Silk Road Secrets: A -15 Day Turkmenistan Expedition

BREAKFAST

09:00 - drive to Nokhur village (150 km). On the way visit:

Akhalteke Horse Farm the horse farm is located in the countryside area, behind the GeokDepe town, 55km. Excursion at the farm to see the Akhal Teke horse and Turkmen dog Alabay. Akhal-Teke horse farm – home to the world-famous Turkmen horses. Learn about the breeding traditions and history of Akhal-Teke horses. Here, experts will tell you about Akhal-Teke horses. Next to the farm, you can take a horseback ride through the gardens.

The Geok-Tepe fortress was completed rapidly. It measured 1450x670 meters, covering an area of 1 square kilometer. The fortress walls stretched over 4 km, with a height of 6-7 meters and a thickness at the base of 8 meters. In 1879, the Russian army under General Lazarev first attempted to capture the fortress. An expedition of over 7,000 people, including 4,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry, and artillery with 16 cannons, was organized. However, due to poor planning and underestimating the fortress defenses, the Russians were defeated and retreated. The main attractions in Gokdepe are the Saparmurat Hajji Mosque and the ruins of the Geok-Tepe fortress.

Underground lake Kov-Ata, located 107 km from Ashgabat.The Turkmen name Kov-Ata means Father of Caves. At first glance, this underground space looks like a magnificent auditorium: the total length of the cave is 230 m, the height reaches 20 m, and the width in some places reaches 57 m.The bottom of the cave is covered with lumps of dissolved limestone (stalagmites), and the warm, gushing water is clear and emerald in color. The water has a constant temperature of 33-37°C. (You should take a swim in the lake). 

Nohur (also known as Nokhur or Nokur) is a remote and picturesque village located in the Kopet Dag Mountains of southern Turkmenistan, near the border with Iran. Known for its stunning natural beauty and unique cultural traditions, Nohur offers a glimpse into a way of life that has remained largely untouched by modernity.The village is nestled in a deep valley surrounded by rugged mountains, providing breathtaking views of dramatic cliffs, lush greenery, and terraced landscapes. Traditional stone houses with flat roofs and wooden beams characterize the architecture of Nohur, blending harmoniously into the surrounding environment. Narrow streets wind through the village, giving it a timeless and serene atmosphere.

Night at the Guest House

Leave Nohur behind and drive through walnut and pomegranate groves to Magtymguly.  In the morning drive to Karakala. The Syunt-Khasardag nature reserve includes ecosystems of the Western Kopetdag mountains (dry subtropics) and neighboring plains. Here, 37 species of mammals and 217 species of birds are found. Flora of the Western Kopetdag includes 1,266 species of higher plants, which belong to 233 genera and 500 families; among these, 150 species are endemic. 

The Lunar Mountains in Turkmenistan are one of the country’s most unique and striking natural features. Located in the Karakum Desert, these mountains are named for their otherworldly, moon-like appearance, with jagged rock formations, vast salt flats, and stark, barren landscapes. They stand in contrast to the surrounding desert, creating a surreal and almost alien terrain that has captivated explorers and researchers alike. The mountains are relatively small but have an extraordinary and unique landscape. The area is characterized by dramatic rock formations, salt flats, and barren hills that give it its moon-like appearance. 

After excursion arrival in Serdar and check-in hotel

Night at the hotel

BREAKFAST

09:00 - drive to Yangykala Canyon. On the way visit:

Mausoleum of Parau Bibi, which dates perhaps to the 11th century. It is now one of the most important centres of shrine pilgrimage in Turkmenistan. A legend surrounding the place, similar to the tales governing several other mountain shrines across Turkmenistan, is that Parau Bibi was a maiden of great virtue. When faced with the prospect of capture by an approaching enemy raiding party, Parau Bibi prayed that the mountainside should open up and take her, in order to preserve her honour. 

Gozli Ata Mausoleum (“All-Seeing Father”) was a well-respected 14th century Sufi saint who was killed during a Mongol invasion. His grave, along with the adjacent grave of his wife, is considered one of the holiest sites in Turkmenistan today. 

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 horse’s graze. 

Night at the tent

BREAKFAST BBQ

Today we drive to the Caspian Sea, on the way visit:

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.Ornament Kemal - Ata is stone educations, many of which are on canyon slopes.

Then drive to the port of Turkmenbashi.

Turkmenbashi (formerly called Krasnovodsk), 654 km from the capital of Turkmenistan. It is situated on the Caspian Sea and has some magnificent sandy beaches. In recent times, it has become a major transport center, with developed oil refining and construction industries. Turkmenbashi serves as the starting point for many excursions into the surrounding mountains and coastal resort towns. Here, on the shores of the Caspian Sea, the sun shines warmly throughout the year, with golden sands gently crunching underfoot and the waves of the warm sea lapping at the beach.

