3 Days Turkmenistan Door to Hell Tour with Ancient Merv

Ashgabat, the capital, is a pure white world, truly unique. It has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the city with the highest density of white marble buildings. More than 500 structures are decorated with shining marble. Your driver will take you on a ride through these white giants, making you feel as if you’ve entered film-like world, similar to The Truman Show. Today, begin your adventure in Ashgabat.

In this morning, you will explore the stunning city highlights and striking architectures of Ashgabat. Start your day at the Neutrality Monument. Built in 1998, this 75-meter-high, tripod-shaped arch symbolizes Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, power, and commitment to peace and goodwill.

Next, you'll move to the National Museum of Turkmenistan. This magnificent museum is one of the largest in Central Asia. Its striking exterior is a huge white marble building with unique blue dome, golden statues, and grand colonnades. Magnificent and beautiful! With a collection of over 500,000 items, there's plenty to explore. You can view archaeological finds from important Silk Road sites like Nisa, Merv, and Gonur Depe. See ancient artifacts such as coins, weapons, fine pottery, and gold jewelry. Be sure to see the museum's prized treasure: the ancient rhytons. You'll also see traditional clothing and other exhibits that capture the national spirit.

Later, you'll see the Independence Monument within Independence Park. This beautiful park is home to many statues of Turkmen poets, thinkers, and national heroes. You can also marvel at the 118-meter monument, which was built to commemorate Turkmenistan's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

After the city tour, it's time to be transferred to the Darvaza Burning Gas Crater, a journey of 272km (4-5 hours). We'll travel through the Karakum Desert, with its moving sands and sparse vegetation. After turning off the main road, we'll begin an exciting eight-kilometer desert drive, which will bring us within a few hundred meters of the flaming crater. You've now arrived at the "Door to Hell"!

The crater was formed in 1971 when Soviet geologists were drilling for natural gas. The ground beneath their rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 60 meters and a depth of 20 meters. To prevent the release of poisonous gas, they decided to light it on fire, hoping it would burn itself out in a few days. The gas, however, is still burning today.

At daylight, the crater may seem like an ordinary hole in the ground, with a slight haze of smoke. We'll take a walk around the site while our barbecue dinner is being prepared. As dusk falls, the simple hole transforms into a spectacular "fire temple," creating an otherworldly atmosphere that will ignite your imagination. We'll finish the day with a taste of delicious nomadic food, with the flickering lights of the "eternal" fire.

Stay overnight in a traditional yurt camp. (Note: The camp provides basic, shared outdoor washing and toilet facilities.)

This morning, enjoy picnic-style breakfast at Darvaza in the desert. Afterward, drive back through the vast Karakum Desert and get back to Ashgabat (about 4-5 hours).

In this afternoon, you will have more time to explore this white marble city. Head to the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque. Built in the 1990s as a gift from the Turkish government, this magnificent mosque was constructed entirely in the style of the Ottoman Empire, and its exterior is very similar to Istanbul's famous Blue Mosque. Upon arrival, you'll be struck by its four towering minarets and a magnificent central dome, all built from solemn white marble. Once inside, you'll be amazed by the opulent decoration, including delicate gilded carvings, intricate mosaic tiles, and huge crystal chandeliers, creating sacred and serene atmosphere.

Later, you'll have a chance to explore the Horse Stables to see the national pride of the Turkmen people, the Akhal-Teke horses, revered as some of the most beautiful horses in the world. Known as "heavenly horses," their most prominent feature is their metallic sheen.

You can also visit Gulistan Bazaar to experience vivid local life as you explore stalls filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and daily necessities or even Turkmen carpet. Feel free to try some local food here if you like.

Stay overnight in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, you will be escorted to the Ashgabat airport for your flight to Mary (312km, 40 minutes). 

Upon arrival at Mary International Airport, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to Ancient Merv, located 33km northeast of Mary. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the oldest and best-preserved of the oasis-cities along the Silk Route in Central Asia. It has spanned over 4,000 years’ history. During the medieval period, its population exceeded one million, making it one of the largest cities in the world. It was known as the "Queen of the World" and the "Jewel of the Silk Road."

Within the vast 1,200-hectare archaeological park, you'll have the chance to observe all the constituent parts of this "wandering city." The site consists of a series of adjacent cities, roughly divided into the ancient (Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala), the medieval (Sultan Kala), and the post-medieval (Abdulla-Khan Kala and Bayram-Ali-Khan Kala). Besides these remnants, you'll also visit the 6th-9th century AD forts of Big and Little Kyz-Kalas, which are excellent examples of the so-called "corrugated Koshks." You'll also explore the splendid 12th-century mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammed ibn-Zeyd, which demonstrate exquisite Seljuk-period brickwork and architectural décor.

After sightseeing, we'll head back to Mary to visit the local Regional Museum. The museum presents a wide array of archaeological finds dating back from the 3rd millennium BC to the late 19th century. The collections come from both Ancient Merv and Bronze Age sites of the Margush region, as well as interesting ethnographic displays that reconstruct the daily lives of the local Turkmen population.

In the evening, take a return flight to Ashgabat (40 mins). Our driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Ashgabat. 

Optional Extension:

Turkmenistan is part of a larger Central Asia tour. You can also cover other highlights in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. We can tailor Central Asia tour based on your preferred duration and interests.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Turkmenistan tour. We look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure!