza, Dashoguz, Kunya Urgench, Merv, Mary
 

Day 1: Ashgabat
Your guide will welcome you at the airport and transfer to city Ashgabat. Today you will have full day sightseeing of capital of Turkmenistan. The history of the city goes back to 1881. It lies on the slopes of Kopet Dag and only 25 km from Iran border. In translation from Persian language, Ashgabat means "eshg" - love and "abad" - populated area. The city tour will include Square of Lenin, Park of Independence, which has a white-marble "Eiffel Tower" in the middle, Arch of Neutrality. In the afternoon, the exciting excursion will wait for you in Museum of Ethnography and Museum of Fine Arts. You stay in a hotel.

Day 2: Ashgabat - Kow-Ata
Today tour will take you to magic Lake of Kow-Ata. It is about 107 km from the capital. From the Turkmen language, Kow-Ata translated as "Father of Caves". First, when you will see underground place, you will find yourself in a huge auditorium. The size is 230 meters in length, 20m in height and about 57 m in width. The ground of the cave is full of dissolved limestone. The water of lake is transparent and taking blue color. It also very warm, average 33-37 C. Nice to have a swim.

Day 3: Kow-Ata - Darwaza - Dashoguz
After breakfast, continue to famous gas grater Darwaza. After arrival, you will be surprised by the majesty and beauty of flames. It seems very scaring and as the same time magnificent. The evening light emphasize the greatness of the holes. Later transfer to Dashoguz and stay in a hotel.

Day 4: Dashoguz - Kunya Urgench - Ashgabat
Today is dedicated to explore historical sites of Turkmenistan. The first site will be Kunya Urgench, the old capital of Khorezm during X-XII centuries.  It represent architectural monuments like Mausoleum of Najm al-Din al-Kubra, TyurabekKhanum Il-Arslan and Tekesh Ibn Hadzhibey.  You will also see the tallest minaret in Central Asia-Kutlyg Timur. After exploring the site, transfer to the airport of Dashoguz. Have a flight to Ashgabat and check in to hotel.

Day 5: Ashgabat - Merv - Mary
In the morning, depart to Old Merv. It is located in the east of the country. The first place will be Abiverd fortress. This historical heritage has the same importance like other remarkable sites: Kunya-Urgench, Nissa, Merv, Dakhistan. It is found on the way from Ashgabat to Mary. Moreover, there are remains of old Seyit Jamal-ad-Din Mosque (15^th century). According to historical information, the Mohammed Khudaiot constructed it in 1456. Further, continue to Mevr. It was one of the most developed and flourished cities on the Silk Road in this area. Mevr had significant role in Islam World together with other cities like Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. In ancient time, it rapidly became the largest and important city. In Mevr you will visit Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Soltan Gala, Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum, Ibn Zeid Mausoleum. After excursion, drive to  Mary and stay in a hotel.

Day 6: Mary - Ashgabat - Nissa - Horse farm - Ashgabat
The morning flight will take you back to Ashgabat. Upon arrival, drive to Nissa Fortress. It is the Parthian Kings' Sanctuary and listed on the UNESCO heritage in 2007. Moreover, today you will have exciting excursion to Gokdepe region, where famous horse farms are. Here you will see graceful Turkmen horses-Akhal Teke. You will have demonstration of horse riders. Drive back to Ashgabat and check in to a hotel.

Day 7: Flight
In the morning, transfer to airport according to flight schedule.