Tour of Merv
Duration: 1 day
Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Kyz Kala Mausoleum, Askhab Mausoleum, Erk Kala, Gyaur-Kala, etc.
Ancient Merv is a treasure of bygone times, which stands in stark contrast to futuristic Ashgabat. Merv once occupied an important place on the Great Silk Road and in the 12th-13th centuries, during its heyday, was one of the largest cities in the world. Today, Merv is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its past greatness is best evidenced by the remains of fortresses, mausoleums, and city walls. A one-day excursion to Merv will introduce you to its history: you will listen to an interesting story, going on a journey accompanied by a professional local guide and driver.
Tour program In the morning, the guide and driver will meet you at your hotel in Mary. A trip to Merv awaits you (40 km, 40 min):
• The Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar (12th century), which many consider to be the most magnificent architectural structure of Merv. This mausoleum amazes with its walls, symmetrical proportions and domed roof, which demonstrates the amazing architectural skill of its time.
• Big Kyz-Kala and Small Kyz-Kala (8-9 centuries) - these fortresses are built of clay bricks, in a unique style and have no known archaeological analogues.
• The Mausoleum Complex of the Askhabs (9-12 centuries) - built for the first two companions of the Prophet Muhammad, today is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Turkmenistan.
• Erk Kala (6th century BC) - the oldest fortress of ancient Merv, the remaining walls of which are almost 30 meters high. From above, you will have a magnificent view of the surrounding area.
• Gyaur Kala (3rd century BC) – the second oldest fortress in Merv, its walls are 2 km long.
• Beni Mahan Mosque (7th-9th centuries) – also called Juma Mosque, is located in the center of Gyaur Kala fortress, along with an intact cistern that has survived to this day.
• Mausoleum of Muhammad ibn Zeid (12th century) – a famous Sufi shrine with Arabic inscriptions carved on the walls. After completing the sightseeing tour of Old Merv, return to Mary, where you will visit the Mary History Museum. Housed in a three-story marble building, it has six main exhibition halls that house artifacts from various historical periods.
Tour duration: about 8 hours
Ashgabat Tour
Duration: 1 Day
Old Nisa, Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, Arch of Neutrality, Independence Park, etc.
Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, stands out from the endless sandy lands that surround it like a glittering marble oasis. This white marble city will amaze you with its grandiose architecture, golden statues, and streets imbued with an otherworldly calm. A full-day Ashgabat tour is the perfect way to get to know this unique metropolis. You will be accompanied by a private driver and an experienced local guide who will give you a unique perspective on the history of each attraction, help you find the best prices at the local bazaar, and answer all your questions along the way.
Tour Itinerary: In the morning, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel in Ashgabat. Your Marble City tour will include the following:
• Old Nisa - an impressive archaeological site just 15 kilometers from the city. Nisa was the capital of the Parthian Empire, founded in the 3rd century BC and which ruled for almost 500 years. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Turkmenbashi Ruhi Mosque - the largest mosque in Central Asia, also known as the Turkmenbashi Spirituality Mosque or the Kipchak Mosque. It contains the tombs of former President Turkmenbashi and his immediate family.
• Arch of Neutrality - a 95-metre tower topped by a golden statue of former President Saparmurat Niyazov (Turkmenbashi) that rotates so that the statue always faces the sun. Take the funicular to the top of the tower to explore a small museum and admire panoramic views of the city.
• Independence Park and the yurt-shaped Independence Monument, which houses the Museum of National Values. The museum is surrounded by lavish fountains, 27 statues of key historical figures of Turkmenistan, and a golden sculpture of Niyazov himself.
• The National History Museum, displaying over half a million items from all regions of the country, including rare artefacts from ancient times to the Middle Ages.
• Gulistan Bazaar (also known as the Russian Bazaar) is one of the oldest markets in the city, a lively place to buy food, souvenirs, and mingle with local shoppers.
Tour duration: about 8 hours
Price includes: • Private professional guide;
• Entrance fees to attractions;
• Transportation throughout the tour (1-2 pax sedan, 4-6 pax minivan, 6-10 pax minibus).