Free day at Caspian Sea.

Visit a bazaar where you can buy fresh, dried, or smoked seafood, such as sturgeon, caviar, sprats, or other fish from the Caspian Sea region. 

Night is at the hotel.

BREAKFAST

08:00 - transfer to Balkanabat airport (148 km)

12:10 - Flight to Dashoguz

13:10 - Arrival in Dashoguz

Transfer to the hotel and check-in. Rest time

Dashoguz city tour

Dashoguz Region it is situated in the northern part of Turkmenistan on the left bank of the Lower Amu Darya, in the Karakum desert. The northern part of the-region is occupied by the ancient delta of the Amu Darya River and the Sarykamysh Hollow with a lake, and the southeast part by the Ustyurt plateau. The administrative centre is Dashoguz city. Dashoguz velayat occupies a special place in history and culture of Turkmen land. The unique oriental architectural pearl of the Middle Ages was Urgench city (present Kuneurgench).

Night at the hotel

BREAKFAST

08:00 - drive to the UNESCO World Heritate site of Konye Urgench (110 km, 1.5 h)

Kunya-Urgench (Keneurgench) is an ancient city, the first mention of which dates back to the III-I centuries BC. It is found even in the Avesta, the main book of the Zoroastrians. There the city is called Urva (Urga). Caravans of the Great Silk Road passed through here, and the Chinese called the city Yue-gan, although it was located on the territory of the state of Khorezm. In the VIII century, the Arabs conquered the city and renamed it Gurganj. At the same time, the Khorezm ruler settled in Gurganj, declaring the city his residence. At various times, Gurganj was conquered by the Mamunids, Anushteginids and even Genghis Khan himself. The latter conquered Gurganj in 1221, severely destroying the city. In the XIV century, the city became subordinate to the Uzbek Khan - Sultan of the Golden Horde. Then, according to the merchant-traveler Ibn Batuta, Gurganj became the largest of the Turkic cities. All the attractions of Kunya Urgench are located in the Old Town and are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Once the caravans of the Great Silk Road passed here. Today, several buildings of the XI-XVI centuries have been preserved in the city.

Mausoleum of Turabek-Khanym: There is also a mausoleum of the XIV century, where the daughter of Uzbek Khan - Tyurabek-khanym is buried. The mausoleum is interesting with a dome mosaic panel depicting flowers and stars. It is believed that this ornament has no analogues.

Kutlug Timur Minaret:The Kutlug-Timur minaret, erected in the XIV century, is considered the tallest in Central Asia. Its length is 60-62 meters (the figures vary slightly depending on the sources). Once the majestic minaret was part of a mosque that was destroyed.

Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh:Near the minaret of Kutlug-Timur there is the mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh - one of a few survived monuments of pre-Mongol Kunya-Urgench. The people call it Sherepbaba and Gyok-Gumbez. Together with the mausoleum of Il'-Arslan they constitute the necropolis of one of the ruling Khoresm clans.

Mausoleum of Il-Arslan:This unique architectural construction also called the mausoleum of Fakhreddin Razi has survived by a miracle. It had been constructed before the Mongol invasion to Kunya-Urgench. The form of the mausoleum is distinguished by precision and simplicity of composition: a cube with a 12-side drum prism on it and external dome in the form of 12 - side tabernacle.

The Mausoleum of Il-Arslan was manually decorated with a relief carved terracotta expressed in an intricate ornament: vegetative and geometrical patterns. While decorating, a special medieval technique was applied. Raw bricks lying on the ground were covered with clay which was used for creating the most complicated relief ornament. Then the entire composition was cut in seams between the bricks and fired to be further assembled on facade.

Minaret of Mamun: During excavation works of a hill in Kunya-Urgench near the mausoleum of Il'-Arslan the remains of the minaret which had fallen only about a hundred years ago were found. In 1900 the local residents found a foundation lead slab with a text saying that the minaret had been constructed in 1011 by the order of Mamun shakh.

Then drive to Darvaza in the Karakum desert (270 km)

Darvaza, the center of a gas-rich area in the heart of the Karakum Desert, attracts travelers from all over the world with its unique burning crater, which offers especially spectacular views in the dark.

BBQ style dinner

Night at the yurt

BREAKFAST BBQ

We pack up our camp and head east, towards the very heart of the Karakum desert, the village of Damla. The road to Damla will take us over high sand dunes and across hard, dusty takyrs – plains of hard packed clay – revealing us the “naked” bed of the prehistoric Tethys sea, which once covered huge expanses of Eurasia, and of the fabled Uzboy River, one of the beds of the Amu-Darya (the Oxus) that flew across the desert into the Caspian Sea. Damla is one of the last abodes of the traditional pastoral life, sustained by cattle-breeding, mostly sheep, goats and camels, all the desert “kindly” yields to people.

