Example Itinerary

UNESCO World Heritage Site Hopping in Turkmenistan

Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Price Per Person
Interests: UNESCO
Destinations: Turkmenistan

Explore some of the many wonders of Turkmenistan, from the ancient to contemporary, revived and rebuilt, with this four-day cultural journey. With several internal flights, you will be able to visit the gems of this country, from the border town of Dashoguz to the capital city of Ashgabat, as well as UNESCO World Heritage sites including Kunya-Urgench, the former capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire, and Old Nisa, the first Parthian Empire capital, and Ancient Merv, one of the most significant ports on the Silk Road. Soak in all the culture of this fascinating country, and learn more about its history than you ever thought possible in so little time.

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

Islamic Heritage: The monuments, mausoleums, and mosques of Kunya-Urgench hold secrets of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire.
Ancient Fortresses: Old Nisa is an archaeological excavation site that reveals the first capital of the Parthian Empire.
The Wandering City: One of the most major archaeological spots in Central Asia and important in the development of the Silk Road, the ancient town of Merv was an integral player in Turkmenistan's long history.

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Day-by-Day

Day 1

Ashgabat

Your adventure in Turkmenistan begins today as you are greeted at the Uzbekistan border to complete all paperwork. Enjoy lunch in the border town of Dashoguz, then drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kunya-Urgench, the former capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire. Explore the town’s monuments, mausoleums and mosques, before returning to Dashoguz for an evening flight to the capital city of Ashgabat, where you’ll check in to your hotel for the night.

Hotel Options

About

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

Yyldyz Hotel, built in 2013, is located in the foothills of Kopetdag, which offers sprawling views of the city. The hotel has 155 guest rooms and is a 20 minute drive from the airport.

Day 2

Ashgabat

Spend the day discovering the incredible capital city of Ashgabat. Known as the “City of White Marble” for its gorgeous architecture, this relatively new city was born out of a former Russian village on the Silk Road and today is the country’s largest city. In the morning, explore the Bazaar of Tolkuchka to see some of the camels, cattle, carpets, jewellery on sale; then head out of town to tour the fortress of Old Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first Parthian Empire capital. After lunch at a local restaurant back in the city, check out the monuments at the “Park of Independence” and “Neutrality Square”, as well a memorial dedicated to victims of the 1948 earthquake. Finally, wrap up the day with a visit to the the National Museum of History and Ethnography, where you may see hundreds of thousands of historical and archaeological artifacts before enjoying dinner and another overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 3

Ashgabat

Today, you’ll be transferred to the airport to take a flight to Mary. Here you’ll discover Ancient Merv, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and cultural park, as well as one of the major archaeological spots in Central Asia. An important player in development of the Silk Road, Merv has been preserved and refurbished to display the various areas and time periods of this “wandering city”. Explore the incredible decor, architecture and brickwork of the city’s forts and mausoleums, learning more about the history of the Silk Road and soaking in the ancient, medieval and post-medieval atmosphere. Afterwards, head back to Mary to visit a local historical museum, before flying back to Ashgabat for a final night.

Suggested Hotels For Days 1–3

Grand Turkmen Hotel

The five-star Grand Turkmen Hotel is one of the most luxurious and famous hotels in Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, and is located right in the heart of this bustling city. Rooms here come with all the facilities you’d expect with any five-star hotel, and guests can also enjoy the added convenience of having on-site cooking facilities, various dining options, an elegant swimming pool and a fitness suite, massage and sauna room. From the comfort of the hotel, some of the city’s standout attractions, including Independence Monument and the National Museum, are just a short walk or drive away, and the immediate area is full of lively restaurants, bars and cafes. The Grand Turkmen Hotel also caters for a wide range of tastes at its large all-day restaurant which serves up Asian, European and international flavours. There’s also an on-site casino and disco for some entertainment after the sun goes down over Ashgabat.

Yyldyz Hotel

Yyldyz Hotel, built in 2013, is located in the foothills of Kopetdag, which offers sprawling views of the city. The hotel has 155 guest rooms and is a 20 minute drive from the airport. Yyldyz Hotel's facilities include a fully-fitted spa & beauty salon, sauna, fitness center, 2 indoor swimming pools, 1 outdoor pool with jacuzzi, tennis courts and a volleyball court. There are three on-site restaurants offering international fare, spread on the 18th and 19th floors, offering panoramic views of the city. There are also four bars , a tea room, and a disco club.

Sofitel Ashgabat Oguzkent

This modern five-star hotel in Ashgabat boasts an impressive 229 rooms and is located within a half-mile radius of the city’s major local attractions including the Parliament of Country and range of museums and theaters. It combines local fashions of marble and magnificent fountains with the first-class service for which this French hotel chain is renowned. Constructed in 2010 by the Bouygues Construction Company to offer luxury accommodation, this hotel does not fail to deliver. All suites are well-appointed and boast rain showers and TVs in the bath. With three swimming pools, a tennis court, spa, nightclub and bar, the Sofitel provides a full five-star experience of Tajikistan.

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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.

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