Tour Turkmenistan - the Heart of Asia
Cities:
Ashgabat - Mary - Ashgabat - Turkmenbashi - Yangikala - Ashgabat - Darvaza - Turkmenabad - Koiten - Ashgabat
Length:
10 days / 9 nights
Description:
Amazing Ashgabat - looks like it was built by magicians and genies from an old fairytale, decorated with white marble, is the epitome of the efforts of modern craftsmen and designers. A visit to the ruins of the ancient cities of Merv and Nissa, the coast of the Caspian Sea, the burning crater "Darvaz" and other interesting places will not leave indifferent even the most experienced traveler.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival to Ashgabat.
Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Rest in the hotel.
Ashgabat is the main city of Turkmenistan. The picturesque capital is located in the foothills of the Kopetdag, 25 km north of the border with Iran. A little bit more than 900 thousand people live in Ashgabat, which is 13.4% of all population of the country.
Day 2: Ashgabat
This morning we will see Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. Ashgabat is included in the Guinness Records Book, as the whitest marble city in the world. Residents of Ashgabat are proud of their city and love it very much.
Visit to the Monument of Independence of Turkmenistan, the Arch of Neutrality, memorial architectural ensemble "Earthquake". After lunch, drive to the ancient town of Nisa (18 km).
Next we will visit the Turkmenbashi Ruhi Mosque (15 km). The mosque is located in the native village of Saparmurat Niyazov Kipchak. The total area of the mosque is 18,000 square meters, the height of the mosque is 55 meters. Near by the mosque there are four 80-meter minarets. Return to Ashgabad, transfer to hotel.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 3: Ashgabat - Mary - Merv
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to the city Mary. Arrival to Mary. Transfer to the archaeological site of ancient Merv (40 km from the Mary).
The Merv oasis is one of the most ancient regions of Central Asia, which have mastered irrigation before all. Therefore, it is not surprising that one of the largest cities of the ancient world grew up here - Merv (Margush, Margiana, Maru).
After the sightseeing. Transfer to the Mary for the evening flight to Ashgabat.
Arrival to Ashgabat. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 4: Ashgabat - Turkmenbashi
Morning flight to Turkmenbashi, the Caspian Sea coast. Transfer to the hotel. Rest on the Caspian Sea.
Turkmenbashi is the largest port city of Turkmenistan, on the picturesque coast of the Caspian Sea. Until recently, it was called Krasnovodsk, and in 1993 it was renamed in honor of the first president of the state, Turkmenbashi Saparmurat Niyazov.
Day 5: Turkmenbashi - Yangikala - Turkmenbashi - Ashgabat
Morning transfer to Yangikala canyon, 100 km.
Initially, the canyons of Yangikala were the bottom of Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay. Then the sea water receded, and on the surface appeared hills and precipices like mountain plateaus. Constant winds and rains covered their slopes with deep folds and potholes, and in some places, as a result of natural erosion, strange earthy castles and towers were formed.
Return to Turkmenbashi. Transfer to the airport for departure evening flight to Ashgabat.
День 6: Ашхабад - Дарваза – Ашхабад
Утренний выезд в Дарваза. Дарваза буквально переводится как «ворота». Вся территория вокруг Дарваза богата природным газом. Местные жители и путешественники называют его «Дверью в преисподнюю», или «Вратами Ада». Находится в 90 км от аула Ербент. Диаметр кратера составляет приблизительно 60 метров, глубина — около 20 метров.
Возвращение в Ашхабад. Отдых в гостинице.
Day 6: Ashgabat - Darvaza - Ashgabat
Morning departure to Darvaza. Darvaza literally means "the gate." The whole area around Darvaza is rich in natural gas. Locals and travelers call it the "Door to Hell," or "Gates of Hell." The diameter of the crater is about 60 meters, depth - about 20 meters.
Return to Ashgabat.
Day 7: Ashgabat - Turkmenabad - Koiten
Morning flight to Turkmenabat. Arrival to Turkmenabad. Transfer to Koiten.
In Lebap velayat (region) on the very border with Uzbekistan in the area of the Kugitangtau ridge there is a series of natural reserves. One of them is Khodzhapilsky landscape-paleontological reserve, which includes a series of gorges with mountain streams and waterfalls, karst lakes, etc. The village of Koyten, in the area of which the picturesque lake of the same name and the ancient grove of oriental plane trees (Chinara) are located, is also territorially related.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 8: Koiten
Full day sightseeing tour in Koiten. Here is the deepest Kattaköl lake in the country, as well as the highest point of the country Ayrybaba, the deep canyons of Daraidere, the Kyrk gyz grotto, the beautiful Umbardere gorge with a waterfall, many kilometers of karst caves with underground “palaces” built by nature for millions of years using water. Among the sights of Koytendag there is a unique monument of inanimate nature - a rock with preserved fossilized traces of ancient dinosaurs.
Day 9: Koiten - Turkmenabad - Ashgabat
Morning transfer to Turkmenabad. On the way visit Astana Baba mausoleum.
Astana Baba Mausoleum is located 10 kilometers from the city of Atamurad, Lebap Region. This is a monument of medieval eastern architecture of the XI-XII centuries. In total, under the arches of the mausoleum there are five tombs that appeared in different years, and the mausoleum itself was not created at the same time, but gradually increased with new buildings. The latest addition is the Gyzlar-bibi hall, which is especially popular with pilgrim women, dating back to the 18th century.
Drive to Turkmenabad. Evening flight to Ashgabat. Arrival to Ashgabat. Transfer to the hotel. Rest in the hotel
Day 10: Ashgabat.
End of the Tour.
The tour includes:
- Meeting and seeing off at the airport
- Booking and accommodation in the hotels;
- Transport;
- Guides throughout the tour;
- Entrance fees to all attractions;
- Meals - full board;
- Water;
- Visa support (invitation, state registration);
The tour not includes:
- International flight;
- Medical insurance;
- Optional excursions outside the tour program;
- Tips for guides and drivers;
- Photo and video shooting;
- Turkmen visa fee (paid at the airport);
- Immigration fee 14 USD per person (paid at the airport).