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Home » Tours to Turkmemistan. Cultural group and Individual tours of Turkmenistan. In historical heritage Akhal, Mary, Lebap, Dashoguz, Balkan velayats.

Tour from Merv to Kunya-Urgench.

Tours on Silk way of Turkmenistan.

The brief description of a route of tour across Akhal, Dashoguz and Mary velayat on Turkmenistan:

Ashgabad - Dashoguz - town of Kunya-Urgench - historical and cultural memorial estate «Old Kunya-Urgench» - Ashgabad - Mary - Bairam-Ali - Ashgabad.

Distance route: 325 km.
Season: from 1 of April till 30 of September.
The best time for an excursion: April, May, September.
Duration: 5 days and 4 days.

The detailed program of tour day by day on ancient monuments Old Kunya-Urgench» and  "Ancient Merv":

Excursion tours over historical and cultural reserves of Turkmenistan.

1 Day. Ashgabad.
Arrival in Ashghabad. A meeting at the airport, transfer to hotel, accommodation. Breakfast. The beginning of excursion across Ashgabad.
Visiting of mosque Ertogrulgazy is one of the most beautiful mosques of Ashkhabad, constructed in turkish style, the biggest is in town. On a mosque Ertogrulgazy there is four minarets a height of each of them of 62,22 meters In a mosque, considered the house of the God, on a ground floor there is a man's hall, on the second floor there is a female hall. In halls can simultaneously pray up to 5 000 person. At manufacturing domes and roofs of a mosque lead in quantity of 160 tons was used.
Visiting of a monument of the Neutrality also known, as the Arch of Neutrality - constructed in 1998, height of 95 meters, including 12 a meter sculpture - the highest construction in Turkmenistan with gold statue Turkmenbashi at top. In 2010 the monument has been dismantled with its carry on a today's site.
Inside of a construction there is the Museum of Neutrality consisting of 3 halls. Visiting of the State national historical museum of Turkmenistan, in halls new, constructed after acceptance of independence, the National museum valuable archeological finds of ancient history of Turkmenistan are presented. In funds of a museum - tens man-made monuments of traditional craft creativity and a folk art XVII - XIX centuries.
Weaving, an embroidery, ceramics, rug weaving, products of jewellers. In total in an exposition more than 2500 exhibits. Lunch at local restaurant. After lucnh excursion in a museum of Turkmen carpet. In a museum there are some hundreds the best samples of carpets Turkmenistan, the oldest carpet concerns to XVII century.
Here there is a second-largest carpet in the world of manual work - «Golden Age Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashi» which area makes almost 301 square meters, weight - more than ton. Walk on «Track of health». It is possible to carry “Track of health” to sights of Ashkhabad "Serdar-Yoly" which is on southern slopes Kopetdag of a ridge «Asma Yoly” in 12 kilometers from town. It is the concreted foot road, length of 36 kilometers and width of 5 meters which passes on slopes Kopetdag of a ridge.
On a precept of the first president each inhabitant of Ashkhabad should pass daily on this path for maintenance of the health and a tone. Rise on cable a way on one of tops of a ridge Kopetdag. Walk on vicinities and road of health «Serdar-Yoly». Survey of Ashkhabad from height of the bird's flight. Returning to Ashkhabad. Dinner. Overnight in hotel.
2 Day. Ashgabad (33 km).
Breakfast. After breakfast trip on ancient site of ancient settlement Nisa (18 km). Ancient site of ancient settlement Nisa date I in the millenium up to BC. The site of ancient settlement consists of two fortresses: Old and New Nisa. Old Nisa was an imperial residence in Parthian, the New residence carried out functions of capital of Parthia. During existence Prthian Old Nisa referred to in honour of tsar Mitridata I under which order the town has been constructed.
During this period Nisa was capital of empire, but later the capital has been transferred to Asia Minor. With arrival Sasanids Nisa has absolutely lost power, the town has been plundered and forgotten. The new stage in history Nisa begins with its ocurrence in structure Arabian Khalifats. The town again has risen, but to reach former power and could not. The beginning of final decline concerns to XI century, in 20th years of XIX century Nisa already represented ruins.
The further transfer to mosque Turkmenbashi Rukhy (15 km). The mosque is located in Niyazov Kipchak's native village Saparmurata in 15 kilometers from Ashgabad. The mosque is a great architectural construction of an epoch of Saparmurata Niyazov. The total area of a mosque makes 18 000 square meters, height of a mosque - 55 meters.
Near a mosque is four 80-ти a meter minaret. Capacity of a mosque for 7000 men and 3000 women. In 2006 of president Niyazov have buried in a sarcophagus which is in the center of the mausoleum. Here remains of its mother, the father and two brothers who have lost during earthquake in 1948 are based. Returning in Ashgabad, transfer to hotel, dinner and overnight.
