Ashgabat - capital city of Turkmenistan
Ashgabat is primarily a government and administrative centre. The business centre of Ashgabat is on the Archabil highway. Construction of several ministries and departments, teaching and research and cultural centres is complete. Development of office buildings and public spaces along the avenue continues.
The city gained many high-rise residential buildings. Modern construction techniques allows high-rise development with relatively good protection against earthquakes. Primarily consisting of residential towers, the first floor is typically given a shopping area and a service department. Many of the buildings are made of white marble.
Notable Buildings
Museums include the Turkmen Fine Arts Museum and Turkmen Carpet Museum, noted for their impressive collection of woven carpets as well as a Turkmen history museum and the Ashgabat National Museum of History, which displays artifacts dating back to the Parthian and Persian civilizations. The Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan is an important institute of higher learning.
Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's tallest Ferris wheel in an enclosed space. The Ashgabat Flagpole is the fourth tallest free-standing flagpole in the world, standing at 133 m (436 ft) tall. The Ashgabat Fountain is the worlds greatest number of fountain pools in a public place. Ashgabat also features Turkmenistan Tower which is the tallest tower in Turkmenistan, the decorative octagonal Star of Oguzkhan is recognised as the world's largest architectural image of the star and entered in the Guinness World Records.
Turkmenistan (Most Populated place of Ashgabat) Part 10
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Ashgabat:
Ashgabat – the capital of Neutral and Independent Turkmenistan considered as an administrative, cultural and business centre of the country since the declaration of Independence of the country on 27th of October in 1991.
The fate of Ashgabat is wonderful and unique. With its name, tracing back into centuries, and being wiped off the face of the earth in the middle of the XX century, this city has become an embodiment of immortality, the most everlasting soul of the Turkmen nation.
This nation has passed a historical way equal to the history of the whole human civilization. Having taken upon itself the world joy and miseries, having introduced its inexhaustible spiritual donation and constructive energy, this nation has not worn out in soul and talent, and its today revival witness thereof.
Being founded in 1881 the city was given the name of the adjacent village – Asgabat. The name of the rapidly built, buried in verdure Caspian oblast was translated as “city of love, fertility, welfare”. Hence became the custom: Ashgabat is a city of love. A sunny cosy oasis, protected by the Karakum desert in the north and by the Kopet - Dag ridge in the south, has aroused in its citizens bright and warm feelings towards their native city, and it has become a sing of Ashgabat, its essential peculiarity.
Having been newly built after the earthquake (6th of October in 1948), Ashgabat has preserved this peculiarity.
Day by day the capital of our motherland become more and more beautiful and gladdens the eye with its new appearance. Constellation of unique architectural buildings, lots of museums, exhibition halls and theatres attract the guests of our capital.
For the last years Ashgabat completely changed it’s former appearance. The present Ashgabat distinguishes itself with its own style, combining the best traditions of national architecture and the achievements of modern town-building such as “Arch of Neutrality”, “Museum and the monument for the victims of the Ashgabat earthquake in1948”, “National Museum”, “Monument and the park of Independence”, “Ice Palace”, “Cable Cars”, “Path of health”, “The fairy tale world of Turkmenbashy”, “Olympic swimming complex”, “Puppet theatre”, “Park of 10 Akhaltekin horses” and many others.
Fresh climatic air, clean and wide streets, new parks with majestic fountains and originality of the capital keep unforgettable impressions.
For the guest services there are lots of luxury hotels with high class services and modern design of International standard satisfy every guest of the capital.
Best Attractions and Places to See in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Ashgabat Travel Guide. MUST WATCH. Top things you have to do in Ashgabat. We have sorted Tourist Attractions in Ashgabat for You. Discover Ashgabat as per the Traveler Resources given by our Travel Specialists. You will not miss any fun thing to do in Ashgabat.
This Video has covered top Attractions and Best Things to do in Ashgabat.
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List of Best Things to do in Ashgabat
Gypjak Mosque
Turkmen Carpet Museum
Parthian Settlement of Nisa
Turkmenistan Independence Monument
Ashgabat National Museum of History
Monument Arch of Neutrality
Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
Turkmen Museum of Fine Arts
Tolkuchka-Basar
Ashgabat hippodrome
Smithsonian Institution Delegation Seminar at Turkmenistan's National Museum
Photo report by:
Bradley McGuire
Information Officer
Public Affairs Section
U.S. Embassy-Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
On February 7, a delegation visiting from the Smithsonian Institution hosted a seminar at the National Museum of Turkmenistan.
