Your Itinerary
DAY 1 - DISCOVER KUNYA URGENCH
Take an early morning flight from Ashgabat to Dashoguz, a town located in the northern part of Turkmenistan and close to the border with Uzbekistan. 100 kilometers from here is the ancient city of Kunya-Urgench (Old Urgench) which in the 11th century was capital of Khorezm and one of the most important cities in the Islamic world. With your guide, visit the 15th century mausoleum of Turabeg Khanum, Central Asia’s tallest minaret of Kutlug Temur – measuring 62 metres in height, the 12th century mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh with its turquoise cone of a dome and the 12th century mausoleum of Il-Arslan, the founder of the pre-Mongol Khorezmshah empire. In the afternoon return to Dashougz there may be time to visit the large bazaar before returning to Ashgabat on an evening flight.
DAY 2 - EXPLORE ANCIENT FORTRESS & MUSEUMS
This morning visit Tolkuchka Bazaar, located on the outskirts of the city and the largest in the country, which sells everything from camels to intricately-handcrafted swords. Next, take a trip to Old Nisa fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in the foothills of nearby mountains. After lunch return to the city and with your guide go on a sightseeing excursion including visits to the Park of Independence, Neutrality Square and the National Museum of History and Ethnography, which is home to more than 300,000 objects from ancient archaeological sites of Turkmenistan.
DAY 3 - GUIDED TOUR OF MAGNIFICENT MERV
Today fly to Mary and then drive to Merv. Spend the day with your local guide discovering this magnificent archaeological site, once one of Central Asia’s most civilised cities and referred to as the Pearl of the East. In the 11th century the Seljuk Turks appropriated Merv and made it the centre of a dominion that stretched from Afghanistan to Egypt. This is a vast site of 125 square kilometres and due to its ideal location along the Great Silk Road Route, several cities have existed here. In the afternoon visit the local History Museum and fly back to Ashgabat.
DAY 4 - EXCURSIONS AROUND ASHGABAT
Spend today visiting interesting sights around Ashgabat. First it is off to Geok Depe mosque, built within a former Tekke stronghold, and the site of the largest battle for Russian domination in Central Asia in the late 19th century. Next drive out to a private stud farm where the legendary Akhal-Tekke horses are kept. Continue to the underground cave of Kov-Ata for an optional dip in the underground hot sulphur lake before returning to the city, stopping en route at Kipchak, to explore the biggest mosque in Turkmenistan and the family mausoleum of the first President. This evening head out again, this time south to the Kopet Dag Mountains and join locals walking in the area or take the cable car for a magnificent view of the capital.
DAY 5 - DEPART ASHGABAT
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight
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DETAILS:
This itinerary costs from £1490 per person B&B based on 2 sharing and including all private transfers but not international flights.
You can get flights from as little as £570 per person return and do ask us for advice. Alternatively we can book the flights for you but a booking fee may apply.
What's included?
INCLUDED:
- Prices start from £1490 per person
- 4 nights accommodation on B&B basis
- Accompanied by an English speaking guide
- Private vehicle and transfers
- Internal flights (four)
- All entrance fees for excursions
- Local taxes
- Meals for guides and drivers
- All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are financially protected
