8- DAY CRAFT TOUR IN TURKMENISTAN

Immerse yourself in the world of Turkmen carpets at the Turkmen Carpet Museum. This is the best place to see examples of the world's largest hand-woven carpet and learn about the history and significance of the art form. Visit the Tolkuchka Bazaar (open on weekends). This is a vibrant, sprawling market where you can see and purchase a wide variety of traditional goods, from textiles and jewelry to household items and even livestock. It's a fantastic place to witness daily life and see crafts in a natural setting. Explore more of Ashgabat, perhaps visiting the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque or a local park. Night at the hotel.

Travel to the village of Nokhur in the Kopet Dag Mountains. The journey itself offers a glimpse into rural life. Nokhur is known for its unique culture and a distinct style of traditional clothing and crafts. In Nokhur, meet with local artisans. This is an ideal time for a masterclass in felt making or a demonstration of traditional embroidery techniques. Learn directly from the craftswomen who have preserved these ancient skills. Return to Ashgabat for the night.

Take a domestic flight or a comfortable drive to Mary, a city in the country's eastern region and the gateway to the ancient Silk Road. Check into your hotel in Mary. In the afternoon, visit the History Museum of the Mary Region, which houses artifacts and exhibits related to the area's rich history, including its role as a center for trade and crafts. Enjoy a relaxing dinner and prepare for the next day's exploration of ancient ruins. Night at the hotel.

Travel to Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Merv was one of the largest and most important cities on the Silk Road, and its ruins tell a story of millennia of history, trade, and culture. After exploring the vast archaeological park, visit a 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. Night at the hotel.

Fly back to Ashgabat and immediately begin your drive into the Karakum Desert toward the Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the "Door to Hell." This is a spectacular natural wonder and a key highlight of any Turkmenistan tour. On the way to the crater, stop in a nomadic or semi-nomadic settlement like Erbent or Bokurdak. These communities often have distinct traditions. Observe how they make traditional bread or see demonstrations of desert crafts. Arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater at sunset. Enjoy a traditional dinner cooked over a campfire as you witness the mesmerizing, flaming crater. Overnight in a yurt or tent camp for an authentic desert experience.

Enjoy breakfast at the camp. Take one last look at the crater before starting the drive back to Ashgabat. 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