5 Day Turkmenistan Tour: Ashgabat & Darvaza

Ashgabat arrival - Ashgabat - Mary - Ashgabat - Ashgabat city tour - Darvaza Gas Crater - Darvaza - Kunya-Urgench - Dashoguz - Ashgabat |

April – October | days: 5| nights: 4

Independence Monument

Ashgabat

Darvaza crater

Minaret of Mamun

Najm al-Din Kubra Mausoleum

Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh

Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar

Archaeological site of Old Nisa

Discover the history, culture and landscapes of Turkmenistan on this 5-day, 4-night tour. Explore Ashgabat, the country’s striking marble-clad capital, and visit the UNESCO-listed ancient site of Old Nisa. Journey into the Karakum Desert to experience the legendary Darvaza Gas Crater, known as the “Door to Hell.” Discover historic monuments, mausoleums and fascinating sites along the ancient Silk Road. This tour offers an unforgettable introduction to one of Central Asia’s most unique and intriguing destinations.

Excursion

Ashgabat arrival

Arrival in Ashgabat.

Your driver will meet you holding a sign 'YOUR NAME'. Transfer to the hotel.

Meeting with a company representative who will provide a tour package, and you will have the opportunity to discuss the details of the program.

Resting time.

Overnight.

Ashgabat – Mary – Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Mary (350 km, 4 hrs). En route visit the 15th-century ruins of Seyitjemalledin Mosque (Anau) and the ancient Silk Road trading post of Abiward.
In the afternoon exploration of Ancient Merv, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site that was a major center of international trade and crafts located on the Silk Road. Visit to Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Kyz Kala, Erk Kala, Gyaur Kala, and the Askhabs and Hamadani complexes.
In the evening transfer to Mary Airport for flight to Ashgabat. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Ashgabat city tour – Darvaza Gas Crater

Breakfast in the hotel.

Meet with your guide & driver at the hotel's lobby and start the excursion in Ashgabat:

- Ertogrul Gazy Mosque,

- Independence Park with Monument of Independence (it's a 118 m column that is considered the highest building in the country),

- Neutrality Arch - a unique composition that rotates slowly after the sun.

Visiting the National Museum, where you can see more than 166 unique expositions from Ancient Merv and Nisa.

A trip to ancient Nisa (18km from Ashgabat), which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the ancient city (the date of foundation of the I millennium BC - I millennium BC).

Return to Ashgabat. Visit en route the Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum. It's considered the biggest in Central Asia (10 thousand people). There're beautiful gardens and fountains near the mosque.

15:00 Drive to the famous 'Gates of Hell' a.k.a. Darvaza Gas Crater.

19:00 Arrival at Darvaza. Setting up the tent camp.

20:00 Spectating Darvaza in the upcoming evening shades. Photo-taking time.

21:00 Late BBQ party at Darvaza, enjoying Turkmen shashlik.

Overnight in the yurt camp.

Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench – Dashoguz

In the morning depart Gas crater and drive to Kunya-Urgench. Visit mausoleums of Turabek-Khanym, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmuddin-Kubra, Sultan Ali. Discover the Kutlug Timur Minaret and Kyrk Molla Hill. Transfer to the airport for evening flight to Ashgabat (ETD 2010h, ETA 2100h). Upon arrival in Ashgabat transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport.

Transfer to the airport for a morning/midday departure flight.

End of the tour.

Included

Accommodation in standard double rooms in hotels;
Accommodation based on shared yurt in Darwaza camp (incl. sleeping mat, sleeping bag and pillow)
Transport: all transfers according to the program including meeting and seeing off from the airport: comfortable tourist class transport with air conditioning from a passenger car to a minibus/bus;
Meals: dinner and breakfast in the yurt-tent camp Darvaza (fixed menu, alcohol excluding);
All entrance tickets to historical sites indicated in the program;

Not included

*
Air tickets for international flights;
*
Turkmenistan: Tourist fee 2 USD per person per night (obligatory) charged in the hotels;
*
VAT, Personal/medical insurance, personal expenses and any other services not listed under "Included";
*
Extra spendings on souvenirs, meals, etc;

Accommodation:

Ashgabat
Ak Altyn

Book it

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Notes

- Check-in 14.00, check-out time 11.00. No early check-in/ late check-out is included unless indicated;

- Please note that the tour price does not include seasonal VAT 15 %, VAT can be added to the basic tour price.

- Please note that the drivers do not speak English or can speak only basic English;

- All the changes in the basic itinerary, the timing for transfers depending on the international flight departure/arrival time are to be discussed and pre-agreed;

- Please note that the train trip/s can be replaced for transfer/s by car depending on train tickets availability and trains schedule;

- After the date of publication, any changes in the hotels, air/train ticket prices, tax increase, and exchange rate fluctuation may influence the tour prices;

- Anur Tour is not responsible for the force majeure occasions (weather conditions during the tour, repairing-reconstructing works at some parts of roads, government restrictions).