Ashgabat and its outskirts

• City tour. (Today we will explore Capital of Turkmenistan with its outstanding well-decorated white marbled buildings) Visiting Monuments of the city with the beautiful views.

  After lunch, next items on our list are the National Museum of Turkmenistan (closed on Tuesdays) and ruins of Old Nissa fortress, the Parthian King’s residence.

  After we will continue our tour with the ruins of  Seyit Jemaladdin Mosque in Annau. This medieval mosque was constructed in the 15th century, but Ashgabat earthquake in 1948 ruined it. Nowadays we have only its restored pieces. However, the mosque has preserved its significance and is still of a great interest for tourists and researchers. The complex before consisted only of the mosque, tombstone of the burial place of sheikh Jemaliddin and two big blocks with tall domed halls. Restorers managed to bring back the foundations of the portal, brick laying on the square and the grave. The greatest success in their job was restoration of the mosaic picturing dragons twisting by the apple trees and an inscription saying that the mosque was called "House of Beauty".

  Overnight in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, we will drive to:

Nokhur village for sightseeing.
Among all the majestically beautiful tourist spots in Turkmenistan, Nokhur possesses a unique aura. This village, listed among the 100 most romantic places in the world, is comprised of picturesque and scenic villages, both small and large towns.

Kov-Ata underground thermal lake.
After exploring the village, we will continue our journey to Ashgabat. En route, we will visit and take a swim in Kov-Ata underground thermal lake. The Kov-Ata Underground Lake is a remarkable natural creation, often referred to as one of the wonders of the world. The significant mineralization and high temperature (33-37 degrees C) indicate that the waters of the Bakharden underground lake rise from great depths.

Overnight in Ashgabat
 

Breakfast in the hotel and free morning time at leasure
Check out and lunch before heading to the “Heart of Karakum desert” 
In the afternoon, we'll use 4x4 vehicles to drive to the Darvaza gas crater, situated in the heart of the Karakum Desert (280 km across sand dunes). Upon arrival, we'll set up camp and savor a delicious fire-cooked dinner near the mesmerizing burning gas crater.

Dinner and overnight in tents or Yurt.
 

Breakfast 
After breakfast at Darvaza, we will head back to Ashgabat.
On the way we will visit two more craters, located not far from each other. One of them is water crater, the other one is mud crater with some fire burning.
Check in at the hotel upon arrival.
Free evening.
Transfer to the airport to take a flight back home.