Turkmen melody Tour 3

 

Turkmen melody Tour 3
Destination: Turkmenistan
Duration: 10 days
Places to visit: Ashgabat - Kov Ata - Nokhur - Balkanaba t- Yangykala - Gozli Ata - Turkmenbashi - Avaza - Mary - Merv - Margush - Damla - Darwaza - Ashgabat

Day 1: Ashgabat
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the capital city of Turkmenistan. Here you will explore the most prominent sights of it. Nisa fortress is also known as the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings. Suring the tour you will learn that this sight is listed to UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. After it you will visit the biggest Mosque in Central Asia Ruhy Mosque or Gypjak, Mausoleum of the first President of Turkmenistan. Moreover during the tour you will see the famous Akhal-Teke horses. You will find the horse farm in Gokdepe region where riders will show you their skills in horse riding. Then you will return to Ashgabat. Night is in the hotel.

Day 2: Ashgabat - Kow Ata - Nokhur - Balkanabat
In course of the tour you will drive to underground lake. This lake is called Kow Ata and can be found at 107 km from Ashgabat. It is interesting fact that the name of it will translate as father of caves. By arriving you will see the underground area that look similar to auditorium. The size of this cave is 230 m, its height reaches 20 m, and its width at some a point is 57 m. Yu will be impressed to know that the bottom of it is covered with blocks of stalagmites, and it warm and lush water transparent and emerald color. The water is warm with the temperature of 33-37 ° C due o it you can freely swim there. Continue our way to Nokhur. This place is known as the small village that is located in the valley with houses made of cement with mud. While exploring this village you will see the main streets running through the middle of the city and the other of the streets are so narrow that they only fit the car between the high stone retaining walls on each side. The people who live here are different from other Turkmen tribes. They live in several villages in the mountainous borderland spanning Turkmenistan and Iran. Nokhur is the largest village, population only a thousand or two thousand people. Later on continue the drive to the city of Balkanabat. Night is in hotel.

Day 3: Balkanabat - Yangykala - Gozli Ata - Turkmenbashi - Avaza
After breakfast you will have a tour to Yangikala canyons. This picturesque sight can be found at 165 km to the north from Balkanabat and 160 km to the east from Turkmenbashi. In is important to note that Yangikala translates as "fire fortresses". You will be impressed how accurate the name was given, sheer cliffs of white, yellow, ocher, violet and red colors, whimsically carved by winds and rains, are look like stone castles from fairy tale. After it you will visit Gozli Ata that is considered to be one of the most remote pilgrimage sites in Turkmenistan as well as possessing one of the most beautiful scenery. It lies in the center of a natural bowl, surrounded by protrusions of strips of pink and white stone. People believed that Gozli Ata was a respected Sufi who lived in the early 14th century. You will see his mausoleum made of two white domes, standing in an old cemetery with many beautifully carved stone tombs. The two-headed structure of the mausoleum is necessary to accommodate the length of the tomb: a triangular prism, possibly three ordinary graves long. After exploring all prominent sights o this area you will continue to drive to Awaza. Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 4: Avaza - Ashgabat - Mary/Merv
In the morning you will have a flight to Ashgabat. Upon arrival you will have to travel to Abiverd that is one of the ancient cities of Turkmenistan.  After it you will continue the tour to ancient Merv. This city was one of the most prosperous due to its location where the Great Silk Road passed. Ancient Merv had a great influence in developing of it for more than 2 000 years.  . In its prime time this city was one of the most important capitals of Islam along with Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. During tours you will have an opportunity to see Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Soltan Gala, Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum, Ibn Zeid Mausoleum. Drive back to Mary city and dinner at the local restaurant. Night is at the hotel in Mary.

