After breakfast, we drive to Old Nisa fortress (UNESCO World Heritage site) – the earliest of Parthian Empire capitals. Located in an atmospheric area on an irregular pentagon hill, at the foot of the Kopet-Dag Mountains, Old Nisa is a beautiful landmark. 14 hectares in size, the fort accommodates two semi-excavated complexes of the Parthian period (III c. BC – III c. AD) structures, designated as royal residence and temple complex. Then drive back to Ashgabat, stopping en route at National Memorial Complex “Halk Hakydasy” with WWII and Earthquake memorials. We continue to the Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia, and the Turkmenbashi Mausoleum nearby. Then continue driving to a farm in Anau, about 8 km southeast of Ashgabat, the Ahalteke horse stable, where you can see the famous Turkmen horses called Akhal Teke. We will have lunch at the horse farm. In the afternoon, we will drive on to the Darvaza Gas Crater, located in the middle of the Karakum Desert (270km, 4-5 h.). Together we’ll enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner, then sleep overnight at the yurt camp.
Accommodation: Overnight in Yurt Camp (2 people per yurt, shared bathroom facilities)