The director of the museum opened the session and introduced the delegation headed by Dr. Paul Taylor.
He and his team shared their insights about the work and activities carried out at the Smithsonian, including managing its vast collections, its use of information technology, policy and strategy work, as well as the creation of exhibitions, both physical and virtual.
Dr. Taylor also talked about the Smithsonian's international partnership programs and how they've been successfully implemented.
The audience included over 100 participants, including specialists from various museums in Ashgabat as well as regional museums throughout Turkmenistan.
The primary goal of the seminar was to familiarize the audience with the Smithsonian museum complex and their current activities, and to initiate a dialogue on future partnerships with museums in Turkmenistan.
The group also had several opportunities to speak with the press at the event and give their general impressions about their visit to Turkmenistan.
Ashgabat by night Turkmenistan Part 11
Welcome to my travelchannel. ☛☛☞☛
On my channel you can find more than 1000 films of almost 80 countries. See the playlist on my youtube channel.Enjoy!
Ashgabat:
Ashgabat – the capital of Neutral and Independent Turkmenistan considered as an administrative, cultural and business centre of the country since the declaration of Independence of the country on 27th of October in 1991.
The fate of Ashgabat is wonderful and unique. With its name, tracing back into centuries, and being wiped off the face of the earth in the middle of the XX century, this city has become an embodiment of immortality, the most everlasting soul of the Turkmen nation.
This nation has passed a historical way equal to the history of the whole human civilization. Having taken upon itself the world joy and miseries, having introduced its inexhaustible spiritual donation and constructive energy, this nation has not worn out in soul and talent, and its today revival witness thereof.
Being founded in 1881 the city was given the name of the adjacent village – Asgabat. The name of the rapidly built, buried in verdure Caspian oblast was translated as “city of love, fertility, welfare”. Hence became the custom: Ashgabat is a city of love. A sunny cosy oasis, protected by the Karakum desert in the north and by the Kopet - Dag ridge in the south, has aroused in its citizens bright and warm feelings towards their native city, and it has become a sing of Ashgabat, its essential peculiarity.
Having been newly built after the earthquake (6th of October in 1948), Ashgabat has preserved this peculiarity.
Day by day the capital of our motherland become more and more beautiful and gladdens the eye with its new appearance. Constellation of unique architectural buildings, lots of museums, exhibition halls and theatres attract the guests of our capital.
For the last years Ashgabat completely changed it’s former appearance. The present Ashgabat distinguishes itself with its own style, combining the best traditions of national architecture and the achievements of modern town-building such as “Arch of Neutrality”, “Museum and the monument for the victims of the Ashgabat earthquake in1948”, “National Museum”, “Monument and the park of Independence”, “Ice Palace”, “Cable Cars”, “Path of health”, “The fairy tale world of Turkmenbashy”, “Olympic swimming complex”, “Puppet theatre”, “Park of 10 Akhaltekin horses” and many others.
Fresh climatic air, clean and wide streets, new parks with majestic fountains and originality of the capital keep unforgettable impressions.
For the guest services there are lots of luxury hotels with high class services and modern design of International standard satisfy every guest of the capital.
Turkmenistan Tourism, Facts – Ashgabat Tourist Attractions | Places to Visit Turkmenistan
The history of Turkmenistan is largely mysterious on with the arrival of many invaders right from Arab invasion Russian Colonization, Revolution and Civil War up to the Soviet Union. They got their independence with the dismemberment of USSR. The city-state which was an epitome of the country was Merv for being a transit hub on the Silk Road. Turkmenistan was a country listed to be the least visited country in World and now Turkmenistan tourism is attracting visitors for its rich historical and cultural attractions. Some of the top Turkmenistan tourist attractions are Gates of Hell, Ashgabat, Ancient city of Merv, Karakum desert, Dasoguz Province, Gypjak Mosque, Turkmen carpet museum, Parthian settlement of Nisa, Wedding Palace.
