Tour itinerary: Ashgabat – Dashoguz – Geokdepe – Kowata – Ashgabat
Season: 22-27 April 2021
Days: 6 | Nights: 6
Arrival in Ashgabat.
Your driver will meet you holding a sign 'YOUR NAME'. Transfer to the hotel.
Extra night in the hotel.
Meeting with a company representative who will provide a tour package, and you will have the opportunity to discuss the details of the program.
Meet with your guide & driver at the hotel's lobby and start excursion in Ashgabat:
- Ertogrul Gazy Mosque,
- Independence Park with Monument of Independence (it's a 118 m column that considers the highest building in the country),
- Neutrality Arch - a unique composition that rotates slowly after the sun.
Visiting National Museum, where you can see more than 166 unique expositions from Ancient Merv and Nisa.
A trip to ancient Nisa (18 km from Ashgabat) that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the ancient city (the date of foundation of the I millennium BC - I millennium BC).
Return to Ashgabat. Visit en-route Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum. It's considered the biggest in Central Asia (10 thousand people). There're beautiful gardens and fountains near the mosque.
Resting time.
Overnight in the hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel.
Transfer to Darvaza with sightseeing en-route:
- Anau Mosque Ruins,
- 2 small craters with mud and water.
Continue to Darwaza crater and change from the asphalt road to the Karakum desert track, continue 10 km deep inside.
In 1971 geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn the gas. Geologists hoped the fire would go out in a few days but it has been burning ever since. Locals have named the cavern The Gate - Darwaza. The views are impressive, especially in sunset and night when the mild sunlight and burning crater evoke incredible and ambiguous feelings.
BBQ dinner and overnight.
The views are most impressive in the dark.
Barbecue dinner.
Overnight in the yurt camp.
Breakfast in the camp.
Return to Ashgabat and continue tour to Geokdepe and Kow-ata.
Visiting of a heroic Geokdepe fortress and mosque located almost 40 kilometers to the west of Ashgabat where in 1881, defending their independence, the Turkmens showed courageous resistance to the invading Russian army.
Visit Geokdepe Horse Farm to see a national proud of Turkmen people - Akhalteke horses, the nicest horses in the world. 5000 years ago, Turkmens begin breed Akhalteke horses.
The World’s unique breed was never mixed with other breeds. Such illustrious Emperors like Alexander the Great, Darius I desired to own Ahalteke horses. There are over 35 beautiful horses in the farm. Per superstition, every sick person who touches an Ahalteke horse will get well soon. Continue tour to the underground lake Kow-Ata where you can swim. The lake is available all year round because of constant temperature of water (33-37◦C) and air. A warm hydrogen sulphide lake lies in a cave at the Kopet Dag foothills. 276 steps lead into the lake. On your way down you will admire marvelous grapes and lines of stalactites and see bat’s bevies.
Return to Ashgabat.
Overnight in the hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel.
Visit National Circus of Turkmenistan to see Ahalteke horse show or Horse exhibition. The horse show is performed by “Galkynysh” group. The group has famous stunts on Akhalteke horseback. The audience is charmed by the beauty and swiftness of “royal horses”, bravery riders, performing at full gallop tricks and various techniques of stunts on horseback, which the Turkmen artists inherited from their talented ancestors. The triumph of “Galkynysh” group horse riders was recognized as the best among 32 circus troupes from 22 countries and awarded with the main prize of festival - the Gold Cup. “Galkynysh” group performed in Italy, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkey and other countries, where it has made a real furor, gained the victories in prestigious international competitions and circus art festivals.
Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time.
Overnight in the hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel.
Visit Hippodrome to see horse races.
Horse race is very popular in Turkmenistan. People traditionally do rates during the races. A winner gets expensive handmade carpet or luxury car or elite apartment. There several races during the holiday.
Transfer to hotel.
Overnight in the hotel.
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport according your departure flight time
The end of the tour.
- Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan Visa support (Letter of Invitation, State Registration, Travel Pass);
- All entrance fees to the monuments and museums;
- Accommodation in standard twin- shared rooms a/c;
- Accommodation based on shared yurt (incl. sleeping mat, sleeping bag, and pillow);
- Meals: breakfast at hotels; camp-style breakfast and BBQ dinner in Darwaza camp;
- All transfers as per program by comfortable tourist class transport as per road conditions including transfers to- from airports, train stations, and borders
- English speaking escorting guide in Turkmenistan;
- Single entry tickets to the sites, museums, mausoleums as per program;
- Tourist tax in the hotels per person;
- International flights;
- Turkmenistan tourist visa from 85+4 USD per person (subject to change; nationality dependent) and migration tax 10+4 USD per person (subject to change; nationality dependent);
- Photo/video fees (professional camera);
- Meals: Lunches and dinners; breakfast during night train trip/s;
- Personal travel/medical insurance, portage, tips, personal expenses, and other services not specified under “Tour Price Includes”;
- Turkmenistan: tourist fee 2 USD per person per night (obligatory) charged in the hotels;
Accommodation
