Introduction
Join our 3 Day Ashgabat Darvaza Tour to discover Turkmenistan’s highlights in a short journey. Start in Ashgabat, the city of white marble, with visits to UNESCO-listed Nisa and key monuments. Continue to the Darvaza Gas Crater, known as the ‘Gates of Hell,’ where you’ll enjoy sunset views, dinner, and an overnight in traditional yurts. Conclude the adventure in Dashoguz before crossing the Shavat border to Uzbekistan. A perfect mix of culture, history, and desert landscapes.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1, Arrival in Ashgabat – Ashgabat City Tour
- Meet at Ashgabat International Airport upon arrival (most international flights land after midnight).
- After breakfast, begin a full-day sightseeing tour of Ashgabat the City of White Marble, listed in the Guinness World Records for its magnificent architecture.
- Visits include:
- Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque one of Central Asia’s largest mosques
- Ancient Nisa Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage Site) former capital of the Parthian Empire
- Carpet Museum home to the world’s largest handwoven carpet (Guinness Record)
- Lunch at a traditional Turkmen restaurant.
- Afternoon tour of modern Ashgabat:
- Independence Park, Neutrality Monument, Monument of Inspiration, Makhtumkuli Park, and the Bagt Köşgi Wedding Palace.
- Evening visit to the Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center, featuring the world’s largest indoor Ferris wheel.
- Dinner at a local restaurant.
- Overnight in Ashgabat (hotel).
Day 2, Ashgabat – Darvaza Gas Crater
- Breakfast at the hotel (around 8:30 AM).
- Morning visit to the National Museum of Turkmenistan, followed by the Russian Bazaar (Tolkuchka Market) a great place to meet locals and buy snacks for the desert trip.
- Lunch at a local restaurant, then drive to Darvaza Gas Crater (271 km, about 4.5 hours).
- Stops en route at the Water Crater and Mud Crater.
- Arrival at Darvaza before sunset the perfect time to admire the fiery crater.
- Your guide and driver will prepare a barbecue dinner near the yurt camp.
- Enjoy the spectacular view of the burning crater under the stars a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Overnight in a traditional Turkmen yurt near the crater.
Day 3, Darvaza – Dashoguz – Shavat Border
- After breakfast at Darvaza, we will drive north towards the city of Dashoguz (300km, approximately 5 hours drive). The road conditions for this segment are very challenging.
- Upon arrival in Dashoguz, we will spend some time in the city before heading to the border.
- From Dashoguz, we will proceed to the Shavat border crossing point, which is located between Dashoguz and Khiva cities.
- Exit Turkmenistan via the Shavat border.
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
Ashgabat – 1 nights
Standart: Bagt Kosgi / Mizan / Sport / Ashgabat
Comfort: Archabil / Yyldyz / Oguzkent
Darvaza – 1 nights
Standart: Shared yurts / individual accommodation in yurts or tents available upon request