Silk Road Destinations in Turkmenistan, 5 days

Description

Breakfast at the hotel. Then you will have a pottery-making master class where you will learn the basics of this ancient art form from a master potter. Your class will begin with a brief introduction to the different types of clay and the tools and techniques used in pottery making. You will then learn how to prepare the clay and center it on the pottery wheel. Once the clay is centered, you will start throwing your own pots and bowls.

In the afternoon, drive to the Darvaza burning Gas Crater (5h, 295 km), one of the top international tourist destinations. The area is rich in natural gas. Burning for more than 50 years, the Darvaza Gas Crater shines like a pearl in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Besides the Darvaza Gas Crater, you will also see water and mud craters. One of the most vivid and unforgettable aspects of this trip is the fresh desert air and the chance to experience nomadic life firsthand.

At night, as the glow of the Gas Crater illuminates the sky, you will camp in a traditional Turkmen yurt or private tent and enjoy a barbecue dinner. This unique landscape will fascinate you and make you want to return again.

Overnight in Yurt Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Description

After breakfast, drive to Ashgabat (4h, 280 km). First, 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 centers of Turkmenistan, exhibiting about 2,000 carpets, including rare pieces. For example, the museum houses the smallest carpet for carrying keys, as well as the world’s largest handwoven carpet with a total area of 301 m², woven in 2001 and added to the Guinness Book of Records in 2003.

In the afternoon, enjoy an Ashgabat city tour. In 2013, the Guinness Book of Records named Ashgabat the “White Marble City” — here you can see the largest number of structures in the world made from white marble. You will see the Presidential Palace, Ruhyyet Palace, Wedding Palace, modern “Yildyz” Hotel, Ferris Wheel, Constitution Monument, Arch of Neutrality, Monument and Park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Ashgabat Sports and Housing Facilities, and the Earthquake and WWII Victims Monuments.

Overnight at the hotel in Ashgabat.
Meals: Breakfast

Description

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive to Kowata Underground Lake, located 107 km from Ashgabat. The Turkmen name Kow-Ata means “Father of Caves.” This underground area resembles a magnificent auditorium: the cave is 230 m long, up to 20 m high, and at some points 57 m wide. The bottom is covered with limestone formations (stalagmites), and its warm, flowing water is clear and emerald-colored, with a constant temperature of 33–37°C. (Swimming in the lake is recommended.)

Afterwards, drive to Gokdepe Fortress, which was attacked in December 1880 by the Russian Empire Army. The siege lasted 23 days before the fortress was stormed. Visit Geokdepe Mosque (Saparmyrat Hajy), built in 1995 to commemorate the defeat, notable for its mint-turquoise roof and white marble structure.

Next, visit the Gokdepe Museum about the 1881 battle between Russian forces and the local “Akhalteke” tribe.

Later, visit a horse stable to see the national pride of Turkmenistan — Akhalteke horses, considered some of the finest in the world. Turkmens have bred Akhalteke horses for over 5,000 years. This unique breed has never been mixed with others. Historical figures like Alexander the Great and Darius I sought to own Akhalteke horses. The farm has over 35 beautiful horses, and local superstition holds that anyone who touches an Akhalteke horse while sick will soon recover.

Drive to visit Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque in Kipchak, the largest mosque in Central Asia.

Overnight at hotel in Ashgabat.
Meals: Breakfast

Description

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport at 00:30.

2nd option: Transfer to the Howdan–Bajgiran border to continue your trip to Iran.