Itinerary
- Day 1
Ashgabat
You'll arrive in Ashgabat and meet your guide and driver at the airport. A private car takes you to your hotel, then the rest of the day is open for you to wander around at your own pace.
- Start point
- Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (Airport Pick-up)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sport Hotel or similar)
- Day 2
Ashgabat - Darvaza Gas Crater
After breakfast, check out the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and its Turkish architecture, then head to the horse stable to see the prized Akhal-Teke horses. Later, drive 4 hours through the Karakum Desert to Darvaza Gas Crater, stopping at the Mud and Water craters along the way. Watch the crater light up at night and have BBQ dinner before staying in a yurt camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (BBQ dinner surrounded by flames)
- Accommodation
- Camping (Yurt Camp)
Included Activities
- Visit Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
- Visit horse stable to see Akhal-Teke horses
- Visit Darvaza Gas Crater
- Stop at Mud and Water craters
- BBQ dinner at Darvaza Gas Crater
Landmarks Ertugrul Gazi Mosque Darvaza Gas Crater 
- Day 3
Darvaza Gas Crater - Ygdykala
Drive westward today to see ancient relics along the Uzboy River. Grab a picnic lunch at the Guy-Islam desert settlement. This afternoon, visit Ygdykala Fortress with its slate construction and clay-plaster facade. Climb to the top for views over the entire Uzboy River valley, then camp nearby with a picnic dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch at Guy-Islam desert settlement), Dinner (Picnic dinner)
- Accommodation
- Camping (Camp)
Included Activities
- Stop at Uzboy River ruins
- Visit Ygdykala Fortress
- Climb Ygdykala Fortress for river views
Landmarks Uzboy River Ygdykala Fortress - Day 4
Ygdykala - Kemal Ata
After breakfast, drive 245 km to the Kemal Ata rock formations, where the Kaitarmysh spring flows through volcanic lava creating unique shapes. Explore the intricately adorned tombs of Kemal Ata, an important Sufi figure that blend Islamic and local architecture. Have a picnic lunch near Koymat settlement and camp in the wild tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch near Koymat settlement), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Camp)
Included Activities
- Visit Kemal Ata rock formations
- View Kaitarmysh spring through volcanic lava
- Visit Kemal Ata tombs
Landmarks Kemal Ata rock formations Kemal Ata Tombs - Day 5
Kemal Ata - Yangykala Canyon - Gozli Ata
Start with a drive to Yangykala Canyon, about 40 km away. Head up to the Crocodile's Mouth viewpoint on a cliff to see the stones twinkling. After a picnic lunch around noon, continue driving to Gozli Ata Mausoleum, one of Turkmenistan's most revered pilgrimage sites. Explore the surrounding Salor tribal cemetery with its distinctive tombstones, then hike around the colorful canyons.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch in the canyon), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Guesthouse (Gozli Ata pilgrim house)
Included Activities
- Visit Yangykala Canyon
- Ascend to Crocodile's Mouth viewpoint
- Visit Gozli Ata Mausoleum
- Explore Salor tribal cemetery
- Hiking around the canyons
Landmarks Yangykala Canyon Gozli Ata Mausoleum - Day 6
Gozli Ata - Turkmenbashi
Drive about 3 hours to Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea's eastern coast. Your guide shows you around Awaza Resort, where you can walk through artificial rivers and bridges or see miniatures of ancient sites like Old Nisa and Ancient Merv. Then go to the seaport to see cargo ships, and finish at the fish bazaar before heading to a local hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Yelken Yacht Club Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Awaza Resort
- Explore artificial rivers and bridges at Awaza
- View miniatures of ancient sites at Awaza
- Visit seaport
- Visit fish bazaar
Landmarks Awaza Resort - Day 7
Turkmenbashi - Dehistan Ruins
Say goodbye to Turkmenbashi and take a 4.5-hour private transfer to Dehistan Ruins via the Misrian Salt Plains. The landscape resembles Mars with remnants of mosques, minarets, and mausoleums scattered throughout. The Shir Kabir Mosque-Mausoleum is the oldest mosque in Turkmenistan. You'll see over 100 brick-making workshops and ancient bathhouse ruins. Camp near the site and have a picnic dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Picnic dinner)
- Accommodation
- Camping (Camp)
Included Activities
- Visit Dehistan Ruins
- View Shir Kabir Mosque-Mausoleum
- Explore brick-making workshops
- View ancient sewage systems and bathhouses
Landmarks Dehistan Ruins Shir Kabir Mosque-Mausoleum - Day 8
Dehistan - Nokhur Village
After breakfast, drive east for about 5 hours toward Nokhur Village. On the way, pass through the Sumbar River Valley and see the lunar landscapes of the Kopet Dag Mountains. Upon arrival, explore the local tribal cemetery where each tomb has giant goat horns. Visit the Qyz-bibi Shrine and learn about the region's keteni silk weaving traditions. Camp in the mountains and have dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Camp)
Included Activities
- Explore tribal cemetery in Nokhur Village
- Visit Qyz-bibi Shrine
- Learn about silk weaving traditions
Landmarks Kopet Dag Mountains Qyz-bibi Shrine - Day 9
Nokhur Village - Ashgabat
Drive 2 hours back to Ashgabat with a stop at the Kow Ata Underground Lake in a natural cave. Go down over 200 steps to reach the lake where you'll notice sulfur scent. Relax in the soothing water while watching bats glide above you, this cave has the largest bat colony in Central Asia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sport Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Kow Ata Underground Lake
- Descend into the natural cave
- Bathe in the underground lake
Landmarks Kow Ata Underground Lake 
- Day 10
Ashgabat
After breakfast, your guide and driver escort you to the airport according to your flight schedule. You'll depart with great memories of your Turkmenistan journey.
- End point
- Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (Airport See-off)
- Meals
- Breakfast