Why should you visit Turkmenistan?
Historical extravaganza
Ancient Turkmenistan attractions
The Fresh Appeal
Grand bazaars
Natural Beauty
Bathe in an Underwater Cave
City of Love
Museums
Cuisine
Culture
People
Budget
Turkmenistan Facts
• Holds the Guinness World Record for the largest indoor Ferris wheel
• Turkmenistan has the 6th largest oil and natural gas reserves in the world
• Ashgabat holds the Guinness World Record for the most public pools in a single place
Dook international is the biggest DMC for CIS and European countries. Recently, Dook has just launched Turkmenistan tour packages: Turkmenistan 4 Nights 5 Days and Turkmenistan 3 Nights 4 Days. These packages are inclusion of Visa support (LOI), Transfer and transport, Guide-translator Entrance fees, Excursions per program, Traditional Dinner, Accommodation in hotel with breakfast, Indian food Lunch and Dinner at restaurants.
For more details of Turkmenistan Tour Package, Visit:
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Ashgabat Carpet Museum home to ancient treasures
Ashgabat's Carpet Museum: boasts more than 2.000 ancient rugs, including a stunning wine-coloured carpet spanning more than 300 m² - an impressive size which has earned it a Guinness World Record title.
It is one of the main attractions at the museum, which is also home to the ancient rugs used to cover horses and camels as well as carpet bags used as furniture by nomadic tribes in Turkmenistan.
In old times, people stored dishes, salt an…
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The Spirit of Two Deserts - Museum of Fine Art, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Twenty American artists with twenty Turkmen artists in exhibition for the first time in history at the Museum of Fine Art, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, November 2014. Curated by Diana Stetson, artist, and Director Meredov of the museum.
20130621 TV4 on Virtual Museums ENG
On June 21, 2013 Turkmenistan TV4 featured a broadcast on a museum capacity-building seminar by Smithsonian anthropologist Dr. Paul Michael Taylor about the Turkmenistan Virtual Museum. Filmed at the State Museum of the State Cultural Center (formerly the Main National Museum) in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, the video includes historic collections and exhibitions at the State Museum and interviews with the U.S. Embassy's Cultural Affairs Officer Courtney Doggart, and with Smithsonian anthropologists Paul Taylor and Trevor Merrion.
Smithsonian Institution Delegation Visit to Turkmenistan
Since February 3, a delegation from the Smithsonian Institution has been visiting Turkmenistan. Today a workshop on museum capacity building was held for museum specialists at the National Museum Conference Hall in Ashgabat. About 100 staff and administrators from various museums attended the event, which was organized by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Culture and TV Radio Broadcasting of Turkmenistan. Delegation members Dr. Paul Taylor, Director of the Asian Cultural History Program, Dr. Carole Neves, Director of the Smithsonian Institution's Office of Policy and Analysis and Brad Smith, a research project coordinator, talked about their work at the Smithsonian and the use of information technology.
Learn some amazing facts about Turkmenistan
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In this brief video you can find seven little known facts about Turkmenistan.
More information about the video content bellow:
1. Turkmenistan is an ancient land, once part of the Persian Empire. The Turkmen people were originally pastoral nomads and some of them continued this way of life up into the 20th century, living in transportable dome-shaped felt tents called yurtas. The country several has ancient ruins that used to part of the Silk Road, such as Saraghs, Annau or Merv.
2. Written Turkmen has gone through a vast number of different alphabets. Prior to 1929, Turkmen was written in the Arabic script. Between 1929 and 1938, a Latin alphabet was used. Then, from 1938 through 1991, the Cyrillic alphabet became the official writing system. In 1991, a new Latinate alphabet was introduced, but it has been slow to catch on.
3. Since 1993, water, electricity and gas have been free to all residents in Turkmenistan, meaning the majority of families never turn their stove off to save on the cost of matches! This was guaranteed to last until 2030.
4. Roughly 80% of Turkmenistan is covered by the Karakum (Black Sands) Desert. Turkmenistan has four distinct seasons & it faces two extremely opposite atmospheric conditions, in summer its temperature might go beyond 50 degree Celsius, while in winter it might get less than zero resulting into snowfall.
