Arrive at Ashgabat International Airport, where our local representatives will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for an early check-in. After some time to rest and refresh, enjoy breakfast before beginning your exploration of Turkmenistan’s remarkable capital.

Begin at Independence Park and Monument, an impressive complex featuring fountains, sculptures, and grand architecture that celebrate the country’s national identity. Continue to the National Museum of Turkmenistan, which houses nearly 500,000 artifacts covering the Bronze Age, Antiquity, and the Middle Ages. Your city tour then reveals Ashgabat’s famous white-marble skyline and monumental architecture. Enjoy panoramic views from the Ferris Wheel, followed by visits to the Constitution Monument and the iconic Arch of Neutrality. Along the way, admire the striking Wedding Palace and the futuristic Yyldyz Hotel.

Conclude the day at the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, dedicated to honoring those who lost their lives during World War II and the devastating 1948 Ashgabat earthquake. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Highlights of the Day:

• Explore Ashgabat’s striking white marble architecture and its monumental landmarks.
• Visit the National Museum of Turkmenistan to explore the country’s rich historical heritage.
• Enjoy panoramic views of the capital and visit the moving Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance ~50–60 km; Transfer from Ashgabat International Airport to the hotel; Early hotel check-in; Overnight at a hotel in Ashgabat (B/-/-).

After breakfast at the hotel, set out to experience Nowruz, the cherished Turkmen New Year and one of the country’s most important cultural celebrations. Travel approximately 15 km west of Ashgabat to a festive village, where traditional yurts, national cuisine, handicrafts, music, and dance bring Turkmen heritage to life.

Meet local artisans dressed in colorful traditional costumes and observe demonstrations of carpet weaving and embroidery, accompanied by lively folk performances featuring instruments such as the dutar and gyjak. One of the highlights of the celebration is the spectacular equestrian show, showcasing the legendary Akhal-Teke horses and Turkmenistan’s rich horsemanship traditions. Please note that the festival program and activities are subject to change.

Later, continue to Nissa Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the earliest capitals of the Parthian Empire. Explore the remains of this ancient royal complex, which is believed to have served as an important ceremonial and dynastic center for the Parthian kings.

Return to Ashgabat to visit the monumental Alabai Dog Monument, dedicated to Turkmenistan’s renowned Central Asian Shepherd Dog, before visiting the impressive Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, famous for its elegant Turkish-inspired architecture. Return to the hotel for the evening.

Highlights of the Day:

• Experience the vibrant Nowruz celebrations and traditional Turkmen customs.
• Experience an Akhal-Teke horse show and explore local crafts, music, and cuisine.
• Explore the ancient UNESCO-listed Nissa Fortress and visit Ashgabat’s iconic cultural landmarks.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance ~60–70 km; Overnight stay at a hotel in Ashgabat (B/-/-).

Leave Ashgabat behind this morning and journey eastward toward Mary, crossing the vast landscapes and open plains of the Turkmen countryside.

On arrival, continue north to the village of Chashgyn, where local artisans offer a fascinating insight into traditional rural life. Watch demonstrations of carpet weaving, felt rug making, yarn dyeing, weaving, broom making, and the crafting of national musical instruments. You will also witness everyday traditions such as camel milking, providing a rare glimpse into customs that remain an important part of life in the region.

Later, return to Mary and explore the city center. Visit the historic Russian Orthodox Church, one of the oldest in Turkmenistan, before seeing some of the city’s main landmarks. End the day at the lively Mary Bazaar, where stalls filled with local produce, textiles, and everyday goods provide a colorful introduction to daily life in the city.

Highlights of the Day:

• Discover traditional Turkmen crafts and rural customs in the village of Chashgyn.
• Experience local skills ranging from carpet weaving and camel milking to instrument making.
• Explore Mary’s historic church, notable city landmarks, and the vibrant local bazaar.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance ~400 km / ~5 hours driving; Drive from Ashgabat to Mary, with an excursion to Chashgyn Village and local sightseeing in Mary; Overnight stay at a hotel in Mary (B/-/-)

Step into the extraordinary world of Ancient Merv, once known as the "Queen of the World" and one of the great centers of the Islamic world. Once ranked alongside Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus in importance, Merv was a thriving hub of trade, learning, and power along the Silk Road.

Explore the vast archaeological landscape, including the imposing Greater and Lesser Kyz Gala, the Complex of Askhabs, and the ancient remains of Erk Gala and Gyaur Gala, which trace the city’s history back more than two millennia. Continue to the Hoja Yusup Hamadani Complex before visiting the magnificent Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, one of the finest surviving examples of Seljuk architecture.

