Break-aways from Ashgabat

Ashgabat - Erbent - Ashgabat / 1 day trip

Day 1

In the morning we set off for Erbent oasis, which is 156 km away from Ashgabat. The Erbent oasis has preserved many of the traditional nomadic customs and handicraft throughout the centuries. The various felts ornaments from each Turkmen village and clan are different to each other and most of them of very ancient origin and symbolism. Only the core pattern of the scorpion tail and the horns of the ram are repeated throughout all tribes. We watch the entire process from the layout of the pattern to the tremendous work of the manual rolling of the wet felt by 2-3 women. Resting in the shade of the few trees amongst the yurts and shacks we are also shown the almost forgotten tradition of bread making in the ashes of a fire. The oasises here in the Central Karakum are also home to the Tazy dogs - a beautiful Turkmen hunting breed similar in shape to Afghan dogs. We return in the late afternoon to Ashgabat.

Ashgabat - Nokhur - Ashgabat / 4 days trip

Day 1 - 160 km drive from Ashgabat to Nokhur

Just after the hotel breakfast and 40 minutes drive by car from Ashgabat we make a short stop at Gokdepe fortress. This site includes the remains of the ancient fortress Gokdepe (Green Hill) and modern Mosque Gokdepe. Gokdepe is a fortress from the 19* century where a particular bloody battle (1881) was fought between the Turkmen and the Russians who were attempting to take over Turkmenistan. In honour of the people who perished during the fierce battle marvelous blue-domed Mosque was erected inside the fortress. Making a little stop to see stylized Muslim inscriptions and astonishing decoration skillfully painted by French company we go on our trip paying a visit to Murche (30 minutes drive from Gokdepe). In Murche, one can see the ancient tribal traditions still performed with their mysterious offerings to the pagan deities; see the unexplained natural phenomenon of light radiating from an archaic burial site, or walk over pre-Islamic ruins dedicated to the patroness of women and fertility. Also in Murche is the Mausoleum of Zengi-Baba who is in Indo-Iranian mythology a reflection of Mithra, the ancient god of sun. We will make our lunch stop in Sunche accompanied with the old man listening to his innumerous interesting stories about life and ancient watermill. After lunch we go on out journey to Nokhur. Nokhur is set 1,100 m above the Karakum Desert in the cool mountain valleys of southwestern Turkmenistan. Nokhur is full of astonishing natural wonders. From early times, Nokhur people developed a life-style, cultural tradition, arts and crafts uniquely their own. Crossing through stone houses of Nokhur people we reach "Saada"(10 km from Nokhur) is the mountain resort which promises much in future, taking into consideration President's attention to this spot where we will have traditional cuisine for the dinner and overnight as well.

Day 2 - Nokhur

After breakfast at the mountain resort we will return back to Nokhur village. You will be introduced to the local aksakals (old men) who will tell you their own versions of origin of the village, how once upon a time Muhammad's ship hit Manaman Mountains which surrounds the village and as He gave fertility to this region. You will have a look at one of the biggest tree (archa) in Turkmenistan, which is in the middle of the village and it is pretty close to the local cinema club.Probably never else you will see how originally Nokhur people are buried with the mountain goats above the grave at Nokhur cemetery (the mountain goats are considered to be the symbol of Nokhur people as the mark of bravery, wisdom and freedom). Make your sacred wishes visiting wish tree named after Kyz Bibi - one of the seven sisters who considered holly in Turkmenistan. Further on we will go on our journey to Konegummez (15km from Nokhur).

Day 3 - Konegummez

We begin our 3-Day through the Aidere gorge into Konegummez crossing about 15 km of incredible countryside in this untouched and protected part of the Nature reserve. Konegummez is one of the first biggest villages on the Nokhur plateau. We will stroll around the area that abandons with its innumerous canyons, beautiful waterfalls, with its endless green meadows. We will have lunch at the cool shade of Archa tree (the most wide spread tree in the mountains). At the end of the third Day and we will spend a night in a traditional Nokhur stone house.

Day 4 - Konegummez - Ashgabat

Today we come back to Ashgabat.

Ashgabat - Kahka - Ashgabat / 1 day trip

In the morning we drive 150 km eastwards to Kahka area. At the beginning we visit Anau Mosque, an important place of worship for pilgrims on the grounds of ruins of Ashgabat's formerly most splendid mosque. Here one can see hairpins and buttons left as a token prayer. A nearby pole is tied with strips of cloth, in the style of the wish tree. Magnificent ruins mosque was standing here until the 1948 earthquake, which left it a pile of rubble. Petitioners in certain ways to make their wishes, or prayers have put many of the fallen bricks on top of each other. We, then, continue driving to the ruins of Abiverd. According to Al Makdisi Abiverd was richer and more fertile than Parthian Nisa. Its shakhristan was surrounded by perimeter by the walls with rounded towers and the moat. A straight street connected the only town gates with the gates of the citadel. A monumental portal-and-dome mosque stood almost in the center. Main handicraft manufactures and bazaars were placed in a broad Rabat. We have a picnic lunch with lunch boxes at The Mausoleum of Abu Said Makneyi, which is some 80 km further away. The Mausoleum was built in 11th century and has the double dome that characterises mausoleums of that time. The inner part of the mausoleum is decorated with inscriptions while the portal is laced with mosaics. The mosaics offer various colours and pictures to the viewer. The entire mausoleum is decorated with Arabic inscriptions upon the outer area and designs ornate in inner areas. We then drive back to Ashgabat.

