Introduction
This 2 Day Turkmenistan Tour is the most popular short trip for travelers coming from Khiva through the Shavat border. It combines the country’s two highlights in just two days the burning Darvaza Gas Crater and the marble capital Ashgabat. On the first day, you cross into Turkmenistan, have lunch in Dashoguz, and drive deep into the Karakum Desert to witness the fiery “Gates of Hell,” with dinner and an overnight stay in traditional yurts. On the second day, the journey continues to Ashgabat, a Guinness World Record city known for its white marble architecture. You will explore museums, monuments, bazaars, and UNESCO-listed Nisa before finishing with a transfer to Ashgabat International Airport, a stunning landmark itself. This tour is ideal for travelers who want to see both Darvaza and Ashgabat in a compact adventure.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1, Khiva – Dashoguz – Darvaza
- We will meet you at the border with Uzbekistan, near Khiva, at the Shavat border crossing point.
- After completing all formalities, we will head to Dashoguz, where lunch awaits us at a local restaurant.
- After lunch, we will begin our journey to the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the Gates of Hell (300 km, about 7 hours drive). The road is actively being repaired, so the journey takes some time.
- Upon arrival in Darvaza, you will have free time to enjoy the unique spectacle of the burning crater.
- Dinner will be served at a nearby yurt camp (400 meters from the crater). Dinner usually consists of beef, chicken, or vegetable kebabs.
- In the evening, you will have more time to observe the crater, and your guide will tell you all the stories associated with Darvaza.
- We will spend the night in Darvaza in yurts or tents.
Day 2, Darvaza – Ashgabat – Departure
- After breakfast in Darvaza, we will continue our journey to Ashgabat (271 km, about 4.5 hours drive), the capital of Turkmenistan. Along the way, we will visit two more craters – the Water and Mud craters, and also stop at a small desert village where locals raise goats and camels.
- Lunch at a restaurant in Ashgabat.
- After lunch, we will go on a tour of Ashgabat one of the most unusual cities in the world, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the city with the most white marble buildings. You will see the main attractions of Ashgabat, including the National Museum, Carpet Museum, various monuments, the ruins of Nisa (the first capital of the Parthian Empire) and Anau, the Akhal-Teke horse stables, and local bazaars.
- Dinner at a traditional restaurant.
- After dinner, a transfer to Ashgabat International Airport will be organized for your departure.
Price Includes:
- – Invitation letter support and Foreigner registration in Turkmenistan.
- – Accommodation. Standart rooms.
- – Ashgabat City tour
- – Transport and guide.
- – Meals at Darvaza and yurt night stay at Darvaza.
- – All breakfasts
- – All the expenses of the driver/guide, including gasoline, meals and accommodation, transfer to the point of meeting at border, and separating with the guest at the border.
- – All taxes
- – The tour starts at the Turkmenistan border and ends at the Turkmenistan border.
- – You will see everything that is possible to see within that time. The tour can be changed on the go as possible.
Not included:
- – Visa and other fees at the border. (Usually costs not more than $110, per person)
- – Meals ($3-8/ 1meal/ 1person)
- – Entrance fees to Museums and others as per the tour. roughly not more 10$ per day if any.
- – Tips. Tips are welcomed
Accommodation
Darvaza – 1 nights
Standart: Shared yurts / individual accommodation in yurts or tents available upon request