Private Tour of Turkmenistan with Exclusive Guide and Car

Day 1 · Arrival in Ashgabat, Airport pick-up

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   Ashgabat

   one hour

   Welcome to choose our 7 days Turkmenistan tours to discover this mysterious country! Upon arrival, our guide and the driver will greet you at the airport and whisk you away to the hotel in a private car for check-in. Then, it’s time to enjoy an exciting city tour of Ashgabat!

2. 2

   Parthian Fortresses of Nisa

   1 h 30 min Admission included

   Let’s start sightseeing at the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the Parthian Empire (247 BC-224 AD), consisting of Old and New Nisa. Old Nisa was once a prosperous city, but it is now only left with adobe city walls and labyrinthine alleys after wars and earthquakes.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   one hour

   Then head to Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque (Gypjak Mosque), a tribute to the country’s first president, Niyazov, who held the revered title of “Turkmenbashy”, meaning the leader of all Turkmens. You’ll marvel at the golden dome, towering minarets, and waterfall-style fountains of the mosque. All parts of this lavish structure cost over USD 100 million! Nearby, you’ll find the mausoleum of the president, featuring five stone coffins, with his family surrounding him in eternal rest.

4. 4

   Makhtumkuli monument

   one hour

   After that, visit the Earthquake Memorial Complex and Makhtumkuli Park, which honors a beloved Turkmen poet, and finally we’ll escort you back to the hotel for a restful evening.

Sport Hotel Ashgabat (4 stars) or similar

Day 2 · Ashgabat Highlights: National History Museum, Akhal-Teke Horse Stable, and Gulistan Bazaar

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   Ashgabat National Museum of History

   one hour Admission included

   After breakfast, make our way to the National History Museum, home to ivory rhytons from Old Nisa. They are unique drinking vessels shaped like animal horns and engraved with the 12 Olympic Gods, reflecting Greek cultural influence in Central Asia. You can also appreciate some rare ancient paintings, statues, carpets and furniture while strolling around. Just a quick note: In some areas, photography is prohibited or a small fee is charged, and it is better to confirm with your guide in advance.

2. 2

   Alem Center

   30 min Admission included

   After witnessing the world’s largest indoor Ferris wheel at Alem Center, with its impressive 57-meter (187-foot) diameter glass and white-steel casing, let’s ascend to the Wedding Palace Viewpoint for a panoramic view of Ashgabat, where you might see couples in traditional attire celebrating their special day.

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   Stop 3

   2 hours

   Besides, Earthquake Memorial, Independence Park, Neutrality Arch and Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque are also on our today's visiting list.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   one hour

   Today’s tour will conclude at Gulistan Bazaar. From aromatic spices and fresh vegetables to shoes and books, it encapsulates the essence of Turkmen life. You can also savor local flavors that echo the country’s nomadic traditions, characterized by lamb, beef, and dairy products. Why not try crispy Samsa? It is a flatbread filled with minced beef, spinach, potatoes, and pumpkin, baked in a clay oven. At last, you’ll be transferred back to the hotel.

Sport Hotel Ashgabat (4 stars) or similar

Day 3 · Drive to Mary: Ancient Merv, Pokrovskaya Church, Juma Mosque, and Local Bazaar

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   Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque

   30 min Admission included

   Today, we’ll travel 4 hours to Mary, also called Merv, and stop by Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque Ruins in Annau en route.

2. 2

   State Historical and Cultural Park Ancient Merv

   2 hours Admission included

   Upon arrival, follow our guide will to step back in time to one of the oldest oasis cities along the ancient Silk Road, Ancient Merv. Wandering among the remains of fortresses, towers, and mosques in the State Historical and Cultural Park Ancient Merv, you may find it hard to believe this was one of the world’s largest cities during the 12th century. Walk on and explore its most iconic structure, Sultan Sunjar Mausoleum, named after the last Sultan of the Seljuk Empire (1037-1194), featuring double-layered domes and beautifully crafted arches, a true testament to Merv’s past glory.

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   Pokrovskaya Church

   30 min Admission included

   Next, head to Pokrovskaya Church in downtown Mary. Built by the Russian army in 1900, this church was constructed only with bricks due to the scarcity of wood in the arid desert.

4. 4

   Gurbanguly Hajji Mosque

   one hour

   Our next stop is Gurbanguly Hajji Mosque (Juma Mosque), whose golden dome glistens under the sunshine, with exquisite mosaics and gilded crescent decorations. Explore a local bazaar to wrap up the day, which is much quieter than bazaars elsewhere in Central Asia. Take your time to browse local specialties, from handmade silk textiles to wonderful camel hair handicrafts. Finally, we’ll escort you to the hotel to stay overnight.

