Package Twenty Six Detail
Package #26
17 Days / 16 Nights:
UNIQUE TURKMENISTAN
Dear Guest! Ancient sites, warm hospitality, amazing folklore shows and spectacular mountains are waiting for you!!!
Trip Details
Days
Itinerary
Program
Transport
Meals
Accommodation
The 1st day
Arrival-Ashgabat
Arrival to the Ashgabat international airport. Guide will meet you with “HD Travel Agency” signboard at the meeting area and transfer to the hotel and rest. After lunch you will visit “Old Nisa” -the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings – Nisa was the capital of Parthian Empire which lasted 600 years and was the greatest enemy of Rome Empire and UNESCO site, continue with “Gypjak” Mosque and Family mausoleum of the first President of Turkmenistan. Return to Ashgabat city.
Regular – Bus
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
Ashgabat-Nokhur
(175 km,
2 hours)
After breakfast we will drive to Nokhur village. We will have lunch on the way. The village itself fills a small depression valley in the mountains of the Kopet Dag Range, and the houses have been built by local boulders, cemented with mud. Apart from the main street through the middle of the town, the streets are so narrow that they only just fit a car between the high stone retaining walls on each side. The Nohkur people who populate this remote mountain village are quite different to other Turkmen tribes. They live in a handful of villages in the mountainous border area spanning Turkmenistan and Iran. Nokhur is the largest village with 1-2 thousand people.
Regular – Bus
Breakfast – at the hotel. Lunch – on the way.
Dinner – at the quest house.
Overnight at the tent.
The 3rd day
Nokhur-Magtymguly (Karrykala) (170 km,
3 hours)
Today we will concentrate on the local attractions: crown of this region is Uchkui (1903 m) and waterfall in Yol Dere canyon. We will see and feel all the beauty of this Turkmen region. You will enjoy Turkmen traditional meals. Also you will visit Aydere canyon – one of the most beautiful places in in Turkmenistan.
Then we will visit Sumbar canyon. We will pass 80km, crossing subtropical zone and find ourselves in Kara Kala settlement.
Regular – Bus
Breakfast – at the quest house.
Lunch – at the quest house.
Dinner – at the quest house.
Overnight at the tent.
The 4th day
Magtymguly (Karrykala)-Dekhistan (200 km,
3 hour)
We will visit a holy place Shibli Baba, Ovezberdi Mausoleum, Koshdemir waterfall, look round landscapes of «Moon Mountains». We will drive to Dekhistan. Dekhistan is a historical region in the west of Turkmenistan, famous with the Great Mashad cemetery with Shir-Khabir Mausoleum (the 10th century) and the ruins of Messarian town (10-15 centuries). These lands were known as the lands of Dakhs. And the name Dekhistan came from there. Messarian, the central town, appeared between the 9th– 10th centuries and very soon became an extremely vivid and prosperous town, as it was one of the points on the Great Silk Road. But in the 15th century it was completely disappeared. Nowadays there are two ancient minarets, remains of the city walls and gates, mosques and other buildings, some of which still keep the spirits of the ancient lifestyle. Excursion will start with visit Messarian and Mashad.
Regular – Bus
Breakfast – at the quest house.
Lunch – at the quest house.
Dinner – a barbeque style.
Overnight at the tent.
The 5th day
Dekhistan-Balkanabat-Yangykala-Gozli Ata (370 km, 3.5-4 hours)
After the breakfast we will visit one of the scenic natural objects of Turkmenistan – Yangikala canyons – it is located in 165 km to the north from Balkanabat and in 160 km to the east from Turkmenbashi. Lunch in Balkanabat city. You will enjoy Turkmen traditional meals. Then drive to Yangykala Canyon. The word “yangikala” is translated from Turkmen as “fire fortresses”. Indeed, the sheer cliffs of white, yellow, ocher, purple and red colors, fancily carved by winds and rains, they look like stone castles from fantastic movies. The most beautiful view of canyons you can see during sunset, when everything is painted in a red-hot color. Once, the bottom of the canyons was the bottom of an ancient sea. In addition, today you can walk there, like in a natural park of sculptures made of compressed soil, sloughing in hands. For this reason, although you can climb the variegated hills, you cannot handhold the buttress. You will visit pilgrim site Gozli Ata and overnight there.
