Page 21 - CENTRAL ASIA

Day 1 ASHGABAT
Welcome by our representative at the airport, transfer and check-in at the hotel.

Day 2 ASHGABAT
Discover the fortress of Nisa, one of the oldest cities of the Parthian Empire, a
great power from the middle of the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. Then,
visit the Turkmenbashy Ruhy mosque in Kipchak (the largest mosque in Central
Asia). Explore the city of Ashgabat, the white and green city with the Constitution
monument, the Independence monument and park...

Day 3 ASHGABAT - MARY
Road to Mary. On the way, visit Abiwerd, once a key link in the Great Silk Road
between Nisa and Merv. Discover Mary’s main buildings in the city center and stroll
through the town’s bazaar to discover a wide variety of local products, as well as
the Russian Orthodox Church (one of the oldest in Turkmenistan).
Day 4 MARY - MERV - ASHGABAT
Drive to Merv (“Queen of the World”), one of the most important capitals of Islam. Visit
the ancient Merv, including the Kyz Gala fortress and a number of mausoleums. After
the tour, discover the Mary History Museum. Transfer to the airport for a return flight
to Ashgabat.
Day 5 ASHGABAT - KARRYKALA - NOKHUR VILLAGE - BALKANABAT
Depart to Karrykala via the Syunt Hasardag nature reserve Route to the mountain
village of Nokhur. The Nohkuris who inhabit this village are very different from
other Turkmen tribes. Visit a large tree and one of the cemeteries, then return to
Balkanabat.
Day 6 BALKANABAT - YANGYKALA - TURKMENBASHI
Visit the Gozli-Ata pilgrimage site, then on to the Yangykala (“fortress of fire”) canyons,
one of Turkmenistan’s most picturesque natural sites. Overnight in Turkmenbashi.

Day 7 TURKMENBASHI - ASHGABAT - DARVAZA
Transfer for a flight to Ashgabat. Visit to the Carpet Museum, featuring designs by the
Tekke, Yamud, Sarik and Chodor tribes. Discovery of the Darvaza gas crater. The region
is rich in natural gas and the crater has been burning for over 50 years. Overnight
accommodation in a yurt or in private tents.

Day 8 DARVAZA - DASHOGUZ
Drive to Dashoguz and transfer to the hotel. Join a pottery class to learn the basics
of this ancient art from a master potter. Get Introduced to the different types of
clay and the tools used in their manufacture.

Day 9 DASHOGUZ - KONYE-URGENCH - DASHOGUZ - ASHGABAT
Drive to Konye-Urgench and visit: Caravansaray portal, Mamun minaret, II Arslan
mausoleum, Sultan Tekesh mausoleum... Transfer to Dashoguz airport for the flight
to Ashgabat.
Day 10 ASHGABAT - GOKDEPE - ASHGABAT
Explore the Gulistan Bazaar, one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets.
Route to the Gokdepe fortress, attacked in December 1880 by the army of the
Russian Empire. It features a mint-turquoise roof and white marble structure. Visit
a stable to see Akhalteke horses, the finest in the world.

Day 11 ASHGABAT - DEPART