Turkmenistan 4 Days 3 Nights Tour

BREAKFAST

Transfer to Ashgabat Airport .

06:30 – Flight to Mary

07:10 – Arrival in Mary

Drive to Gonurdepe by 4x4 vehicle. Gonurdepe located from Mary city 90 km. 

Gonur Depe (2000 BC) is the largest settlement in historical Margiana, also known as Margush. Spend the afternoon walking among the remains of a sprawling city that contained a palace, temples with fire altars, living quarters, ovens and extensive burial grounds, including a royal tomb. Gonur Depe (Gray Hill), a huge city and temple complex in the Mary region of Turkmenistan, was discovered in 1972 by an archaeological expedition led by Viktor Ivanovich Sarianidi. The largest settlement in ancient Margiana, Gonur Depe belongs to the Bronze Age (3rd millennium BC) and appears to have been a major center of the Zoroastrian religion.  

Then drive to Ancient Merv historical site.

Ancient Merv was the most important Silk Road hub in the region, and particularly thriving as regional capital under Seljuk governor Sanjar. Merw is the collective name of five urban centers that existed under various different names in different periods from the VI c BC up to the XVIII c AD.Today, Merv occupies a territory of more than 1200 ha and forms the biggest archeological site in Central Asia. The importance of the site was recognized in 1999 by UNESCO, which awarded Merv World Heritage status.

The Seljuk capital, consisting of a shahristan (medieval citadel) and a rabat(outskirts of the medieval city), considerably exceeded Damascus and Jerusalem in size. Today the Seljuk citadel is called SultanKala. It has an oval shape and occupies about 630 hectares. Its layout is still visible in aerial pictures. Among all city sites of Merw, perhaps the most significant is the medieval  Seljuk city. 

Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum most majestic architectural monument of Merv is Sultan Sanjar mausoleum called "Dar-al-Akhir" ("Otherworld"). His whole appearance it represents the highest achievements and flourishing Seljuk power. Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum is located in the center of the settlement Sultan Kala. Nearby are large monumental buildings - the palaces of Seljuk rulers and a mosque.

Great and Less Kiz fortress small fortresses with corrugated, if folded in the crease, napodobye accordion, walls. They put on the earthen ramps with mild slope. Small windows are hidden in the folds of the walls. At the top of the wall terminate toothed battlements, which are almost did not survive.

Mausoleums of ashkhabs. Original set of graves from the time of the Arab invasioninto Central Asia in the early years after the death of Mohamed. The graves of two askhabs(companions/campaigners of the Prophet) are of Al KhakamGifari (died in 670) and Bureyda Al Aslami (died in 681).

Gyaur Kala fortress In Turkic languages, "Gyaur" means "infidel", referring to those who do not practise Islam. The name of the fortress in ancient Merv, Gyaur-Kala - "Fortress of the Infidels" - was given by the Arabs who conquered it in the early 8th century. However, the fortress itself dates back much earlier, to the 4th-3rd centuries BC.

Erk-Kala fortress was the center of ancient Merv. The fortifications of Erk-Kala have sagged under earth drifts but nevertheless, have preserved their height and power. This distinguishes Erk-Kala from other fortresses. Now the height of the fortifications with steep slopes and precisely cut out towers reaches 25 - 29 m.

The mausoleum-complex of Hodja Yusuf Hamadani (Hamdani) includes a modern mosque and minaret, the grave and mausoleum of Hodja Yusuf Hamadani (died in 1140), a Timuridiwan(portal) and a prayer hall. It is located not far from the Seljuk citadel. This complex has been largely reconstructed and turned into an important pilgrimage site.  Hodja Yusuf Hamadani was a famous Sufi scholar of the 12th century, and the first of a group of Central Asian Sufi teachers who founded the Naqshbandi order. He was born in 1048-49 in a small settlement called Bezendjird, close to the famous Iranian city of Hamadan, when Merw was under Seljuk rule.

Shahriar Ark was constructed - a citadel within the citadel, protected by its own walls and moat. Visiting Shahriar Ark you can see the Kepter Khana- an interesting corrugated structure, which is the best-preserved in the citadel. It’s walls still survive to a height of some 4,5 m, however the original height of the walls is hard to determine. 

Mohamed ibn Zaid, dated by inscription to 1112-13. It is located outside the medieval Seljuk citadel. It is unclear as to whom the mausoleum is actually devoted to. The local legend speaks about Mohamed Said ibnZeidibn Ali ZeinalAbedonibn al- Huseinibn Ali-Talib, who   was a prominent Shia teacher and direct descendant of the Prophet Ali in fifth generation. 