5. Turkmenistan is world widely famous for its ethnic style of carpets & there is even a carpet museum with more than 1,000 different carpets from 18th & 19th century & more from 20th century. A group of people made a 313 square meter carpet for the Turkmen carpet museum which is recognized as the largest hand-woven carpet in the world in Guinness book of world records.
6. There is more than 70 feet wide burning natural gas crater in Turkmenistan widely known as Derweze which contains bubbling gas active since more than 40 years. This huge gas crater was accidentally found by the drillers from Soviet Union state government of Turkmenistan who burnt the fire in the crater in hope of clearing the gas out of it however, it didn’t work and the gas is continuously burning since then.
7. Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, was founded in 1881 as a Russian fortress between the Kara-Kum Desert and the Kopet Dagh Mountains, it was largely rebuilt after a severe earthquake (7.3) in 1948. The earthquake caused extreme damage in Ashgabat and nearby villages, where almost all brick buildings collapsed, concrete structures were heavily damaged. Media sources vary on the number of the casualties, from 10,000 to 110,000, equivalent to almost 10% of the Turkmen SSR's population at the time.
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Intro:
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Animated history of all Turkmen (Türkmençe, English, Русские, Türkçe)
Türkmençe subtiter bardyr!!! There is English Subtitle!!! Есть русские субтитры!!! Türkçe altyazılar var!!!
This is a history of all Turkmens around the world (Turkmenistan, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Russia etc). Explains where did they go and how.
Also, Animated history of all Turkmen explains how the Turkmenistan was established.
P.S. There are 5 mistakes in the pronunciation and grammar in Video. Unfortunately, I found them after the release of video, when content is not editable(
But they've been fixed in the English subtitles.
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Elena Tsareva. Masterpieces of Steppes.
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Ancient Architecture of Turkmenistan
President Ilham Aliyev completed official visit to Turkmenistan
President Ilham Aliyev completed official visit to Turkmenistan
Pittsburgh Marathon in Turkmenistan
US Embassy Ashgabat, Turkmenistan - Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon First Wave race sponsored by American300 ONETEAM Envoy and United States Marine Corps MCCS Headquarters.
Assistant Secretary Adam Ereli Visits Ashgabat Fine Arts Museum
Assistant Secretary Adam Ereli Visits Ashgabat Fine Arts Museum on February 14, 2012. Excerpt from Turkmenistan State TV Channel, February 17, 2012.
Travel to Turkmenistan
Travel to Turkmenistan
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ТOUR : THROUGH HISTORY
ROUTE: FARAP – MARY – ASHGABAT – DARVAZA – KUNYA-URGENCH – DASHOGUZ - KHIVA
DAYS: 6 days, 5 nights
TYPE: Classic
Day 1
14.08.
Farap – Mary
Meeting at Farap border check-point.
Border passing & customs formalities.
Driving to Mary
Hotel accommodation
Excursion to Old Merv: is one of the most ancient cities of Central Asia. He built during the centuries, and its area is 100 square kilometers. On the territory of Merv are at least five cities that were built at different times. Mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar will amaze you with its size and solidity. The area is 360ga Gyaur Kala, and has the correct plan in the form of well-defined walls and gates designed to each side of the world
Rest & night at hotel
Itinerary include: lunch, dinner
Day 2
15.08
Mary – Ashgabat
After breakfast driving to Gonur-depe
Excursion in Margush: - In historical science, III and II millennium BC, known as the Bronze Age. This era was marked by a truly evolutionary breakthrough in the development of human civilization. That’s when the first cities emerge and public education. One such entity was an ancient country Margush, located in the valley of the old delta of the Murghab River in Mary province. According to researchers, it is the fifth center of world civilization, along with Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China.
