Visit a museum with the largest carpet collection, marvel at paintings, graphics, sculptures etc at the Museum of Fine Arts. Halt at a nomadic village and learn about traditional practises and tread through the Karakum desert to ‘Darvaza’ Gas Crater. Enjoy a night deciphering the noise the crater makes and have your tastebuds somersault in joy as you feast on local delicacies. Be amazed by sheer simplicity at the Ruins of Old Nisa and stop and survey major attractions of the city.
Day 01: Arrive Ashgabat
Meet at the Ashgabat International Airport. Complete border formalities followed by a transfer to the hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02: Ashgabat
Have breakfast at the hotel. Then, at 9:30, set out on the Ashgabat city tour to:
Be amazed by the Arch of Neutrality.
Ramble in the Park of Independence.
Marvel at the Wedding Palace.
Hop on a Ferris wheel and enjoy the ride.
Afternoon visit the Carpet Museum. Established in 1994, it has the largest collection of Turkmen carpets, ranging from the medieval through to the 21st century, including over 1000 carpets originated in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 03: Ashgabat – Darvaza Gas Crater
During the first half of the day, visit the Museum of Fine Arts. You will be impressed by its huge collection of items of sculpture, paintings, graphics, carpets, tapestry, ceramic vessels and precious jewels made mainly by Turkmen, Russian and foreign artists.
Afternoon drive through the Karakum Desert to ‘Darvaza’ Gas Crater.
Visit a small nomadic village on the way to the main attraction and immerse into the traditional lifestyle of Turkmen people.
Explore the gas deposit. Stay in a camp and feast on 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. Savour a traditional dinner near the crater.
Overnight in a tent under the starry sky.
Day 04: Darwaza – ashgabat
After the picnic-style breakfast, return to Ashgabat through the Karakum Desert. The trip takes about 3-5 hours. Transfer to the hotel.
Drive to Ertogrul Gazi Mosque and Turkmenbashy Ruhi mosque, the biggest mosque in Central Asia.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 05: Oriental Bazaar – Nisa
After breakfast at the hotel, visit Oriental bazaar ‘Tolkuchka’ – the biggest market place in Central Asia. One can find anything from camels and cars to antiques, carpets, and pottery!
Walk the booths to witness the impeccable beauty of Turkmen handmade clothes and silver hand-made jewellery, purchase souvenirs.
In the second half of the day, visit travel to the village of Bagir to visit the ruins of Old Nisa (UNESCO site).
Explore the remnants of one of the most important cities and the capital of the Parthian Empire, a major power between the III millennium BCE – III millennium CE.
Return to Ashgabat. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 06: Ashgabat – mary
Have an early breakfast and proceed for an early morning drive to Mary city (350 km) to visit the highlights of Ancient Merv:
Gyz Gala and Oglan Gala.
The complex of Askhabs.
Gyaur Gala.
Erk Gala.
Soltan Gala.
Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum.
Ibn Zeid Mausoleum.
Drive back to Ashgabat. Enjoy dinner in Ashgabat followed by a transfer to the international airport of Ashgabat. Catch flight back to home.
| City | Night (s) | Hotel / Camp |
| Ashgabat | 02 | Archabil hotel |
| Darvaza | 01 | Camp |
| Ashgabat | 02 | Archabil hotel |
– Meeting and assistance by our representative.
– Welcome with fresh flower garlands.
– 05 Nights accommodation
– Daily Breakfast, Lunch and Dinners.
– Entry Tickets
– Local English-speaking guide
– All transfers, sightseeing, excursions as per the program by private vehicle.
– Transport, Parking, Gasoline & Toll ways.
– All present government taxes.
– International Airfare.
– Tips, gratuities, Portage, laundry, telephone calls, table drinks, camera/ video camera charges, or any other expenses of a personal nature.
– Visa fees, personal insurance.
– Any item not specified under cost includes.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– Sometimes, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.