Turkmenbashi tour

Turkmenbashi tour
Duration: 10 days
Places to visit: Ashgabat - Kow Ata - Nokhur - Balkanabat - Yangykala - Gozli Ata - Turkmenbashi - Avaza - Mary - Merv - Margush - Damla - Darwaza - Ashgabat

Short summary:
On this page you will find a special state of mind. Turkmenistan will fall in love with you at first sight and for life! Here is one of the most beautiful nature, retaining its original appearance, as well as ancient cities with a rich history.

Day 1: Ashgabat
The outstanding day of our coming tours will start from arrival to Ashgabat airport. Thank you for choosing Turkmenbashi tour. Visit the Nisa fortress (the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings). The sight was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. The next destination of the tour is driving to the biggest Mosque in Central Asia Ruhy Mosque or Gypjak, Mausoleum of the first President of Turkmenistan. On the way you will see Akhal-Teke horses in the horse farm, located in Gokdepe region. After the pleasant day, we will return to Ashgabat for rest in a hotel.

Day 2: Ashgabat - Kow Ata - Nokhur - Balkanabat
We are glad to present the next day of our tour where you can visit the Kow-Ata underground lake. You can find this amazing place of interest in 107 km from Ashgabat. The whole length of the cave is 230 m, height reaches 20 m, and width is about 57 m. The bottom of the cave is enclosed with blocks of melted limestone, and its warm and has crystal water of blue color. The temperature of water is about 33-37 ° C, allows to swim there. Later on, we will continue our way to the Nokhur. The village is located on depression valley with houses made of local stones cemented with mud. It is worth noting that, streets are very narrow, so it will be difficult to drive with a car. You will get acquainted with locals, who looks different from other Turkmen tribes. They live between Turkmenistan and Iran border. In addition, Nokhur is the largest village, with population of a thousand or two thousand people. In the afternoon, we will drive to the city of Balkanabat. Night is in hotel.

Day 3: Balkanabat - Yangykala - Gozli Ata - Turkmenbashi - Avaza
Having a hearty breakfast, you will travel to Yangikala canyons. The splendid sight is situated at 165 km to the north from Balkanabat and 160 km to the east from Turkmenbashi. Yangykala means "fire fortresses". You will find true, sheer cliffs of white, yellow, ocher, violet and red colors, fancifully imprinted by winds and rains and looks legendary. It is one of the most distant pilgrimage sights in Turkmenistan. On arrival, you will have an opportunity to take vibrant photos and enjoy panorama views. Walking to the center of a natural wood, bounded by lumps of floorings of pink and white stone you will see Gozli Ata. Before the leader Sufi lived in the early 14th century. His mausoleum is made of brick building with two white domes, vertical in an old cemetery with many attractively carved stone tombs. It looks like a triangular prism. In the second half of day, we will travel to Awaza. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 4: Avaza - Ashgabat - Mary/Merv
In the morning you will have flight to Ashgabat. On arrival, you will visit the Abiverd. This is an ancient sight of Turkmenistan. Then, we will drive Merv, which is considered to be the largest and biggest of the ancient time. Before it was capital of Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. In the second half of day, you will have an idea to visit Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Soltan Gala, Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum, Ibn Zeid Mausoleum. In the evening, back to Mary city and rest is in a hotel.

Day 5: Mary - Margush - Ashgabat
The next destination of our tour will start by seeing the Oasis of Merv, belonging to the 5th center of evolution. It is settlement of people who lived before the Achaemen times. The wonderful sight of Bronze Age as Margush, which means "lowland" or in Greek Margiana will catch your attention. Appreciations to Professor Victor Sarianidi, he was progressively exposed in the early 1970s. The professor controlled the Margiana Archaeological Expedition. Residences of the Bronze Age can be established at the northern edge of the contemporary oasis or outside on the desert land. Due to the ruins of the Bronze Age settlements were fine conserved under desert soils. Sights in Margiana are closely related to sights in Bactria, in current northern Afghanistan. Sarianidi entitlements that the Bactria-Margiana compound was a main center of antique development, and recommended that Margiana may even have been the homeland of Zoroastrianism. In the end of bright day, we will drive to Ashgabat city. Rest is in a hotel.

Day 6: Ashgabat 
After breakfast, you will have a city tour. Visit the Revival Park, Russian Market, Lenin's square, Ertogrulgazy mosque, Park of Independence, Arch of Neutrality. In the second half of day, you will drive to the Museum of Ethnography and Museum of Fine Arts. Today, your night will be spent is in a hotel.

Day 7: Ashgabat - Damla
We are glad to present you the next day of our tour where you will travel to Damla village, located in the middle of the parched groves of the enormous Karakum desert in Turkmenistan. The village is rather small, where you can see traditional lifestyle of Turkmen life. You will see 60 dwellings in whirling sands, local people serenely and merely involve in the lifestyle. We have no doubt you will be impressed on tours.  In addition, you will have chance to see traces of real Turkmenistan exactly in Damla. Overnight is in tents.

Day 8: Damla - Darwaza 
Today is an interesting tour. We will visit Darwaza or "door to hell". On the way, you will see another 2 craters, located in the village of Darwaza, in the west of the foremost road. The first crater is situated in bottomless plump hole; a metal fence environs this small crater. You can't see fire, only a strong smell of gas. The second crater is located in 18 km south of Darwaza, on the western side of the foremost road and is almost imperceptible from it. This crater does not have fire, but a very strong odor. Before this village was once a sulfur manufacture sight, which was closed in the 1960s. You can always travel there and spend a wonderful time. For sure you it will impress you. Today, your night will be spent in tent.

Day 9: Darwaza - Ashgabat
In the last day of our tour, you will transfer to Ashgabat. On arrival, you can visit the Annau "Seit Jamaleddin Mosque" as one of the unique wonders of Turkmenistan as well as see the remains of the 15th century Seyit Jamal ad-Din mosque. On arrival to Ashgabat, you will spend night in a hotel.

Day 10: Flight
Transfer to airport. Thank you for Turkmenbashi tour.

Hotels 3*,
Price per person:
02 pax - 1 420 $
04 pax - 1 130 $
06 pax -  975 $
08 pax -  895 $
10 pax -  935 $
Single - 160 $

Early check-in - 30 $
Single early check-in - 45 $  

Hotels 4*,
Price per person:
02 pax - 1 560 $
04 pax - 1 270 $
06 pax - 1 115 $
08 pax - 1 035 $
10 pax - 1 075 $
Single - 205 $

Early check-in - 50 $
Single early check-in - 70 $  

Half board - 90 $
Full board - 180 $

Transport:
For 2 person Sedan (3seats)
For 3 - 8 person Minibus (14 seats)
For 10 and more person Bus (20-30-40 seats)
SUV cars (4x4) we are organize for Damla, Darvaza, Canyons and 
Margiana                

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Ashgabat - "Menzil" Hotel 3*/ "Ak Altyn" Hotel 4*
Balkanabat - "Sport" Hotel 3*/ "Nebitchi" Hotel 4*
Avaza - "Hazina" Hotel 5*
Mary - "Merv" Hotel 3*/ "Mary" Hotel 4*
Damla - Tents or Homestay
Darwaza - Tents or Yurts
- Visa support
- English speaking guide
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour
- Domestic flights Turkmenbashi - Ashgabat                                              

Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Single rooms       
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Migration tax (12$)
- Fee for using cameras on monuments

Note: Each Traveler should have 2 photos (5×6) to be presented at the points of entry.