Visit museum of History & Ethnography in Mary
Flight Mary-Ashgabat
Transfer & hotel accommodation
Rest & night at hotel
Itinerary include: lunch, dinner
Day 3
16.08
Ashgabat
Breakfast at hotel
Excursion to National museum of History & Ethnography
Visit Nissa fortress: The ancient city in Turkmenistan. The ancient Nissa, the capital of Parthaunisa and a sacred city. A royal fortress built in the mid-2nd century Av.JC. Fortress at Nisa was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007. Nisa is described by some as one of the first capitals of the Parthians. It was founded by Arsaces I (reigned c. 250 BC - 211 BC), and was reputedly the royal necropolis of the Parthian kings,
City-tour: National Carpet museum, monument of Independence, Arch of Neutrality etc
Rest & night at hotel
Itinerary include: lunch in Turkmen cuisine, dinner
Day 4
17.08
Ashgabat – Darvaza
Breakfast at hotel
Driving to Geok-depe fortress & mosque; Memorial Monument devoted to the victims of the battle for Turkmen people’s freedom (1870 г)
En route visit underground lake “Kov-Ata”: Live Tale of Mountain Cave. Unique underground lake is in deep located 100 km to the west of Ashgabat. The lake water has medicinal properties. It contains hydrogen sulfide compounds having a therapeutic effect in treating skin diseases, rheumatism, central nervous system.
Visit “Spiritual mosque” in Gypjak countryside
After lunch driving to Darvaza: gas crater at night
Overnight in tents or in “Chayhana – Turkmen yurt”
Itinerary include: lunch, dinner
Day 5
18.08
Darvaza – Kunya-urgench
Breakfast
Driving to Kunya – Urgench sites; (Capital of Ancient Khorezm). Location: 150 km to the north-west of Dashoguz.
Excursion: (Mausoleum of Soltan Tekesh XII-XIII cc.); Mausoleum of Il Arslan King (XII c) known as Khorezm Sheikh II Arslan; Mausoleum of Torebegh King (XII c), considered the most interesting and beautiful in Central Asia; Minaret Gutlugh Temir (XII c.), the tallest ancient minaret in Central Asia with the height of 64 meters
By the way: hotel accommodation
Visit museum of History & Ethnography Dashoguz
City-tour
Rest & night at hotel
Itinerary include: lunch, dinner
Day 6
19.08
Shabat - Khiva
After breakfast transfer to border point “Shabat”
Border passing & customs formalities.
Cost of the tour per person (for a group in 4 persons) is 1250 USD
Supplement for single accommodation is 280 USD
Splendid Treasures of the Turkomen Tribes from Central Asia
The exhibit, Splendid Treasures of the Turkomen Tribes from Central Asia, runs from January 18--May 12, 2013. It features more than fifty objects hand-crafted by the semi-nomadic Turkomen peoples, jewelry made of precious metals and semi-precious stones, and woven rugs and colorful textiles created in the late-nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries.
UT's exhibition was organized by the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the State Art Museum of Florida, Florida State University. The exhibit's jewelry was collected by Stephen Van C. Wilberding when he was a senior advisor to the Saudi Arabia Monetary Agency and donated to the Ringling Museum of Art.
The McClung Museum has complemented the jewelry selection with textiles and rugs from Knoxville collector Judy Stewart and the Persian Galleries.
Splendid Treasures is sponsored by UT's Ready for the World initiative, BarberMcMurry Architects, and the Aletha and Clayton Brodine Museum Fund.
????????Top 10 Facts About Turkmenistan/Interesting Facts Turkmenistan/Turkmenistan Amazing Facts
The Karakum Desert occupies about 70%, or 350,000 square kilometers (135,135 square miles) of the area of Turkmenistan. Its name is translated as “black sands”
Extreme Seasons
Turkmenistan has four distinct seasons & it faces two extremely opposite atmospheric conditions, in summer its temperature might go beyond 50 degree Celsius, while in Winter it might get less than zero resulting into snowfall.
Natural Gas
Turkmenistan is 4th biggest reserve of natural gas in the world. Despite of immense deposits of natural gas, 60% of Turkmenistan people (Turkmens) lived below the poverty line.
Cotton
In Turkmenistan, most of irrigated land is planted with cotton, making the country the world’s ninth-largest cotton producer.
Most Beautiful Horses
The Akhal-Teke Turkmen horses hold the title the most beautiful horses on the planet.
Carpets
Turkmenistan is world widely famous for its ethnic style of carpets & there is even a carpet museum with more than 1,000 different carpets from 18th & 19th century & more from 20th century.
Dinosaur footprints
Dinosaur foot prints at Kugitang Nature Reserve is one among most pristine among Turkmenistan’s natural reserves.
