SEVEN DAYS, SEVEN WONDERS OF TURKMENISTAN

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). Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Mary velayat 350 km. On the way visit 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. Then visit 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 excavations archeologists found huge wells and reservoirs, indicating a highly-developed irrigation of Abiverd. The first investigation was took 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. Arrival in Mary city. Check-in hotel. 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. Night at the hotel.

Today you will travel to the one of the ancient and most prominent sites - Margush/ Gonurdepe that was existed in 5th center. This Bronze Age civilization is well known as Margush or from the Greek name of Margiana. Professor Viktor Sarianidi found this significant sight in the early 1970s. He was the leader of Margiana Archaeological Expedition. Moreover this place of Bronze Age was found beyond the northern edge of the modern oasis, where you can find the desert. Due to the climatic changes made this place uninhabited and due to it the ruins of the Bronze Age were well-preserved underneath the desert soils. The prominent site also has relation to that at Bactria that now situated in northern Afghanistan. Due to it can be said that the Bactria- Margiana complex was the main center of ancient civilization. In addition there is a theory that Margiana was the place where Zoroastrianism appeared. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, transfer to Mary airport, then flight to Ashgabat (flight time is subject to change). Today you will be transferred to the horse farm to see the pride of the Turkmen people - famous Ahalteke horses. Here you will enjoy the horse riding master class. After spending some time with horses you will drive to explore the memorial complex and the Russian market. While visiting Russian market you will immerse in that atmosphere as well as large variety of design and goods as well as the mix of Russian and Turkmen traditional ornaments. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit 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. After 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). Overnight at the hotel.

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