DAY 1: WELCOME TO ASHGABAT — EXPLORE NISSA FORTRESS AND CITY TOUR
Arrive at Ashgabat International Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed by our local representative. Transfer to your hotel in the city center. After breakfast and check-in, take some time to relax before beginning your exploration of this fascinating capital city, famous for its white marble architecture and modern grandeur. Your journey begins with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site — Nissa Fortress, the ancient capital of the Parthian Empire. Then, stop by the Monument of Magtymguly Fragi, honoring the revered Turkmen poet and national icon.

Continue with a city tour of Ashgabat, listed in the Guinness World Records (2013) for having the highest concentration of white marble buildings. Marvel at landmarks such as the Ruhyyet Palace, Wedding Palace, Arch of Neutrality, Independence Park and Monument, Constitution Monument and the ultra-modern Yildyz Hotel. Don't miss the city’s iconic Ferris Wheel and other architectural highlights.

Enjoy lunch at a local café, followed by free time to explore Ashgabat on your own or relax at the hotel. In the evening, delight in a lavish Turkmen cultural dinner show, featuring traditional music and dance — A perfect introduction to the rich heritage of Turkmenistan.

DAY 2: DAY EXCURSION TO ANCIENT MERW (VIA MARY) — RETURN TO ASHGABAT
After breakfast, embark on an early drive via the Awtoban Highway to the city of Mary — A journey of approximately four hours. Start with an authentic Tamdyrlyama lunch, a local mutton delicacy served in a yurta-style setting. During this cultural immersion, enjoy Turkmen folk dances and a special performance featuring the graceful Ahalteke horses, a national symbol of pride.

Next, visit the awe-inspiring Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once among the most significant cities of the Islamic world. Explore historical gems like the Gyz Gala & Oglan Gala, the Askhabs Complex, Gyaur Gala, an ancient Buddhist Monastery and the revered Beni Makhan Mosque — Believed to be the first mosque in Central Asia. After your historical tour, return to Ashgabat by domestic flight in the evening and relax at your hotel.

DAY 3: ASHGABAT — DARWAZA (THE DOOR TO HELL ADVENTURE)
After breakfast and checkout, begin a once-in-a-lifetime desert expedition in a 4WD vehicle to the legendary Darwaza Gas Crater — Famously known as “The Door to Hell”, located 268 km into the vast Karakum Desert. On the way, stop at a traditional Turkmen village. Interact with locals, explore yurt homes, taste Gowurdak (local fried meat), sip Chal (fermented camel milk), and enjoy an authentic camel ride — Offering an unforgettable insight into nomadic desert life.

By evening, arrive at the mesmerizing Darwaza Crater, a natural gas fire that has been burning continuously since the 1970s. Watch the dramatic flames light up the night sky in a surreal, unforgettable display. Enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner under the stars, followed by an overnight stay in traditional yurt camps nearby.

DAY 4: DARWAZA — KUNYA URGENCH — DEPARTURE
Wake up to a picnic-style breakfast and set off for Kunya Urgench, located about 110 km away. This ancient capital of the Khorezm Empire is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to some of Central Asia’s most revered Islamic monuments. Visit the impressive Mausoleums of Il Arslan, Sultan Tekesh, Nejmeddin Kubra, Sultan Ali and Turabek-Khanum, all masterpieces of medieval architecture. Admire the towering Minaret of Kutlug Timur, as well as the remnants of Mamun II’s palace complex.

Enjoy lunch at a local café in Dashoguz, and after your final sightseeing experience, proceed to the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan border crossing at Shawad for your onward journey or international departure, concluding a memorable tour through the heart of Turkmenistan.

Thank you for traveling with us! Namaste — Until we meet again!