2
4 Days
595$ / person
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Darvaza is one of the places that should be on the must-visit list of every serious explorer who likes to visit Earth’s most breath-taking sites. Darvaza is a gas crater the burning gates of which have been flaming for upwards of 37 years. The settlement of Darvaza (Derweze in Turkmen) is located in the Central part of the Kara-Kum desert some 260 km from Ashgabat to the north. On the way to Darvaza lies the Kara-Kum desert, withs its moving sands and its typical sparse vegetation of Saksaul, Acacia and Kandym bushes. The locals from Darvaza have given the burning crater a name that suits it well – The Door to Hell. And everyone who visits Darvaza agrees with the name and finds it appropriate. When you look inside the burning gas crater, you do feel like this is what the door to hell would look like. Seeing the door to hell with your own eyes, however is an experience like no other. You will have long stayed in awe after experiencing the viciousness of the fire within the gorge of the burning crater. The Door to Hell would be an amazing vacation experience for the adventurous wonderers.
The Bakharden underground lake is a natural sight in “Kov-Ata” Cave on the northern slope of the Kopetdag. The water in the lake is very famous for its curative characteristics. The lake is located at a depth of 52 meters from the entrance on a vertical line; it has an area of 2,700 square meters and is up to 13 meters deep. It is 72 meters long and about 30 meters wide. The surface of the lake lies 60 meters beneath the surface of the earth. Its warm, running water is clear and emerald-colored. Even in artificial lighting tiny stones at the bottom can be seen. The water has constant temperature between 35-37C. Analysis has shown that it contains a complex combination of chemical elements. Thirty different elements have been found, to date. Their unusual combination and the high temperature suggest that the water have biological activity. A dip in the water refreshes the bather instantly. It would be hard to resist taking a dip, whether in Summer or winter. People come in large number to take bath and for this purpose changing booths and steps leading down into the lake have been built on the shore.
Tour to the excavations of Margiana (ancient country was Margush) will carry you to the 29th century B.C. Margush – is the ancient country, as it was proved as a new hearth of civilization. Tour itinerary includes visiting of Ancient Nisa – residence of Parthian Kingdom (III century B.C.), ancient city Abiverd (14th century), ensemble of “Seyitjemaletdin” mosque (15th century “Beauty house”) famous with it’s original portal, unusual for Turkmen – two interlaced snakes, “Maru-Shahujahan” (“Abode of Kings”), ancient Merv (Margiana Alexandrine 1st century BC – 18th). In ancient Merv presented various architectural monuments: Castle of Large and Small Gyz-kala (6-8th century), Mausoleum of Gyz-bibi (9-10th century), Mausoleum of Ibn-Zeid (12th century), Ensemble of Askhab’s tomb (15th century), Mosque of Yusuf Hamedani (16th century), Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar (12th century), Ancient settlement Erk-gala (5th cent.) with magnificent temple of Zoroastrism, as in legends where located “Gates into Paradise”.
Visit the most interesting and mysterious places of Turkmenistan in a fascinating 13 days tour. You will see the modern Ashgabat city with its impressive white marbled buildings entered into the Guinness Book of World Records, visit the World Heritage Sites – Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, Ancient Merv and Koneurgench exploring the past along the mystical Silk Road. You will also make a journey to the heart of the Karakum Desert to see the burning Gas Crater in Darvaza. Furthermore, you will spend a day in a traditional and picturesque Nokhur village in Kopet Dag Mountains, visit pilgrimage sites, explore the magnificent scenery of Yangikala canyons, relax on the shores of the Caspian Sea and take a trip to Koytendag Mountains, which offers dinosaur footprints, waterfalls, a vast network of caves and Turkmenistan’s highest peak.