Night at the tent or yurt

BREAKFAST 

Damla is a Turkmen village located in the heart of the Karakum Desert. People here live in yurts or traditional small clay houses.

08:00 - drive to Akmolla village (100 km). 

In the village of Akmola, we'll get a glimpse into the daily life of the Turkmen people, where we'll sample traditional national lamb dishes. We'll take walks in the surrounding area, photographing the village and its surroundings.

We'll spend the night in tents near the village.

BREAKFAST BBQ

10:00 - drive to Murzechirla village.

Stop for walk in the desert and lunch. 

The people in these oases are unique in their hospitable culture, traditions and dress. 

Night at the tent

BREAKFAST BBQ

All day driving across desert. Some stops on the way to take photos of stunning desert landscape, oases and some remote desert villages. Our aim on this day is to reach the Tugay savannah of the Mary canals. Tugays grow along the reservoirs and canals of the Mary cotton fields that reach far north into the desert. Because of their difficult accessibility, they are home to incredible wildlife such as wild boars and gazelles. On arrival at  the Gonurdepe archaeological site, we meet archeologists (subject to availability). 

Night at the tent

BREAKFAST BBQ

Gonur Depe (2000 BC) is the largest settlement in historical Margiana, also known as Margush. Spend the afternoon walking among the remains of a sprawling city that contained a palace, temples with fire altars, living quarters, ovens and extensive burial grounds, including a royal tomb. Gonur Depe (Gray Hill), a huge city and temple complex in the Mary region of Turkmenistan, was discovered in 1972 by an archaeological expedition led by Viktor Ivanovich Sarianidi. The largest settlement in ancient Margiana, Gonur Depe belongs to the Bronze Age (3rd millennium BC) and appears to have been a major center of the Zoroastrian religion.  

After excursion drive to Ancient Merv historical site (60 km, 2.5 h)

Ancient Merv was the most important Silk Road hub in the region, and particularly thriving as regional capital under Seljuk governor Sanjar. Merw is the collective name of five urban centers that existed under various different names in different periods from the VI c BC up to the XVIII c AD.Today, Merv occupies a territory of more than 1200 ha and forms the biggest archeological site in Central Asia. The importance of the site was recognized in 1999 by UNESCO, which awarded Merv World Heritage status.

The Seljuk capital, consisting of a shahristan (medieval citadel) and a rabat(outskirts of the medieval city), considerably exceeded Damascus and Jerusalem in size. Today the Seljuk citadel is called SultanKala. It has an oval shape and occupies about 630 hectares. Its layout is still visible in aerial pictures. Among all city sites of Merw, perhaps the most significant is the medieval  Seljuk city. 

Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum most majestic architectural monument of Merv is Sultan Sanjar mausoleum called "Dar-al-Akhir" ("Otherworld"). His whole appearance it represents the highest achievements and flourishing Seljuk power. Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum is located in the center of the settlement Sultan Kala. Nearby are large monumental buildings - the palaces of Seljuk rulers and a mosque.

Great and Less Kiz fortress small fortresses with corrugated, if folded in the crease, napodobye accordion, walls. They put on the earthen ramps with mild slope. Small windows are hidden in the folds of the walls. At the top of the wall terminate toothed battlements, which are almost did not survive.

Mausoleums of ashkhabs. Original set of graves from the time of the Arab invasioninto Central Asia in the early years after the death of Mohamed. The graves of two askhabs(companions/campaigners of the Prophet) are of Al KhakamGifari (died in 670) and Bureyda Al Aslami (died in 681).

Gyaur Kala fortress In Turkic languages, "Gyaur" means "infidel", referring to those who do not practise Islam. The name of the fortress in ancient Merv, Gyaur-Kala - "Fortress of the Infidels" - was given by the Arabs who conquered it in the early 8th century. However, the fortress itself dates back much earlier, to the 4th-3rd centuries BC.

Erk-Kala fortress was the center of ancient Merv. The fortifications of Erk-Kala have sagged under earth drifts but nevertheless, have preserved their height and power. This distinguishes Erk-Kala from other fortresses. Now the height of the fortifications with steep slopes and precisely cut out towers reaches 25 - 29 m.

Ice houses (approximately XV c., Timurid rule)are visible from the road between the medieval and ancient cities of Merv. An extraordinary conical clay construction, built directly on the ground to store tightly packed snow. The original height is hard to determine.