3 Day. Ashgabd - monuments of ancient Merv (71 km). 
Breakfast. Early transfer to the airport. At 8:00 departure to the city of Mary (40 minutes of flight). Arrival in city airport of Mary, meeting at the airport. Transfer: airport - town Bayramali (29 km). Visit of the historical and cultural reserve ruins of ancient Merv.
Visit to the ancient settlement Abdullah khan Kala (XVth century). The ancient settlement Abdulla-khan Kala of Abdullah ibn Burayda is located in the Vekil Bazaar area of the Merv oasis. The structure was built towards the end of the eleventh century under Seljuk rule. It was recently restored in 1990, which fashioned its surrounding area as a namazgah. While the restoration has been faithful to the original style of its interior, the exterior has been largely altered. Older drawings indicate that the new dome raised on a new drum stands about two meters taller than the original structure. 
Transfer to mausoleums Askhabs (6 km). Musoleums Askhabs associates of prophet Mohammed were called - Bureid ibn Al-Khuseib al-Aslami and Al-Khakim ibn Amr Al-Gifari. After death, places of their burial places were local sanctuaries around of which in XV century representatives of dynasty Timurids have constructed a religious complex. Their tombs from a black marble are decorated by a relief groove with vegetative ornaments and inscriptions. Behind tombs two cost restored aivans.
Transfer to ruins of fortresses Big and Small Gyz kala (2 km). Visit of ruins of fortress Small Gyz Kala. 
Fortress ruins Small Gyz kala, in the historical and cultural park ancient Merv is one of ancient and historical sights of Mary Region. Approximate age of construction VI - VII century. Uniqueness of a construction in corrugated walls from not burned brick. Small Kyz kala small fortress badly remained up to now. The architecture of walls Small Kyz kala of a calla, most likely too reminded a goffering which is formed by the linked semicircular or polygonal pilasters.
Visit of ruins of fortress Big Gyz kalaGreater Gyz kala - small fortress, badly remained up to now. Big Kyz kala consisted of two floors. The first floor had five rooms, and the ladder conducting down passed through an arc-shaped corridor. Planning of the second floor can only be imagined by the remained fragments. The second floor also had about five rooms located around the courtyard. Big Kyz kala with corrugated, as if put pleated, like an accordion, walls. They are put on earth ramps with an easy inclination. Small windows are hidden pleated walls.
Transfer and visit of the mosque of Kyz Bibi (600 meters).
Visit of the medieval town Sultan-Kala.
The ruins of Merv are comprised of five walled cities dating from the VIth century BC to the XVIIIth century, known as Erk Kala, Gyaur Kala, Sultan Kala, Abdullah Khan Kala and Bairam Ali Khan Kala, grouped into three settlements corresponding to three periods, the ancient, medieval and post-medieval Merv. What would later become a major medieval city, and whose ruins are now known as the Sultan Kala, initially arose as a suburb beside the Majan canal outside the fortified ancient city (the ruins now known as Gyaur Kala) sometime before the eighth century. 
Visit Sultan Sanjar mausoleumGaunt and huge in the middle of Sultan Kala is the mausoleum Sultan Sandzhar, completed in 1140 as Moscow was being born. Its other dome, 38 metres high and originally clad in blue tiles, was said to be visible a day’s march away. A second inner dome appears to be supported by a lattice of brick ribs but these are probably only decorative.
Transfer and visit of citadel Shakhriar Ark (800 m).
Transfer and visit of a minaret and Hoji Yusup mosque (800 m).
Transfer and visit of the mosque Beni Mahan (3 km).
Visit of the ancient settlement Erk kala. 
Hill Erk-kala, settles down considerably to the south Yaz depe, adjoining with medieval Old Merv. In VI - IV c.c. Up to B.C., in days of domination of the Persian tsars, the strengthened city borrowed the area in 12 hectares here settled down. He has been enclosed thick - 6,5 m in the basis - by a fortification. Excavation have found out to Erk kala the layers concerning by times of tsar Dariya and Alexander the Great.
Visit of the ancient settlement Gyaur kala. The end of an excursion across Ancient Merv. Transfer: Ancient Merv - town Bayramali - airport of Mary (29 km). Arrival in the airport, departure to Ashgabad (40 minutes). Arrival in Ashgabad, meeting at the airport, transfer to hotel, dinner and overnight.
4 Day. Ashgabd - monuments of ancient "Old Kunya-Urgench" (205 km). 
Breakfast. Early transfer in the airport. At 8.00 a start in the town of Dashoguz (40 minutes of flight). Arrival in Dashoguz, meeting at airport, transfer and visiting on historical and cultural memorial estate "Old Urgench".
