9-Day Desert Tour Of Ashgabat, Ayrakly Oasis, & Darvaza Gas Crater
Highlights
Ashgabat, Darvaza
sightseeing, camping, Desert
Group Tour
9 Days
Easy
English, French, German, Russian
Languages
English, French, German, Russian
Description
Journey through the most impressive and picturesque part of Karakum desert on this 9-day tour. Discover the white marble city of Ashgabat with its towering monuments and informative museum. Explore the Ayrakly Oasis and glimpse into the nomadic life of the local people. Marvel at the Darvaza Gas Crater, whose flames have been lighting the sky for more than fifty years.
Itinerary
-
Day 1: Arrival in Ashgabat
- Transfer to the hotel and registration formalities.
- After breakfast at the hotel, we take it easy and start our first day with a late morning stroll through the city centre and a visit to the Nisa Fortress, which carries a great historical value of the Parthian period (residence of Parthian kings in the past).
- State Museum is the next place to visit. It’s exhibits and findings are really worth seeing and admiring.
- Observe row of newly built monuments and fountains at the outskirts of this marble city. The most fascinating monument is probably the Arch of Neutrality featuring a 12 m gold statue of Turkmenistan's President, Saparmurat Turkmenbashi.
- Return to the hotel.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
-
Day 2: Ashgabat – Ayrakly Oasis 220 km (7-8 hours drive)
- After we are all provided for the desert trip, we set off early in order to get the maximum pleasure of the daylight hours. Keep in mind that the trip to the Ayrakly Oasis is about 200 km and it can take from seven to eight hours to get to our destination.
- Our road leads via Yashlyk-town 45 km away from Ashgabat, famous for the local brewery producing beer “Berk”.
- Then starts the desert with its pure endless mountains of sands and inimitable enjoy of beautiful scenery and picturesque views of wild nature.
- After a long drive, we reach desert settlement to rest for recuperation.
Stay overnight in a nomadic yurt.
-
Day 3: Ayrakly Oasis
- Next morning, we go on a tour towards Central Karakum to explore remote places. Our time is spent climbing sand dunes and heading towards primitive, unspoiled territory.
- Being en route, the most important thing not to miss the desert sunset-the most beautiful phenomenon of nature that can be seen.
The most mesmerizing moment will come in the night when you lie in your sleeping bag. Look up to the desert sky - the stars are so clear and seem to be so near as you’ve never seen them before.
Stay overnight in tents.
-
Day 4: Explore the Ayrakly Oasis
- Full day of desert exploration.
- Quick stops on the way to greet local nomads will make you feel the hospitality of desert people, being treated with Turkmen bread with chal (naturally fermented camel's milk).
- Strolling around the village, one can witness the everyday worries of nomad people at touching moments like dromedary camel milking.
- Shortly before sundown, we set our camp at the breathtaking area near pools, which are numerous in this area, formed as a result of an overflow of the Tejen River. Plenty of water attracts inhabitants of wildlife (boars, swans, gazelles, ducks and other kinds of migrant birds).
Stay overnight in tents.
-
Day 5 Drive back to Ashgabat
- After an early breakfast, we click some farewell photos of sunrise and drive back to Ashgabat.
Stay overnight in a hotel.
-
Day 6: Ashgabat - Akjakaya
- Our destination is 350 km away from Ashgabat. We pay a visit to the deepest point in Turkmenistan – Akjakaya Hollow, which is 81 meters below sea level.
Stay overnight in tents.
-
Day 7: Akjakaya - Darvaza (100 km)
- After desert breakfast, we launch our trip towards the Darvaza. Not long before reaching the Darvaza, one can see the red spot in the sky. It is the reflection of the natural gas fire that burned for many years on the place where the derrick exploded and formed a big hole of 25m in diameter.
Set a camp near the crater. Stay overnight in tents.
-
Day 8: Darvaza - Ashgabat
- Today is our last day of trip. After an early desert breakfast and farewell pictures of the area, we depart to Ashgabat.
-
Day 9: Departure
- Early morning transfer from Ashgabat.
What's Included
What's Excluded
Know Before You Go
What To Bring
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
-
For cancellations within 24 hours before the tour -
Refund of 50% of the tour price.
Price
Adult | |
---|---|
1 to 3 | /person |
4 to 5 | /person |
Child | |
1 to 3 | /person |
4 to 5 | /person |
This is a group tour |