Tour Ashgabat-Kou-Ata-Nokhur-Yangikala-Gozli-Ata-Turkmenbashi-Ashgabat-Darvaza-Kone-Urgench-Ashgabat-Mary-Merv-Ashgabat
for 8 days

The accompanying guide will meet you at Ashgabat International Airport. Today you will visit "Old Nisa" - the Sanctuary of the Parthian kings. Nisa existed for 600 years and was the capital of the Parthian Empire. She was the greatest enemy of the Roman Empire. It is currently a UNESCO site. The tour will continue with a visit to the “Jipdzhak” mosque and the Family Mausoleum of the first President of Turkmenistan. Overnight at the hotel.

In the first half of the day, you will visit the underground lake Kou-Ata, which is located 107 km from Ashgabat. Kou-Ata translates as "Father of Caves". The cave will enchant you with its magnificent beauty: the total length of the cave is 230 m, its height reaches 20 m, and its width, in some places, is 57 m. The bottom of the cave is covered with blocks of dissolved limestone (stalactites). The water in the cave is warm, transparent, and emerald-colored with a temperature of 33–37 °C (you can swim in the lake there). Then you will go to the village of Nohur. The village itself is located in a small depression in the mountains of the Kopetdag range, and the houses are built of local boulders cemented with mud. In addition to the main street, the other streets are very narrow, which makes it difficult for transport to move through them. The local inhabitants of Nohur are very different from other Turkmen tribes. Their villages are located in the mountainous border zone covering Turkmenistan and Iran. The population of Nohur is 1-2 thousand people. After that, you will go to Balkanabad.

After breakfast, we will visit one of the most beautiful natural places in Turkmenistan – the Yangikala Canyons, located 165 km north of Balkanabat and 160 km east of Turkmenbashi. The word "yangikala" means "fiery fortresses" in Turkmen. It got its name because of the sheer cliffs of white, yellow, ochre, purple, and red. The rocks resemble stone castles from science fiction movies. At sunset, you will get a fascinating panoramic view. During this period of the day, everything is painted a fiery red. Once, the depth of the canyons was equal to the depth of the ancient sea. You can take a walk in the natural sculpture park of compressed soil crumbling in your hands. That is why, despite the opportunity to climb the motley hills, it is impossible to hold on to the support. You will also visit Gozli Ata, one of the most remote places of pilgrimage to shrines in Turkmenistan. At the end of the tour, you will go to Turkmenbashi.

You will take the morning flight to Ashgabat at 10:30 or 11:30. The tour will continue to the Darvaza gas crater, visiting the village of Urban on the way. Locals call the gas crater "The Door to Hell." Darvaza ("Gate") is located near the border with the Dashoguz region. The settlement was once the site of a sulfur plant that closed in the 1960s. In Soviet times, there were gas searches here. This has led to the appearance of several large round craters, one of which is burning. The shape of the crater is round, about 60 meters in diameter. Another deep round hole, this somewhat smaller crater, is surrounded by a metal barrier. There is no fire here, but there is a strong smell of gas. Another crater is located about 18 km south of Darvaza, on the western side of the main road. There is no fire or particularly pungent smell in this crater. Instead, it is partially filled with water, through which the gas gently bubbles upwards.

After breakfast, go on an excursion to Kunya Urgench Kunya Urgench was an important node of the Silk Road on the Oxus River and the capital of the Khorezm Empire (12th century AD) before its destruction by the armies of Dzhengiskhan. It is included in the UNESCO heritage. You will be able to see several mausoleums, the remains of the city wall, the highest minaret in Central Asia and the Kyrk Mall pilgrim Mountain. They reflect the history of the city. Historical figures such as Biruni and Avicenna, Al-Farabi and Al-Khorezmi praised these places. You will also visit the mausoleums of Arslan II and Soltantekes, Necmeddin Kubra, Soltan Ali, Turabek Khanum (12th century), Kutlugtimur minaret, Mamun II. At the end of the tour, you will return to Ashgabat on an evening flight at 16:20/17:10 (flight time can be changed). Overnight at the hotel

Today you will have an excursion to the city of Mary. You will visit the Historical Museum. There is a large collection of Turkmen jewelers, carpets, stuffed animals, a fully decorated yurt, and ceramics from the time of the Mongol occupation. The archaeological section contains artifacts found in both Merv and Margush, including ceramics, weapons, household items, and jewelry. The excellent quality and design of household items from Margiana amaze and compete with the collection of the National Museum in Ashgabat. The skeleton of the Mariana priestess was once on display, although a series of deaths and misfortunes among the museum staff convinced them to return the original to where it was found.

Today you have planned an excursion with a visit to the glorious Ancient Merv. Ancient Merv is one of the largest archaeological sites in Central Asia and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For over 2,000 years, Merv played an important role in the development of the Great Silk Road. Within the archaeological park, which covers an area of 1200 hectares, we will have the opportunity to explore all the components of the "wandering city". The magnificent mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammad ibn Zeid from the XII century show off the exquisite Seljuk period brickwork and architectural decor.Then you will return to Ashgabat. Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to airport and flight.