About
Example Itinerary
A Flying Visit to Ancient Turkmenistan
- Duration
- 4 days / 3 nights
- Price Per Person
- Extension: Optional add-on to your itinerary.
- Destinations
- Turkmenistan
The four-day trip through Turkmenistan takes you to all the must-see sites of this historically significant and culturally rich Central Asian country. After visiting the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site at Kunya-Urgench, the former capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire, you’ll head on to the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, where you’ll have a full day of sightseeing. There’s also time to see the archaeological jewel in Turkmenistan’s crown, Mary, as well as visit the 1,200-hectare UNESCO historical park at nearby Merv. You’ll fly back to Ashgabat after four action-packed days exploring this mysterious and fascinating country.
This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.
Highlights
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Explore the ancient ruins of Kunya-Urgench, the former capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire.
- Ashgabat: The capital city is bursting with bazaars, monuments, and mountain forts.
- Ancient History: Merv is the archaeological jewel in Turkmenistan’s crown, a 1,200-hectare UNESCO-accredited historical park.
Day-by-Day
Day 1
Ashgabat »
This action-packed four-day tour of Turkmenistan kicks off in the border town of Dashoguz, where you’ll meet your friendly guide before hitting the road to Kunya-Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for being the former capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire. You’ll have ample time to explore the ancient mausoleums and stunning architecture of the city, with your knowledgeable guide taking you to all the most worthwhile spots. Return to Dashoguz and catch an evening flight to Ashgabat, which is where you’ll be spending your first night in a modern hotel.
Hotel Options
Day 2
Ashgabat »
Start the day with a trip to the popular Bazaar of Tolkuchka (open Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday), which sells everything from camels to intricately-handcrafted jewellery. After the market, it’s on to the stunning Old Nisa fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in the foothills of the nearby mountains. The afternoon will be spent back in the capital, with sightseeing trips to the Park of Independence, Neutrality Square and the National Museum of History and Ethnography, which is home to more than 300,000 objects from ancient archaeological sites of Turkmenistan. Head back to your modern Ashgabat hotel for a night’s rest.
Ashgabat
Day 3
Ashgabat »
This third day is dedicated to one of the most historically-important cities in Turkmenistan: Mary, and the nearby historical park at Merv. Catch an early morning flight to Dashoguz and make the 19-mile overland trip onwards. The rest of the day will be spent exploring the dazzling mausoleums, ancient Islamic monuments and stunning architecture for which this region is so famous. As well as the remnants of the city of Merv, you’ll visit the ancient forts of Big and Little Kyz-Kalas, the mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammad ibn-Zayd, and finally the local History Museum in Mary. Catch an evening flight back to Ashgabat and transfer back to your hotel in the capital.
Day 4
Departure
Day four marks the end of what has been a short, yet action-packed tour of Turkmenistan. After a leisurely buffet breakfast, check out of your modern hotel and head to the airport via private transportation. From there, catch your onwards flight to your next destination of choice.
Terms & Conditions
Price is based on double or twin hotel room occupancy and includes accommodation, transfers, car/driver, English-speaking guide, activities and entrance fees, breakfasts and some casual lunches while touring. Flights and optional special activities will be quoted separately. Most personal expenses, including dinners, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments and gratuities can be paid on the spot while traveling. Prices may vary depending on season, choice of accommodation and other factors.
Why Remote Lands?
Exclusively Asia
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
Travelogues
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
Dashoguz to Merv: 3 Days to Discover Turkmenistan
- Author
- Travelogues
It would be impossible to take in all the history, depth, and curiosities of Turkmenistan in just three days. Still, worth a shot.
Knocking on Turkmenistan’s Door to Hell
- Author
- Jay Tindall
Jay Tindall takes his camera to the Turkmenistan desert for a look into the famed Darvaza gas crater, otherwise known as the Door to Hell, in the dead of night.
Remote Lands’ Dozen Dream Destinations for 2015
- Author
- Remote Lands
The new year is already upon us and so it’s time for us to once again share our pick of what we think are Asia’s hottest destinations for the coming 12 months.
What Others Say
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.
A Couple from California
Our guide in Uzbekistan seemed to know everyone wherever we went which made us feel like locals.
A French couple from Dubai
We would really like to thank the team at Remote Lands for organizing such a perfect holiday for our family
