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In early November, Russian Express organized an advertising tour to mysterious Turkmenistan. The tour operator shared information about this country, attractions, hotels and the impressions of the participants.
NO LANGUAGE BARRIER AND AFFORDABLE PRICES
In early November, a group of agents visited Turkmenistan as part of the promotional tour of the Russian Express. It should be noted that absolutely everyone needs a visa to enter. Russian Russians, according to the head of the group, there is no language barrier in the country: everyone speaks Russian, inscriptions in hotels are duplicated into Russian, and Russian-speaking employees are everywhere – in hotels, shops, and markets. The local population is very friendly, people are always ready to help and just chat. Delicious and inexpensive food, affordable prices in shops and markets.
The six-day tour was full of excursions to the main attractions and sightseeing of hotels in the capital. The program began with a visit to the National Museum of the History of Turkmenistan, the Arch of Neutrality (its height is as much as 95 meters), located opposite the museum and towering over Ashgabat. The group also saw the main tourist attraction – the Independence Monument in the National Park.
UNESCO MONUMENTS, “GATES OF HELL” AND OVERNIGHT IN A YURT
Turkmenistan has monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which were also included in the tour program. For example, the ancient settlement of Staraya Nisa is one of the first capitals of the Parthian Empire. The city was completely destroyed by an earthquake in the first decade BC. The group also visited the memorial complex of Khalk Khakydasy, dedicated to those who died in battle in 1881, during World War II and after the earthquake in Ashgabat in 1948.
The largest oriental bazaar in Central Asia, Gundogar Altyn Asyr, has not been ignored either, where you can buy everything: fruits, vegetables, sweets, clothes, dried fruits, furniture, carpets, dishes and even camels. After that, the participants went deep into the Karakum desert to the Darvaza gas crater or, as the locals call it, “The Gates of Hell” or “The Door to Hell”.
The fact is that in 1971 an accumulation of underground gas was discovered here. As a result of the excavations, the ground in this place collapsed, leaving a huge hole filled with gas, which they decided to set on fire in the hope that the fire would soon go out. This did not happen. Since then, the gas has been burning here continuously, as the group was able to verify with their own eyes.
The day ended no less impressively with a barbecue dinner and an overnight stay in a yurt camp. According to the agents, it was unforgettable. In the morning, everyone was waiting for a trip to Ashgabat. Along the way, the group examined two more craters, but already consisting of water and clay. In the evening, everyone was waiting for shopping at the Berkarar shopping center.
The next destination was the city of Mary, founded in 1885. Here, the participants had an excursion to the ancient city of Merv, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been the capital of many states throughout its history.
The group visited the mausoleum of the Seljuk Sultan Ahmad Sanjar, the mausoleums of the Askhabs, the fortress of Giz Gala, where they filmed an episode of the film “White Sun of the Desert”, as well as the Russian Holy Protection Temple.
Despite the rich cultural program, the agents managed to evaluate the hotels in Ashgabat. The participants inspected the hotels Ak Altyn 2*, Grand Turkmen 3*, Archabil 4*+, Olimpiya 5*, Oguzkent 5*, Yyldyz 5*.
On the final day, a dinner was held at the national house with local cuisine with a folklore program, and then a night tour of the city of Ashgabat awaited everyone.
WHITE MARBLE ASHGABAT AND HOSPITABLE PEOPLE
“Ashgabat struck with its festive and ceremonial appearance: white marble city in the afternoon. Transport is only in white, silver, and golden colors (there are no black or colored cars in the city). And in the evening and at night, all buildings, shops, monuments are illuminated with multicolored illumination, and so every evening,” says the head of the group.
“Many thanks to the Russian Express and the host party for the opportunity to visit this snow-white city of Ashgabat. The people are very kind and hospitable, there is something to see, cleanliness is everywhere. A very interesting excursion to Darvaza and Mary. A night in a yurt is unforgettable! Many thanks to our guide Mekan for interesting excursions and a story about the country, about which we learned a lot. And the food is just a separate delight! Thanks to the host for the hospitality and for organizing a magical tour. I had the opportunity to visit and see the sights, as well as learn about traditions and customs. I will be happy to tell my tourists about this fabulous and mysterious country!”, – Tatyana from the travel agency of profitable tours Spacetour shared her impression.
Tours to Turkmenistan from the Russian Express are presented on the tour operator’s website.
