Ashgabat / Dashoguz (Uzbekistan border)

Option 1: Arrive at Ashgabat International Airport. Our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel (check-in on time). Overnight at the hotel.

Option 2: Our representative will meet you at the Turkmen/Uzbek border ‘Shavat’. Transfer to your hotel in Dashoguz (15km). Overnight at the hotel.

Darvaza

Breakfast at the hotel. Afternoon drive to Darvaza Burning Gas Crater, one of the top international tourist destinations. The area is rich in natural gas. Burning over 50 years, Darvaza Gas Crater shines like a pearl in the Karakum desert. One of the most vivid and addictive features of this trip is the fresh air of the desert and experiencing the nomadic life in person. At night, while the light of the Gas Crater hits the sky, you will camp in the Turkmen national yurt or private tents and have a barbecue for dinner. This unique landscape will fascinate you and you will want to come again.

Darvaza – Ashgabat

Picnic-style breakfast in Darvaza. After breakfast, drive to Ashgabat (276km).

Afternoon you will have an Ashgabat city tour. You will see the Wedding Palace, modern “Yildyz” Hotel, Ferries Wheel, Constitution Monument, Arch of Neutrality, Monument and Park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Ashgabat Olympic Stadium and Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex. Overnight in Ashgabat.

Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, 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 to wear keys and 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.

Then drive to visit Horse Stable to see a national pride of the Turkmen people – Akhalteke horses, the nicest horses in the world. 5000 years ago, Turkmens began to breed 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.

Afternoon, visit Gulistan Baazar (Russian Bazaar), which is one of the largest and oldest covered markets and a must-visit for any traveller to Ashgabat. The ground floor of the bazaar is dedicated to fresh produce, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and dairy products. There are also stalls selling spices, nuts, dried fruits, and other food items. The second floor of the bazaar is home to a variety of shops selling clothing, and souvenirs. Overnight at the hotel.

Departure

Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for the flight home.

Optional: Morning flight to Dashoguz or Turkmenabat, followed by transfer to the Turkmen/Uzbek border near Khiva (from Dashoguz) or Bukhara (from Turkmenabat). (additional 110 USD p/p)