Itinerary

1. Day 1: Ashgabat

   • Meet your local Ashgabat guide at the Ashgabat International Airport.

   • Complete border formalities followed by a transfer to the hotel.

   Overnight stay at the hotel.

2. Day 2: Whole Day in Ashgabat

   • Have breakfast at the hotel.

   • Then, at 9:30, set out on the Ashgabat city tour to:

     • Be amazed by the Arch of Neutrality.

     • Ramble in the Park of Independence.

     • Marvel at the Wedding Palace.

     • Hop on a Ferris wheel to enjoy the ride. 

   • After lunch, visit the Carpet Museum. Established in 1994, it has the largest collection of Turkmen carpets, ranging from the medieval through to the 21st century, including over 1000 carpets that originated in the 18th and 19th centuries.

   • Have dinner at the local restaurant.

   Overnight stay at the hotel.

3. Day 3: Ashgabat – Darvaza Gas Crater

   • During the first half of the day, visit the Museum of Fine Arts. You will be impressed by its massive collection of sculptures, paintings, graphics, carpets, tapestry, ceramic vessels and precious jewels made mainly by Turkmen, Russian and foreign artists.

   • After lunch, drive through the Karakum Desert to 'Darvaza' Gas Crater.

   • Visit a small nomadic village on the way to the main attraction and immerse into the traditional lifestyle of Turkmen people. 

   • Explore the gas deposit.

   • Stay in a camp and feast on tasty catering; the perfect way to enjoy this highlight.

   • Observe the fantastic view of the crater at daylight and night, feel the heat, listen to the wind and the sound that this giant oven creates.

   • Savour a traditional dinner near the crater.

   Overnight in a tent under the starry sky.

4. Day 4: Darwaza – Ashgabat

   • After the picnic-style breakfast, return to Ashgabat through the Karakum Desert. The trip takes about 3-5 hours.

   • Transfer to the hotel.

   • Have lunch at the local restaurant.

   • Drive to Ertogrul Gazi Mosque and Turkmenbashy Ruhi mosque, the biggest mosque in Central Asia.

   • Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant

   Overnight stay at the hotel.

5. Day 5: Oriental Bazaar - Nisa

   • After breakfast at the hotel, visit Oriental bazaar 'Tolkuchka' - the biggest market place in Central Asia. One can find anything from camels and cars to antiques, carpets, and pottery!

   • Walk the booths to witness the impeccable beauty of Turkmen handmade clothes and silver hand-made jewellery, purchase souvenirs.

   • In the second half of the day, travel to the village of Bagir to visit the ruins of Old Nisa (UNESCO site).

   • Explore the remnants of one of the most important cities and the capital of the Parthian Empire, a major power between the III millennium BCE - III millennium CE.

   • Return to Ashgabat.

   Overnight stay at the hotel.

6. Day 6: Ashgabat - Mary

   • Have an early breakfast and proceed for an early morning drive to Mary city (350 km) to visit the highlights of Ancient Merv:

     • Gyz Gala and Oglan Gala

     • The complex of Askhabs

     • Gyaur Gala

     • Erk Gala

     • Soltan Gala

     • Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum

     • Ibn Zeid Mausoleum

   • Relish lunch at a local restaurant.

   • Drive back to Ashgabat.

   • Enjoy dinner in Ashgabat followed by a transfer to the international airport of Ashgabat.