Karakum Nomad Jeep Expedition

Today you'll visit Ruhy Mosque which is the biggest mosque in Central Asia & Mausoleum Complex of the tombs of Turkmenbashy and his parents &brothers, Old Nissa-The Sanctuary of Parhian Kings which was included into UNESCO’s World Heritage Book. Nissa is situated in 15 km to the west of Ashgabat & founded in the III century B.C. Nissa was the capital of Parthian Empire which lasted for about 600 years and was the biggest competitor for the Rome Empire. You'll also explore National Carpet Museum, home to 8,000 exhibits, including one of the world’s largest handwoven carpets (301 sq. m, a Guinness World Record). Discover ancient weaving techniques, symbolic patterns, and the meticulous restoration of historic carpets. Visit the Akhal-Teke horse stables to see the country's famous golden horses.

Night at the hotel.

A flight from Ashgabat takes you to Mary, the gateway to the ancient city of Merv and Gonurdepe. About four thousand years ago, an agricultural civilization developed near the ancient Murgab River, leaving traces that testify to the existence of a high culture. Archaeologist, founder and long-term leader of the Margiana expedition, academician Viktor Ivanovich Sarianidi, spent many years searching for the capital of this civilization. There was a capital, now called Gonur Depe, with a palace and several temples that rivaled the buildings of Assyria and Babylon. Gonur Depe is the capital of the Margush country. Archaeologists have found evidence of the existence of spiritual traditions that prove that the people of Gonur Depe practiced Zoroastrianism. In the center of the city was a palace with many rooms, surrounded by strong, thick walls and several square towers. Outside the walls, on the south side, there was a pool measuring 180x80 meters and 2 meters deep. There were two smaller pools on the north and west sides of the temple complex. They were built not for defensive purposes, but for symbolic purposes.Gonur Depe still holds many secrets that historians, archaeologists and scientists have yet to uncover. This place is one of the important tourist attractions of Turkmenistan, where thousands of tourists from all over the world come every year. Visiting this magnificent and mysterious building, you can learn the secrets of the distant ancestors of the Turkmen, who in ancient times were talented sculptors, builders and jewelers.

Then visit Ancient Merv. Central Asia has many ancient cities that are over 2000 years old. Some of them still exist and flourish, while others have been abandoned and turned into ruins. Among the latter, Merv is one of the most important. Once upon a time, Merv was the largest city not only in Central Asia, but also in the whole world. Omar Khayyam, As-Samani, Imam al-Din Isfahani and other great thinkers lived here.There are several fortresses in Merv from different periods. They are very different in their construction and degree of preservation.  Erk-gala (6th century BC), Gyavur-gala (3rd century), Kyz-gala (6th century), Sultan-gala (11th century), Abdullahan-gala (15th century), Bayramalikhan-gala (c. 18th century) Most of them are in ruins, some are just mounds of heavily eroded clay, and even now, Merv remains one of the most remarkable monuments of history. 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. Returning to Mary and check-in hotel.

Night at the hotel.

In the morning, visit the Camel Farm located in the Sakarchaga district. First, visit the Carpet Factory located here. Study the weaving methods of Turkmen hand-made carpets. Then visit the guest house. Get acquainted with the breeding of camels here. There is an ancient saying among the Turkmen people that a guest is older than your grandfather. Green tea and bread baked in a tandyr will be served. Then, chal and agaran prepared from camel milk will be offered. Then we will continue our journey. Visit the Gok Gümmez monument and get acquainted with the history of this place. You will get acquainted with the flora and fauna of the Karakum desert. In the evening, return to the city of Mary and check into the hotel.

Spend the night at the hotel.

