Program #1 (Turkmen Part)

Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Route: Khiva - Kunya Urgench - Dashoguz - Ashagabat - Mary (Merv) - Turkmenabat - Bukhara

Day 1. Khiva - Dashoguz border - Kunya Urgench - Dashoguz - Ashgabat by air

Meet in Turkmen side. Change bus & guide.

Drive to Kunya Urgench. At the beginning of the 1st century AD the Chinese sources mentioned the city of Yue-gan which is identified with city of Gurgench or Urgench. It relates to Khorezm according to the ancient and medieval geographic conceptions. In the later period this city is mentioned in connection with the most important political events. Kunya Urgench had been destroyed and rebuilt several times. And at last, the city was miraculously revived by trade that had been united into the lands of the Golden Horde and by 1366 had become” the largest, greatest, most beautiful and most important city of Turks”, a city that “shakes under the weight of its population. Ibn Battuta continues to describe a city so busy that a man could not move in the throng. The Arab, Persian historians, geographers and travellers left enormous information about Kunya Urgench.

There are preserved numerous archeological and architectural monuments presenting considerable scientific and cultural value on the territory of Kunya Urgench. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee decided to include Kunya Urgench in its list of world heritage at the 29th session held in Durban, South Africa. Upon arrival we start our program with visiting:

• Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum – 1172-1200y. – mausoleum presents semicubic erection, crowned with the high conic cupola.
• Turebek Khanum Mausolum – Turebek Khanum wife of the Urgench governor Kutlug Temur.
• Mausoleum of Najmitdin Kubra and Sultan Ali
• Kutlug Timur Minaret – 60m in height the minaret was built in 1320-1330 by golden horde khan Kutlug Timur.

Drive to Dashoguz. Night flight to Ashgabat. Arrival. Transfer to hotel. Overnight.

Day 2. Ashgabat

Full day SS of Ashgabat- the capital of Turkmenistan has borne this name since 1881. In the Turkmen folklore the name of the city is linked with the meaning “a city of love”. Love is not only an integral part of the name of the city, but also a feeling familiar to all generations of the citizens of Ashgabat. The present Ashgabat distinguishes itself with its own style, harmoniously combining the best traditions of its own national architecture and the achievements of the modern town-building.

In the morning we’ll drive to Tolkuchka Bazaar. The Eastern bazaar is one of the pillars of Oriental traditions. Intricate and ritual reign here. Trade is the art here. Whatever you want, it is sold here.

• Nisa (III c) Parthiandates capital inhabited till the 19c. Grandiose architectural complex consisting of ceremonial hall, treasure house and residences.
• Anau is the medieval city located 12km in the south–east of Ashghabat is well known by it’s medieval mosque called “Seitjemal – ad – din” Afternoon continue SS:
• National Museum of History of Turkmenistan It contains the major treasures discovered from all over the country. The most interesting expositions are represented in archeology and ethnography departments. Archeological collection contains very rare works of art of ancient times and middle ages which were found on the territory of Turkmenistan. About 500.000 exhibits are displayed in this museum.
• Hippodrome - Akhalteke horse show

Transfer to hotel. Overnight.

Day 3. Ashgabat - Mary - Merv (352km)

Early morning drive to the airport to catch a domestic flight to Mary. Mary is the second largest city in Turkmenistan and lies about 350km east of Ashgabat. It is a capital of Mary Region known as the province of Margiana in ancient times. Mary (Merv) was once known as the “Pearl of the East” and was the second city of Islam after Baghdad between the 8th-13th centuries before it fell victim to the most horrific slaughter by the Mongols. Merv changed its name to Mary in 1937 and has grown into Turkmenistan’s largest city.

Arrival. Drive to Old Merv & SS:

• Merv ‘pearl of east’ one of oldest inhabited cites Central Asia. It was rebuilt over the centuries spread more than 100 sq km. Merv is site of no less than five cities from different periods, each built beside last. Sultan Sanjar mausoleum impresses with size & solidity, Gayir Kala has an area of 360 ha, har regular planning, right contour of walls and for gates one to each part of the world.

  Continue SS:

• Mary regional museum - features traditional Turkem life and culture including displays on weddings and carpet weaving.

Transfer to hotel. Overnight.

Day 4. Mary - Turkmenabat - Bukhara

After breakfast we remove to Farab border via Turkmenabat. Turkmenabat is the third largest city of Turkmenistan and the centre of Lebap region. It’s situated on the left bank of the Amu Darya River. The past of the city has not yet been researched profoundly, but it’s known that it was born at the beginning of the one thousand BC, thanks to the Great Silk Road which pioneered from China through Central Asia to the Mediterranean in the 3rd century BC. The town Amul was one of the most important points for the Silk Road. Those who see the Amu Darya River for the first time are surprised at its muddy yellow-green colour owing to its strong stream and a lot of particles of mud containing various nutrient substances forming the fertile soil.

Crossing Uzbek-Turkmen border in Farab. Change bus & guide.