Turkmenistan: Ashgabat & the Silk Road — 6 days

White marble, a gas crater and the ancient city of Merv — guide required. Day-by-day itinerary: Arrival & Ashgabat; Ashgabat, monuments & bazaar; Karakum Desert & Darvaza crater; Back to Ashgabat & flight to Mary.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival & Ashgabat

• 07:00 — Visa & letter of invitation
• 10:00 — Arrival at Ashgabat ASB
• 13:00 — Hotel check-in — Achgabat
• 15:30 — Tour of the white-marble city — Achgabat
• 20:00 — Turkmen dinner — Achgabat

Day 2 — Ashgabat, monuments & bazaar

• 09:00 — Arch of Neutrality — Achgabat
• 11:00 — Carpet Museum — Achgabat
• 15:00 — Tolkuchka Grand Bazaar — Achgabat

Day 3 — Karakum Desert & Darvaza crater

• 08:00 — 4x4 drive into the Karakum Desert
• 13:00 — Darvaza gas crater — Désert du Karakoum
• Walk to the camp — Désert du Karakoum → Près du cratère de Darvaza
• 20:00 — Camping in the desert — Près du cratère de Darvaza

Day 4 — Back to Ashgabat & flight to Mary

• 09:00 — Desert → Ashgabat
• 15:00 — Domestic flight Ashgabat → Mary
• 17:00 — Hotel check-in in Mary — Mary

Day 5 — Ancient city of Merv

• 09:00 — Merv archaeological site — Merv
• 13:00 — Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar — Merv
• 15:00 — Ramparts of Gyaur Kala — Merv

Day 6 — Back to Ashgabat & Departure

• 09:00 — Flight back Mary → Ashgabat
• 11:30 — Transfer to the international airport
• 14:00 — Return flight from Ashgabat ASB