Regular – Bus
Breakfast – at the quest house.
Lunch – at the local restaurant.
Dinner – a barbeque style.
Overnight at the tent.
The 6th day
Gozli Ata-Balkanabat-Serdar-Kov Ata
(555 km, 6 hours)
Gozli Ata is one of the remotest shrine pilgrimage destinations in Turkmenistan. Its setting is also among the most beautiful.
It lies in the center of a natural bowl, surrounded by escarpments of bands of pink and white rock. Gozli Ata was reportedly a respected Sufi who lived in the beginning of the 14th century. His mausoleum is a brick building with twin white domes, standing in an old graveyard containing many nicely carved stone tombs. The twin-domed structure of the mausoleum is necessary to accommodate the length of the tomb: a triangular prism perhaps three ordinary graves long. Then drive to Ashgabat city. Lunch in Serdar city. On the way you will visit Kow-Ata underground lake. The Turkmen name Kow-Ata means Father of caves. At first glance, this underground area appears like a magnificent auditorium: the overall length of the cave is 230 m, its height reaches 20 m, and its width is at some points 57 m. The bottom of the cave is covered with lumps of dissolved limestone (stalagmites), and its warm and gushing water is clear and emerald colored. The water has a constant temperature of 33-37°C. (You should swim in a lake). Dinner at the Kov Ata underground lake.
Regular – Bus
Breakfast – at the quest house.
Lunch- at the local restaurant.
Dinner – picnic style.
Overnight at the tent.
The 7th day
Kov Ata-Ashgabat-Seyitjemaleddin-Mary-Sakarchage (400km, 5-6 hours)
Early breakfast at the Kov Ata. Drive to visit Annau “Seyit-jemal-ed-din Mosque”, he major sight remaining for the visitor today is that of the ruins of the 15th century Seyit Jamal-ad-Din Mosque. Then drive to an ancient city Abiverd. On the way to Tedjen city we will have lunch. Then drive to Camel Breeding Farm, which is located in the Sakarchage city. Enjoy all the pleasure of riding the camel and watching the milking process. Camel milk known as “Chal” is a magical elixir for the human health. You will definitely like this light and refreshing drink. Continue indulging yourself into Turkmen hospitality; share the gorgeous traditional meal with a host Turkmen family. Watch a demonstration of felt making and try making one yourself & folklore show.
Regular – Bus
Breakfast – at the quest house.
Lunch- at the local restaurant.
Dinner – picnic style.
Overnight at the hotel – Merv-3* or similar.
The 8th day
Sakarchage-Mary-Ancient Merv-Turkmenabat
After breakfast drive to Turkmenabat city. On the way you will visit an Ancient Merv. Merv was a crossway of the Great Silk Road and quickly became one of the largest and biggest cities of the ancient world and was one of the most important capitals of Islam along with Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. Guided tour: Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Soltan Gala, SoltanSanjar Mausoleum, IbnZeid Mausoleum. On the way you will see Karakum Desert. You will visit Turkmenabat city.
Regular – Bus
Breakfast – at the quest house.
Lunch- at the local restaurant.
Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel – Jeyhun-3* or similar
The 9th day
Turkmenabat-Astana Baba-Kugitang Reserve
(400 km, 4-5 hours)
After breakfast we will drive to Kugitang Reserve. You will visit mausoleum “Astana-Baba”, it is considered an architectural monument of the 11th-12th centuries. In the complex “Astana-Baba” are also the mausoleum of Zeid-Ali and zuveid-Ali. Visit the Kerki Village. Then drive to Kugitang Reserve. Arrive to Kugitang mountains region and to tourist lodge in Koytendag. Accommodation at the base camp. Dinner.
Regular – Bus
Breakfast – at the hotel.
Lunch- at the camp.
Dinner – at the camp.
Overnight at the camp.
The 10th day
Dinosaur Plateau-Kyrk Gyz Cave
(16 km)
A trip to the Dinosaur Plateau – some decades ago the inner layer of the mountain appeared due to the surface rock displacement opening the picture left by dinosaur family on a soil not yet turned to stone. Four footprint paths can be seen clearly – three of them left by adults and one probably by a baby dinosaur. Sightseeing of landmarks of Kugitang Mountains: waterfall, gorge, KyrkGyz cave. Dinner.
Regular – Bus
Breakfast – at the camp.