Transfer to Mary Airport .

20:15 – Flight to Ashgabat,

20:55 –Upon arrival in Ashgabat, then transfer to the hotel.

Night at the hotel.

BREAKFAST

09:00 -you will meet your guide and then begin your journey.

Nisa Fortress, located near Ashgabat in Turkmenistan, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its historical significance and architectural grandeur. The site comprises the ruins of two ancient fortresses, Nisa and Old Nisa, which were pivotal in the region during the Parthian Empire (247 BC – 224 AD). Nisa was a prominent center for the Parthian dynasty, serving as a royal residence and a key military stronghold. The site is believed to have been established in the 3rd century BC and showcases a blend of Persian and Hellenistic architectural styles, reflecting the cultural exchanges of the time. It was also an important hub for trade along the Great Silk Road, linking East and West.

Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque (also known as the Gypjak Mosque) is one of the largest mosques in Central Asia, located in Gypjak, a village near Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. It was commissioned by Saparmurat Niyazov, the first president of Turkmenistan. The mosque covers an area of 18,000 square meters and can accommodate around 10,000 worshippers at a time. Its central dome reaches a height of 55 meters, while the minarets are 91 meters tall, representing the year 1991, when Turkmenistan gained independence from the Soviet Union. Design built primarily from white marble, which is commonly used in Ashgabat, the mosque reflects a blend of traditional Islamic and Turkmen styles. The interior is adorned with intricate patterns, including calligraphy from the Quran.

Akhalteke Horse Farm the horse farm is located in the countryside area, behind the Geokdepe town, 55km. Excursion at the farm to see the AkhalTeke horse and Turkmen dog Alabay. Akhal-Teke horse farm – home to the world-famous Turkmen horses. Learn about the breeding traditions and history of Akhal-Teke horses. Here, experts will tell you about Akhal-Teke horses. Next to the farm, you can take a horseback ride through the gardens.

Gokdepe Mosque is a significant religious and historical landmark located in Gokdepe. Built in the 1990s, it is sometimes referred to as the Saparmyrat Haji Mosque in honour of his pilgrimage to Mecca.The mosque is an impressive architectural work, combining elements of modern Islamic design with traditional Central Asian styles. Its white marble facade reflects Turkmenistan’s national preference for this material, which can be seen in many of the country’s modern structures. The mosque is adorned with four minarets, tall and slender, framing a central dome that rises prominently above the building. The dome itself is striking, often described as sparkling turquoise or blue, which is a testament to the mosque’s name ‘Gokdepe’, which means ‘blue hill’ in Turkmen.

Kowata (Kow-Ata) is a natural underground lake located within the Kow-Ata Cave in Turkmenistan, known for its warm, sulfur-rich waters that are reputed to have therapeutic qualities. It lies about 90 kilometers (55 miles) west of Ashgabat, and is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The water in Kowata remains warm year-round at a consistent temperature of about 35-37°C (95-98°F). The lake is rich in minerals like sulfur, which gives the water a slight medicinal odor, believed to help treat certain skin and respiratory conditions.

Nohur (also known as Nokhur or Nokur) is a remote and picturesque village located in the Kopet Dag Mountains of southern Turkmenistan, near the border with Iran. Known for its stunning natural beauty and unique cultural traditions, Nohur offers a glimpse into a way of life that has remained largely untouched by modernity. The village is nestled in a deep valley surrounded by rugged mountains, providing breathtaking views of dramatic cliffs, lush greenery, and terraced landscapes. Traditional stone houses with flat roofs and wooden beams characterize the architecture of Nohur, blending harmoniously into the surrounding environment. Narrow streets wind through the village, giving it a timeless and serene atmosphere.

Night at the hotel.

BREAKFAST 

09:00 - you will start tour:

Carpet Museum was established in 1993 to preserve and develop the traditions of Turkmen carpet weaving. More than two thousand carpets made by hand are awaiting to amaze their visitors. Both ancient and modern carpets are on display here, including one of 301 square meters that entered the Guinness Book of Records as the largest of the world.

Then drive to Darvaza in the Karakum desert (280 km), along the way visiting the Erbent desert community.

Darvaza, the center of a gas-rich area in the heart of the Karakum Desert, attracts travelers from all over the world with its unique burning crater, which offers especially spectacular views in the dark.

Farewell dinner is served in a yurt. Return to Ashgabat after dark (slow driving).

Transfer to the Ashgabat International Airport for flight to next destination.