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Exploring Turkmenistan

Tracing Dinosaurs Extension

Your Itinerary

DAY 1 - FLY TO TURKMENABAT & DRIVE TO KOYTEN

Early morning transfer to the airport for a short flight to Turkmenabat in Eastern Turkmenistan. On arrival meet your guide and driver and head into the Kugitang Mountains where you will visit the mausoleum complex of Astana Baba and Alamberdar before reaching Kerki Town, where you will cross the Amu Darya River. Have lunch in a local teahouse and towards the end of the drive the mountains come into view and the highest peak of Turkmenistan, Airy Baba (3150 m) can be seen.  On arrival in the scenic village of Koyten, check into a local guest house where you will have dinner within walking distance of the lake.

DAY 2 - DISCOVER THE DINOSAUR PLATEAU

Spend the day exploring the surroundings, walking up the steep slopes of the so-called Dinosaur Plateau, where hundreds of dinosaur footprints have been extremely well preserved. Walk into the Umbar Dere Gorge to a local waterfall, and follow local pilgrims to the holy Kyrk Gyz Cave, where thousands of pieces of cloth remind travellers of previous visitors. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.

DAY 3 - VISIT A SULPHUR SPRING & TRAIN ASHGABAT

Return to Kerki with a brief visit at the Kainar Baba sulphur spring on the way. Originating from a natural spring, this lake is known for its medicinal qualities and is popular among the locals. Take a swim if you like and arrive in Kerki for an early lunch before departure on the overnight train to Ashgabat.

DAY 4 - ARRIVE IN ASHGABAT

This morning, arrive in Ashgabat and transfer to your hotel where your tour ends.

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DETAILS:

This itinerary costs from £820 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 £820 per person
  • 2 nights accommodation on B&B basis
  • 1 night overnight train, in soft sleeper shared berth
  • Accompanied by an English speaking guide.
  • Private vehicle and transfers
  • Internal flights (one)
  • All entrance fees for excursions
  • Lunch on Days 1, 2 & 3
  • Dinner on Days 1, 2 & 3
  • Local taxes
  • Meals for guides and drivers
  • All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are financially protected
Make a booking

Discover the nature and history of Turkmenistan’s remote Far East on this 4-day Koytendag extension tour from Ashgabat. Explore the unique Dinosaur Plateau, which boasts one of the world’s largest and most important collections of dinosaur footprints. See the stunning natural scenery of Kainar Baba Lake and the Umbar Dere Gorge and waterfall as well as visit the historical and cultural sights of Astana Baba and Alamberdar mausoleum complex and the Kyrk Gyz pilgrim cave.

Ashgabat
Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan was founded in 1881 and is the starting point for most of our Turkmenistan tours. The main sights to see in this extravagant city are the statue of Lenin, the Presidential Palace, the National Museum, the mosque of Khezert Omar and Talkucha Bazaar, the largest market in the country.
Mary
Mary is the third largest city of Turkmenistan and is located in a big oasis in the middle of the KaraKum Desert. Accessible by road or air, Mary is the gateway to the ancient city of Merv and the Bronze Age site of Gonur Depe. The local History Museum in Merv is well worth visiting during your stay.
Merv
The magnificent archaeological site of Merv was once one of Central Asia’s most civilised cities and is referred to as the Pearl of the East. This is a vast site of 125 square kilometres and due to its location along the Great Silk Road Route, several cities have existed on the site of current Merv.
Darvaza
Darvaza gas crater (known locally as the Door to Hell) should be on anyone's ‘bucket list’ and is just over half-a-days drive from Ashgabat or Dashoguz. Your journey to Darvaza gas crater takes you deep into the desolate Karakum desert, where you can camp next to the crater and enjoy views of fire and flames erupting in the middle of the desert.
Gonur Depe
Located about 3 hours drive from Mary, Gonur Depe was the largest of dozens of scattered Bronze Age sites established here in the early second millennium. In the 1990s, archaeologists discovered a huge necropolis dating back to the 3-2 millennia B.C.
Turkmenbashi
This morning fly to Turkmenbashi, a major port on the Caspian Sea. On arrival explore the city, visiting the local Fish market and the seaside at Awaza - a popular resort on the eastern coast of this huge inland sea.
Yangy Kala Canyons
The Yangy Kala Canyons are one of the most spectacular attractions in the country. The stunning flame coloured canyons are a mix of vibrant colours from of white, yellow and red with sheer cliffs rising from this ancient land. In your 4WD jeep drive through the so-called ‘Grand Canyon’ before heading north to the sparkling canyons of Yangysuw.
Konye Urgench
Close to the Uzbekistan border, the World Heritage Site of Kunya-Urgench is well worth visiting and was once a glorious capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire, the largest Muslim empire of the late 12th and early 13th century. Places of interest include the 15th century mausoleum of Turabeg Khanum and the 12th century mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh.

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