Pearls of Turkmenistan

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During business hours reservation confirmation is carried out for 30 minutes

$1590.00

9 day(s)

from January to December

Tour countries:

Turkmenistan

Type of tour:

Historical, General

ASHGABAD - NISSA - MARY - BAYRAMALY - ASHGABAT

Day 1    Ashgabat

Meeting at Ashgabat airport and transfer to AkAltyn Hotel. Rest and free time. Overnight.

Day 2    Ashgabat

First half of the day will be spent sightseeing the major landmarks of Ashgabat - the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan. Ashgabat is a relatively young city, growing out of a village of the same name established by Russian officers in 1881 after the Battle of Geok Tepe. It is not far from the site of Nisa, the ancient capital of the Parthian Empire.

Within this tour you will visit Ten Years of Independence Park, Turkmenbashy Square with marble-faced Ruhyyet Palaceand
gold-domed Turkmenbashy Palace. The statue in front of Turkmenistan's Justice Ministry and Supreme Court building is an image of Niyazov's mother, Gurbansoltan Eje, holding the scales of justice in her right hand. You will be also taken to grandious Square of Revival (Galkynysh) - a new administrative, business and cultural center of Ashgabat. Have a stroll along Ylham (Inspiration) Park.

Day 3    Ashgabat - Nisa - Ashgabat

Breakfast. Explore famous Ashgabad Talkuchka Bazaar. The sight of withered men haggling for shaggy sheepskin hats, a braying camel suspended in midair by a crane or a sheep being driven away in a sidecar are a few of the oddities you can expect from the Tolkuchka Bazaar, one of Central Asia’s most spectacular sights.

After you will be taken for an excursion outside Ashgabat (15km west of capital) to visit Nissa fortress: the Parthian site of Old Nisa, known as Konye Nusay in Turkmen. Old Nisa has a striking geographical location, on top of a small hill on the southeast side of the village, offering splendid views towards the Kopet Dag Mountains to the south. On the way back pay a visit to The National Museum in Berzengi that contains the major treasures discovered from all over the country. The most interesting expositions are represented in archeology and ethnography departments. Overnight

Day 4    Ashgabat

Breakfast.  Visit the Carpet Museum, one of the best in Central Asia featuring designs from the Tekke, Yamud, Sarik and Chodor tribes. Sightseeing of modern Ashgabat: Arch of Neutrality, ArtogrulGazy Mosque (Blue Mosque of Turkmenistan), The Health Path which is a 36-kilometer long concrete walk path built in 2000 at the initiative of the first President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov in the foothills of Kopet Dagh to the south of Ashgabat. It is very popular among residents and guests of Ashgabat. The highest places of the Health Path offer a panoramic view of Ashgabat and its suburbs. Walking Tour within the Park of Independence and Ruhnama.

Day 5    Ashgabat - Kow Ata Lake - Geok Tepe - Ashgabad

Breakfast. You will be driven to Kow-Ata underground lake which is located 90 km from Ashgabat. The Turkmen name Kow-Ata means "father of caves". At first glance, this underground area appears like a magnificent auditorium: the overall length of the cave is 230 m, its height reaches 20 m, and its width is at some points 57 m. The bottom of the cave is covered with lumps of dissolved limestone (stalagmites), and its warm and gushing water is clear and emerald colored. The water has a constant temperature of 33-37°C.

On the way back visit the Geok Tepe fortress (Siege of Geoktepe) that was attacked in December 1880 by 6,000 Russians under General Mikhail Skobelev against 25,000 defenders. The siege of Geok Tepe lasted twenty-three days, after which the city was taken by storm. Around 15,000 Turkmen soldiers and civilians were killed in the fight. Russian casualties were only 398 killed and 669 wounded. Geok Tepe (Gokdepe Mosque) was built to commemorate the defeat and is noted for its mint-turquoise blue coloured roof and white marble structure.

After that the group will be driven to the Gokdepe horse farm. There you will see what become the symbol and direct association with Turkmenistan - its famous Akhal-teke horses. You will get a chance to ride this marvellous horse, watch some performance with horses, and see some skilful horsemen tricks. 

Continue drive to Ashgabat and make stopover to visit one of the largest Mosques (Saparmyrat Hajy Mosque) in the Central Asia. Overnight.   

Day 6    Ashgabat - Mary

Early morning flight to Mary. Accommodation at Margush. The city is an oasis in the Karakum Desert, located on the Murghab river. Mary is known for its Regional Museum. The city lies near the remains of the ancient city of Merv, which in corrupted form gives its name to the modern town. Short walking tour within the central part of Mary: The Central Theatre, The Convention & Conference Center "Ruhiyet Koshgi", Park & Monument of Mollanepes - the National Classic Poet. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Margush Hotel.

Day 7    Mary - Bayramaly - Merv - Mary

Morning drive to Bayramaly 30km to explore the ancient city of Merv. Merv was an oasis city and a major stopover on the Silk Road. It is claimed that Merv was briefly the largest city in the world in the 12th century. Merv has a rich history, the city was under Persian, Greek, Sassanian and arab rule and from the 11th century was the capital of the Seljuk Turks, who controlled an empire stretching from Afghanistan to Egypt. In the 13th century Merv was destroyed by the Mongols leaving only the ruins of these numerous civilizations. Pay a visit to The History Museum, Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum and Kys Kala, Oglan Gala (VI-VII), Complex of Askhabs (VIII-XIV), Gyaur Gala (IV BC), Buddist Complex (IV-VI), Beni Makhan Mosque - the first Mosque built in Central Asia. Enjoy your free time. Overnight at Margush Hotel.

Day 8    Mary - Ashgabad - Darwaza - Ashgabad

Flight to Ashgabad. Accommodation at AkAltyn Hotel. In the afternoon drive to Darwaza Gas Crater, dubbedby locals as "The Door to Hell". The Derweze area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 70 metres. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided the best solution was to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today.

En-route we cross Karakum desert, will make a stop at small nomad village and in the evening watch the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater. Return transfer to Ashgabad. Last night in Turkmenistan

Day 9    Departure

Transfer to the airport. End of tour

Tour schedule

Note:

All programs are calculated without AIR FARE FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS.
We have a right to change destination places of the program without inform in advance at any forms in case of unavailability reaching those destinations by case of force majeure &/or any acts of authorities, trying to replace them with other destinations with the same or close to the same interest & value.

Hotel accommodation:

*S/S means Single Supplement and is charged for those who want to have a single bed hotel room (1 room for 1 pax)

4*hotel

Note:
a) At Hotel Ak Altyn Wi-Fi internet is available at present at the lobby & rooms for 5USD per hour basis &  there is internet caf? in ~100 meters from the hotel from 09.00 till 18.00 open every day except Sundays for 6 TMM (2,5USD) per hour (prices & conditions are subject to be change)
b) At Hotels in Mary Wi-Fi Internet is not available. Internet is available only from nearby internet cafes or in the business centers of hotels for prices 5USD per hour basis (prices & conditions are subject to be change)

5*hotel

Note:
a) At Hotel Grand Turkmen Wi-Fi internet is not available at present. There is a business center at the hotel where the LAN internet is available for 5USD per hour basis &  there is internet caf? in ~300 meters from the hotel from 09.00 till 18.00 open every day for 6 TMM (2,5USD) per hour (prices & conditions are subject to be change)
b) At Hotels in Mary Wi-Fi Internet is not available. Internet is available only from nearby internet cafes or in the business centers of hotels for prices 5USD per hour basis (prices & conditions are subject to be change)