Main attractions of Silk Road (Turkmenistan part)
Duration: Days:6, Nights:5
Best time to travel: April – October
Tur itinerary:
Day 1: Bukhara – Farab – Turkmenabat – Merv – Mary – 360 km (Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan) (6,7,2,3 week days)
Depart Bukhara and drive to Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border point Farab at 9:00. Border formalities on both sides, crossing the border. Transfer to Mary via Turkmenabat & Merv (350km/4.5h). Sightseeing of Merv: visit Gyz Gala& Oglan Gala, Complex of Askhabs, Gyaur Gala, Erk Gala, Sotla Gala, Sotlan Sanjar Mausoleum etc. Upon arrival to Mary accommodation at the hotel. After short rest, walking tour to city bazaar and center square. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2: Mary –Ashgabat – 40 min flight (7,1,3,4 week days)
Transfer to airport for flight to Ashgabat. Arrival to Ashgabat. City tour of Ashgabat: visit, Arch of Neutrality, Ferries wheel “Alem”, Park and monument of Independence, Presidential Square, Gulistan Bazaar, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3: Ashgabat – Turkmenbashy – 1 hour flight (1,2,4,5 week days)
Transfer to airport for flight to Turkmenbashy (everyday available). Upon arrival drive to Yangikaka canyons one of the scenic natural objects of Turkmenistan 180 km from Turkmenbashy city. Explore the sight. Barbeque lunch at canyons and drive back to Turkmenbashy city. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Turkmenbashy –Dashoguz - 1 hour flight (2,3,5,6 week days)*
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Dashoguz. Arrival to Dashoguz. Not far from Dashoguz city, 25 km to the south-west, in a desert there are ruins of ancient fortress city Izmukshir (Zamakshar), surfaced with sands. The fortress ruins are located in the territory of the historical and cultural reserve museum Kunya-Urgench, the ancient capital of Khorezmshah's State. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Dashoguz –Gas Crater – 350km (3,4,6,7 week days)
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Kunya Urgench 110km (UNESKO 2005) ancient capital of Khorezm. Visit mausoleums of Il Arslan and Soltan Tekesh, Nejmeddin Kubra, Soltan Ali, Turabek-Khanum(12th c), minaret of Kutlug Timur, MamunII. Drive to Gas Crater dubbed by locals as "The Door to Hell". Evening watch the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater. Dinner at Gas Crater. Overnight in a camp.
Day 6: Gas Crater – Ashgabat – Howdan-Bajgiran border (Turkmenistan/Iran) – 290 km ( 4,5,7,1 week days)
Picnic style breakfast. Drive to Ashgabat. Transfer to the Howdan-Bajgiran border.
Note: * Only at these weekdays, you can have a flight to Dashoguz from Turkmenbashy city.
[table id=MainattractionsofSilkRoad /]