Merv and Margiana Archaeological Tour
Fly from the capital to Mary, focusing on the ancient city of Merv and the Bronze Age site of Gonur Depe.
A short route tailored for archaeology and Silk Road enthusiasts, running at a slower pace than general itineraries. Visit Parthian Nisa on the first day, drive off-road to Gonur Depe on the second, and explore the different historical eras of Merv on the third. Because the road to Gonur Depe is rough and time-consuming, it is usually omitted from standard tours, but a full day is dedicated to it here. This route does not visit the gas crater or the north.
There is no shade at the archaeological sites; avoid visiting during the intense midday heat of summer.
Day by day
Day 1 · Nisa and the National Museum
Ashgabat（National Museum of History of Turkmenistan、Parthian Fortresses of Nisa、Seyit Jemaleddin Mosque, Anau）
Charter a car to tour the city and its outskirts. Nisa is about a 20-minute drive from the city center.
Stay: City Centre (Ylham Park Area)
Day 2 · Off-Road Journey to Gonur Depe
Mary & Ancient Merv（Gonur Depe、Mary Regional Museum）
Take an early morning flight to Mary for about 40 minutes, then switch to a 4WD for about 2.5 hours to Gonur Depe, including about 40 km of off-road tracks.
There are no supplies at the site; bring plenty of drinking water and lunch. The 4WD must be booked in advance.
Stay: Mary City Center
Day 3 · Explore Merv and Fly Back
Mary & Ancient Merv（Erk Kala、Gyaur Kala、Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar、Yusuf Hamadani Complex、Merv Ice Houses、Great and Lesser Kyz Kala） → Ashgabat
The drive from Mary to the ruins takes about 40 minutes. Spend the day touring by chartered car, then fly back to Ashgabat for about 40 minutes in the evening.
If you have an international flight that night, allow sufficient connection time for your return flight.