Special 4×4 itinerary, maximum 3 passengers per car. We will drive thought lunar landscapes and reach the most remote tribal villages located in the western part of the country and the coasts of the Caspian Sea, some important historical sites linked to the Silk Road including the mysterious city Kunya Urgench in the north east and finally the gateway to hell, the Darwaza gas crater. We will follow the ancient routes traced by the caravans of merchants and travelers who brought silk, spices and precious stones to Europe, crossing desolate and wild territories, up to the Karakum desert. Trip designed exclusively for our group limited to a maximum of 15 people.
PROGRAM
11 April
Flight to Ashgabat (not included).
12 April
We will arrive in Ashgabat in the night or early morning and we will be transferred to the hotel.
After breakfast in the late morning we will begin the city tour which includes a visit to the Ahalteke monument, the National Museum, the main one in Turkmenistan which exhibits ancient artefacts from all the historical sites of the country, the Independence Park and the Neutrality Arch. We will later reach the site of Nyssa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, founded in the 3rd century BC, was fortified with 43 towers protecting the royal palace and a couple of temples.
Overnight at Hotel Oguzkent or similar*****.
13 April
After breakfast we will visit the Sunday Bazaar and then continue abord our 4×4 cars to Nohur, a mountain tribal village, stopping along the way at the imposing Geok Depe mosque, built on the site of a bitter battle against the Russians in which many Turkmen lost their lives. In Nohur we will visit the characteristic local cemetery and learn how silk is worked in a laboratory. We will stop for a picnic in the Kopetdag Mountains before reaching Gyzylarbat in the evening.
Overnight at Guesthouse Chinar***.
14 April
In the morning we will cross the lunar landscapes around Karakala, the arid valleys of the Sumbar River and some tribal villages along the traditional Silk Road until we reach the remains of the city of Dehistan. After picnic lunch we will continue to Turkmenbashi.
Overnight at Hotel Charlak***.
15 April
Always on board our off-road vehicles we will drive the plateaus of the Balkan mountains to reach the colorful and remote Yangikala Canyon made of rocks eroded by the wind and rain which offers an unusual panorama. After the picnic in the canyon we will continue towards the Gozli Ata mausoleum which is located in the stone desert and is a destination for pilgrimages.
Overnight at Guesthouse.
16 April
After breakfast we will explore the Gozli Ata site and the Kaytarmysh volcanic rock formations. After lunch we will return along the coast of the Caspian Sea and then continue to Turkmenbashi airport for our flight that will take us back to Ashgabat.
Overnight at Hotel Oguzkent or similar*****.
17 April
Today we will visit the remains of the Anau mosque and those of the medieval Silk Road fortress Abiverd.
In the afternoon we will arrive at Mary where we will visit the local museum.
Overnight at Hotel Mary or similar****.
18 April
Early in the morning we will board the flight to Ashgabat where late the same morning we will visit the Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque, the Lenin monument and the memorial to the earthquake that destroyed the city in 1948.
In the afternoon on board our 4×4 we will move through the Karkum desert to the gas crater of Darwaza, the gateway to hell, encountering mud calderas and other volcanic phenomena on our way. We will spend the evening, BBQ dinner, and the night at the edge of the crater.
Overnight in 3/4 people yurt.
19 April
Breakfast and departure for Kunya Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrival and visit to some mausoleums and the KutlugTemur minaret. We will then continue to Dashoguz Airport in time for the flight to Ashgabat.
Overnight at Hotel Oguzkent or similar*****.
20 April
After breakfast, a city tour includes the Salute Walk, a monumental concrete staircase, the Chuli Gorge, the Ahalteke stables, the Turkmenbashi mosque, one of the largest in Central Asia, and the mausoleum of the first president of Turkmenistan.
After dinner, a night tour of the city is planned.
Overnight at Hotel Oguzkent or similar*****.
21 April
Flight Ashgabat home (not included).
Included in the price:
– All nights in a double room with breakfast included.
– 6 pick nick lunches and 5 dinner.
– All excursions included in the program.
– English speaking guide.
Not included:
– Visa.
– Flights.
– Any unexpected additional costs due to delays and/or forced stops due to flight connections, including flight changes, hotels and additional meals.
Voyage Map
PRICE PER PERSON Euro 3800,00