Early morning departure to Ashgabat. On the way, visit the monuments of Nedir Shah Kala, Abiverd and Seyitjemaleddin. Nadir-Shah Fortress – Just over 20km south of Kaka, close to the village of Khivabad, lies an 18th-century fortress, built during the rule of Nadir Shah, founder of the Afsharid Dynasty in Iran. Set in an attractive location at the foot of the Kopet Dag Mountains, the rectangular fortress walls retain a good sense of the original structure. Fluvial erosion has destroyed most of the southern wall of the fortress, but elsewhere towers and battlements survive. From gates in the north and east walls, roads run to the remains of a large walled building in the centre of the complex. A mound reaching a height of 10m in the north wall of the fortress offers an excellent vantage point across the site. The fortress is also known as Old Khivabad: it is said that Nadir Shah, held in slavery in Khiva in his youth, vowed that one day he would move Khiva to his homeland. When he became a powerful leader, he conquered Khiva. The tale runs that he took thousands of prisoners, ordering each of them to take with them soil from Khiva. With this he constructed the fortress of Khivabad near the Kopet Dag Mountains. Çontinue our journey, visit Abiverd Historical place. Abiverd was one of the main centers of Northern Khorasan, which was repeatedly described as "a city with fertile lands and rich harvests, famous for its magnificent market and mosque." The city was protected by residents from attacks by nomads not only by powerful fortress walls and fortified gates, but also by a deep moat. Then visit Seyit Jamal ad-Din Mosque is one of the few medieval monuments near Ashgabat. Unfortunately, a powerful earthquake in 1948 destroyed much of it, leaving only the remnants of walls, parts of the portal, and the dome scattered around. Still, thousands of tourists visit these ruins every year.The mosque stood on a hill near the ancient settlement of Anau, 12 kilometers from modern Ashgabat. It comprised a mosque, two additional buildings, and the ornate tomb of Seyit Jamal ad-Din. You will visit Ashgabat city and check-in hotel.

Night at the hotel.

A flight from Ashgabat will take you to Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea coast (06:20-07:20). From there, you'll start your jeep tour towards the dramatic Yangykala Canyon. The drive itself is an adventure, traversing moon-like landscapes. You'll spend the night camping or staying in a guesthouse near the canyon, enjoying the stunning sunset and sunrise views.

Overnight at tent

The journey back to the capital is a scenic drive through diverse landscapes. You might also visit the traditional mountain village of Nokhur to get a glimpse of local life.Nokhur (also Nohur) is in the list of 100 the most romantic places of the world. Picturesque villages Old and New Nokhur on the mountain plateau are beauty of two-store houses of unique architecture that are on the mountain cliffs among vines, almond and pomegranate trees.Deep in the mountains, at height of 1000-1100 meters there lies Nokhur. The way to this “compact world” is long and difficult: grades, slopes, mountainous hairpin curves. Drive to Kov Ata underground lake. A popular stop is the Kow Ata underground thermal lake, a natural cave where you can swim in a warm, mineral-rich body of water. he lake name is translated as “father of the caves”. Its popularity is connected rather with the healing properties of water, than the beauty of this underground nature. The descent into the Bakharden cave begins with a steep stair which cannot be covered without a torch. Beneath, at the depth of 60 meters, can be seen only a small part of the Lake Kow-Ata. The water there is very warm (34-37degree), a little turbid with a blue-green tinge. The lake depth varies from 8 to 14m, but swimming is prohibited there. Visit Ashgabat city and check-in hotel.

Night at the hotel.

On your final day, visit shopping malls and entertainment centers, "Berkarar" – the largest in Turkmenistan, is the best option. In their 340 stores is possible to find clothe, accessories, restaurants, cafes. Then visit Gulustan bazaar (Formerly name Russian bazaar). It is natural that an exotic Asian assortment from Turkmenistan's fields and vegetable gardens is on sale here. Melons, pomegranates, grapes, and dried fruit and vegetables are sold all year round. A tempting smell leads better than any guidebook to the fast food stalls. Golden pastries are fried here, juicy "manty" (meat dumplings) are for sale, and a wonderful drink, "chal" (a fermented drink made from camel's milk) is offered. A little further, the smoke from the barbeques indicates the place where fragrant mutton shish-kebab (shashlik) is being roasted.

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.