GEMS OF TURKMENISTAN April 02 - 09, 2022 Turkmenistan is independent and neutral state located in Central Asia. The geographical position of the Republic is more advantageous than that of its neighbors due to the outlet to the Caspian Sea. The capital city Ashgabat has the record for the highest density of white marble-clad buildings. Turkmenistan is the country of deserts and oases as well as unique historical and cultural traditions. The most ancient civilizations of the world prospered on its territory. Turkmenistan is definitely the country of contrasts, especially today, when the cities of the republic have completely changed and become more similar to European mega cities. But despite all the changes their Oriental character has been preserved in special architecture, decoration of buildings, numerous mosques and ancient monuments. It is the least explored country on the Silk Road. Ihab Zaki Managing Director, Spiekermann Travel Saturday, April 02 gold-plated statue of the first President of Turkmenistan, and Earth- Istanbul - Ashgabat (TURKMENISTAN) quake Memorial dedicated to the victims of the 1948 earthquake. Then we visit the National Museum of History and Ethnography TK flight usually arrives first hours of April 02 to Ashgabat. You will (displaying more than 327.000 exhibits) to see exclusive ancient ar- be met upon arrival and transferred to the Yildiz hotel 5* where tifacts from numerous historical & archeological sites of the coun- you can rest, relax and refresh after your journey. Late in the morn- try. Overnight at Yildiz hotel 5*. (B,L,D) ing we begin the day with a visit to the fabled Sunday Bazaar of Tolkuchka (Thu, Sat, and Sun). Attracting colourfully dressed peo- Monday, April 04 ple from all over the country to buy or sell camels, cattle and poul- Ashgabat- Mary (Gonurdepe) try, amulets, carpets, jewellery, and myriads other things, Tolkuchka is one of the biggest open markets in Central Asia. From the market Take morning flight from Ashgabat to Mary. Upon arrival we head to we head to the National Carpet Museum, displaying thousands of northeast from Mary to Margush/Gonur Depe (40 km Off Road). carpets (including the giant ones) and carpet articles of outstand- Here first agricultural settlements appeared in the delta of Murgab ing quality and value. Overnight at Yildiz hotel 5*. (B,L,D) River as back as 3 millennium BC. Fertile silt coming from moun- tains, abundance of water and moderate climate had created fa- Sunday, April 03 vorable conditions for good crops and the progress of the ancient Ashgabat economy was continuing for several centuries. The American news- paper “Boston Globe” wrote that before we knew the four oldest In the morning we visit the fortress of Old Nisa (UNESCO World centers of the world’s civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and Heritage Site), the earliest of Parthian Empire capitals. An old Ar- China, and due to the fantastic results of the Margiana expedition sakid residence and the earliest of Parthian Empire capitals, the for- it is quite possible to think that there was another, the fifth center. tified citadel still maintains the traces of the former glory of Arsakid We will enjoy our picnic lunch at the archeological site. Drive back to Kings: the Square Throne Hall and the Round temple forming the Mary city. Free afternoon for leisure. Overnight at the hotel. (B,L,D) palace complex, the Treasury that had stored ivory rhytons (horn Tuesday, April 05 like vessels) for archaeologists up to 1948, the “kitchen” or “vineyard” Mary (Ancient Merv) – Ashgabat with the remains of ancient ceramic pipes and amphora type pots. Then we return to the main city to explore the “Pearl of Central Asia”, After breakfast in the morning we head 25 km to the east of Mary, to- capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat. Within the city we visit the Park wards Bayram-Ali, the contemporary re-incarnation of and humble sub- of independence with its independence monument, and Neutral- urb of the glorious Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site). One of ity Square, famous for its Arch of Neutrality topped by a rotating the major archaeological sites of Central Asia, Merv played an import- ant part in the development of the Silk Road for more than 2 000 years. Thursday, April 07 Within the limits of the archaeological park, which is 1200 ha, we will Ashgabat–Dashoguz (flight) –Kunya-Urgench - have a chance to observe all constituent parts of the “wandering city”. A Darvaza (car 420 km) series of adjacent cities, which can be roughly divided into the ancient (Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala), the medieval (Sultan Kala with its suburbs), and This morning we fly to the north of Turkmenistan, Dashoguz, post-medieval (Abdulla-Khan