Conclude your exploration at the Muhammad ibn Zayd Mausoleum, another remarkable monument reflecting the architectural and spiritual heritage of medieval Merv. Afterwards, leave Mary behind and begin the overland journey back to Ashgabat.

Highlights of the Day:

• Explore the legendary ruins of Ancient Merv, one of Central Asia’s most significant Silk Road cities.
• Discover Erk Gala, Gyaur Gala, the Kyz Gala fortresses, and the Askhabs Complex.
• Visit the monumental Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum and other significant medieval sites.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance ~380–400 km; Approximate driving time ~5–6 hours from Mary to Ashgabat; Overnight at a hotel in Ashgabat (B/-/-)

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Today’s journey takes you into the Kopet Dag Mountains to discover the remote village of Nokhur, home to a community whose traditions and customs differ from those of many other Turkmen tribes. Surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery, the village is known for its narrow lanes, stone houses, ancient legends, and distinctive way of life.

Explore Nokhur’s remarkable tribal cemetery, where graves are marked with wooden posts decorated with mountain goat horns, and visit the ancient tree and the sacred Kyz Bibi Wish Tree, where locals traditionally come to make their wishes.

Continue to Gokdepe, the site of the historic 1880–81 siege, and visit the striking Saparmyrat Hajy Mosque, renowned for its turquoise domes and white marble exterior. The journey then continues to the Akhal-Teke horse stables, where you will meet Turkmenistan’s legendary horses, celebrated for their elegance, endurance, and ancient lineage.

Before returning to Ashgabat, visit the monumental Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque in Kipchak, one of the country’s most impressive religious landmarks.

Highlights of the Day:

• Discover the remote mountain village of Nokhur and its unique cultural traditions.
• Visit Gokdepe and experience the legendary Akhal-Teke horses.
• Admire the impressive Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque in Kipchak.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance ~300 km / ~5–6 hours driving; Overnight stay at a hotel in Ashgabat (B/-/-).

Begin the day with a visit to the renowned Carpet Museum, home to around 2,000 remarkable examples of Turkmen carpet weaving. Explore the distinctive traditions of the Tekke, Yamud, Sarik, and Chodor tribes, including miniature pieces and the world’s largest handwoven carpet, measuring an impressive 301 m².

Continue to Ashgabat’s historic center for a 1.5 km walking tour, starting near the Magtumkuli Drama Theater. Stroll beneath century-old trees toward the Soviet-era Lenin Monument, passing the State Central Archive and the Ashgabat Mayor’s Office before reaching the lively Russian Bazaar. The walk concludes in Inspiration Park, lined with statues of celebrated Turkmen poets.

In the afternoon, leave the capital behind and journey deep into the Karakum Desert toward the legendary Darvaza Gas Crater. Along the way, see the nearby water and mud craters before arriving at the glowing crater itself, one of Turkmenistan’s most extraordinary sights. As night falls, enjoy a BBQ dinner beneath the desert sky and experience the dramatic flames illuminating the surrounding sands.

Spend the night in a traditional Turkmen yurt or a private tent near the crater.

Highlights of the Day:

• Discover the extraordinary craftsmanship of Turkmenistan at the Carpet Museum.
• Explore Ashgabat’s historic downtown and experience daily life at the Russian Bazaar.
• Witness the spectacular Darvaza Gas Crater glowing beneath the night sky of the Karakum Desert.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance ~300 km / ~5–5.5 hours driving; Overnight at a desert camp near Darvaza (B/-/D).

Wake to the tranquility of the Karakum Desert and enjoy a picnic-style breakfast near the Darvaza camp. Take a final look across the vast desert landscape before beginning the journey back to Ashgabat.

Travel south through the Karakum Desert, watching the open landscape gradually give way to the striking skyline of Turkmenistan’s capital. Upon arrival in Ashgabat, check in to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure—a welcome opportunity to relax after the desert adventure.

Highlights of the Day:

• Enjoy a peaceful morning in the Karakum Desert.
• Journey from the remote landscapes of Darvaza back to Ashgabat to relax and explore the capital at your own pace.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance ~276 km / ~4 hours driving; Overnight stay at a hotel in Ashgabat (B/-/-)

Your journey through Turkmenistan comes to an end today. From the colorful Nowruz celebrations and the ancient ruins of Merv to the traditions of the Kopet Dag Mountains and the fiery glow of Darvaza, the past days have revealed many different faces of this fascinating country. Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for your departure flight, carrying with you memories of Turkmen hospitality, Silk Road history, desert landscapes, and unique cultural traditions.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance ~10 km / ~20–30 minutes driving; Transfer from the hotel to Ashgabat International Airport; Departure (-/-/-)