This 4-day Turkmenistan highlights tour from Ashgabat<\/strong> combines the country\u2019s western landscapes, mountain culture and ancient Silk Road heritage in one compact circular journey.<\/p>\n Starting and ending at Ashgabat International Airport (ASB)<\/strong>, the itinerary begins with a private exploration of the white-marble capital before an early domestic flight to Turkmenbashi<\/strong> on the Caspian Sea.<\/p>\n From the coast, continue across the desert plateau to the colourful cliffs of Yangykala Canyon<\/strong>. The following day, travel along the Kopet Dag Mountains to the traditional mountain village of Nokhur<\/strong> and the naturally warm underground waters of Kow Ata<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The final day takes you east by motorway to Ancient Merv<\/strong>, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the major historic centres of the Silk Road, before returning to Ashgabat for a farewell dinner and airport transfer.<\/p>\n This itinerary is ideal for travellers who want to combine Yangykala, Nokhur, Kow Ata and Ancient Merv<\/strong> in a four-day round trip from Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) \u2192 Ashgabat \u2192 Turkmenbashi \u2192 Yangykala Canyon \u2192 Balkan Region \u2192 Nokhur \u2192 Kow Ata \u2192 Ashgabat \u2192 Mary \/ Bayramaly \u2192 Ancient Merv \u2192 Ashgabat \u2192 Ashgabat International Airport (ASB)<\/strong><\/p>\n Upon arrival at Ashgabat International Airport (ASB)<\/strong>, complete customs and immigration formalities.<\/p>\n Our guide or driver will meet you at the arrival gate and recognise you using your photograph.<\/p>\n Transfer to a local restaurant for breakfast before beginning the day\u2019s programme.<\/p>\n Begin your journey with a private exploration of Ashgabat<\/strong>, Turkmenistan\u2019s distinctive white-marble capital.<\/p>\n The programme is fully flexible and can be adapted to your pace and personal interests.<\/p>\n Your guide can combine monumental architecture, modern avenues, cultural sites and locations connected with Turkmenistan\u2019s history and the Silk Road.<\/p>\n The day is planned at a comfortable pace with breaks for a traditional lunch and relaxed dinner at local restaurants.<\/p>\n Stay overnight at a hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Complete an early hotel check-out and transfer to Ashgabat International Airport.<\/p>\n Take the morning flight to Turkmenbashi<\/strong>, departing at 06:20 AM<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A freshly prepared breakfast box will be provided by the hotel for the journey.<\/p>\n Meet your local driver upon arrival at Turkmenbashi Airport.<\/p>\n Enjoy a short orientation tour of Turkmenbashi<\/strong>, the historic port city on the Caspian Sea.<\/p>\n See examples of pre-revolutionary architecture built from local Caspian limestone, visit the 1895 Moorish-style railway station<\/strong>, and enjoy coastal views.<\/p>\n An optional excursion to the nearby Awaza Sea Resort<\/strong> can be arranged upon request, subject to accessibility at the time of your visit.<\/p>\n Enjoy fresh Caspian seafood or a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n Leave Turkmenbashi and travel east through the desert towards the canyon region.<\/p>\n If time allows, make an optional stop at Gozli Ata<\/strong>, a pilgrimage site surrounded by striking white and pink cliffs.<\/p>\n Continue your off-road journey across the desert plateau to Yangykala Canyon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The drive from Turkmenbashi covers approximately 160 km<\/strong> and takes around 3 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Explore the vast red and pink limestone formations, remnants of the ancient seabed of the Tethys Ocean.<\/p>\n Please note that the approach to the canyon plateau includes rough off-road sections.<\/p>\n Depending on the season and weather, enjoy a packed picnic dinner in the canyon landscape or a warm dinner after reaching your destination.<\/p>\n Continue south from the canyon towards your hotel in the Balkan Region<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The journey takes approximately 2\u20132.5 hours<\/strong> to the nearest suitable hub.<\/p>\n Stay at a hotel in Balkanabat or another nearby transit hub<\/strong>, depending on availability.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in the Balkan Region.<\/p>\n After breakfast, depart your hotel and travel east along the highway running parallel to the Kopet Dag Mountains<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Take a mountain detour to visit Nokhur<\/strong>, a traditional village known for its distinctive local culture.<\/p>\n Visit the unusual local cemetery decorated with ibex horns, meet local residents and enjoy a traditional home-cooked lunch at a family home or local restaurant.