Tour duration: 4 days / 3 nights
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrive from Khiva, crossing the checkpoint Shavot (Uzbekistan) - Dashoguz border (Turkmenistan) – Kunya Urgench – Darvaza (375 km)
You will met by your local English speaking guide-driver at Turkmen side in the morning and drive to Kunya Urgench, which was the capital of Khorezmshahs in the past (3-16th cc.), was included into the World Heritage Book of UNESCO. Sightseeing of the old city: Portal of Caravan Saray (11-14th cc.), Il Arslan Mausoleum (12th c.), Mausoleum of Khorezmshah Sultan Tekesh (13th c.), Horezm Academy (3-13th cc.), Mausoleum of Turabek Hanum, Minaret of Kutlug Timur (14th c.), one of the highest minarets in Central Asia, Najmeddin Kubra (13th c.) and Soltan Ali (15th c.) Mausoleums.
Then drive to Darvaza. Arrival and explore the flaming Gas Crater at sunset. Overnight stay in yurt at camp site.
Day 2: Darvaza – Ashgabat (260 km) - Nisa - Ruhy mosque
Drive to Ashgabat. Explore the gas craters on the way, first one with water and the other one with sulfur - mud. Make stop-over to visit Yerbent Nomadic village, where you can enjoy seeing the local life in the desert - Turkmen yurts, dromedaries, tamdyr (mud oven) and etc. Arrive & accommodation in Ak Altyn 3* hotel.
In the afternoon we will have a sightseeing tour of Ashgabat including visits to Park and Monument of Independence, Arch of Neutrality, a 95m- high monument with a revolving golden statue of the first President Turkmenbashy. Visiting of the "Alem” the largest Indoor Ferris wheel and the Memorial Complex. Continue tour to the historical and archaeological site “Ancient Nissa – the Residence of Parthian Kingdom” UNESCO site from 2007. Then visit Turkmenbashi Mosque and Mausoleum, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Ashgabat - Anau - Abiverd - Mary - Merv (370 km)
In the morning drive to Mary. Visit on the route Anau pilgrimage place (remains of Seyitjemaletdin mosque XV c.) and Abiverd historical site. Arrive in Mary.
Sightseeing to Ancient Merv known as Mary ShahuJahan-King of the World for about 300 years became the biggest city in Asia, inscribed into the monuments list of World Heritage Book, protected by the UNESCO.
Visiting of Gyz Gala & Oglan Gala (6-7th cc.), Complex of Askhabs (8-14th cc.), Giaur Gala (4th c. BC), Buddist Complex (4-6th cc.), Erk Gala (6th c. BC), Soltan Gala (11th c.), Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum (12th c.), Muhammed Ibn Zeid Mausoleum (12th c.), Hoja Yusup Hemedany mosque. After tour of Ancient Merv return to Mary (35 km). Overnight at Margush 3* hotel.
Day 4: Mary – Turkmenabat – Farap border (270 km) Turkmenistan / Uzbekistan
Drive to Turkmenabat. Proceed to Turkmen/Uzbek border Farab/Alat for departure to Bukhara. Farewell.
TOUR PRICE: 595 USD per person
Number of travelers: min. 2 max. 10
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
1. Letter of invitation (visa support) to Turkmenistan, entry travel pass and visa registration;
2. All accommodation in double or twin shared rooms including travel tax & breakfasts:
In Darvaza: private yurt - 1 night;
In Ashgabat: Ak Altyn 3* hotel - 1 night
In Mary: Merv or Margush 3* hotel - 1 night;
3. All transfers with A/C land transportation as per program;
4. Local English speaking guide services;
TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:
International flights, consular fees for Turkmenistan tourist visa (at the border 95 USD for most nationalities), migration card paid upon arrival - 14 USD, entrance, photo, video fees at sites (10 USD p.p. per site), meals not listed above (lunch and dinner - allow up to 15 $ per person per meal) & other services not mentioned above.
