SILK ROAD HORIZONS: 12-DAY JOURNEY

In the morning breakfast. After breakfast drive to Nisa Historical Park - located on a natural high platform at the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains. Nisa owes its importance to the early Parthian rulers who took over control of the area in III c. BC. Turkmenbashi Spiritual Mosque and Mausoleum in Kipchak. Lunch at the local restaurant. After lunch National Museum - Opened in 1998, the museum's 9 history halls houses the Turkmenistan’s major collection of artifacts discovered at various excavation sites in Turkmenistan. . Local restaurant dinner & overnight at the hotel.

Visit Tolkuchka Bazaar (local market experience) Drive through the Karakum Desert Visit Nomadic Villages en route Arrive at Darvaza Gas Crater before sunset Enjoy a traditional Turkmen barbecue dinner under the stars Overnight in a desert yurta near the crater

Morning drive to Kunyaurgench. Kone-Urgench - the capital of Shahs of Khorezm is located 100 km from Dashoguz Velayat (province). Kone-Urgench has been known by various names, found in Avesta-Urva (VI-th century BC); Hangird-Hanjird (VII-VIII Century AD); Gurgench-Djurdjaniya (IX-XII Century AD). After the invasion by the Mongols, the town was called Urgench; from 1646 AD, it was known as Kone-Urgench. Ancient Kone-Urgench was considered one of the major cities of the East. The scientist who studied the topography of Gurgench (Urgench) considered that the territory was as large as 1000 hectares in X-XIV centuries AD. The site is presently protected by the State. It occupies 640 hectares. In 2005, the ruins of Old Urgench have been inscribed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites. Dirve to Dashoguz city & check-in hotel. Night at the hotel.

After breakfast transfer to Dashoguz airport, then flight to Turkmenbashy city (11-40/12-50, Tuesday,Friday). The port-city of Turkmenbashi (formerly Krasnovodsk) is the only major port in the entire Central Asia. From the east it is surrounded by low mountains, in the West the city is bordered by the waters of the Caspian Sea. The landscape around the city looks more like a lunar one. The city is a starting point for the majority of excursions to the mountains and small seaside resorts. You will visit fish market. Check-in hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Yangikala Canyon. . Yangykala Canyon is in western Turkmenistan, about 160 kilometers from the Caspian Sea port city of Turkmenbashi. Yangiqala Canyons via Balkan Mountains - Impressive white, green and red limestone formations rise up from the desert sands. These cliffs are the remains of massive coastline and seabed of the pre-historical Parathetys Sea. This surreal landscape is impressive at any time of day, but sunset and sunrise offer particularly spectacular views. The area is reachable only by 4-wheel drive, passing through the Balkan Mountains and a vast highland area where camels, sheep and horses graze. Drive to Gozli Ata mouseleum. The mausoleum of Gozli-ata is situated in the Balkan region in the west of Turkmenistan. It lies 157 kilometers away from Turkmenbashi. The Gozli Ata mausoleum is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Turkmenistan. And the place dedicated to a revered Sufi, Gozli Ata which means All seeing Father. His mausoleum is now a popular place of pilgrimage, especially by young women who ask for fertility and healthy offspring. Overnight in the pilgrim house.

After breakfast drive to Balkanabat city. Visit the Kemal Ata Site. Kemal-ata is a hill in the vicinity of the provincial town of Old Crimea. It contains the remains of some foundations and several tombstones with the names of sheikhs. Kemal-ata is popularly known among the people as the grave of Mamai. Defeated by Dmitry Donskoy in 1380, Mamai fled to Kaffa (Feodosia) where the Genoese promised him to save, but treacherously killed him. It should be noted, however, that the word "mamai" has become in the Old Crimea and its environs, to some extent, a household name: many other hills and mounds are called simply mamai. Drive to Gyzylarbat city. Upon arrival and check-in hotel. Overnight in Chynar hotel.