Mary Hotel (4 stars) or similar

Day 4 · Fly from Mary to Ashgabat, Visit Carpet Museum and Local Bazaar, Drive to Darvaza Gas Crater

1. 1

   Ashgabat

   one hour

   This morning, we’ll take a 40-minute flight back to Ashgabat, which may be replaced by a 4-hour drive depending on the flight schedule.

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   Turkmen Carpet Museum

   one hour Admission included

   Upon arrival, get ready to immerse yourself in the time-honored art of carpet weaving at the Turkmen Carpet Museum, which houses over 2,000 carpets from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

3. 3

   Darvaza Gas Crater

   2 hours Admission included

   In the afternoon, a 4-hour 4WD trip will take you to the highlight of this itinerary, the Darvaza Gas Crater, across the Karakum Desert, with a stop at the small Mud and Water Craters. The rugged terrain and roads can be challenging, so we recommend bringing some medicines for motion sickness. With a diameter of 70 meters (230 feet), a width of 50 meters (164 feet), and a depth of 30 meters (98 feet), this crater, known as the Door to Hell, presents a stunning fiery spectacle, ablaze for over 50 years since Soviet geologists ignited the inner methane gas to prevent its spread. Vibrant red flames dance against the night sky, visible from miles away, and allegedly, can even be spotted by astronauts in space. Keep a safe distance when appreciating and taking photos, as the crater radiates intense heat!

BBQ Dinner

Yurt Camp in Darvaza

Day 5 · Drive to Dashoguz, Visit Kunya Urgench Historical Park, Fly back to Ashgabat

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   Kunya-Urgench - UNESCO World Heritage Site

   2 hours Admission included

   Get up as early as possible if you want to watch the enchanting fire of the Darvaza Gas Crater during the day! After having a picnic breakfast, we’ll drive to Dashoguz in 4 hours and visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, Kunya Urgench Historical Park. Once known as Gurganj, Kunya Urgench served as the capital of the Khwarazmian Empire (1077-1231), thriving due to its complete urban planning and prosperous trade along the ancient Silk Road.

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   Ashgabat

   one hour

   After delving deep into the rich history of Kunya Urgench, let’s head to Dashoguz Airport for a 50-minute flight back to Ashgabat, and there the driver will transfer you to the hotel.

Sport Hotel Ashgabat (4 stars) or similar

Day 6 · Ashgabat Surrounding Discovery: Kow Ata Underground Lake, Nokhur Village, Gokdepe Fortress

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   Kow Ata Underground Lake

   30 min Admission included

   After breakfast, we’ll set out for Nokhur Village, situated 4 hours away from Ashgabat. On the way, stop to visit Kow Ata Underground Lake in a natural cave. The lake is rich in minerals, primarily sulphur, maintaining a temperature of 35-37°C (95-98.6℉), perfect for a therapeutic soak.

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   Nokhur

   one hour

   Continuing to Nokhur Village, you’ll be greeted by a scenic tribal community, surrounded by apricot and pomegranate trees, which is known as one of the world’s 100 most romantic places. After enjoying a picnic lunch, our guide will lead you to visit a century-old parasol tree, whose hollow trunk invites you to capture magical photos, with nearby locals selling spices. Exploring tribal cemeteries will further elevate your cultural experience, where each tomb is uniquely marked by wooden pillars adorned with goat horns, as locals consider goats to be sacred protectors to ward off evil spirits and help the souls of the deceased ascend to heaven. Down the road stands the Qyz-bibi Shrine, a pilgrim site for many Muslim women seeking blessings for pregnancy.

3. 3

   Gokdepe

   one hour

   In the afternoon, we’ll drive back to Ashgabat via Gokdepe Fortress, where the resilient Turkmen tribes fought against Russian forces in the 19th century. Besides the historical architecture, you’ll be guided to the Saparmyrat Hajji Mosque (Gokdepe Mosque) inside. It has an eye-catching blue dome, and was built to memorialize the soldiers who defended the fortress. Finally, you’ll be transferred back to the hotel.

Sport Hotel Ashgabat (4 stars) or similar

Day 7 · Departure from Ashgabat, Airport see-off

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   Ashgabat

   one hour

   Today we will transfer you to the airport according to your flight schedule. Thank you very much for choosing us as your service provider. Wish you a pleasant journey home!