The modern city of Mary is the base from which to discover the nearby ancient sites of wonder. The city's museum contains exhibitions and displays to give visitors a good foundation for exploring the surrounding area. Each city (or "kala") within the vast complex of historic Merv tells its own story of a slice of Turkmenistan's amazing history from the 7th century BC until well past the Medieval period. And, even further back, the excavation site at Gonur Depe marks central Turkmenistan as one of the earliest seats of civilization in the world.
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The Abdulla-Khan Kala marks the area of Merv developed after the Medieval period. Founded in 1409, it’s the smallest of Merv’s cities; the rectangular walls enclose some 44 towers including the citadel - home of the city’s ruler.
Another and slightly larger post-medieval city of Merv, Bayram-Ali-Khan Kala features a collection of crumbling-but-stunning architectural wonders, fortress walls, towers and citadels, well-preserved given the area’s checkered history.
Erk Kala marks the location of the earliest civilisation on the site. As far back as the 7th century BC, the Persian empire had a fortress here. The modern ruins show signs of it being later used as an acropolis and a sacred Islamic place of safety.
A worthwhile three-hour journey from Mary is the archeological site of Gonur Depe, the location of the first agricultural settlement in the oasis by the Murgab River - one of the five oldest civilizations on the planet. Here, a vast dig was undertaken to discover monumental temples and castles dating back millennia.
When Alexander the Great conquered Merv in the 4th century BC, it was incorporated into the city of Antiochia. The remains of the city fortress walls are known today as Gyaur Kala and includes ancient places of worship for Buddhists and Christians.
One of the two most important museums in the country, Mary Museum was opened in 1984 in an old Russian brick factory. Extended in 1998, the museum’s halls house collections featuring ancient Turkmen ethnography, indigenous flora and fauna and information on the country’s fascinating history.
The original site of the ancient city of Merv is located nearby modern-day Mary. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Merv is a collection of cities (kalas) that are home to numerous ancient remains and ruins spanning its 4,000 year history.
The largest of Merv’s cities, Sultan Kala became the central core of medieval Merv. In this Kala, archaeologists have discovered building types unique to central Asia including mausoleums and citadels bearing centuries of occupation and history.
Built over three centuries, from 600 to 900 AD, the large and small kalas of Kyz are characteristic of the pre-Arabian era and feature rectangular wall structures enclosing the ruins of the interconnecting rooms.
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This five-day journey is your chance to uncover Turkmenistan, an off-the-beaten path destination and one of the most mysterious regions of Central Asia. From a perpetually burning crater, an eerily quiet capital clad in white marble, and ancient UNESCO ruins, this guarantees to be a journey like no other.
This short and sweet four-day tour of Turkmenistan takes you to all the must-see sites in what is one of the most mysterious countries in Central Asia. After sightseeing in the capital, Ashgabat, make your way to the stunning ancient at Kunya-Urgench and Mary, both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Turn back time on this two-week tour of two amazing countries. Explore historical wonders of Tashkent and Khiva and uncover the crumbling cities of Merv and Mary and the fortress of Nissa. Camp by burning gas craters, get up close to the famous Akhal Teke horses of Turkmenistan and discover the palaces and mausoleums of mighty Emirs.
Get to grips with the fascinating Turkmenistan capital, Ashgabat, over three action-packed days, before embarking on an epic overland journey. Your guide will take you to the World Heritage Site of Merv and Mary before you make your way back to the capital via the quaint local village of Bokurdak.
Discover the best of Turkmenistan with this nine-night, eight-day adventure tour of both cultural and natural phenomenons. From the white-marbled capital city of Ashgabat to overnight camping in the desert and everything in between, this trip will provide you with a cross-section of this unique Central Asian country.
This tour around the mysterious Central Asian country of Turkmenistan offers you the best of what this fascinating country has to offer: glistening mausoleums, ancient fortress remains, desolate deserts and majestic mountains, all wrapped up into an unforgettable eight-day adventure.
Take a quick dip into the history and culture of exciting Turkmenistan with this four-day, three-night adventure. In this short amount of time, you’ll visit three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, numerous mausoleums, countless forts and monuments and learn more about this fascinating Central Asian country.
This eight-day tour of Turkmenistan opens up one of Central Asia’s most mysterious lands: Turkmenistan. Passing over the desolate, yet utterly spectacular Karakum Desert, you’ll explore ancient ruins, dazzling mausoleums, and fiery caves, all before ending up in the fascinating capital of Ashgabat.
Recently opened in 2011, the comfortable and modern Dayanch Hotel is easily accessed by car from the airport in Mary, Turkmenistan. The rooms sleep two, four, and eight people and all come with private bathrooms and the usual mod-cons. If guests have time to kill, there are enough activities at the Dayanch Hotel to keep everyone occupied for the day, with a sauna, bar, restaurant, and a cute little cafe with tables set inside colorful yurts (traditional tents). The hotel is located in the rural area of Sakarchaga and guests can find plenty of amenities such as local cafes and bars in the nearby area. There’s also several nearby households willing to open their doors for visitors to take a peek into their live craft workshops.
This three-star hotel is one of the most popular places to stay in the oasis city of Mary, which is situated in the Karakum Desert, on the Murghab River. Close to the ancient and famous ‘Murgab’ site, Margush Hotel offers 28 spacious guestrooms, all of which are relatively modern with this hotel only having opened in 2004. What really makes this hotel special is its interior design, such as the impressive white marble at the entrance and pastel tones featured throughout the rooms giving reference to the surrounding desert terrain of Turkmenistan. The hotel also boasts an excellent swimming pool, an all day restaurant serving local and international food, as well as a bar and fitness center.
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