Excursion to Kunya-Urgench
Duration: 1 day
Kunya Urgench
Turkmenistan’s northern border might have been doomed to complete obscurity if it weren’t for Kunya Urgench, the former capital of the Achaemenid Empire, whose archaeological remains have survived to this day. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical significance, preserved in the form of structures such as the Kutlug Timur Minaret, the Said Ahmed Mausoleum, and the Kyrk Molla Hill, Kunya Urgench offers a rare glimpse into a medieval kingdom. A sightseeing tour of Kunya Urgench is a wonderful opportunity to explore this ancient city. This full-day tour includes transfers from nearby Dashoguz and a private guide who will explain the history and significance of each landmark you visit.
Tour Itinerary:
In the morning, your driver and local guide will pick you up at your hotel in Dashoguz for the drive to Kunya Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (120 km, 1 hour 30 min). Arrive in Kunya Urgench to begin exploring the region:
• Visit the 14th-century Tyurabek Khanum Mausoleum, the burial place of a Mongolian princess, and the 14th-century Said Ahmed Mausoleum, leader of the Golden Horde.
• Discover the 62-meter-tall Kutlug Timur Minaret (11th-13th centuries), the tallest minaret in Central Asia.
• The 12th-century Khorezmshah Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum.
• Explore the Kyrk Molla hill, a three-hectare fortress that includes the famous Mamun Library (8th-9th centuries) and an ancient cemetery believed to have healing properties.
• Drive to the Mausoleum of Nadjimetdin Kubra (12th century), the founder of the Kubrawiyya Sufi order. The mausoleum is an important place of pilgrimage for Muslims. Return to the hotel in Dashoguz. End of the tour in Kunya Urgench.
Duration of the tour: about 7 hours
One day tour to Nokhur village and Kov-Ata cave
Hidden underground, at a depth of more than 60 meters, lies Lake Kov-Ata, a natural reservoir of sulfur water with healing properties. Situated at the foot of the Kopetdag Mountains in Turkmenistan, the lake has been a popular tourist destination for decades. In the heights of this gorge is a chain of villages known as the Nohur Mountain Village. This remote village is home to the Turkmen people, who, thanks to their remoteness from civilization, have managed to preserve their distinctive dialect and traditional way of life over the centuries.
A day trip to Nohur Village and Kov-Ata Cave is a journey through some of Turkmenistan’s truly unique cultural and natural attractions. You can take a dip in the healing waters of the underground Kov-Ata Lake before heading to the mountain village of Nohur to experience the secluded lifestyle of the local Turkmen. Along the way, you will also see a famous mosque and a training base for Akhal-Teke horses, the pride of the Turkmen nation.
Tour program:
In the morning, meet your guide and driver at the reception of your hotel in Ashgabat. Transfer to the mountain village of Nohur in the Kopetdag Mountains (150 km, 3-4 hours). On the way, stop at two interesting places:
• Saparmurat-Hajji Mosque, built on the site of the Gokdepe fortress. This blue-domed mosque was built in 1995 and named after the first president of Turkmenistan. Its 63-meter-high minarets symbolize the age at which the Prophet Muhammad died, which distinguishes it from other mosques in the region.
• Kov-Ata Cave with its underground lake, hidden 60 meters underground at the foot of the Kopetdag Mountains. Dive into the warm sulfur waters of the lake, the temperature of which does not change throughout the year.
Continue to Nokhur. Upon arrival in the mountain village of Nokhur, get ready for a cultural immersion in ancient customs and traditions. Visit the sacred place of Gyz-Bibi - the so-called gates of paradise, where you can make a wish and explore the beautiful landscapes surrounding you. You will also have the opportunity to admire the unique design of Nokhur houses built on steep cliffs, or go to the highest point in the Kopetdag Mountains, which is called "Three Wells". Then transfer to the hotel. End of the tour.
Duration of the excursion: about 12 hours
