Golden Sands Adventure: Ashgabat to Mary

After barbeque breakfast drive to Damla village. Damla located 100 kilometres east of the famous Darvaza crater. The people in these oases are unique in their hospitable culture,traditions and dress. We will have every opportunity to take part in felting, yurt set-up, observing the preparation of traditional meals as well as expanding your musical talents by learning to play the dutar. Most buildings in the Central Karakum settlements are flat roof and in summer yurts are pitched in front of every house.The location of the settlement is on a plane area in the middle of sandy hills. That gives opportunity-gathering rainwaters there and inhabitants use gathered rainwater for their daily lives. Damla means ‘water drop’ in Turkic languages. The name of the village is closely connected with their water supplies. Here you’ll taste national cuisine and feel the colour of life people of sands. Overnight in tent or guesthouse.

After a hearty breakfast, we take some time to explore the Damla. The people in these oases are unique in their hospitable culture,traditions and dress. We will have every opportunity to take part in felting, yurt set-up, observing the preparation of traditional meals as well as expanding your musical talents by learning to play the dutar. Most buildings in the Central Karakum settlements are flat roof and in summer yurts are pitched in front of every house. We continue our off-road drive in the late afternoon on a sweltering plateau cut to pieces by the advancing dunes, only meeting scattered shepherd families at the salt-water wells once every 50 km. After a 4-hour drive we reach the settlements of Akmolla and Murzechirla. In the cooler evening hours we will set up camp and make more new friends.

Continue to Gonur Depe, the main site of Zoroastrian Margush or Margiana. Located some 60 km north of Merv, it is the centre of a great 4000-year old fire-worshipping civilization. Perhaps older than Mesopotamia and known only to a few experts, Margush is famous for it's rare seals and unusual burial practices. The capital temple-city of Togolok is the sole entirely excavated site of this size in Central Asia and the visitor can stroll through its ancient alleyways and shrines littered with shards. We will camp and dine with the international team of archaeologists enjoying the wide-open spaces and the same spectacular stars enjoyed by civilizations thousands of years ago. Overnight in tent.

After breakfast drive to Ancient Merv. Visit ancient Merv – “Queen of the world”, one of the most important capitals of Islam along with Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. Enjoy ancient Merv: Gyz Gala & Oglan Gala (VI-VII), Complex of Askhabs: Al Hakim Ibn Amr Al Jafari and Buraida Ibn Al Heseib Al Islami (VIII-XIV), Gyaur Gala (IV BC), Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum, Buddist Complex (IV-VI), Beni Makhan Mosque-first Mosque built in Central Asia.Upon arrival accommodation & rest or (if have time) short walking tour within the central part of Mary City which has The Regional Mosque of Mary Province, The Central Theater of Mary, The Convention & Conference Center “Ruhiyet Koshgi”, Central Park & Monument of Mollanepes-the National Classic Poet who lived in Mary in XVIII-XIXcc. Overnight is at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast transfer to Mary airport, then flight to Ashgabat at 08:00/08:40 (flight time could be changed). We will begin our tour in Ashgabat. Ashgabat is a relatively young city in 25.05.2013 city was included Gunnies Book of records as a white marbled city on the world. Today you will see Ruhyyet Palace, Wedding Palace, modern Yildyz Hotel, Ferries Wheel, Constitution Monument, Arch of Neutrality, Monument and park of Independence. After lunch visit Nissa fortress -the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings. UNESCO declared fortress a World Heritage Site in 2007. Drive to visit the biggest Mosque in Central Asia Ruhy Mosque. Return Ashgabat city. Dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight is at the hotel.

Departure from Ashgabat - Transfer to the airport for your flight home.