Ancient Merv on the Great Silk Road
About tour
Ancient Merv is one of the oldest and most significant places in Central Asia. The ancient city of Merv, located in modern-day Turkmenistan, was one of the great centers of the Silk Road, attracting traders, scholars and travelers from all over the world.Merv was a vibrant metropolis for most of its history and was of great strategic and cultural importance. Known in antiquity as "Marv" and sometimes called the "Pearl of the Orient", Merv reached its peak during the medieval period, especially under the Abbasid Caliphate and later the Seljuk Empire. Today Merv is an archaeological complex that attracts researchers and tourists from all over the world.Today Merv is an archaeological complex that attracts researchers and tourists from all over the world. Its ruins provide insight into life in the ancient city, its culture and significance for world history. Expeditions and excavations in this area continue, revealing more and more secrets of this unique place. Merv is located about 30 km from the modern city of Mary. I wish you an amazing journey into the heart of history!
Itinerary
-
You arrive in Ashgabat early in the morning. A driver is waiting to take you to your hotel. Accommodation and overnight at the hotel.
-
Breakfast at the hotel. You meet your guide and then begin your journey. Drive to the Nissa Historical Park - located on a natural high platform at the foot of the Kopetdag Mountains. Nissa owes its importance to the early Parthian rulers, who took control of the area in the 3rd century. B.C. Then visit the underground lake Kov-Ata, located 107 km from Ashgabat.The Turkmen name Kov-Ata means Father of Caves. At first glance, this underground space looks like a magnificent auditorium: the total length of the cave is 230 m, the height reaches 20 m, and the width in some places reaches 57 m.The bottom of the cave is covered with lumps of dissolved limestone (stalagmites), and the warm, gushing water is clear and emerald in color. The water has a constant temperature of 33-37°C. (You should take a swim in the lake). Overnight at the hotel.
-
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Mary velayat 350 km. Visit to Ancient Merv. It was located at the crossroads of the Silk Road, quickly became one of the largest and largest cities of the ancient world and was one of the most important capitals of Islam along with Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus.Excursion: Kyz Kala (VIII-IX centuries AD), Erk Kala (VI century BC), Gyaur-Kala (V century BC - 7th century AD), Sultan Kala (XI century –XII century), mausoleum of Soltan Sanjar (XII century), mausoleum of Ibn Zeid and mausoleum of Khoja Yusuf Hamadani (XII century). Return to the city of Mary. Overnight at the hotel.
-
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, drive to the historical site of Gonurdepe. (90 km) Visit to the Gonurdepe attraction - since 1971, archaeological teams have made discoveries revealing the importance of this territory as a possible fifth center of ancient civilization, next to Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China. Return to Mary, visit to the Historical Museum. Overnight at the hotel.
-
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, transfer to Mary airport, then flight to Ashgabat (flight time is subject to change). Sightseeing tour of Ashgabat with a visit to the Ertogrul Gazi Mosque, dedicated to Ertogrul, the father of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. Independence Park, this park is one of the city's attractions, embodying the spirit of modern Turkmenistan.
-
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer 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). Overnight at the hotel.
-
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport, check-in and departure to your next destination.
Customer Support
We have a professional customer support team and always accompany you on every trip.