Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport. You will be met by our representatives and transferred to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Ashgabat.

Breakfast at the hotel. Afternoon, you will have 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. You will see the Wedding Palace, the Ferris Wheel, the Constitution Monument, the Arch of Neutrality, the Monument and Park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazi Mosque, and Ashgabat Olympic Stadium. Overnight at the hotel in Ashgabat.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Mary 350km. On the way, visit the ruins of the Seyitjemalledin Mosque in Anau, built in 1456 by order of Abu-ibn-Kasim Baber Bahadurkhan. It was funded by his vizier near the grave of his father, Sheikh Jemaleddin. The mosque had a square hall with a dome. Over time, it was damaged by land subsidence and was destroyed in the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake. Now, only the lower parts of the portal and some fragments of the walls are extant. Arrive at Mary’s. Then you will see all major buildings of Mary city in the downtown, like the Regional Library with Observatory, the Central Theatre, Monuments to commemorate Turkmen poet and educator Mollanepes, Kemin, Makhtumkuli, Regional Mosque. Also visit Mary Bazaar to see a variety of local products, and the Russian Orthodox church (one of the oldest in Turkmenistan). Overnight at the hotel in Mary.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Merv to explore Ancient Merv – “Queen of the world”, was one of the most important capitals of Islam along with Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. Sightseeing of ancient Merv includes Greater Kyz Gala & Lesser Kyz Gala (VI-VII), Complex of Askhabs (VIII-XIV), Erk Gala (VI BC), Gyaur Gala (IV BC), Hoja Yusup Hamadani complex, Sultan Sanjar mausoleum, Muhamed Ibn Zeid mausoleum.

After that, we’ll head to the ‘Ancient Turkmen Hearth’ Tourist Zone, where you’ll be warmly welcomed with local treats and drinks. You can visit the museum, take photos with the national animals such as the Alabai, Camel, Ahal-Teke Horse, and goats, and have the opportunity to observe the national art of handicrafts. Drive back to Ashgabat. Overnight at the hotel in Ashgabat.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to visit the Carpet Museum, one of the best in Central Asia, featuring designs from the Tekke, Yamud, Sarik and Chodor tribes. The Turkmen Carpet Museum is one of the cultural centres of Turkmenistan, where about 2000 carpet exhibits, including rare ones, are exhibited. For example, the museum has the smallest carpet to wear keys, as well as the world’s largest hand carpet with a total area of 301 m², which was woven in 2001, and in 2003 it was added to the Guinness Book of Records.

Take an afternoon drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater (276km, 4h), one of the most popular international tourist destinations. The region is abundant in natural gas and the Darvaza Gas Crater has been burning for over 50 years, making it shine like a pearl amid the Karakum desert. Apart from the Darvaza Gas Crater, you will also have the opportunity to witness water and mud craters. One of this trip’s most captivating and intriguing aspects is the fresh desert air and the chance to experience the nomadic way of life firsthand. At night, while the light of the Gas Crater illuminates the sky, you will camp in the Turkmen national yurt or private tents and have a barbecue for dinner.

Picnic-style breakfast. Morning drive to Ashgabat (5h). Transfer to the hotel. Check in to the hotel.

After lunch, drive to visit the National Museum of History & Ethnography. The museum has a rich collection of ancient artefacts from Turkmenistan. More than 500,000 exhibits are displayed here. It has nine halls, each dedicated to a certain period or theme. The museum reveals the variety of Turkmenistan’s landscape, its flora and fauna, fossils, and rare geological finds.  After visiting the “Halk Hakydasy” Memorial Complex opened in Ashgabat in 2014 to honour victims of war and the 1948 earthquake. Located on a hill, it features monuments, a landscaped park, and the Watan Mukaddesligi Museum, inspired by the Turkmen flag. Exhibits use sound, light, and dioramas to depict the Battle of Gokdepe, World War II, and the earthquake. The complex symbolises the Turkmen people’s courage and helps educate future generations about their nation’s history. Then drive to visit Nissa fortress – the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings. UNESCO declared the fortress a World Heritage Site in 2007. Nissa is described as one of the first capitals of the Parthians. It was founded by Arsaces I (reigned c. 250 BC – 211BC) and is reputedly the royal necropolis of the Parthian Kings. However, it has neither been established that the fortress at Nissa was a royal residence nor a mausoleum. After visiting the Turkmenbashi Ruhi Mosque and Mausoleum, which was the largest mosque in Central Asia when it was built. Overnight at the hotel in Ashgabat.

Breakfast at the hotel. Our journey continues to the historic town of Gokdepe, passing through the newly built city of Arkadag — Turkmenistan’s first “smart city,” nestled at the foot of the majestic Kopetdag Mountains. Then visit Gokdepe Horse Stable to see a national pride of Turkmen people – Akhalteke horses, the nicest horses in the world. 5000 years ago, Turkmens began to breed Akhalteke horses. The World’s unique breed was never mixed with other breeds. Such illustrious Emperors like Alexander the Great and Darius I desired to own Ahalteke horses. Then visit Gokdepe fortress that was attacked in December 1880 by the Russian Empire Army and visit Geokdepe Mosque (Saparmyrat Hajy), which was built in 1995 to commemorate the defeat. You’ll then be welcomed by a local family called “Turkmen Hospitality,” offering a warm and authentic glimpse into Turkmen culture and traditions. You’ll try on traditional Turkmen clothing, watch and participate in carpet weaving and felt mat making using special wool, and learn to cook national dishes like dograma and ishlekli. You’ll also bake traditional bread and prepare the sweet treat pishme, a golden fried pastry served with tea. The experience ends with a shared lunch — a delicious meal that you helped prepare — enjoyed in true Turkmen style: with warmth, stories, and hospitality.  Last stop will be Gulistan Bazaar, which is one of the largest and oldest covered markets and a must-visit for any traveller to Ashgabat.  The ground floor of the bazaar is dedicated to fresh produce, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and dairy products. Stalls also sell spices, nuts, dried fruits, and other food items. The second floor of the bazaar is home to a variety of shops selling clothing and souvenirs. Overnight at the hotel in Ashgabat.

Lunch box breakfast. Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport. Farewell to tourists. Departure. End of the tour.