Kala and Bayram-Ali-Khan Kala), appeared to see outstanding monuments of the Turkmen Khorezm. As soon in the course of time as a token of the natural progress of the city from as we arrive, we drive to Kunya-Urgench (Old Urgench) to see the initial stages of its existence to a more advanced level. Besides remnants former capital of the Khorezmshah Empire. Another World Heritage of the cities of Merv, we will visit the VI-IX cc. AD forts of Big and Little site, Kunya-Urgench welcomes you with the mausoleum of Turabeg Kyz-Kalas, excellent examples of the so-called corrugated Koshks; the Khanum (15 c.), one of the best architectural examples of its time; the splendid XII c. mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammed ibn-Zeyd, minaret of Kutlug Temur (11-14 cc.), the highest medieval minaret demonstrating exquisite Seljuk period brickwork and architectural dé- in Central Asia; the mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh (late 12 c.), with a cor. If time and enthusiasm permits, it is possible to visit several more turquoise cone as its dome; and the mausoleum of Il-Arslan (the mid interesting spots within the site. After sightseeing, we head back to 12 c.), the founder of the pre-Mongol Khorezmshah empire. Lunch Mary. On arrival in Mary, we visit local History Museum, presenting in Kone Urgench. Drive from Kone Urgench to the fabled Gas Crater a wide array of archaeological finds (dating back to the III mill. BC known as Darvaza. Upon arrival we will find ourselves a couple of through the late XIX century) from both Ancient Merv and Bronze hundred metres away from the flaming crater. Enjoy the photo ses- Age sites of the Margush country. Transfer to the Mary airport to take sion of the Fire crater. Dinner & overnight in yurts/tents not far from afternoon flight back to Ashgabat. Overnight at Yildiz hotel. (B,L,D) the burning gas crater (wild camping). (B, L, D) Wednesday, April 06 Friday, April 08 Ashgabat Darvaza – Yerbent - Ashgabat After breakfast in the morning we will start our drive to the under- After camp style breakfast drive to Ashgabat. On the way we will ground Kov-Ata cave, accommodating a unique hot-water (+ 35-37C make a short stop at two other craters, having mud and water all year round) sulphur lake. After a swim in the lake, we return to Ash- bubbling with gas coming out from underground. Continue to gabat. On the way to Ashgabat we make stop at stud farm near Geok the desert settlement, Yerbent, which can give us an idea of what Depe. It is former Tekke tribe stronghold and was the site of the big- desert life looks like. A mixture of traditional households, satellite gest battle for the Russian domination in Central Asia in the late 19 c. After dishes and incidental oasis-type vegetation, looking out of place arrival at the farm, you will be familiarized with the stud-farm and have in the yellow-sand neighbourhood, Yerbent is the major and big- show of Turkmen horses- Akhal Teke. En-route visit the complex of the gest settlement in the Central Karakum. Continue to Ashgabat, Spirituality Mosque, biggest in Turkmenistan, and the family mausoleum upon arrival transfer to hotel for check in, shower and enjoy your of the first President in Kipchak. Overnight at Yildiz hotel 5*. (B,L,D) afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Yildiz hotel 5*. (B, L, D) Saturday, April 09 Ashgabat departure In the Morning transfer to the airport. End of the service We (STS) reserve the right to change hotels, restaurants or the order of activities if/as needed Tour Cost (Land Only): 1 traveler: $3,995.00 in single room occupancy 2 travelers: $3,150.00 3 travelers: $2,900.00 4 travelers: $2,600.00 5 travelers: $2,495.00 per person sharing in double occupancy Single Supplement: $ 350.00 Tour includes: Tour does not include: • Airport transfers and air-conditioned transport throughout. • International airfare. • 5* hotel in Ashgabat, 4* or best available accommodations • Visa fee for Turkmenistan outside of the capital. • Photography and video making fees. • All meals as mentioned in the itinerary. • Dayrooms or extra hotel overnights if necessary. • English-speaking private guide throughout. • Expenses of a personal nature such as: beverages • All activities described in the tour and entrance fees with meals, telephone, email, laundry bills, camera fees, etc. to all sites mentioned unless listed as optional. • Travel Insurance (highly recommended). • Turkmenistan letter of invitation for visa. • Sites not mentioned in the itinerary • Domestic flights • Gratuities to guide, drivers, porters, & hotel staff. • Bottled water per person per day Spiekermann Travel Service, Inc. 18421 East Nine Mile Road, Eastpointe, MI 48021 Phone: 1-800-645-3233 Fax: 586-775-9556 www.mideasttrvl.com [email protected].