Introduction
This 3 Day Turkmenistan Tour begins at the Bajgiran border with Iran and takes you to Ashgabat, the marble capital. Travel north to the Darvaza Gas Crater, known as the “Gates of Hell,” where the flames are burning weaker each year and may soon disappear. Spend a night in yurts by the crater, enjoy sunset views and traditional kebabs, then continue to UNESCO-listed Merv before ending at the Farap border near Bukhara.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Iran Border (Bajgiran) – Darvaza Gas Crater
- In the morning you will cross the border from Iran into Turkmenistan (Bajgiran – Gaudan checkpoint).
- Meet your guide at the border. From this point the guide will accompany you in your own car.
- Drive through Kopetdag mountains to the Karakum desert.
- Stop for a short rest and meals on the way.
- Continue driving north towards the Darvaza Gas Crater (Gates of Hell).
- Evening arrival at Darvaza. Walk around the flaming crater before sunset.
- Dinner with freshly prepared kebabs at the yurt camp.
- Night visit to the crater to enjoy the atmosphere and starry desert sky.
- Overnight in traditional Turkmen yurts near the crater.
Day 2: Darvaza – Ashgabat
- Breakfast at the Darvaza yurt camp.
- Drive back south towards Ashgabat (approx. 4–5 hours, 300 km).
- On the way visit Water Crater and Mud Crater.
- Lunch at a restaurant in Ashgabat.
- Afternoon and evening city tour of Ashgabat: Independence Monument, Neutrality Arch, Wedding Palace (Bagt Koshgi), Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, and night panoramic view of the city.
- Dinner in Ashgabat.
- Overnight in Ashgabat hotel.
Day 3: Ashgabat – Merv – Farap Border (to Bukhara)
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Drive east to Mary (Merv) – approx. 3 hours on good road.
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Ancient Merv (Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Erk Kala, Gyaur Kala, Kyz Kala).
- Lunch in Mary.
- Continue driving to Turkmenabat (approx. 4.5 hours, road condition is mixed, partly bad).
- Short rest and dinner in Turkmenabat.
- Evening transfer to Farap border crossing. Exit Turkmenistan and enter Uzbekistan.
- End of tour. From Farap it is only about 100 km to Bukhara.
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