Day1 – Ashgabat, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
- Arrival in Ashgabat International airport. You will be met by our representatives and transfer to hotel. Free time. Afternoon you will have Ashgabat city tour. You will see Presidential Palace, Ruhyyet Palace, Wedding Palace, modern “Yildyz” Hotel, Ferries Wheel, Constitution Monument, Arch of Neutrality, Monument and park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Ashgabat 2017 Sports and Housing facilities, the Earthquake and victims of WWII Monuments. Drive to visit Ashgabat Cable Car. It is a 4 km (2.5 mi) cableway between Ashgabat and the foothills of the Kopetdag. The first and single in Turkmenistan. Length of the cable car 4 km. The journey time is 20 minutes. Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day2 – Ashgabat, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Nokhur, Nokhur, Turkmenistan
- BF at hotel. Morning drive to visit Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque in Kipchak (the largest mosque in Central Asia). Drive to Gokdepe fortress that was attacked in December 1880 by Russian Empire Army. The siege of Gokdepe lasted 23 days, after which the city was taken by storm. Visit Geokdepe Mosque (Saparmyrat Hajy) that was built in 1995 to commemorate the defeat and is noted for its mint-turquoise blue colored roof and white marble structure. Later drive to visit Horse Farm to see a national proud of Turkmen people – Akhalteke horses, the nicest horses in the world. 5000 years ago, Turkmens begin breed Akhalteke horses. The World’s unique breed was never mixed with other breeds. Such illustrious Emperors like Alexander the Great, Darius I desired to own Ahalteke horses. There are over 35 beautiful horses in the farm. Per superstition, every sick person who touches an Ahalteke horse will get well soon. Then drive to Kowata underground lake which is located 107 km from Ashgabat. The Turkmen name Kow-Ata means “father of caves”. This underground area seems 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 the lake). Then drive to Nokhur mountain village. The village itself fills a small depression valley in the mountains of the Kopet Dag Range, and the houses are built with local boulderscemented 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 Nohkuri 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 just a thousand or maybe two thousand people. Traditional Dinner in a local family. Overnight in a local family.
Day3 – Nokhur, Nokhur, Turkmenistan to Awaza, Awaza, Turkmenistan
- Breakfast. Morning drive to Yangykala Canyons, one of the scenic natural objects of Turkmenistan. The word expression “yangy kala” translates from Turkmen as “fire fortress”. Indeed, the sheer cliffs of white, yellow, ocher, purple and red colors, fancily carved by winds and rains, are very similar to the stone castles from a fantasy. Explore the Canyons. Then drive to Turkmenbashi city and transfer to Avaza resort area. Overnight in Avaza.
Day4 – Awaza, Awaza, Turkmenistan to Darvaza Gas Crater, Darvaza, Turkmenistan
- BF at Hotel. Morning transfer to Turkmenbashy domestic airport to take flight to Dashoguz at 12:40 (flights available Tue, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat) Arrival in Dashoguz at 13:45. Then drive to Darwaza burning Gas Crater (268km) dubbed by locals as “The Door to Hell”. The Darwaza area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 70 meters. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided the best solution was to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the as is still burning today. In the evening, watch the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater. BBQ dinner & overnight at Gas Crater.
Day5 – Darvaza Gas Crater, Darvaza, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
- Picnic style breakfast in the camp. Drive to Ashgabat. Transfer to hotel. Free time. Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day6 – Ashgabat, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
- BF at Hotel. Transfer to Ashgabat International airport.