Ashgabat - Mary - Ashgabat / 3 days trip

Day 1 - Ashgabat - Mary 370 km

In the morning we drive to Mary, some 370 km from Ashgabat, visiting en route the Kahka region. The village Kahka is situated 220 km from Mary. This rich historical site includes different historical monuments dating back as far as the 3rd millennium BC up until the 19 century. Abiverd is an ancient town through which once passed The Great Silk Road. The whole area of Abiverd is 70 ha. In 1221 Abiverd fell into the hands of Mongols and the town was destroyed. The mausoleum of Abu Said Makneyi was built in 11th century and has the double dome that characterises mausoleums of that time. The inner part of the mausoleum is decorated with inscriptions while the portal is laced with mosaics. The mosaics offer various colours and pictures to the viewer. The entire mausoleum is decorated with Arabic inscriptions upon the outer area and designs ornate in inner areas. We arrive in Mary late in the afternoon and visit the city Museum. Overnight in newly built B&B Caravan (the best place to stay in Mary).

Day 2 - Margush & Merv

After early breakfast we drive northeast from Mary to Margush / Gonur Depe (120 km ). Here first agricultural settlements appeared in the delta of Murgab river as back as 3 millennium BC. Fertile silt coming from mountains, abundance of water and moderate climate had created favourable conditions for good crops and the progress of the ancient economy was continuing for several centuries. The American newspaper "Boston Glob" wrote that before we knew the four oldest centers of the world's civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China, and due to the fantastic results of the Margiana expedition it is quite possible to think that there was another, the fifth center. Picnic lunch. On our way back to Mary we'll visit the old city of Merv. Visit the unique series of cities, not built on top of each other, as is so often the case, for instance at Damascus or Jerusalem, but constructed on adjacent virgin sites. The sites of the ancient town Erk-Kala (the fortress- citadel), Gyaur-Kala, Sultan-Kala, Abdulla-khan-Kala correspond to the different periods of Mervs' existence .The monuments we will tour and walk through are the Great and Little Kiz Kalas, the Kiz Bibi mausoleum, the magnificent Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, the Palace and keshk in the Shahriar Ark or Royal Citadel, the mosque of Yusuf Hamdani, the Timuridiwans or Askhab, and the Mausoleum of Muhammad ibn Zaud. Merv was the largest city and the capital of the wealthy region in the Parthian state. Remains of the outer wall Gilyakin - Chiburge are partially preserved even today. Merv reached its highest glory during the period of "seldjuks", especially during the government of Sanjar sultan (1118 -1157). He made it the capital of the of the Seldjuk state. Return to Mary.

Day 3 - Mary - Ashgabat

We drive back to Ashgabat. We reach Ashgabat in the afternoon and have some time to relax at the hotel.

Ashgabat - Damla - Ashgabat / 3 days off-road adventure

Day 1 - 235 km drive from Ashgabat to Kyzyltakyr

Our first point of destination is Erbent village that is 150 km away from the capital to the north. We launch out after the lunch and it will take us 3 hours by the asphalt road. This is the first and the last village where the traces of civilization are still visible. The village only supplied with water pipe line and electricity. You will feel on yourself the hospitality of the local people being treated with Turkmen bread baked by Yazmukhamed Aga (old man) on the coal and with chal (naturally fermented camel's milk). One of the attractions of the village is Tazy dogs (Turkmen hunting dog) the roots of which go into deep antiquity. One can participate in fascinating process of felt making in rolling it to and fro. Being exhausted with the heat one can relax in a cool shade of typical nomadic yurts (tents). After little rest we continue our trip to Kyzyltakyr (85 km from Erbent) On the 2.5 hours road one can see all the wildness of Karakum desert. One can occasionally come across some desert animals and see the rich collection of Karakum flora. Being on route the most important thing not to miss the desert sunset-the most beautiful phenomenon of the nature that can be seen. You will taste the local cuisine in Kyzyltakyr house where we will have overnight in the yurt.

Day 2 - 107 km drive from Kyzyltakyr - Bekuri - Damla - Darvaza

Next day we keep our way to Bekuri. It is 7 km away from Kyzyltakyr. Bekuri is one of the largest villages on our trip. It is a unique place by the point of view of producing Turkmen carpets by the technology of medieval period. You will see how originally and unusually the local girls are cut their hair. You may join into the hot discussion with old men who gather together to discuss the personal and the problems of the universe. One can see deep dwells that were left by long ago ancestors. One can ride on the "desert ship" - dromedaries camels (one humped camel). The road to Damla will take us 2 hours by the endless and high dunes. We will have lunch in Damla and have a rest in a yurt listening to the national instrument music playing. Then we depart to Darvaza. The road will take us about 3 hours.

Day 3 - 260 km drive from Darvaza to Ashgabat

Not reaching Darvaza (city like village) one can see the red spot in the sky. It is the reflection of the natural gas fire that burns for many years on the place where the derrick exploded and formed a big hole of 25m in diameter. Next day after breakfast we will explore Darvaza. One can see a great number of sulfur plants that provided with sulfur Soviet soldiers during the Second World War. You will be focus of attention of all the children after attending the local school. On the way back to Ashgabat one will remember thousand times the hospitality of desert people and beautiful smiles of cute children that accompanied you during all days in Karakum.