Travel around Turkmenistan: Tour 4

 

Travel around Turkmenistan: Tour 4
Destination: Turkmenistan
Duration: 6 days
Places to visit: Ashgabat - Turkmenabad - Astana-baba - Kerki village - Turkmenabad Ashgabat - Darwaza- Ashgabat

Day 1: Ashgabat
Welcome to the breathtaking country. Upon arrival guide will meet and accompany you for the tour in the capital of Turkmenistan. In course of the tour you will see a remarkable sight "Nisa" that used to be the capital of ancient Parthia. It is interesting to note that it was listed to UNESCO World Heritage since 2007. You will find it at 18 km to the west from Ashgabat. You will be impressed to know that in the III century BC New Nisa started to be the capital of Parthia while Old Nisa was used as imperial residence. *Ertugrul Gazi mosque is another destination of the tour. Here you will see four snow-white minarets the design is resemble the Blue Mosque that can be found in Istanbul. On this tour you will be able to explore this site to witness the exterior and interior design of the Azadi Mosque that was built in old-time Islamic and Byzantine style and strikes with beauty. Later on you will visit the *Gypjak, Ruhy mosque the name of which can be translated as "the mosque of Turkmenbashi spirituality" or "the mosque of spirit of Turkmenbashi. You will see it in the Turkmenbashi native village in Gypjak. There you will be able to enjoy the remarkable beauty of one-domed building that lays among 4 minarets. The height of the mosque is 55 m, and that of the minarets is 91 m to symbolize the year 1991 - when Turkmenistan gained independence. You can enter to this building using one of 9 entries with arches. Night is in the hotel.

Day 2: Ashgabat - Turkmenabad
In course of the tour you will visit Seyit Jemaletdin mosque of the XV century. During the travel you will learn that this prominent building was practically destroyed by powerful earthquake. Nowadays it is a reconstructed version that is possible to see. You will see the inscription on the building that tells the Abul-Kasim Babur whom this site was built. He was a Temurid prince who reigned the Khorasan in 1447- 1457. You will be impressed to see the two dragons that adorn the main portal. After this you will see the Abiverd that is one of the most ancient settlements of Turkmenistan. At that time Abiverd was an impregnable fortress protecting the townspeople from the attacks of nomads. The fortress protected townspeople from the attacks of nomads that had only one gate from the southwest. Inside of it you will mosque of the early 15th century. Merv is known as the most influential and largest city at that time. You will notice that epithets that describe this city like "a soul of a king, a mother of Khurasan cities, and, the city that held the Universe". Omar Khayyam, As - Samani, Imamaddin-Isphakhani and other great thinkers of the Middle Ages lived there. After it you will be transferred to Turkmenabad. Night will be a hotel.

Day 3: Turkmenabad - Astana-baba - Kerki village - Turkmenabad
The day will start with morning drive to visit the Repetek biospheric reserve with its museum and Astana mausoleum. Here you will know that memorial complex that is made of a mosque and a tomb. Moreover it is interesting to note that all of the buildings are constructed at the different periods. The original shape of buildings is not possible to recognize. The mausoleum of Astana-baba is a 11th - 12th-century monument of architecture. It is also known as the "zyuarat" or a place for a regular ritual of worshipping as well as holy men observed by visiting pilgrims. People don't know who Astana-baba was even so people all round the world considered this place sacred and healing. Overnight is in the motel.

Day 4: Turkmenabad - Ashgabat - Darwaza
Today you will have a morning flight to Ashgabat. Upon arrival you will head on to the famous and intriguing sight that is known as Darwaza gas crater or "The Gates of Hell". The beauty of burning flame will mesmerize you with its mystery. You will be amazed to know that it appeared in 1971. Soviet drilling rig accidentally punched into a massive underground natural gas cavern, causing the ground to collapse and the entire drilling rig to fall in. Due to it the poisonous gas began leaking at an alarming rate. Even through it possesses scary name many people come here to witness the site in all its blazing glory. This site is one of the most prominent sight to attract tourists and nowadays the desert has already become a popular place to wild camp.

Day 5: Darwaza - Ashgabat
In the morning you will travel counties your travel by having a stop at the water and mud crater, and Yerbent village. After exploring these sites you will return to the capital of Turkmenistan.  In the evening you will have a city tour in Ashgabat. Enjoy great tours in Turkmenistan.

Day 6: Flight
Morning transfer to airport for next destination.

Price per person:
02 pax - 780 $
04 pax - 675 $
06 pax - 565 $
08 pax - 510 $
10 pax - 475 $
Single - 60 $ 

Early check-in -30 $
Single early check-in - 45 $ 

Half board - 50 $
Full board - 100 $

 

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Ashgabat - "Menzil" Hotel 3*
Turkmenabad - Motel
Darwaza - Tents
- Visa support
- English speaking guide
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour
- Domestic flights Turkmenabad- Ashgabat                                            

Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Single rooms             
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Migration tax (12$)
- Fee for using cameras on monuments

Note: Each Traveler should have 2 photos (5×6) to be presented at the points of entry.