Central Karakum Desert & Merv / Margush Off-Road Adventure        10 days trip

The Karakum desert covers over 80 percent of the territory of Turkmenistan. In it's unique vastness and with the friendly people inhabiting its endless dunes this desert bears in every respect some of the most characteristic features of Central Asia's Nomad culture and natural beauty. Owing to the complete lack of infrastructure the only way to explore this territory is by 4WD and heavy trucks. Our 7-day itinerary combines a challenging four-day off-road and trekking trip to some of the remotest flat-roof settlements in the Central Karakum with an extension of our desert crossing to the country's most fascinating active archaeological site, Gonur Depe. This 4,000 years old Zoroastrian capital settlement, mystically located in the middle of the Karakum desert is Central Asia's sole entirely excavated city site, allowing its visitor to stroll through the 100's of its alleys and shrines.