After breakfast drive to Ashgabat. On the way visit Parau Bibi. Historical evidence indicates that in the XI-XII centuries, the Parawbibi monument was built by the citizens. According to scientific sources, "the word paraw may have come from the Persian word 'feraba', meaning castle." Then visit Nokhur village. Nokhur (also spelled Nokhur or Nohur) is a picturesque village in the mountains of western Turkmenistan, located in the Kopet Dag range, near the border with Iran. It is known for its unique culture, traditions, and stunning natural beauty.Surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and walnut forests. The village are skilled in carpet weaving, embroidery, and traditional jewelry making. Visit Kov Ata underground lake. Welcome to the sulphurous subterranean world of Kowata underground lake. Here is the place that you could never come across elsewhere in Central Asia. It is a brilliant opportunity to rest for a while on the way to the Balkanabat from the Ashgabat. The cave is only 60 km far from Ashgabat. The therapeutic water of the Kowata underground lake includes 38 elements such as iodine, magnesium, iron, bromine, potassium, sodium, sulphate, and others. The lake depth varies from 8 to 14m. Swimming in Kowata underground lake is highly recommended for stricken people to improve blood circulation, help control rheumatism, skin disorder and kidney diseases, and ease the nervous system. The water is naturally heated to about 36°C and recommended swimming time is nearly 20 minutes due to the sulphur. After excursion drive to Ashgabat city. Check-in hotel. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Mary Region 350 km. Visit to Ancient Merv. It was located at the road crossing of the Great Silk Road, quickly became one of the largest and biggest cities of the ancient world, and was one of the most important capitals of Islam along with Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. Visiting Ancient Merv allows us to explore the urbanization process in Central Asia. The smallest and earliest city in Merv, Erk-Kala (approximately 6th century BCE), occupies only 20 hectares and was surrounded by massive walls and a moat. The Seleucids, successors of Alexander, established a second city, Merv (4th century BCE), known today as Gyaur-Kala, which many experts identify with Antioch on the Margus River. The city was constructed on a Greek grid and has a roughly square shape, covering about 360 hectares. The highlight of Ancient Merv is the visit to the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, which still dominates the landscape. This central-domed building without a portal is characteristic of the Khorasan architectural style. The mausoleum was created by Muhammad, son of Atsyz from Serakhs. Merv occupies an area of over 1,200 hectares, forming the largest archaeological site in Central Asia. The importance of the monument was recognized in 1999 by UNESCO, which granted Merv the status of a World Heritage Site. Night at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Gonurdepe historical place. (90 km) Visiting Gonurdepe sight - from 1971 onwards archeological teams did discoveries that reveal the importance of this area as a possible fifth center of ancient civilization, next to Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China. In the afternoon, we enjoy an immersive cultural experience at Gadymy Turkmen Ojak, an ethno guesthouse where we savor freshly baked Turkmen bread, witness traditional cuisine preparation, embroidery, wool spinning, and carpet making. We’ll also enjoy a folk-dance performance espacially organized for the group. Return to Mary city. The Mary History Museum was established as the Mary Museum of History and Revolution in 1968. Its first exposition opened in 1974. When Turkmenistan gained independence, the Museum in 2008 moved into a new white-marbled building in the center of Mary. The building area is 10,000 sq. m., and the exhibition floor is 4,000 sq. m. The museum houses 6 exhibition halls, a conference hall, restoration halls, repositories and laboratories. Five halls of the Mary History Museum are occupied by permanent expositions, and another one –Temporary – is to host thematic exhibitions. All in all, the Museum has about 40,000 exhibits. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast transfer to Mary airport, then flight to Ashgabat (flight time could be changed). Visit Seyitjemaleddin Mosque. Located in the city of Anau, 12 km east of Ashgabat along the Ashgabat-Mary highway. The Seyit-Jemallidin Mosque is a complex structure that once included a mosque, madrasah and the mausoleum of Sheikh Jemal ad-Din.On the Turkmen land the famous Seyit-Jemallidin mosque, widely known as “Seyit-Jemal ad-Din”, a well-known monument that preserves the unique architectural traditions and artistic styles of the Iron Age. The monument was built in the 15th century during the reign of Abul Qasim Babur, a Timurid descendant in Khorasan. This mosque amazed many Muslim architects of the East with its external beauty and architectural features. The Altyn Asyr Bazaar, also referred to as the Tolkuchka Bazaar, is a vibrant and extensive marketplace located in Ashgabat, the capital city of Turkmenistan. This bazaar is one of the largest markets in Central Asia, embodying Turkmenistan's rich cultural tapestry. It is a hub for locals and tourists to find a diverse assortment of goods, including traditional Turkmen carpets, clothing, textiles, jewelry, and various handmade crafts, that reflect the nation's artistry and traditions. Night at the hotel.

Transfer to the Ashgabat International Airport for flight to next destination.