EXTREME PROGRAM TO THE EXOTIC PLACES OF WEST TURKMENISTAN
ITINERIARY: 2340km (1000km – off-road)
RECOMMENDED SEASONS: March – June/ September – November
Ashgabat International Airport
Gypchak Mosque
Desert
Kov Ata - Father of Caves
Yangykala Canyon
Desert
Amudarya
Door to Hell
Ashgabat
Trip Details
Days
Itinerary
Program
Transport
Meals
Accommodation
The 1st day
Ashgabat
100 km
Meet the loсal guide at the Ashgabat International Airport.
Early transfer to the hotel.
Ashgabat city tour: visit main tourists’ attraction in the capital: parks and monuments, impressive mosque and other iconic building.
After the lunch visit “Old Nisa” -The Sanctuary of Parhian Kings (UNESCO site), continue with “Gypjak” Mosque and Mausoleum of the late President of Turkmenistan.
Regular – Sedan or Minibus (depends on quantity)
Breakfast – at the hotel.
Lunch – at the local restaurant.
Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel Menzil-3* or similar
The 2nd day
Nokhur-Kov-Ata-Kunya Kombez
200km
After breakfast our group will go by 4×4 cars in West direction to the mountain region Nokhur located at 1000 – 1500 meters altitude. On our way we will pass mountain gorges of Firyuza and Chuli, “Kov Ata” underground lake, where we will go down to the cave and at a depth of 80 meters, we can take a hot bath (С- +370) in 80m х 30m lake. In the evening we’ll arrive to Kunya Kombez settlement, where we will have a national dinner.
Regular – Jeep
Breakfast – at the hotel.
Lunch – picnic style
Dinner – at the locals house.
Overnight at the locals house.
The 3rd day
Uchkui-Yol-dere
50km
Today we will concentrate on local attractions: crown of this region is Uchkui (1903 m) and waterfall in Yol-Dere canyon. We will also walk 5 km to see and feel all the beauty of this Turkmen region.
Regular – Jeep
Breakfast – picnic style.
Lunch – picnic style
Dinner – picnic style.
Overnight at the tent.
The 4th day
Ay-dere
70km
This day we will pass 70 km of mountain roads. We will visit Aydere canyon – one of the most beautiful places in Turkmenistan. We will walk 10 km there and spend a night in a place called Low Aydere in a nut grove.
We will start our journey in Sumbar canyon. We will pass 80km there, crossing subtropical zone and find ourselves in Kara Kala settlement. On our way we will visit a holy place Shibli Baba, Ovezberdi Mausoleum, Koshdemir waterfall, look round landscapes of «Moon Mountains». In the evening through off roads we will reach a Dehistan fortress, where we will mount our tents and make a dinner.
Regular – Jeep
Breakfast – picnic style.
Lunch – picnic style
Dinner – picnic style.
Overnight at the tent.
The 6th day
Mashat-Ata – Balkanabat
210km
In the morning we will look round such sights as two minarets, portal of Mosque, ruins of caravansary, and then pass 10 km to the holy place – Mashat – Ata cemetery, visit the oldest Mosque in Turkmenistan Shirkabir. After lunch we will pass 200km to Balkanabat, in the evening we will stay in a comfortable hotel “Nebitchi”.
Regular – Jeep
Breakfast – picnic style.
Lunch – picnic style
Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel – Nebitchi-3* or similar.
The 7th day
Garabogazgol Gozli-Ata – Yangi-kala
250km
This day we will leave mountains and go to desert parts of Turkmenistan. We’ll go in North direction to Karabogazgol bay. On our way we will visit a holy place Gozli Ata, Balls canyon and we’ll camp in Yangy-kala canyon, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of limestone deposits which used to be a full-flowing gulf.
Regular – Jeep
Breakfast – at the hotel.
Lunch – picnic style
Dinner – picnic style.
Overnight at the tent.
The 8th day
Off-road
150km
Today we will continue our journey to North through bottom of the bay. Our group will go by car more than 150km off-road enjoying beautiful panorama of the gulf. Overnight in the camp.
Regular – Jeep
Breakfast – picnic style.
Lunch – picnic style
Dinner – picnic style.
Overnight in camp.
The 9th day
Karashor
250 km
In the morning our group will go in East direction to the salt depression Karashor. This day we will pass 250km off roads – sand dunes (barhans) and salt canyons (shors) on our way. A group will spend a night in tents in North part of Karashor.
Regular – Jeep
Breakfast – picnic style.
Lunch – picnic style
Dinner – picnic style.
Overnight in camp.
The 10th day
Kaplangyr – Igdy Kala
150km
Today our group will move to South through the territory of Kaplangyr reserve along the East border of pit and spend a night next to Parthian fortress Igdy Kala. This sight located in a shore of Uzboy river which linked Amudarya with Caspian Sea. Hopefully we’ll get a chance to see a flock of wild gazelles and koulans.
Regular – Jeep
Breakfast – picnic style.
Lunch – picnic style
Dinner – picnic style.
Overnight in camp.
The 11-12th day
Darvaza
300km
Two next days, our group will go through the most difficult parts of Karakum desert. During this time we will pass salt depressions, conquer cellular, ridge dunes, getting over tiredness of a long term journey. The Gas crater located in a place called Darwaza, in immediate proximity to our attraction – Gas crater (Door to Hell). In the evening observe a spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater. Picnic style dinner (barbecue), overnight at the tent in 50-100 meters from the crater.
where we will spend a night.
Regular – Jeep
Breakfast – picnic style.
Lunch – picnic style
Dinner – picnic style (barbeque).
Overnight at the tent.
The 13th day
Ashgabat
260km
This day we will pass 250 km of asphalt road and come back to the capital city Ashgabat.
Regular – Jeep
Breakfast – picnic style.
Lunch – picnic style
Dinner – at the local restaurant
Overnight at the hotel Menzil-3* or similar
The 14th day
Ashgabat- Sunday Bazaar- Museum of History
50 km
Today our group will visit Sunday Bazaar -Tolkuchka where you can buy Turkmen souvenirs, carpets, national jewelry. Lunch traditional restaurant. After lunch you will visit Museum of History. In the evening we’ll have a farewell dinner and folklore show.
Regular – Sedan or Minibus (depends on quantity)
Breakfast – at the hotel.
Lunch – at the local restaurant Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel – Menzil-3* or similar
The 15th day
International airport of Ashgabat
Transfer to the Ashgabat International Airport. End of the Program.