Tour itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Ashgabat | City Introduction

Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport. Visa formalities are completed on arrival with assistance from your guide.

Transfer to the hotel and time to rest.

Begin exploration of Ashgabat, a city defined by its white marble architecture and wide avenues. Visit the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex and continue through the city’s main landmarks, including panoramic viewpoints and central monuments.

Visit the State Museum of History and Ethnography.

Welcome dinner.

Overnight in Ashgabat Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 2 — Ashgabat & Gökdepe | Cultural Heritage

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive to Gökdepe to visit an Akhal-Teke horse stud farm, where this historic breed can be observed up close.

Experience a traditional cooking session, including bread baking and local dishes.

On return, stop at the Spiritual Mosque of Turkmenbashi and mausoleum complex in Kipchak.

In the afternoon, visit the Carpet Museum, followed by a walk through the older part of Ashgabat, including local markets and Soviet-era landmarks.

Overnight in Ashgabat Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 3 — Ashgabat → Turkmenbashi → Yangykala → Balkanabat

Early morning transfer for a domestic flight to Turkmenbashi.

Upon arrival, brief introduction to the Caspian coastal area.

Continue to Yangykala Canyon, known for its striking limestone formations in shades of red, white, and pink. Explore viewpoints across both Yangykala and Yangysuw canyon areas.

Continue to Balkanabat.

Overnight in Balkanabat Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 — Balkanabat → Nokhur → Kow-Ata → Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive towards the Kopet Dag mountains to reach Nokhur village. Visit key cultural sites, including local shrines, the ancient plane tree, and the traditional cemetery.

Lunch with a local family.

Continue to Kow-Ata Underground Lake, where there is an opportunity to swim in warm mineral waters.

Return to Ashgabat.

Overnight in Ashgabat Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 5 — Ashgabat → Bokurdak → Darvaza (4x4 Desert)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Visit Old Nisa, located near the foothills of the Kopet Dag mountains.

Continue to Bokurdak village to experience local life and traditional crafts.

In the afternoon, travel north into the Karakum Desert by 4x4 vehicles.

Arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater in time for sunset. Dinner at camp.

Overnight in a traditional yurt camp. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 — Darvaza → Kunya Urgench → Dashoguz → Ashgabat

Breakfast in the desert.

Drive to Kunya Urgench, a UNESCO-listed site and former capital of the Khorezm Empire. Visit key monuments including mausoleums and the Kutlug Timur Minaret.

Continue to Dashoguz and take an evening domestic flight back to Ashgabat.

Overnight in Ashgabat Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 7 — Ashgabat → Mary → Ancient Merv → Ashgabat

Drive to Mary via the main highway.

Continue to Ancient Merv, one of the most important cities of the Silk Road. Explore key historical sites including Seljuk-era structures and earlier fortifications.

Lunch at a local guesthouse with a cultural performance.

Return flight to Ashgabat.

Overnight in Ashgabat Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 8 — Departure

Transfer to the airport for departure.

End of services.

Accommodation Options

• Sport Hotel 4★ (Ashgabat) – central location, functional comfort
• Archabil Hotel 4★ – modern rooms, panoramic views, reliable Wi-Fi
• Divan Hotel 5★ – premium option with central location and high service level
• Nebitchi Hotel 3★ (Balkanabat) – simple, well-located accommodation
• Darvaza Yurt Camp – traditional desert stay (basic facilities)