Day 5: Mary - Margush - Ashgabat
Today you will have incredible time while exploring the place that was considered to be the Oasis of Merv (5th center of civilization). This center appeared even before the Achaemen times. Today in course of the tour you will learn more about Bronze Age civilization that is known as Margush or in Greek Margiana. This site was fond by Professor Victor Sarianidi who led the Margiana Archaeological Expedition in the early 1970s. You will find this significant sight at the northern edge of the modern oasis that is now a desert. People left this place due to the climate change that led to desertification. But thank to this now we can witness the great example of remains of the Bronze Age settlements. It is important to note that Margiana sights are closely related to sights in Bactria that is located in modern northern Afghanistan. Sarianidi declare that the Bactria-Margiana complex was a major center of ancient civilization as well as being the birthplace of Zoroastrianism. Driving to Ashgabat city. Overnight is in hotel.

Day 6: Ashgabat 
Toady you will have a morning tour in Ashgabat. Here you will be able to Revival Park, Russian Market, Lenin's square, Ertogrulgazy mosque, Park of Independence, Arch of Neutrality as well as Museum of Ethnography and Museum of Fine Arts. Overnight is at hotel.

Day 7: Ashgabat - Damla
Toady your destination of the tour is Damla village. You will be find this site in the vast Karakum desert in Turkmenistan. You will be amazed by the atmosphere of this city that preserved traditional Turkmen life. Here you will count only 60 dwellings and the people of this place simply engaged in their daily lives. Here you will have a great chance to witness and participate in their daily lifestyle. It is isolation that creates its charm. You will have a wonderful time to enjoy the real life of Turkmenistan right here in Damla. Night is in tents.

Day 8: Damla - Darwaza 
Toady you will travl to the highlighted part of the tour. The famous Darwaza will wait you with its "door to hell". But before it you will see another 2 craters. You can find them also on the territory of the village of Darwaza, in the west of the main road. You will see the differences between these two holes. The first on is deep and round while second possesses metal barrier. While observing these craters you won't see the fire but will small the strong smell of gas. Second is located about 18 km south of Darwaza, on the western side of the main road and is almost invisible from it. Even the first one was really smelly it doesn't count to the second one. Whole exploring it you won't smell any odor. Instead, it is partially filled with water through which the gases gently rise. This village used to mine sulfur but it was closed in the 1960s. This sight appeared due to the looking for gas in the Soviet period. If you want to reach the flaming one you need to have an off road car. The gas crater is round the diameter of which is about 60 meters. Its floor crackles from hundreds of small lights; the flame is strongest around the edges. Night is in camp.

Day 9: Darwaza - Ashgabat
Today you will be transferred to Ashgabat where you will explore Annau "Seit Jamaleddin Mosque", the main attraction of which remains for the visitor today, is the ruins of the 15th century Seyit Jamal ad-Din mosque. Driving back to Ashgabat. Night is in the hotel.

Day 10: Flight
Transfer to airport.

Transport:
For 2 person Sedan (3seats)
For 3 - 8 person Minibus (14 seats)
For 10 and more person Bus (20-30-40 seats)
SUV cars (4x4) we are organize for Damla, Darvaza, Canyons and Margiana                

Hotels 3*,
Price per person:
02 pax - 1 420 $
04 pax - 1 130 $
06 pax -  975 $
08 pax -  895 $
10 pax -  935 $
Single - 160 $

Early check-in - 30 $
Single early check-in - 45 $ 
 

Hotels 4*,
Price per person:
02 pax - 1 560 $
04 pax - 1 270 $
06 pax - 1 115 $
08 pax - 1 035 $
10 pax - 1 075 $
Single - 205 $

Early check-in - 50 $
Single early check-in - 70 $  

Half board - 90 $
Full board - 180 $

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Ashgabat - "Menzil" Hotel 3*/ "Ak Altyn" Hotel 4*
Balkanabat - "Sport" Hotel 3*/ "Nebitchi" Hotel 4*
Avaza - "Hazina" Hotel 5*
Mary - "Merv" Hotel 3*/ "Mary" Hotel 4*
Damla - Tents or Homestay
Darwaza - Tents or Yurts
- Visa support
- English speaking guide
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour
- Domestic flights Turkmenbashi - Ashgabat                                              

Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Single rooms             
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Migration tax (12$)
- Fee for using cameras on monuments

Note: Each Traveler should have 2 photos (5×6) to be presented at the points of entry.