Departure Dates: 19.03.26 / 02.04.26, 16.04.26, 23.04.26 / 07.05.26, 14.05.26, 28.05.26 / 04.06.26, 11.06.26 / 02.07.26 / 20.08.26, 27.08.26 / 10.09.26, 17.09.26, 24.09.26 / 01.10.26, 08.10.26, 15.10.26, 22.10.26, 29.10.26 / 05.11.26
Day 1: Farap – Mary
Meet your guide at the Turkmen/Uzbek border “Alat” at 9:00 AM. Transfer to Merv to meet the group. Alternatively, arrive at Ashgabat International Airport and transfer to Mary to meet the group.
Begin your exploration of ancient Merv, known as the “Queen of the World.” Discover one of the most important capitals of Islam, along with Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus.
Visit Greater Kyz Gala & Lesser Kyz Gala, the Complex of Askhabs, Erk Gala, Gyaur Gala, Hoja Yusup Hamadani complex, Sultan Sanjar mausoleum, and Muhamed Ibn Zeid mausoleum. After sightseeing, drive to Mary.
See all the major buildings of Mary city centre. If time permits, visit Mary Bazaar to see a variety of local products and the Russian Orthodox church (one of the oldest in Turkmenistan). Overnight in Mary.
Day 2: Mary – Ashgabat
After breakfast, drive to Ashgabat. Upon arrival, visit the Horse Stable to see the national pride of Turkmen people – Akhalteke horses, the nicest horses in the world.
Learn how 5000 years ago, Turkmens began to breed Akhalteke horses. The World’s unique breed was never mixed with other breeds. Discover how illustrious Emperors like Alexander the Great and Darius I desired to own Ahalteke horses.
In the afternoon, enjoy an Ashgabat city tour. In 2013, the Guinness Book of Records named Ashgabat a “white marbled city” – here you can see the largest number of structures in the world made out of white marble.
See the Wedding Palace, the modern “Yildyz” Hotel, the Ferris Wheel, the Constitution Monument, the Arch of Neutrality, the Monument and Park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazi Mosque, and Ashgabat Sports and Housing facilities. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 3: Ashgabat – Darvaza
After breakfast, enjoy free time until noon. Check out of the hotel and meet your guide for the drive to Darvaza Burning Gas Crater.
Learn how the Crater is also called “The Door to Hell”. Discover how the area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas.
Hear how the ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 60 m and 20 m. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today.
In the evening, watch the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater. Enjoy a BBQ dinner at the Gas Crater.
Day 4: Darvaza – Dashoguz – Shavat
Enjoy a picnic-style breakfast. After breakfast, drive to the Turkmen/Uzbek Shavat Border Checkpoint to cross into Uzbekistan. Alternatively, drive back to Ashgabat. Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport or to the hotel for an additional night.