Visiting of mosque Dash (1907 - 1908) and of mosque Matkerim Ishan.
In ancient Kunya-Urgench, in 80 meters to the east of Nadzhmeddin Kubra mausoleum there is a madrasah of mosque Dash. The building is built in 1907 - 1908 for Mahomed-Amin at the expense of the treasury of the Khivan khan as madrasah including the room of the mosque.
Visit of the mausoleum Sultan Ali. Mausoleum Sultan Ali XVI century. or the XVI century (date not specified). Erected in the ensemble "Kosh" with khanaka Nadzhmeddina Kubra. Compositionally, he imitates the mausoleum of the Sufi: in terms of a hexagonal and a rectangular darshanu gurkhan.
Visit of the mausoleum of Piryar Vali. Nearby, only in 15 meters from the well-known mausoleum of Nadzhmeddin al-Kubra (XIVth century) Piryar Vali, in the territory of the extensive cemetery called in the people of "Uch yuz altmysh" ("Three hundred sixty") the small ancient mausoleum is located. After creation in Kunya-Urgench of the National historical and cultural park the mausoleum was reconstructed.
Visit of mausoleums of Nadzhmetdin Kubra. The mausoleums Nadzhmetdin Kubra of Shaykh Najm al-Din Kubra (1145 - 1221) is located in the ancient cemetery adjacent to the, modern city center of Kunya Urgench. Built by Qutlugh Timur (1321 - 1333), the governor of Khorezm, the mausoleum is named after Najm al-Din Kubra al Khorezmi, the Muslim philosopher who founded the Kubrawiyyah Sufi order.
Visit of the mausoleum Tyurabek khanum. Mausoleum Tyrabekh Khanum, dated to the middle of XIV century and belonging to the time of the governing of Sufi Dynasty in the Old Urgench, is the real pearl of Khorezm and whole Turkmen агсhitecture. The high and light 6-faceted hall of about 100 sq. m is the peculiarity of this creature. Its walls are decorated with coloured mosaic.
Visit of minaret of Kutlug Timur. For unknown reasons, construction was interrupted for a very long time, and was completed only in 1321-1336, in the time of Kutlug-Timur (the vice-regent of the Golden Horde). This 62m tower was named after him; and is the tallest minaret in Central Asia.
Visit of the mosque mausoleum Seyit Ahmed. Visit of fortress Kyrk Mola. Fortress Kyrk Mola (the 40th mullahs), is located on the northeast suburb of Kunya-Urgench - near Khorezm Shakh Tekesh mausoleum. The area of fortress is 3 hectares. Maximum height of towers of 12,5 meters. During excavation by archeologists the fortification of the antique period, and also an altar was found. Fortress is the most ancient center of Gurgandzha. Scientists believe that during the Middle Ages era there was the well-known library of Mamun here.
Visit of the mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh.The  mausoleum Sultan Tekesha mausoleum of Anushtigid ruler Tekesh (1172 - 1200) stands near the Fakhr al-Din al-Razi mausoleum and Kutlug Timur minaret, in Kunya Urgench (or Gurganj), the dynastic capital of the Khorezm Shakhs (1077 - 1231).
Further visit of the mosque mausoleum Il Arslan. The mausoleum Il Arslan of Khorezm Shakh of Il-Arslana called also by the mausoleum Fakhred-dina Razi - other well-known building of the cultural and historical reserve Old Kunya-Urgench. The first monumental construction of Central Asia built in second half of the XIIth century. Known also the magnificent relief ornament of the main facade which is cut out on terracotta and unique tent with 12 sides.
Following architectural sights of Old Urgench on our pedestrian way - Mamun minaret. Opposite to minaret Mamun, in east part there is an ancient necropolis. Mamun minaret is a part to the Mongolian Urgench, is located in a northern part of Dash Gala, near the mausoleum Il-Arslana. Ruins of a minaret were found as a result of excavation thanks to which it became known that completely the minaret collapsed only hundred years ago. In 1900 locals found a mortgage lead tile with the inscription narrating that the minaret was constructed in 1011 by order of the shah Mamuna
On the way to Mamun minaret visit of gate of caravanserai. 
Visit of fortress of  Ak kala (XVI century). The fortress was named Ak-Kala after its population had abandoned it. With the retreat of water the whole oasis dried up and turned into a desert.
Transfer: Old Urgench - Kynya-Urgench - Dashoguz (97 km). Arrival in Dashoguz, transfer to the airport (14 km), a start evening flight to Ashgabad. Arrival in Ashgabat. Meet at the airport. Transfer to hotel, accommodation, dinner and overnight.
5  Day. Ashgabat.
Transfer to airport. Departure from Ashgabat.

City of Ashgabad. City of Ashgabad. City of Ashgabad. City of Ashgabad. Museum of carpet in Ashgabad. Mukhammad Ibn Zayad mausoleum.Big Gyz kala fortress.Dash mosque.Kulug Timur minaret.Piryar Vali mausoleum in Kunyz-Urgench.

Note:
Author program of Alexander Petrov. Copying and introduction -  from the sanction of the author  petrovsra@mail.ru

Photos
Alexander Petrov.