Tour itinerary: Ashgabat – Turkmenbashi – Yangisuw – Gozli Ata – Serdar –Western Karakum Darwaza – Central Karakum – Gonur Depe – Mary – Ashgabat
Season: April – October
Days: 12 | Nights: 11
Jeep safari tour around Turkmenistan is a great chance to see
Turkmenistan, its nature, highlands, valleys, old nomadic lifestyle and ancient sighs. You will stay in tent camps and travel by 4-wheel drive vehicles
.Explore the multiple landscapes and life in the Turkmen Karakum Desert!
| Departure dates, 2020 |
| Tour 1 (deadline for sign up: 17 April) | 14 May - 25 May |
| Tour 2 (deadline for sign up: 24 April) | 28 May - 8 June |
| Tour 3 (deadline for sign up: 1 May) | 11 June - 23 June |
| Tour 4 (deadline for sign up: 3 July) | 30 July - 10 August |
| Tour 5 (deadline for sign up: 10 July) | 13 August - 24 August |
Arrival in Ashgabat in the morning.
Leave the terminal and meet the driver at the meeting zone.
Transfer to the hotel. Early check-in. Short time to rest after the flight.
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel. Breakfast.
09:00 Start city tour with visits:
- Independence Park - One of the main touristic attractions of Turkmenistan is the National Independence Park in Ashgabat. Ashgabat Park (Turkmen: Aşgabat seýilgähi) is among the oldest public parks[clarification needed] at the center of Ashgabat in Turkmenistan;
- Neutrality Arch;
- Ferris Wheel;
- Wedding Palace Viewpoint;
- Stairs of Health Park - 33-km long concrete stairway across the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains, constructed on the orders of the first president of Turkmenistan in the early nineties;
- Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum - Eleven kilometers to the west of Ashgabat there stands the largest mosque in Central Asia and main mosque of Turkmenistan – The Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque;
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel.
Breakfast.
You will have an opportunity to explore this unique area with a guide on foot.
Picnic lunch on the way.
Camp dinner and overnight in tents in Yangisuw area.
Breakfast.
Drive from Yangisuw to
Yangikala Canyon. Yangikala means “fire fortress”. So interesting name canyons were given because of red color of rocks, from which are formed mountains ranges and cliffs.
Time to explore the canyon area. Picnic lunch on the way. Late afternoon transfer to Gozli Ata pilgrim site. It's one of the remotest shrine pilgrimage destinations in Turkmenistan. Gozli Ata was reportedly a respected Sufi who lived in the early part of the 14th century.
Dinner and overnight in common gender-shared rooms at pilgrim house.
Breakfast.
Free day.
Overnight in motel.
Breakfast.
Drive through
Karakum Desert to Balishem desert village, partly along the ancient Uzboy River bed, and with visit of Ygdykala Parthian fortress remains on the way.
Picnic lunch on the way.
Camp dinner and overnight in tents near Balishem settlement.
Breakfast.
Drive through
Karakum Desert to
Darwaza gas crater. Picnic lunch on the way. Camp dinner and overnight in tents at Darwaza.
In 1971 geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of about 50-100 meters. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn the gas. Geologists had hoped the fire would go out in a few days but it has been burning ever since. Locals have named the cavern The Gate to Hell, and the sight of the crater at night indeed gives a somewhat spooky feel.
The views are most impressive in the dark, and an overnight stay in tents near the crater is a unique experience, especially when accompanied by a barbeque dinner.
Night in the tent camp.
Breakfast.
Drive through Karakum Desert to Murzachirla desert village, with visit of Damla village on the way. Picnic lunch on the way. Camp dinner and overnight in tents near Murzachirla village. Resting time.
Overnight.
Breakfast.
Drive through Karakum Desert to Gonur Depe archeological site. The capital of one of the great ancient civilizations, called Margush, Margiana, or the Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex. Picnic lunch on the way. Camp dinner and overnight in tents just outside the archeological park area.
Breakfast.
Visit the History museum of
Merv region.
Afternoon at leisure to visit town center, bazaar, history museum.
Overnight in hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Merv, en route visit to the Ancient Merv (UNESCO).
Sightseeing in historical park visiting:
- Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum;
- Mohammed bin Said Mausoleum;
- Medieval castles – “Kesk” fortresses (6-7 centuries);
- History museum of Merv region;
Transfer to Mary Airport.
Evening flight to Ashgabat
Arrival in Ashgabat.
Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time in the evening.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
End of the tour.
- Turkmenistan 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/SUV 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