<\/p>\n The mountain road includes steep serpentine sections. Access depends on favourable weather and road conditions.<\/p>\n Continue from Nokhur to the famous Kow Ata Underground Lake<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 100 km<\/strong> and takes around 1.5 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Descend into the limestone cave and enjoy the opportunity to swim in naturally warm, mineral-rich sulphur waters that remain at approximately 35\u00b0C throughout the year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Continue the final stretch back to Ashgabat<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 100 km<\/strong> and takes around 1.5 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Enjoy dinner at a recommended local restaurant in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Stay overnight at a hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before completing check-out.<\/p>\n Leave Ashgabat along the modern high-speed motorway towards the Mary region.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 360 km<\/strong> and takes around 4 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Arrive in the Mary region around 11:30 AM\u201312:00 PM<\/strong> and enjoy a traditional Turkmen lunch at a local restaurant in Mary or Bayramaly<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Continue to Ancient Merv<\/strong>, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the major historical centres of the Silk Road.<\/p>\n Visit the 12th-century Seljuk mausoleum, known for its distinctive double-dome construction.<\/p>\n Explore the iconic mud-brick fortresses with their characteristic corrugated walls, dating from the 7th to 12th centuries.<\/p>\n Visit the sacred burial sites and see the traditional desert water-storage system.<\/p>\n Explore the massive ancient citadels and enjoy panoramic views across the archaeological park.<\/p>\n Additional smaller historical sites within Ancient Merv can be explored upon request, depending on available time.<\/p>\n After the Merv visit, travel back to Ashgabat via the high-speed motorway.<\/p>\n The return journey covers approximately 360 km<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Depending on your international flight schedule, transfer privately to Ashgabat International Airport (ASB)<\/strong> for departure.<\/p>\n End of Tour Services<\/strong><\/p>\n This 4-day Turkmenistan highlights tour from Ashgabat<\/strong> combines the Caspian coast, Yangykala Canyon, Nokhur, Kow Ata and UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv in one circular route. The journey includes a domestic flight to Turkmenbashi, mountain and desert scenery, an underground thermal lake and a full-day historical excursion to Merv before returning to Ashgabat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1916,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[111],"product_tag":[],"dts_route_point":[125,132,145,131,129,141,130,143,139,142,140,127],"class_list":["post-2104","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-misc","first","instock","shipping-taxable","product-type-simple"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nRoute<\/h2>\n
Tour Highlights<\/h2>\n
\n
Day 1 \u2013 Arrival and Ashgabat City Highlights<\/h2>\n
Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport<\/h3>\n
Breakfast and Transfer<\/h3>\n
Private Ashgabat City Tour<\/h3>\n
Meals and Leisure<\/h3>\n
Overnight in Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Day 2 \u2013 Turkmenbashi, Caspian Coast and Yangykala Canyon<\/h2>\n
Early Morning Flight to Turkmenbashi<\/h3>\n
Turkmenbashi and Awaza Highlights<\/h3>\n
Lunch<\/h3>\n
Drive Towards Yangykala<\/h3>\n
Optional Gozli Ata Visit<\/h3>\n
Yangykala Canyon<\/h3>\n
Dinner<\/h3>\n
Drive to the Balkan Region<\/h3>\n
Overnight in the Balkan Region<\/h3>\n
Day 3 \u2013 Nokhur, Kow Ata and Return to Ashgabat<\/h2>\n
Morning Departure<\/h3>\n
Nokhur Mountain Village<\/h3>\n
Kow Ata Underground Lake<\/h3>\n
Return to Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Dinner<\/h3>\n
Overnight in Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Day 4 \u2013 Ancient Merv and Return to Ashgabat<\/h2>\n
Breakfast and Hotel Check-Out<\/h3>\n
Drive to the Mary Region<\/h3>\n
Lunch in Mary or Bayramaly<\/h3>\n
Ancient Merv Guided Tour<\/h2>\n
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar<\/h3>\n
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala<\/h3>\n
Askhabs Mausoleums and Ancient Sardoba<\/h3>\n
Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala<\/h3>\n
Return to Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Farewell Dinner and Airport Transfer<\/h3>\n
No scheduled departure dates are currently available. Contact Darwaza Travel to request a private tour or choose your preferred travel date.<\/strong><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"