Akhal Teke Horse Riding Adventure

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.

 Akhal - Teke Horse Farm to see a national proud of Turkmen people - Akhalteke horses, the nicest horses in the world. 5000 years ago, Turkmens begin breed Akhalteke horses. The World’s unique breed was never mixed with other breeds. Such illustrious Emperors like Alexander the Great, Darius I desired to own Ahalteke horses. There are over 35 beautiful horses in the farm. 

A night tour of Ashgabat's illuminated monuments will showcase the city's unique architecture in all its glory.

Night at the hotel.

BREAKFAST

09:00 - drive to Akhal - Teke horse farm 50 km from Ashgabat.

The Akhal-Teke horse farm meet the famous horses and the horsemen. You will have an introductory riding session (approx. 2-3 hours) to assess your skills and allow you to bond with your chosen Akhal-Teke. This is often a ride around the local area or to a nearby scenic spot. Enjoy a full-board lunch and dinner featuring local cuisine. Say goodbye to the horses.

Arrive back in Ashgabat.

Night at the hotel

BREAKFAST 

08:00 - drive back to Ashgabat (approx. 4-5 hours).

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.

Night at the hotel.

BREAKFAST 

Transfer to Ashgabat Airport

06:30 - Flight to Mary

07:10 - Arrival in Mary

Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Farm in the Mary region are listed as a unique experience for horse enthusiasts as part of tours to the city and the ancient ruins of Merv. These visits allow you to witness the elegance and beauty of the famous racehorses.

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.

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.

Yusuf Khamadany Mosque this complex was built on the burial site of Abu-Yakub Yusuf ibn Ayub born in the city of Hamadan (western Iran). Above his tomb the mausoleum, which has not survived, was erected. The destroyed structure was partially restored and reconstructed in the 19th century. The tomb of the dervish symbolizes a crypt from black marble decorated with a floral ornament and inscriptions. There is a chapel in the western corner of the mausoleum with central aivan. It is the basic part of the complex. Today Yusuf Khamadani mosque is an important Muslim temple, the place of worshipping.

Sultan Kala fortress in the 11th-12th centuries Merv became the capital of Great Seljuk state and reached the highest prosperity. By the order of Seljuk sultan Melik-shakh the city was surrounded by a fortification and moat.This fortress with the area of over 400 hectares is known as Sultan-Kala - the Fortress of Sultans. In the northeastern part of Sultan-Kala Shakhriar-ark citadel with palace complexes of sultans, administration buildings and a military barracks - was constructed.

Mohammed ibn-Zeid Mausoleum is an outstanding monument of Sultan-Kala. It is relatively small but arouses admiration by its original architectural solution. The interior of the mausoleum has a unique wall inscription in Arabian language. The letters skillfully carved from burnt bricks boldly stand out on the background of the vegetative pattern made of plaster. It’s says that the mausoleum erected above the tomb of Mohammed ibn - Zeid, the representative of Shiit branch of Islam, the descendant of caliph Ali in the fifth generation in 1112-1113.

History, Flora and Fauna of Mary Region in the Mary History Museum The Mary History Museum was established as the Mary Museum of History and Revolution in 1968. Its first exposition opened in 1974. When Turkmenistan gained independence, the Museum in 2008 moved into a new white-marbled building in the center of Mary.

Night at the hotel.

BREAKFAST 

09:00 - drive to Ashgabat. On the way visit:

Monument to the poet Mollanepes. The monument  located in the center of Mary city. He lived in the 19th century.

Maru-Shahu-Jahan bazaar. Located in the center of Mary city, near the Murgab River. Maru-Sahu-Jahan bazaar is a local shopping center, offering a glimpse into everyday Turkmen life with lively shops selling produce, textiles, and household goods. Visits are usually to experience the local culture, atmosphere, and to purchase souvenirs of national handicrafts.

Abiverd one of the most important cities of Northern Khorasan is a medieval settlement Abiverd. Hafiz-i-Abru said that Abiverd settlement consisted of dozens of villages and several cities. The city wall is a rectangular area of 42 hectares.There also were found ancient coins, ceramics products of IX-XII centuries, as well as a lot of metal handicrafts: various women's jewelries, buckles. According by them, we can say that there were shops of jewelers and tinkers. During the excavation’s archeologists found huge wells and reservoirs, indicating a highly-developed irrigation of Abiverd. The first investigation was taking place in 1928 under the lidership A.A. Semenov, who first made a plan of the city, citadel and remains of the city wall. In addition to Semenov’s scientific works, there are also archeological materials collected by the members of the expedition from different parts of Abiverd. 

Seyitjemaleddin Mosque located in the city of Anau, 12 km east of Ashgabat along the Ashgabat-Mary highway. The Seyit-Jemallidin Mosque is a complex structure that once included a mosque, madrasah and the mausoleum of Sheikh Jemal ad-Din.On the Turkmen land the famous Seyit-Jemallidin mosque, widely known as “Seyit-Jemal ad-Din”, a well-known monument that preserves the unique architectural traditions and artistic styles of the Iron Age. The monument was built in the 15th century during the reign of Abul Qasim Babur, a Timurid descendant in Khorasan. This mosque amazed many Muslim architects of the East with its external beauty and architectural features. 

The Ak Bugday Museum, located in Annau, near Ashgabat, is a cultural and historical site that showcases the region’s rich agricultural heritage. Its name, “Ak Bugday,” translates to “white wheat” in Turkmen, reflecting the deep-rooted importance of wheat cultivation in Turkmen culture and history. The museum’s collection includes artifacts related to agriculture, with a focus on the history of grain production, farming tools, and ancient agricultural practices.It also highlights archaeological findings from Annau and surrounding regions, such as tools and ceramics used in agriculture from the Bronze and Iron Ages.One key feature of the museum is a model of an ancient irrigation system, illustrating the sophisticated water management techniques that sustained farming communities in this arid region for centuries.Exhibits often emphasize the cultural symbolism of wheat in local traditions, including bread-making customs and ceremonial practices associated with the harvest.

Upon arrival in Ashgabat and check-in hotel.

Night at the hotel