HIGHLIGHTS: TOUR INCLUDES: +44 (0)

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1 +44 (0) Home to ancient ruins, marble clad cities and a rich mix of traditional and modern cultures, this undiscovered gem is also blessed with a wealth of natural attractions including the colourful Yangikala Canyons, the Kopetag Mountains and the desert landscapes around Darvaza. Staying in a mix of hotels, pilgrim rest houses and camping spots, this remarkable journey scratches beneath the surface of one of the world s most enigmatic destinations. You ll start in Ashgabat, home to the world s highest concentration of marble buildings, before going on to explore the mountains and valleys of Karakala. A visit to the once important Silk Road city of Dehistan is then followed by walks amongst the beautiful sandstone landscapes of the Yangikala Canyons. After visiting the thriving port of Turkmenbashi and the ancient ruins of Konye Urgench you then head out into the Karakum Desert, to camp close to the site of the Darvaze Crater, the remarkable Door to Hell that was created by a collapsing gas rig in From here you head back to Ashgabat via the stunning UNESCO ruins at Merv, once one of the greatest cities on earth. HIGHLIGHTS: Take in the modern monuments of Ashgabat Spend a night camping in the desert near the Darvaza Gas Crater Trek in the coloured Yangikala canyons of the east Explore the 11th century ruins of Konye Urgench Observe the various architectural styles at ancient Merv TOUR INCLUDES: 7 nights three and four star hotel, 2 nights wild camping and 1 night pilgrim rest house 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners Private guided sightseeing Private driver and vehicle Entrance fees included as per itinerary Private guided transfers to and from all airports *Please note the prices shown are per person and based on two persons sharing a twin or double room

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3 ITINERARY DAY 1: ASHGABAT Arrive in to the capital city and transfer to your hotel. Take a guided tour of the city's main sights including Independence Park, the National History and Ethnography Museum, the Turkish Ertogrul Grazi Mosque, the Arch of Neutrality and the bazaar. In the afternoon drive out to Old Nissa to see this ancient Parthian city and also visit the Turkmenbashy Mosque and Mausoleum. DAY 2: ASHGABAT - NOHUR - KARAKALA Leave Ashgabat and stop first at the Kowata underground lake, where you can swim in the warm waters known locally for their healing properties. Continue on to the Kopetdag Mountains and the tribal village of Nohur for lunch before arriving to the Karakala Nature Reserve. There is the opportunity for some short walks before spending the night camping in tents nearby Koshdemir waterfall. (B,L,D) DAY 3: KARAKALA - DEHISTAN - BALKANABAT The mountains and valleys of Karakala and their rocky appearance make for a beautiful drive as you head to Dehistan to visit the ancient silk road city. Once connecting Khorezm with Iran the city was as important as Merv and Konye Urgench, the remains of mosques and minarets from the 9th to 13th centuries along with mausoleums give an insight to the scale of the city and its importance. Continue on to Balkanabat for the night. (B) DAY 4: BALKANABAT - YANGIKALA CANYONS This morning drive north to the canyons of Yangikala and Yangisuw. The ravine dissected Yangikala canyon was once an ancient sea bed and you can now see the layers of sandstone with their pink, green and white hues. There is time for a walk in the canyon and to visit the white canyon of Yangisuw before travelling on to the pilgrim rest house at Gozli Ata for the overnight. (B,L,D) DAY 5: YANGIKALA CANYONS - TURKMENBASHI The shrine of Gozli-Ata lies in a natural bowl surrounded by layers of pink and white rock. This morning visit the mausoleum of the renowned 14th century sufi Gozli-Ata before driving through this spectacular landscape to the city of Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea. (B)

