About
Example Itinerary
Turkmenistan Explorer: Ashgabat, Mary & Turkmenbashi
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Price Per Person
-
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.
- Interests
- UNESCO
- Destinations
- Turkmenistan
It is often said that Turkmenistan is the most mysterious and underrated of all the ‘stans’ that make-up the rarely-visited Central Asian region. With this action-packed tour, you’ll see the best of what this fascinating country has to offer: from the monuments and museums of the capital, Ashgabat, to the ruins of Merv and Mary - not forgetting the spectacular Mausoleums in Kunya-Urgench - once home to the biggest Muslim empire of the late 12th/early 13th century, this eight-day adventure of Turkmenistan will leave a lasting impression. After a final excursion to the stunning yet remote eastern city of Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea, you’ll return to Ashgabat yearning for more.
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
- Time Travel: Journey back through the centuries with a trip up to the ancient fortress of Old Nisa, situated in the foothills of the atmospheric Kopet-Dag Mountains.
- Significant Finds: The vast UNESCO World Heritage Site of Merv contains some of the most important archaeological ruins in Central Asia.
- Khorezmshah Legacy: Kunya-Urgench was once the capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire - a Muslim empire that peaked in the late 12th and early 13th centuries.
Day-by-Day
Day 1
Map ▲Ashgabat »
The morning of your first day in Turkmenistan will be spent transferring to your four-star hotel and meeting your friendly driver, who will be with you throughout this eight-day tour. Sightseeing starts in the later part of the morning with a visit to the famous Independence Monument and Neutrality Square. After lunch, there’s time to explore the rest of the fascinating city, including a trip to the popular Carpet Museum.
Hotel Options
Day 2
Map ▲Mary & Merv »
Kick-off your second day in Turkmenistan with a trip to the impressive Old Nisa fortress, situated in the foothills of the atmospheric Kopet-Dag Mountains. The site is earliest of the Parthian Empire capitals and is spread over an area of 14 hectares. On the way back to Ashgabat, stop-off at Kipchak village to see the biggest mosque in Turkmenistan and the family mausoleum of the first President. Catch an afternoon flight to the historical city of Mary and check in to your three-star hotel.
Hotel Options
Mary & Merv
Day 3
Map ▲Mary & Merv »
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Mary before journeying 16 miles out of town to Merv, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site home to some of the most important archaeological ruins in Central Asia. Merv played an important part in the development of the Silk Road, and your guide will take you around the 1200-hectare historical park that is spread across the area. After a full day’s sightseeing, there’s time to visit the local history museum in Mary which presents Museum a wide array of archaeological finds dating back to 3000 BC.
Day 4
Map ▲Mary & Merv »
Depart your hotel on the morning of this fourth day for the northeastern city of Gonur Depe, the former capital of the Margush country. The picturesque drive takes you past fields, through local villages and over the sparse Turkmenistan desert, eventually ending up at an important archaeological site, known to be a center of a Bronze Age civilization in the country. It’s then back to Mary and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Mary & Merv
Day 5
Map ▲Dashoguz
Depart your hotel for a morning flight to Dashoguz and then make the short overland trip to Kunya-Urgench,a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the glorious capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire and home to the biggest Muslim empire of the late 12th/early 13th century.
Hotel Options
Day 6
Map ▲Turkmenbashi »
Today you’ll be heading to Turkmenbashi, a remote Turkmenistan city situated right on the stunning Caspian Sea. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your four-star hotel and have the rest of the evening to relax or explore the surrounding area.
Hotel Options
Turkmenbashi
Day 7
Map ▲Ashgabat »
This penultimate day on your tour of Turkmenistan will be spent getting to know this quaint eastern city, as well neighboring Avaza. You’ll visit the coastal region and take a short cruise along the canal through Avaza. In the city of Turkmenbashi, there’s a chance to see the local bazaar, Russian Orthodox Church, visit Local Lore Museum, war memorial and the cemetery of the World War II Japanese prisoners. In the evening, catch a flight back to Ashgabat and check in to your hotel for your last night.
Hotel Options
Day 8
Map ▲Departure
Take one final leisurely breakfast at your hotel, for today you’ll be saying goodbye to Turkmenistan after more than a week of adventure. Check out and transfer to the international airport via private transportation. Catch your onwards flight to your next destination of choice.
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.
Couple from Madrid
Our private jet was a very important part of our trip. Most of the legs were less than 30 minutes, compared to six to 10 hours if we traveled by road. Overall, we had a fantastic trip to a new country for us. Remote Lands never fails!
