Tour Overview
Discover our 3-day Turkmenistan tour from Ashgabat to Khiva, a private overland adventure that connects Turkmenistan's modern capital with the historic cities of Uzbekistan. Designed for travellers arriving at Ashgabat International Airport, this itinerary brings together remarkable white-marble architecture, the dramatic landscapes of the Karakum Desert and the UNESCO World Heritage monuments of Kunya-Urgench. An alternative departure through the Hojaili border also makes the journey suitable for visitors continuing to Nukus and the Aral Sea region. Your experience begins in Ashgabat, where the Darvaza Tour team welcomes you upon arrival and introduces you to one of Central Asia's most distinctive capital cities. During a privately guided sightseeing programme, discover impressive marble-clad buildings, monumental squares, cultural landmarks and the contrasts between Turkmenistan's modern development and its historic traditions. The sightseeing programme is designed around your arrival time and interests, giving you the flexibility to explore the city at a comfortable pace.
On the second day, leave the capital and travel north into the vast Karakum Desert. Along the way, stop to observe the unusual Water and Mud craters before continuing toward the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, often referred to as the "Door to Hell." As evening approaches, the fiery crater creates an extraordinary contrast with the surrounding desert landscape. Enjoy a freshly prepared outdoor barbecue dinner, take photographs of the illuminated crater and spend the night in a traditional Turkmen yurt at a nearby desert camp. The final stage of your journey continues north across the Karakum Desert to Kunya-Urgench, once an important centre of the medieval Khorezm region and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With your local guide, explore architectural treasures including the towering Kutlug-Timur Minaret, the beautifully decorated Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum, the historic mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan, and the remains of the ancient Caravanserai Gate.
Following your exploration of Kunya-Urgench, continue to your chosen border crossing. Travellers heading toward Khiva or Urgench will finish at the Shavat border, while those continuing to Nukus or the Aral Sea region can choose the Hojaili crossing, subject to border arrangements.
This 3-day Turkmenistan tour from Ashgabat to Khiva is ideal for independent travellers, couples and small private groups seeking an efficient combination of cultural sightseeing, desert adventure and Silk Road history. With private transport, experienced local guiding, arranged accommodation and e-Visa assistance, Darvaza Tour makes it possible to discover some of northern Turkmenistan's most memorable attractions while travelling onward into Uzbekistan.
3-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Ashgabat → Private Ashgabat City Tour
✈️ Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport (ASB)
Welcome to Turkmenistan! Upon landing at Ashgabat International Airport, complete the required passport control, immigration and customs procedures. Our Darvaza Tour representative will be waiting in the designated arrivals meeting area to welcome you and begin your private journey.
Your guide or driver will coordinate the meeting using your arrival information and the identification details provided before your trip.
🚗 Airport Welcome & Transfer
After meeting our local team, transfer into Ashgabat in a private vehicle. Depending on your arrival time, begin with a breakfast stop at a local restaurant, where you can relax, enjoy a morning meal and receive an introduction to your upcoming adventure.
Your guide will explain the sightseeing schedule and adjust the day's programme to suit your arrival time and preferred pace.
🏛️ Discover the White-Marble Capital of Turkmenistan
Spend the day exploring Ashgabat, a remarkable city known for its white-marble buildings, wide avenues, landscaped parks and monumental architecture.
Your private sightseeing programme introduces you to the city's modern landmarks, cultural traditions and significant public spaces. Depending on available time, local access arrangements and your interests, your guide can include important monuments, architectural viewpoints, museums and traditional market areas.
Unlike a fixed group itinerary, your Ashgabat city tour offers flexibility, allowing you to spend more time at attractions that particularly interest you.
🍽️ Traditional Lunch & Local Cuisine
During the sightseeing programme, stop at a local restaurant for lunch. Discover regional dishes and enjoy an opportunity to experience Turkmen hospitality before continuing your exploration.
🌆 Afternoon Sightseeing & Relaxed Evening
Continue discovering Ashgabat's striking architecture and cultural atmosphere. Your guide can recommend additional sightseeing locations and suitable photography stops according to your interests.
In the evening, enjoy a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant before transferring to your hotel.
🏨 Overnight: Ak Altyn Hotel, Ashgabat — 1 night.
Included meals: According to the confirmed tour package. Restaurant meals are not automatically included unless specified.
Day 2 — Ashgabat → Water & Mud Craters → Darvaza Gas Crater
🌅 Breakfast & Morning Sightseeing in Ashgabat
Begin your second day with breakfast at the hotel. After checking out, enjoy additional time to explore Ashgabat with your private guide.
The morning programme is designed to cover interesting places that were not visited on your arrival day. Depending on your interests, continue discovering the capital's cultural attractions, monumental architecture or local markets.
Your guide will coordinate the sightseeing route with the afternoon departure to the Karakum Desert.
