The Martian Chronicles and the Gates of Hell

Day 1

Garabogaz border — Turkmenbashi

• Crossing at the Garabogaz/Bekdash border.
• Departure for Turkmenbashi. Accommodation at the hotel.

Overnight: Hotel in Turkmenbashi

Day 2

Yangykala — Gozli-Ata

• Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Yangykala, the canyons 160 km east of Turkmenbashi. Yangykala means Fiery Fortresses in Turkmen: sheer cliffs of white, yellow, ochre, purple and red, carved by wind and rain into what look like stone castles from a fantasy novel.
• Excursion to Gozli-Ata and Kemal-Ata.

Overnight: Guest rooms at Gozli-Ata or Kemal-Ata

Day 3

Kov-Ata — Ashgabat

• Breakfast. Departure for Ashgabat, stopping at the Kov-Ata underground lake.
• Sixty metres down, part of the lake comes into view. The water is very warm (34–37 °C) with a blue-green tint, and the depth ranges from 8 to 14 metres. It contains 38 elements, including iodine, magnesium, iron, bromine, potassium, sodium and sulphates. Bathing here improves circulation, helps with rheumatism and skin and kidney complaints, and calms the nervous system. Guests will have the chance to swim.
• Arrival in Ashgabat, hotel accommodation.

Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat

Day 4

Ashgabat — Darvaza

• City sightseeing tour: the Arch of Neutrality, the Monument of Independence, the Ruhnama Book monument, the Russian Bazaar and more.
• Departure for Darvaza; on the way you will see the water crater.
• Arrival at the gas crater. The flames of Darvaza have burned in the heart of the Karakum desert for nearly 55 years — one of the most mesmerising places on the planet.

Overnight: Tents by the crater

Day 5

Dashoguz — border

• Breakfast. Departure for Dashoguz. Border crossing at Dashoguz. End of the programme.