Culture of Turkmenistan Tour

Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport. You will be met by our representatives and transferred to the hotel (early check-in). Free time.

Morning drive to visit Nissa fortress – the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings. UNESCO declared the fortress a World Heritage Site in 2007. Nissa is described as one of the first capitals of the Parthians. It was founded by Arsaces I (reigned c. 250 BC – 211BC) and is reputedly the royal necropolis of the Parthian Kings. However, it has neither been established that the fortress at Nissa was a royal residence nor a mausoleum.

Afternoon you will have an Ashgabat city tour. In 2013 the Guinness Book of Records named Ashgabat a “white marbled city” – here you can see the biggest number of structures in the world made out of white marble. You will see the Wedding Palace, the modern “Yildyz” Hotel, the Ferries Wheel, the Constitution Monument, the Arch of Neutrality, the Monument and Park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Ashgabat Olympic Stadium, the Earthquake and Victims of WWII Monuments. Overnight in Ashgabat.

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, drive to Mary (360km). You also see the ruins of the Seyitjemalledin Mosque in Anau. The mosque was built in 1456 when Abu-ibn-Kasim Baber Bahadurkhan ruled in Khorasan (1446-1457). Construction of the mosque was financed by Bahadurkhan’s vizier, Muhammed Hudaidot, who also selected a site of construction–near the grave of his father, sheikh Jemaleddin, a native of Anau. The square central hall (with the sides of 10.5 meters) was crowned with a dome. In later periods, the Seyit-Jemaleddin mosque was partially reconstructed. By the nineteenth century, the subsidence of land had already damaged the building heavily, and during the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake it was destroyed completely. Now, only the lower parts of the portal and some fragments of the walls are extant.

On the way visit Abiwerd which was once an important trading town of North Khorasan. It was a key link on the Great Silk Road between Nisa and Merv, and also enjoyed ties in Nishapur, across the Kopetdag Mountains to the south.

Drive to Merv (35km) to explore ancient Merv – “Queen of the world”, was one of the most important capitals of Islam along with Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. Sightseeing of ancient Merv includes Greater Kyz Gala & Lesser Kyz Gala (VI-VII), Complex of Askhabs (VIII-XIV), Erk Gala (VI BC), Gyaur Gala (IV BC), Hoja Yusup Hamadani complex, Sultan Sanjar mausoleum, Muhamed Ibn Zeid mausoleum. After sightseeing, drive back to Ashgabat (395km). Overnight in Ashgabat.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to visit “Altyn Asyr” Oriental Bazar (opens on Wed, Thu, Sat, and Sun) – Jygyldyk located 20km to the north of Ashgabat. It is one of the world’s largest open bazaars, filled with colourful rugs, jewellery, carpets, silk and national Turkmen costumes and animals in other parts.

Alternatively, visit Gulistan Baazar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in Ashgabat and a must-visit for any traveller. The ground floor of the bazaar is dedicated to fresh produce, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and dairy products. Stalls sell spices, nuts, dried fruits, and other food items. The second floor is home to a variety of shops selling clothing and souvenirs.

Take an afternoon drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater (276km), which is one of the most popular international tourist destinations. The region is abundant in natural gas and the Darvaza Gas Crater has been burning for more than 50 years, making it shine like a pearl amid the Karakum desert. Apart from the Darvaza Gas Crater, you will also have the opportunity to witness water and mud craters. One of the most captivating and intriguing aspects of this trip is the fresh desert air and the chance to experience the nomadic way of life firsthand. At night, while the light of the Gas Crater illuminates the sky, you will camp in the Turkmen national yurt or private tents and have a barbecue for dinner. This unique landscape in the world will enthral you and make you want to return.

Picnic-style breakfast. Morning drive to Ashgabat (276km). Transfer to hotel. Free time. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, a drive to the Gokdepe fortress (54km) that was attacked in December 1880 by the Russian Empire Army. The siege of Gokdepe lasted 23 days, after which the city was taken by storm. Visit Geokdepe Mosque (Saparmyrat Hajy) which was built in 1995 to commemorate the defeat and is noted for its mint-turquoise blue coloured roof and white marble structure.

Then visit the Gokdepe museum about the battle between Russians and the local tribe “Akhalteke” in 1881.

Afterwards, visit Horse Stable to see the national pride of the Turkmen people—Akhalteke horses, the nicest horses in the world. 5000 years ago, Turkmens began breeding Akhalteke horses. The World’s unique breed was never mixed with other breeds. Illustrious Emperors like Alexander the Great and Darius I desired to own Ahalteke horses. There are over 35 beautiful horses on the farm. Per superstition, every sick person who touches an Ahalteke horse will get well soon. On the way back to Ashgabat, visit the Turkmenbashi Ruhi Mosque and Mausoleum, which was the largest mosque in Central Asia when it was built.

Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport. Departure.