Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport.

You will be met by our representatives and transferred to the hotel. Free time.

Morning drive to visit Nissa fortress -the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings. UNESCO declared the fortress a World Heritage Site in 2007. Nissa is described as one of the first capitals of the Parthians. It was founded by Arsaces I (reigned c. 250 BC – 211BC), and reputedly the royal necropolis of the Parthian Kings, although it has not been established that the fortress at Nissa was a royal residence or a mausoleum.

In the afternoon, you will take a city tour of Ashgabat. In 2013, the Guinness Book of Records named Ashgabat a “white marbled city” – here you can see the largest number of structures in the world made out of white marble. You will see the Ashgabat Olympic Stadium, Monument and Park of Independence, the main flagpole of Ashgabat, the Arch of Neutrality, the Constitution Monument, Ferris Wheel, Wedding Palace, and enjoy a panoramic view of Ashgabat from the top of the hill, Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, Alabay monument, and Ertogrul Gazi Mosque.

Overnight in Ashgabat. Meals: breakfast

BF at the hotel. Morning drive to Mary (360km, 4h). Drive to Merv to explore ancient Merv – “Queen of the world”, was one of the most important capitals of Islam, along with Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus. Sightseeing in ancient Merv includes the Greater Kyz Gala & Lesser Kyz Gala (VI-VII), the Complex of Askhabs (VIII-XIV), the Erk Gala (VI BC), the Gyaur Gala (IV BC), the Hoja Yusup Hamadani complex, the Sultan Sanjar mausoleum, and the Muhamed Ibn Zeid mausoleum.

After sightseeing, transfer to Mary airport for the return flight to Ashgabat. Arrival in Ashgabat.

Transfer & overnight at a hotel.  Meals: breakfast

BF at the hotel. Drive to visit the Carpet Museum, one of the best in Central Asia, featuring designs from the Tekke, Yamud, Sarik, and Chodor tribes. The Turkmen carpet museum is one of the cultural centres of Turkmenistan, where about 2000 carpet exhibits, including rare ones, are exhibited. For example, the museum has the smallest carpet with keys, as well as the world's largest hand carpet with a total area of 301 m², which was woven in 2001, and in 2003 it was added to the Guinness Book of Records.

Afternoon drive to Darwaza burning Gas Crater (276km, 4h), dubbed by locals as "The Door to Hell". The Darwaza area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 70 meters. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided that the best solution was to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today. En-route we cross the Karakum desert, and will make a stop in the small desert village of Erbent. In the evening, watch the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater. BBQ dinner at Gas Crater. Overnight in camp.  Meals: breakfast , BBQ dinner

Picnic-style breakfast. Morning drive to Dashoguz (300km, 5h). Transfer to the hotel.

Then you will have a pottery making master class where you will learn the basics of this ancient art form from a master potter. Your class will begin with a brief introduction to the different types of clay and the tools and techniques used in pottery making. You will then learn how to prepare the clay and center it on the pottery wheel. Once the clay is centered, you will be able to start throwing your own pots and bowls. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast

BF at the hotel. Drive to Kunya Urgench (97km, 2h). Sightseeing tour in Kunya Urgench: visit the Portal of Caravansaray, the Mamun Minaret, the II Arslan Mausoleum, the Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, the Academy of Horezm, the Kutlug Timur Minaret, Turabek Hanum Mausoleum. After sightseeing, drive to Dashoguz for a flight to Ashgabat. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast

BF at the hotel. Transfer to the Ashgabat International Airport for a flight to Turkmenbashi. After arrival at the Turkmenbashi Airport, drive to the Yangikala Canyon (165km, 3h). Visit the pilgrimage sight Gozli-Ata on the way to drive to Yangykala Canyons, one of the scenic natural objects of Turkmenistan. The word expression “Yangy kala” translates from Turkmen as “fire fortress”. Indeed, the sheer cliffs of white, yellow, ocher, purple, and red colors, fancily carved by winds and rains, are very similar to the stone castles from a fantasy. Explore the Canyons. After exploration, drive to Balkanabat (170km, 3h). Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast

Breakfast at the local restaurant. After breakfast, drive to Nokhur village (320km, 3.5h) in the western Kopetdag Mountains on 4x4 vehicles. Arrive and lunch at a local’s family home in Nokhur to experience the extraordinary culture, enjoying the hospitality of locals. Visit the silk weaving home workshop and two fascinating sights in Nokhur. One is the town’s cemetery, where each grave is protected by the huge horns of the mountain goats that locals consider sacred - indeed, many houses in the village have a goat’s skull hanging on a stick outside to ward off evil spirits. Just beyond is the pilgrimage site of Kyz Bibi. A fat-trunked plane tree, surrounded by a small metal fence, is covered with small scraps of cloth representing wishes. From here, a flight of concrete steps leads up to a tiny cave, just a few centimeters across, in the side of the hill. The cave is surrounded by more pieces of material, some of which have been fashioned into tiny cribs, suggesting the nature of the wishes made here.

Later, drive to visit the Horse Stable to see a national pride of Turkmen people – Akhalteke horses, the nicest horses in the world. 5000 years ago, the Turkmens began breeding Akhalteke horses. The World’s unique breed was never mixed with other breeds. Such illustrious Emperors like Alexander the Great and Darius I desired to own Ahalteke horses. There are over 35 beautiful horses on the farm. Per superstition, every sick person who touches an Ahalteke horse will get well soon. After visiting the horse stable, drive to your hotel. Check in and rest till departure time. Meals: breakfast

Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport. Departure. Meals: breakfast