Turkmenistan Tour: From Desert to Coast – 10 Days – 9 Nights

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Ashgabat – arrival

Arrival in Ashgabat. Transfer to the hotel. Check in at noon.

Overnight Stay at the Hotel.

Day 2: Ashgabat – Nohur – Serdar

After breakfast drive to Nohur mountain village in the Kopet Dag Mountains (visit tribal cemetery and pilgrim site; silk weaving households, Kyz Bibi site and cemetery, waterfall, and Greet Tree). On the way stop to see Turkmenbashi Mosque Mausoleum and Goek Tepe Mosque. Continue drive to Serdar through Kopet Dag Mountains. Arrive in Serdar, check in to the hotel.

Overnight Stay at the Hotel.

Day 3: Serdar – Dekhistan – Balkanabat

Drive to Dekhistan and Mashat Ata via Karakala and Moon Mountains, and Sumbar River valleys. Arrive in Balkanabat. Overnight at the hotel.

Overnight Stay at the Hotel.

Day 4: Balkanabat – Turkmenbashi

Drive to Turkmenbashi at Caspian Sea via Mollagara salt lake. Arrival in Turkmenbashi, check in to the hotel. Free time.

Overnight Stay at the Hotels.

Day 5: Turkmenbashi – Ashgabat

In the morning sightseeing Turkmenbashi. Visit fish bazaar, Gate of Central Asia, Awaza beach area. After sightseeing transfer to airport. Take a flight to Ashgabat. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Overnight Stay at the Hotel.

Day 6: Ashgabat – Darvaza

After breakfast start sightseeing tour in Ashgabat – the capital of Turkmenistan which has experienced boom of “Marble Architecture”. Visit Central Square, Monument of Neutrality and newly built Independence Park with monuments of the first President of Turkmenistan. Continue sightseeing in Ashgabat. Explore archaeological site of Old Nisa (included in UNESCO World Heritage list) and Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia.
In the afternoon depart to Darvaza Gas Crater located in the middle of Karakum desert with visit of Kekirdek (270 km, 4 h.). Arrive at the crater, set up the camp. Enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater. Overnight in tents.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 7: Darvaza – Kunya Urgench – Dashoguz – Ashgabat

After camp style breakfast, drive to Kunya-Urgench (270 km, 4 hrs). Visit mausoleums of Turebek Khanym, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan II Arslan, Najmaddin-Kubra, Sultan Ali. Discover the Kutlug Timur Minaret and Kyrk Molla Hill. After sightseeing continue driving to Dashoguz airport (100 km, 1 h 30 min). Take an evening flight to Ashgabat, upon arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours

Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 8: Ashgabat – Mary

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take a morning flight to Mary (370 km, 40 min). Upon arrival drive to Merv (40 km, 30 min). Sightseeing Merv, an ancient city that was a major center of international trade and crafts located on the Silk Road. In the afternoon visit History museum of region. Discover historical park with Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Kala, Erk-Kala, Gyaur-Kala, Keshk Fortress, and others. Return to Mary.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 9: Mary – Margush – Mary – Ashgabat

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, Royal Necropolis. Return to Mary. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for flight to Ashgabat. Arrive in Ashgabat.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 10: Ashgabat – departure

Check out from the hotel till noon. Free time till transfer to the Airport. End of the tour.