Turkmenistan. Land of Fire, Deserts and the Great Silk Road

Transfer from Khiva. Our Turkmenistan expedition begins at the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan border, at the Shavat–Dashoguz crossing. After completing border formalities, we meet our local guide and continue to Dashoguz.

We check in at the hotel, take some time to rest after the journey and get ready for the first full day of our adventure.

We depart Dashoguz to visit our first UNESCO World Heritage Site (we will visit 3 out of 3 in Turkmenistan) — Kunya-Urgench. This is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, once located along the main route of the Great Silk Road and the former capital of the medieval empire of the Khwarazmshahs. After exploring the atmosphere of ancient Urgench, we head off-road in jeeps toward Darvaza. The road will be challenging and at times completely absent, but by evening we will be rewarded once more — with the spectacular Darvaza gas crater, a natural wonder that has been burning continuously for over 55 years.

In the morning, we leave the desert behind and travel to Ashgabat. After lunch, we visit the impressive Ruhy Mosque and the mausoleum of Turkmenistan’s first president in Kipchak.

Later, we meet one of the true symbols of the country — the legendary Akhal-Teke horses. At a local horse farm, we learn more about this unique breed and its special place in Turkmen culture. In the evening, we return to Ashgabat.

Today we continue discovering the white-marble capital of Turkmenistan. If our visit falls on one of its opening days, we stop at the colourful Altyn Asyr Bazaar, filled with Turkmen carpets, silver jewellery and traditional crafts.

We also visit either the National Carpet Museum or the National History Museum, depending on the schedule. After lunch, we explore Ashgabat on a city tour and finish the day with an evening drive through its beautifully illuminated avenues and squares.

In the morning, we head to the airport and take a domestic flight from Ashgabat to Balkanabat. The exact flight time depends on the day of the week and will be confirmed additionally.

Upon arrival, we continue towards one of Turkmenistan’s most impressive natural wonders — Yangykala Canyon, located approximately 180 km from the city. Here, spectacular layered cliffs rise from a landscape once covered by an ancient sea, revealing shades from white and soft pink to deep red.

We’ll explore the most scenic viewpoints and enjoy the vast beauty of this extraordinary landscape. After the excursion, we continue to Turkmenbashi, where we check in at the hotel and rest after an eventful day.

After breakfast, we head to Turkmenbashi Airport and fly to Ashgabat. From the capital, our journey continues by road towards Mary.

Today we discover Ancient Merv — one of the great cities of the Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We explore Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Sultan Gala, the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar and the complex of Yusuf Hamadani. After the excursion, we check in at our hotel in Mary and rest.

In the morning, we leave Mary and make our way back to Ashgabat. Along the way, we visit Ancient Nisa, once a royal residence of the Parthian kings and another UNESCO site on our route.

Back in Ashgabat, we visit the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and the colourful Gulistan Bazaar, one of the city’s best-known markets. If time allows, we enjoy a final look around the capital before our evening transfer to Ashgabat International Airport.

Departure home at night.