4 DAY 6: TURKMENBASHI - DASHOGUZ Lying on a natural harbour, Turkmenbashi is surrounded by cliffs and is a thriving port. Some free time this morning gives you time to explore this coastal city, perhaps visit the port area or the Museum of Regional History and the bazaar before taking an evening flight to Dashoguz in the very north of Turkmenistan. (B) DAY 7: DASHOGUZ - KONYE URGENCH - DARVAZA The ruins of Konye Urgench date from the 11th Century when this was one of the most important Turkmen Silk Road cities. The Monguls and Tamerlane passed through devastating the area, but the ruins remain impressive, and the tallest medieval minaret in Central Asia still stands. In the afternoon drive south in to the desert to the Darvaza region to see the gas crater at night. Camp close to the crater tonight. (B,D) DAY 8: DARVAZA - ASHGABAT - MARY After breakfast at your campsite drive through the stunning desert landscape via a mud crater to Ashgabat. Here you will leave your 4WD and board a plane for the smaller city of Mary. (B) DAY 9: MARY - GONOR DEPE - MARY Today takes you off road again and in to the desert to the plateau on which lies the Bronze Age site of Gonor Depe. Resembling an ongoing archaeological dig as much as a visitor site, the low mud walls show you the layout of the former city, with some parts partially rebuilt. The graves of animals have been uncovered and the pottery surviving the 4500 years is quite remarkable. On your return to Mary there may be time to visit the regional museum to see many artefacts from Gonor Depe and Merv. (B,L) DAY 10: MARY - MERV - ASHGABAT The UNESCO site of Merv is home to the remains of five separate cities which were all built on the same area over a period of 2500 years. The ruins range from mud walls, mausoleums, mosques and two castles with corrugated walls. Explore the area and scale some of the hills to see the extent of the site. Return later in the afternoon to Mary to take a flight back to Ashgabat. (B)

5 DAY 11: ASHGABAT Transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B)

6 ACCOMMODATION ASHGABAT GRAND TURKMEN HOTEL The Grand Turkmen Hotel is a three star hotel within walking distance of the Independent Tower and National Museum of Ashgabat. The hotel features 120 comfortable guest rooms featuring air-conditioning, a mini bar and Wi-Fi access, whilst some rooms have an additional balcony overlooking the city and pool. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, with a bar serving drinks and snacks in the summer, as well as the fitness centre and sauna. In the evenings, guests can sample Turkmen and Turkish food at The Silk Road restaurant, or relax with a drink at the Bosphorus Bar. DARVAZA DARVAZA WILD CAMPING Staying overnight in the majestic desert of Karakum is a fabulous experience. We are privileged to have special camping permits for spectacular wilderness areas. Tents and mattresses are provided to make your stay comfortable, although you must bring your own sleeping bag or use the blankets provided. The wild campsite is very basic with no real toilet or washing facilities. You will be well looked after by our fully-qualified, highly skilled staff and breakfast and dinner are included. Turkmen cuisine, mainly based on meat - pilav, Turkmen bureg, chorba/ lam soup and refreshing soft drink Chal. DASHOGUZ DASHOGUZ HOTEL A new hotel near the centre of Dashoguz clad in the obligatory Turkmen white marble with decadent fountains and alleys of trees within the grounds. The hotel is modern and spacious with a contemporary ornate look inside. Rooms are comfortable with the usual amenities including an en suite, telephone, hair dryer and air conditioning decorated in calming cream and coffee colours. The large restaurant and bar serves a menu intertwining national and Eastern European cuisine. When not exploring the nearby monuments and historical sights, make use of the indoor pool and fitness centre. The on-site souvenir shop is ideal for any last minute gift shopping for loved ones at home. MARY MARY HOTEL Mary Hotel is a four star hotel located in the heart of Mary ideally situated opposite the town's bazaar. The hotel is made up of 177 spacious and well decorated rooms, each fitted with en suite bathroom facilities and an air conditioning system. The six-floor has an on-site restaurant that offers a variety of traditional dishes, two conference halls, a fitness centre, spacious swimming pool and sauna for guests to enjoy at their own leisure. Additionally, the hotel offers an onsite hairdressers and chemists. Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel Ltd

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