Gate to Hell
More than 70 feet wide burning natural gas crater in Turkmenistan widely known as Darwaja which contains bubbling gas active since more than 40 years. This huge gas
crater was accidentally created by the drillers from Soviet union who burnt the fire in the crater in hope of clearing the gas out of it however, it didn’t work and the gas is continuously burning since than.
President
Saparmurat Niyazov (the leader of Turkmenistan from 1985 until his death in 2006) renamed months and days of the week after Turkmen heroes, poets, historical events, family members and himself. For example, instead of April there was Gurbansoltan, his mother’s name.
Capital
Ashgabat is the capital and the largest city of Turkmenistan. It is situated between the Karakum Desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range. The name means “city of love” or “city of devotion.”
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video is for educational purpose only.Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
Travel to Turkmenistan
Travel to Turkmenistan
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Desert, Mountains, and Historic Sites (11 days)
Day-1 Arrive in Ashgabat (B)
Early morning arrival in Ashgabat. Private transfer to hotel. Accommodation in hotel Grand Turkmen/Ak Altyn.
Breakfast at hotel. Late morning or early afternoon we begin the day with orientation tour of the city. We will see independence period parks and monuments, such as the Monument and Park of Independence (looking like a white-marble “Eiffel Tower” standing in a beautiful park) and a fountain-monument devoted to the 10th anniversary of independence (sculptural depiction of ten Akhal-Tekke horses placed on the top of a beautiful fountain), impressive Ertoghrul Ghazi mosque. We will also visit Kipchak village (10 km outside Ashgabat) to see an impressive complex of the biggest mosque in Turkmenistan and the family mausoleum of the first President. Finish the day with a tour of the National Museum of History (more than 327.000 objects on a display) exhibiting exclusive ancient artefacts from different historical & archaeological sites of Turkmenistan, such as Old Nisa, Ancient Merv, Kunya-Urgench & others. Overnight at hotel Grand Turkmen/Ak Altyn/Ashgabat.
Day-2 Ashgabat – Mary/Gonur Depe (B, L-picnic)
Early morning transfer to airport for flight to Mary (40 minutes by Boeing 717 or 737). On arrival in Mary, we drive to Gonur Depe, which used to be the capital of the legendary Margush country. After two hours drive through fields and villages and another hour through the desert, we arrive at an important archaeological site, the center of a remarkable Bronze Age civilization, discovered in 1972 and explored continuously till 2012 by Prof. Victor Sarianidi. Gonur Depe, as the professor describes, is a palace complex of 10 ha, represented by partly excavated earthen walls of former administrative buildings and religious structures of the Zoroastrian type. After about two hours of sightseeing, we will have a picnic-lunch, lunch boxes that we bring with us from the city. Return to Mary for rest. Overnight at hotel Mary/Margush.
Day-3 Mary – Ashgabat (B)
Breakfast at hotel. We drive east of Mary, towards Bayram-Ali, the contemporary re-incarnation of and humble suburb of the glorious Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site). One of the major archaeological sites of Central Asia, Merv played an important part in the development of the Silk Road for more than 2000 years. Within the limits of the archaeological park, which is 1200 ha, we will have a chance to observe all constituent parts of the “wandering city”. A 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 post-medieval (Abdulla-Khan Kala and Bayram-Ali-Khan Kala), appeared in the course of time as a token of the natural progress of the city from initial stages of its existence to a more advanced level. Besides remnants of the cities of Merv, we will visit the VI-IX cc. AD forts of Big and Little Kyz-Kalas, excellent examples of the so-called corrugated Koshks; the splendid XII c. mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammed ibn-Zeyd, demonstrating exquisite Seljuk period brickwork and architectural decor. If time permits, a possible visit to several more interesting spots within the site. After sightseeing, we head back to Mary to visit Regional Museum Museum, presenting a wide array of archaeological finds (dating back to the III mill. BC through the late XIX century) from both Ancient Merv and Bronze Age sites of the Margush country as well as interesting ethnographic displays reconstructing the scenes of daily life of the Turkmen population and other minorities of the Murghab oasis. In the afternoon we fly back to Ashgabat (40 minutes by Boeing 717 or 737), from a newly built airport of Mary. On arrival in Ashgabat, transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel Grand Turkmen/Ak Altyn/Ashgabat.