Yekegowak Cave Expedition

BREAKFAST

Today drive to Mary Region (350 km, 3-4 h). On the way 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.

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.

Upon arrival accommodation & rest or (if have time) short walking tour within the central part of Mary City which has The Regional Mosque of Mary Province, The Central Theater of Mary, The Convention & Conference Center “Ruhiyet Koshgi”, Central Park & Monument of Mollanepes-the National Classic Poet who lived in Mary in XVIII-XIXcc.

Night at the hotel.

Today after an early breakfast, you will drive to the remote area of Tagta-Bazar. 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.

Yekegowak - is a State historical and architectural reserve, located 225 kilometers from Bairam-Ali in the district of Tagta-Bazar. Tahta-Bazar -is a district where once passed great caravan routes from Iran, Khorasan.Yekegowak -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.

After a packed lunch and a thorough exploration of the cave, you will begin the long journey back to Mary.

Night at the hotel.

BREAKFAST

Transfer to Mary airport

08:10 - Flight to Ashgabat

08:50 - Arrival in Ashgabat

Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex: greatness of memory. Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex located on a hill towering over the city, the Memorial Complex covers an area of 650 000 metres2. It includes the monument dedicated to World War II, the monuments to the heroes of World War II and the Battle of Gokdepe, and to the victims of the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake.

After lunch at 14:00 drive to Darvaza- Gas Crater, which is a huge flaming crater, located 270 km to the north of Ashgabat.

En route visiting one of the village Erbent to observe the rural life of Turkmen people. Continue with moving to the Water, Clay and Gas Crater. In the evening enjoy the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater.

Barbeque style dinner.

Overnight in tent or yurta with sleeping bags.

BREAKFAST BBQ

08:00-drive to Ashgabat (270 km, 4-5 h)

Russian Bazaar ; Location and area:Another bazaar you can find in the capital of Turkmenistan is the Russian Bazaar.It is located at 72 Azadi Street in Ashgabat, köçesi Turkmenistan.The russian bazaar is the largest and oldest covered market in Turkmenistan.Gulustan bazaar commodities are rich and diverse, covering food, daily necessities, clothing, crafts and other categories.

The “Berkarar” shopping and entertainment center was opened on December 26, 2014. Today it is the largest shopping complex in Ashgabat, which consists of a 4-story shopping and entertainment center. The Shopping and Entertainment Center features more than 350 brand stores, including. The complex includes the services of a large chain local supermarket, 22 restaurants and fast food outlets (European and Oriental cuisine), a restaurant for special events for 1000 people, gaming attractions, cinemas, sports activities 

Farewell dinner

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

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