The mausoleum-complex of Hodja Yusuf Hamadani (Hamdani) includes a modern mosque and minaret, the grave and mausoleum of Hodja Yusuf Hamadani (died in 1140), a Timuridiwan(portal) and a prayer hall. It is located not far from the Seljuk citadel. This complex has been largely reconstructed and turned into an important pilgrimage site.  Hodja Yusuf Hamadani was a famous Sufi scholar of the 12th century, and the first of a group of Central Asian Sufi teachers who founded the Naqshbandi order. He was born in 1048-49 in a small settlement called Bezendjird, close to the famous Iranian city of Hamadan, when Merw was under Seljuk rule.

Shahriar Ark was constructed - a citadel within the citadel, protected by its own walls and moat. Visiting Shahriar Ark you can see the Kepter Khana- an interesting corrugated structure, which is the best-preserved in the citadel. It’s walls still survive to a height of some 4,5 m, however the original height of the walls is hard to determine. 

Mohamed ibn Zaid, dated by inscription to 1112-13. It is located outside the medieval Seljuk citadel. It is unclear as to whom the mausoleum is actually devoted to. The local legend speaks about Mohamed Said ibnZeidibn Ali ZeinalAbedonibn al- Huseinibn Ali-Talib, who   was a prominent Shia teacher and direct descendant of the Prophet Ali in fifth generation. 

Abdulla khan Kala, constructed in the time of Timurid rule in the region, and was enclosed by massive walls and a moat with massive ramparts. Although one of the strongest and best fortified cities in the area, Abdullakhan Kala never reached the importance of the previous city sites. The remains of the city walls are still impressive, however, the walls, the Timurid palace and other constructions in this citadel, as well as four gates were much better preserved in the 19th century. 

Overnight is at the hotel.

BREAKFAST

07:30 - drive to Ekegowak cave. On the way visit:

The Talkhatan Baba Mosque is located at 43 kilometers southeast of the city of Mary. Talkhatan Baba Mosque dates back to the XIth century. Its value lies in the good preservation of the monument. For some unknown reason, the Mongols did not destroy Dalgatan, as this city is called by historians and geographers of those times. The mausoleum of Talkhatan baba, a masterpiece of Seljuk architecture, impresses with its balance and harmony of proportions, the skill of brickwork, brought to virtuosity. The first scientific description of the mosque was given by V.A. Zhukovsky in the 1890s.In the 1950s, it was surveyed in detail by the architect A.M. Pribytkova.

Yekedeshik -is a unique and spectacular cave that doesn't have any analogues anywhere else. The word "Yekedeshik"-from Turkmen language means "One orifice" because of it's only one entrance. In the spring period one can see here open land covered with lots of tulips and field mushrooms.The emergence of this cave is a mystery and there are many versions of how it appeared. According to one of them cave was dug by the legions of A. Macedonian army. As a consequence people used the cave as a dwelling. Inside the cave there are blocs of rooms similar to modern ones where one can see bedrooms, kitchens and others. The cave consists of two floors. On the lower floor people collected water for their needs. There are 44 rooms and the cave is still under archeological excavations to nowadays.The cave has been carved by of axe-like tools in the rock of sandstone. A straight, 37 meters long corridor comes up against niche which resembles an altar. 

Thorough exploration of the cave, you will begin the long journey back to Mary.

Night at the hotel.

BREAKFAST

08:00 - drive to Ashgabat. On the way visits:

The Nedir Shakh fortress was built by Nedir-Shah order in the XVIII-th century. The fortress was surrounded by moat. The southern wall of this historical monument was damaged, however the other walls have been preserved to our days.In the northern corner of the fortress one can see a hill 10 meters high. From the top of this hill the whole fortress and its surroundings could be seen. In the middle of the fortress there are the ruins of the palace. About 22 kilometers to the north of Kaahka region in the collective farm named after A. Tahirov, there is the fortress of the great ruler Nedir-Shah. The fortress was built by the order of Nedir-Shah himself in the XVIII-th century.

Abiverd one of the most important cities of Northern Khorasan is a medieval settlement Abiverd. Hafiz-i-Abru said that Abiverd settlement consisted of dozens of villages and several cities. The city wall is a rectangular area of 42 hectares.There also were found ancient coins, ceramics products of IX-XII centuries, as well as a lot of metal handicrafts: various women's jewelries, buckles. According by them, we can say that there were shops of jewelers and tinkers. During the excavation’s archeologists found huge wells and reservoirs, indicating a highly-developed irrigation of Abiverd. The first investigation was taking place in 1928 under the lidership A.A. Semenov, who first made a plan of the city, citadel and remains of the city wall. In addition to Semenov’s scientific works, there are also archeological materials collected by the members of the expedition from different parts of Abiverd.

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.

Arrival in Ashgabat and check-in hotel

Night at the hotel

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

We hope you enjoyed our service and hope you'll come back again.