Uzbekistan border (Shavat) – Dashoguz – Darvaza Gas Crater – Ashgabat – Mary – Uzbekistan border Farap

In the morning at 09:00 a.m. arrive to Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan border “Dashoguz/Shavat”. (57 km. from Bukhara 1hrs. to drive). Meeting with accompanying guide who will assist with customs. Lunch at local restaurant. Drive to Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO World Heritage Site; 110 km/2 hrs. to drive) – once a glorious capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire, the biggest Muslim empire of the late 12 - early 13 centuries. Kunya Urgench tour includes visits to the following monuments: • The mausoleum of Turabeg Khanum (15 c.) • The minaret of Kutlug Temur (11-14 cc.), the highest medieval minaret in Central Asia • The mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh (late 12 c.), with a turquoise cone of a dome • The mausoleum of Il-Arslan (the mid 12 c.), the founder of the pre-Mongol Khorezmshah Empire and others Drive back to Dashoguz. Overnight at the Hotel

Breakfast at the Hotel. AM free time at leisure. Afternoon, drive to Darvaza gas crater, internationally known as “Gates of Hell” (310 km, about 4-5 hours drive). Be prepared for the road challenge. The road to Darvaza is quite damaged, but our drivers have strong wheels to manage it. The destination is worth it. Short tour at the site upon arrival while nomad-style kebabs are being prepared. Dinner at sunset and another photo session by the flaming crater. The crater was formed in the early 1970s when the ground collapsed during a Soviet gas drilling expedition. Scientists reportedly lit the massive hole on fire to prevent the spread of natural gas, and it’s been burning since then. The National Geographic expedition revealed that some unusual lifeforms were thriving in the inhospitable conditions. Wild camping in tents or yurts.

After breakfast in tents we drive south towards Ashgabat. En-route stop by Yerbent village to see the local lifestyle of semi-nomadic Turkmen families. Stop by two smaller gas craters for pictures “the bubbling water crater” and “the sulfur mud crater”. Arrive in Ashgabat and hotel check in. Free time at leisure 1 hr. before Tour starts. PM start exploring Ashgabat city and surroundings: • “Bagt Koshgi” the Wedding Palace (translated as “the Palace of Happiness) platform on the hill with a scenic panoramic view of the city; • Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center, has been awarded the Guinness World Record for the largest indoor Ferris Wheel ever made; • Monument of Neutrality and Independence Monument surrounded with statues of historical figures/leaders of Turkmen nation who have built the country; • Monument to the Turkmenistan Constitution (Built to honor the 20th anniversary of the Constitution of Turkmenistan); • Ertogrul Gazi Mosque - prominent landmark in Ashgabat with its four minarets and a central dome and has a lavish interior decoration with fine stained glass windows; Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast at the Hotel. Check out. After breakfast we start the tour with exploring the historical site of: • Old Nisa Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage Site), located 15 km from Ashgabat city center. The earliest of Parthian Empire capitals (III c. BC – III c. AD). Located in an atmospheric area at the foot of the Kopet-Dag Mountains. • “Halk Hakydasy” Memorial Complex - a memorial complex to the honour of those killed in the Battle of Geok Tepe in 1881, in World War II, and in the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake. • National Museum of History where you can take a close look at exclusive ancient artifacts and treasuries from different historical and archaeological sites of Turkmenistan. • Walking tour in the city that will include: Lenin Park with statue of Lenin, Russian Bazaar, Altyn Asyr Market, and “Ylham Park” – the park of Inspiration, most popular with big collection of statues of famous Turkmen poets and scientists. Evening transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for evening flight to Ashgabat (Т5-129 at 17:50-18:30 flying every day). Arrival in Mary city and hotel check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Margush or Mary hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel check out and transfer to Bayramali (30 km, approximately 30 min. to drive) to visit Ancient Merv. Old Merv, known as the “The Pearl of Seljuk Empire” 11-12th centuries (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The tour will include: - Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum (the last Sultan of the Great Seljuk Empire) - Yusuf Hamadani Mosque (Yusuf Hamadani was an important figure in religious affairs during Malik Shah, the father of Sultan Sanjar) - Erk gala (was founded in the 6th century BCE; in the 3rd century BCE it became the citadel for the larger Hellenistic city of Antiochia/Margiana) - Sultan gala (built in between 800-1400 AD, Sultan-Kala offers to explore the mudbrick work of Seljuk fortifications) - Great and Small Gyz kala (7th-12th centuries), known as “Ladies Fortress”. One of the most well-preserved fortresses made from mud bricks. - Mohammad ibn Zayd Mausoleum (the leader of the Shia movement against the Abbasid Caliphate) PM drive to Turkmenabat. The road from Mary to Turkmenabat takes (4 hrs.) After lunch we transfer to Farab to cross the border to Uzbekistan/Farab. You guide will assist you with border crossing formalities and see you off. End of services. End of services