Turkmenistan

Meet at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport and fly via a connecting airport to Ashgabat, the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan, known for its striking architecture and modern infrastructure.

Arrival in Ashgabat. Meet our guide and transfer to the hotel for early check-in.

The city is famous for its ultra-modern architecture, with many buildings clad in white marble. In 2013 Ashgabat entered the Guinness Book of Records as the city with the most white-marble buildings in the world. It has many impressive public buildings, monuments and fountains, such as the Central Mosque, the Presidential Palace and the Independence Monument.

After breakfast, a full-day tour with visits to the National Museum, Independence Park, the Ruhnama monument, the Arch of Neutrality, the Wedding Palace with its viewpoint, the Earthquake Memorial and the Soviet War Memorial complex. In the afternoon we drive to Nisa, the ancient city that was once the capital of the Parthian Empire. Founded by the first Parthian king, Arsaces I, it was an important centre of culture and government and is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose finds shed light on Parthian history and culture. We also visit the Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum. Turkmenbashi, "Leader of the Turkmen", was the title of Saparmurat Niyazov, the first president of independent Turkmenistan, who ruled from independence in 1991 until his death in 2006. Return to Ashgabat and overnight.

After breakfast we drive towards Merv. On the way we visit the famous Akhal-Teke stables, home of one of the oldest and most recognisable horse breeds in the world. Akhal-Teke horses are known for their speed, stamina, agility and striking looks: slim, muscular bodies and a shiny coat with a metallic sheen that has earned them the name "golden horses". Their history goes back more than 3,000 years. The stables lie in the Akhal region, near the oases of the Karakum Desert, the breed's traditional homeland, where the nomadic Teke tribes raised them with great care for war and long journeys. Next stop is the Anau mosque ruins, known for their fine architecture and ornate decoration, with carvings and ceramic tiles showing motifs and figures such as dragons.

Next, ancient Merv (UNESCO), where we visit the historical park with the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, the Great and Little Kyz Kala, Erk Kala, Gyaur Kala and the Kesk fortresses. Merv is one of the oldest cities in the world, dating back at least to the 3rd century BC, and was a major centre of trade and culture under the Achaemenid Persians, the Seleucid Greeks, the Parthians and the Sassanids. Drive to Mary and transfer to the airport for the flight back to Ashgabat (dep. 18:40, arr. 19:20). Transfer to the hotel and overnight.

After breakfast we visit the famous Sunday bazaar, known for its traditional local products. We continue with the Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque and the Lenin and Pushkin monuments.

In the afternoon we head to the Darvaza crater in 4x4 vehicles, passing countless mud and hot-water craters along the way. The Darvaza crater was created in 1971 when Soviet geologists were drilling for natural gas and the ground collapsed, leaving a crater about 70 metres across and 20 metres deep. To stop dangerous gases escaping they set it alight, expecting it to burn out in a few weeks, but it has burned without a break for more than 50 years. The spectacle of the endless flames, especially at night, has earned it the name "Gates of Hell".

Around Darvaza there are several smaller mud and hot-water craters created by geological activity and gas extraction. They often release steam and hot water, and some hold mud that boils from the underground heat, forming striking shapes. We arrive at Darvaza shortly before sunset (around 18:00) for a barbecue dinner at the foot of the crater, and enjoy the unique experience of spending the night at the crater camp in yurts.

After breakfast at the camp and one last look at the burning crater, we drive by 4x4 to Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO). We explore the historical park with the Kutlug Timur minaret, at about 60 metres one of the tallest in Central Asia, the Turabek Khanum Mausoleum with its ornate tiles, the Tekesh and Il Arslan mausoleums, the caravanserai gate and more. Kunya-Urgench in northern Turkmenistan is one of the most important archaeological sites in Central Asia. Originally known as Urgench, it was the capital of Khwarezm and one of the great centres of the medieval Islamic world.

In the 12th and 13th centuries the city reached its peak as a hub of trade and culture on the Silk Road. In 1221 it was destroyed by Genghis Khan and the Mongols, but it was rebuilt and flourished again under the Timurids.

Arrival in Dashoguz and overnight.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Turkmenbashi (dep. 11:40, arr. 12:50). Turkmenbashi (Türkmenbaşy) is the western capital of Turkmenistan and an important port on the Caspian Sea. We visit the old town, the Russian Orthodox church and the fish market, then continue by 4x4 to Yangykala Canyon. Its name means "Fire Fortress" in the local language, and it is one of the most spectacular landscapes in Central Asia: rock formations carved by erosion over millions of years glow in red, orange and white, especially at sunset. We explore the canyons by jeep and on foot and have a picnic there. Close to the canyon is the Gozli Ata Mausoleum; its name means "father with eyes" and it is linked to many religious and folk traditions. It stands in a remote, picturesque spot in the Karakum Desert, surrounded by hills and arid scenery that are ideal for photography. Transfer to Balkanabat for the night.

After breakfast we visit the village of Nokhur and its cemetery, known for its unique gravestones and symbols of great cultural and historical value. We also see the impressive waterfall, the great tree and the Gyz Bibi mausoleum. Nokhur is a small, isolated village in the Kopet Dag mountains of southwestern Turkmenistan, known for the distinct culture and traditions of its people and its beautiful setting. The Nokhurli have kept many ancient customs that differ from those of the rest of the country and are known for their crafts, especially weaving and carpets with unique patterns, and for their houses built of stone and wood in the traditional way. After lunch we return to Ashgabat, stopping at the Kov Ata underground lake (suitable for swimming, with water at +33 to +38 °C all year), the Geokdepe Mosque and the Chuli gorge. Arrival in Ashgabat, transfer to the hotel and overnight.

Packed breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight to Greece.

Arrival home full of beautiful images and unforgettable experiences.