Lunch- at the camp.
Dinner – at the camp.
Overnight at the camp.
The 11th day
Kugitang-Turkmenabat -Dayahatyn Caravansaray (650 km, 6-6.5 hours)
After breakfast drive to Turkmenabad city (480 km). We will visit Dayahatyn Caravansaray. Dayahattin is by far the best preserved medieval caravansaray surviving in Turkmenistan. Dating from the 11th -12th century, it was built to service the trade route between Amul and Khorezm, and probably remained in use until the 16th century.
Regular – Bus
Breakfast – at the camp.
Lunch- on the way.
Dinner – barbeque style.
Overnight at the tent.
The 12th day
Dayahatyn Caravansaray -Dargan Ata -Dashoguz (400 km, 6 hours)
After breakfast drive to Dashoguz Region, on the way you will visit Dargan Ata – a medieval city located in about 3 km to South from present Birat settlement (Lebap Velayat) with two-particle designing, which is typical for Khorezm fortification; the most southern city in this historical region. Then drive to Dashoguz Region. You will arrival Dashoguz city.
Regular – Bus
Breakfast – picnic style.
Lunch- on the way.
Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel – Dashoguz-4* or similar.
The 13th day
Dashoguz- Kunya Urgench-Darvaza (370 km, 4-5 hours)
After breakfast drive to Kone-Urgench. You will visit Kone Urgench (UNESKO 2005) ancient capital of Khorezm. There you can see mausoleums of II Arslan and SoltanTekesh, Nejmeddin Kubra, Soltan Ali, Turabek –Khanum (12th c), minaret of Kutlug Timur, Mamun II. Lunch. Then drive through the Karakum desert to Darwaza – Gas Crater. Stay in a camp with tasty catering; the perfect way to enjoy this highlight. Observe the fantastic view of the crater at daylight and at night, feel the heat and listen to the wind and the sound that this giant oven creates.
Regular – Bus
Breakfast – at the hotel.
Lunch- at the local restaurant.
Dinner – barbeque style.
Overnight at the tent.
The 14th day
Darvaza-Damla
(100 km, 2-3 hours)
After breakfast drive to village Damla. It is located in the midst of the arid sprawl of Turkmenistan’s vast Karakum desert; the tiny village Damla is a little haven of traditional Turkmen life. Lunch – Dinner – in Damla village. Listen to traditional music on dutar.
Regular – Bus
Breakfast – picnic style.
Lunch- traditional style.
Dinner – traditional style.
Overnight at the tent or yurta.
The 15th day
Damla-Yerbent village-Ashgabat (350 km, 5 hours)
After breakfast at Damla, drive to see camel cattle and local shepherd. We will visit Yerbent village. The Yerbent village is the place for those interested in the traditions of Turkmen nomads. Felt work and carpets, camel milk, yurt life, hunting dogs and magical beliefs make up the pastoral life in Yerbent. You will taste fresh food cooked by shepherd for lunch. Drive to Ashgabat city. Hotel Accommodation. Rest time.
Regular – Jeep
Breakfast – picnic style.
Lunch- from shepherd.
Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel – Menzil-3* or similar.
The 16th day
Ashgabat
After breakfast you will visit the Akhalteke Horse Farm. At the horse farm you can see proud of Turkmen nation- Akhalteke horses. Over the 30 beautiful horses, you can see at the horse farm. 5000 years ago, Turkmens began breeding Akhalteke horses. An unique breed in the world that’s not mixed with other breeds. Start sightseeing tour in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, that has recently been noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as having more white marble buildings than any other city in the world. You will visit the “Alem” Ferris wheel, panoramic tour to the “Bagt Koshgi” (wedding palace) Monument to Independence, Monument to Neutrality, Memorial Complex (Eternal Flame) and “Yildyz” Hotel – one of the city’s top five-star luxury hotel, conveniently located at the foothills of the Kopetdag, which offers an excellent view of the city. You will visit Russian bazaar, where you can buy some souvenirs. Dinner with national cuisine & Folklor Show.
Regular – Bus
Breakfast – at the hotel.
Lunch- at the horse farm.
Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel – Menzil-3* or similar.
The 17th day
Ashgabat
Early morning transfer to the airport, registration and flight to home
Transfer – Bus
Breakfast – at the hotel.
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