Itinerary

1. Day 1 - Ashgabat, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Darvaza Gas Crater -

   • Early in the morning arrival at Ashgabat airport meet your Turkmenistan guide.
   • Ashgabat to Darvaza Gas Crater, Turkmenistan Darvaza gas crater located in the middle of Karakum desert. 
   • Arrive at the crater. 
   • Enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater. 
   • Overnight in yurt camp. Meals: Dinner 

2. Day 2 - Darvaza Gas Crater

   • In the morning drive to Ashgabat. 
   • Start the day with Kov-Ata -underground lake, water in which all year round is 36 degrees. 
   • Drive back to Ashgabat. 
   • Then a sightseeing tour in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan that has recently been noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as having more white marble buildings than any other city in the world. 
   • During the city tour you will explore the Carpet Museum, National Museum of History, an archaeological site of Old Nisa included in UNESCO World Heritage list. 
   • Intense and interesting excursion also includes a stopover at the Akhalteke horse stables/complex. 
   • Visit Annau Seýit Jemaleddin Mosque on the way. 
   • Overnight at the hotel.

3. Day 3 - Turkmenistan to Merv

   • Visit monuments of Neutrality, Independence, AltynAsyr” Oriental Bazaar, Jygyldyk bazaar – one of the biggest bazaar in Central Asia, Gulistan Bazar, Monument for the Victims of the Earthquake of 1948, Monument of Lenin, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque. 
   • Arch of Neutrality, Park of Independency along the hundreds of fountains and statues with stops to visit Monuments of Independency and Ruhnama. 
   • Drive at 16:00 to Merv. 
   • Farewell dinner and overnight in the hotel. Meals: dinner

4. Day 4 - Merv and Mary

   • After breakfast at 7:00, drive to the ancient city of 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 Hazrat Yousuf Hamadani mausoleum, Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Gala, Keshk Fortress and others. 
   • You will observe many camels on the site. After lunch visiting museum and church in Mary.

5. Day 5 - Mary Margush to Ashgabat

   • Dedicate full morning for visit to the excavations of the ancient Margush country capital – Gonur, which consists of the Palace of the city, Fire and Water Temples, and the Royal Necropolis. 
   • Return to Mary, drive in late afternoon back to Ashgabat (370 km, 2.5 hrs). 
   • Transfer to the hotel upon arrival. 
   • Overnight at the hotel.

6. Day 6 - Ashgabat to Yangykala Canyon, Turkmenistan

   • Morning at 08:00 drive to Balkanabat. 
   • Have lunch between 13:00-14:30 and get food for dinner at the canyon. 
   • Departure for overnight trip to Yangikala Canyons. 
   • First 2 hours on tarmac, then followed by potholed tarmac and gravel tracks. 
   • Dinner and stay at pilgrim house Gozli Ata

7. Day 7 Gyzylarbat to Ashgabat Turkmenistan

   • Drive to Day trip to Nohur village in the Kopet Dag Mountains (visit tribal cemetery and pilgrim site; silk weaving homes), with visit of Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum and Gokdepe Mosque on the way. 
   • Arrival to Ashgabat. 
   • Overnight at the hotel

8. Day 8 Turkmenistan to Ashgabat International Airport

   • Free time until transfer to the airport. 
   • End of the tour.