🍽️ Lunch Before the Desert Journey
Stop at a local restaurant for a traditional lunch before leaving Ashgabat. This is also an opportunity to purchase additional drinks or snacks for the desert journey.
🚙 Drive from Ashgabat into the Karakum Desert
In the afternoon, depart north from Ashgabat toward the famous Darvaza Gas Crater.
The journey covers approximately 270 km, with an estimated driving time of around 3.5 hours, although actual travel times may vary depending on stops, road conditions and the weather.
As you travel deeper into the Karakum Desert, the city landscape gradually gives way to open desert plains and remote settlements.
Please note that sections of the desert road are rough or uneven. Some portions of the journey may be bumpy, adding to the adventurous character of travelling through the Karakum.
🌋 Water Crater & Mud Crater Photo Stops
Along the way, make short stops to discover two additional geological features of the Darvaza region.
The Water Crater presents an unusual desert landscape, while the nearby Mud Crater reveals another side of the area's geological character.
These stops provide opportunities for sightseeing and photographs before continuing toward the main gas crater. The order and duration of visits depend on daylight and local conditions.
🔥 Arrival at Darvaza Gas Crater — The Door to Hell
Continue to the extraordinary Darvaza Gas Crater, one of Turkmenistan's most recognizable natural and industrial landmarks.
Arrive during the late afternoon or evening, depending on the journey's progress. As the daylight fades, the flames create a striking glow against the darkening Karakum Desert.
Spend time observing the crater from permitted viewing areas, taking photographs and experiencing the remarkable atmosphere of this remote destination.
🍢 Traditional Barbecue Dinner in the Desert
At the nearby camp, our team will prepare a traditional outdoor barbecue dinner.
Enjoy a warm meal in the open desert, surrounded by the peaceful atmosphere of the Karakum. After dinner, there will be additional time to experience the illuminated crater under the night sky.
⛺ Overnight in a Traditional Turkmen Yurt
Spend the night at a desert camp near Darvaza Gas Crater. Your yurt accommodation includes sleeping arrangements, bedding and access to the camp's basic washing and shower facilities.
This overnight experience is one of the most memorable parts of the journey, allowing you to enjoy the desert atmosphere beyond a brief sightseeing stop.
Overnight: Traditional Turkmen yurt camp at Darvaza — 1 night.
Included meals: Hotel breakfast and barbecue dinner at Darvaza.
Day 3 — Darvaza Gas Crater → Kunya-Urgench → Shavat Border / Hojaili Border
🌄 Optional Sunrise Experience at Darvaza
Guests who wish to wake up early can make an optional morning visit to the crater before breakfast.
Experience the peaceful atmosphere of the Karakum Desert as the first morning light appears on the horizon. The changing light offers another opportunity for photographs before leaving Darvaza.
The morning visit depends on your preferred wake-up time and the day's travel schedule.
🍳 Breakfast & Departure from the Desert Camp
Return to the yurt camp for a freshly prepared breakfast. After breakfast, collect your luggage and prepare for the northbound journey across the Karakum Desert.
Travel toward the historical city of Kunya-Urgench, approximately 260 km from Darvaza, with an estimated driving time of 4 to 4.5 hours.
Road conditions can be uneven in certain sections, so the exact travel time may vary.
🏛️ Kunya-Urgench — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Arrive in Kunya-Urgench, one of the most important historical destinations in northern Turkmenistan.
The ancient city was a major centre of the Khorezm region and contains remarkable examples of medieval Central Asian architecture.
Your private guide will introduce you to the site's history, architectural traditions and its historical connections with the Silk Road.
The sightseeing programme includes the following principal monuments.
Kutlug-Timur Minaret
Admire the impressive medieval minaret, one of the tallest surviving historic minarets in Central Asia. Its towering brick structure represents the architectural achievements of the medieval Khorezm region.
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum
Discover one of Kunya-Urgench's most remarkable monuments, celebrated for the intricate geometric decoration of its interior dome.
Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh & Il-Arslan
Explore these important medieval funerary monuments, distinguished by their brick architecture and distinctive conical dome designs.
Caravanserai Gate
Visit the surviving monumental gateway associated with the ancient city's commercial heritage and learn about Kunya-Urgench's historical significance as a regional trading centre.
🍽️ Traditional Lunch in Kunya-Urgench
After the guided archaeological tour, stop at a local restaurant for lunch.
Enjoy a selection of regional dishes and take a short break before beginning your final road transfer toward Uzbekistan.
🚗 Choose Your Departure Border
Darvaza Tour offers two departure options, depending on your onward travel plans.
Option A — Shavat Border Crossing (Khiva / Urgench)
Travel south via Dashoguz toward the Shavat border crossing.
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Distance: approximately 130 km.
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Estimated driving time: around 2 hours.
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Best suited for travellers continuing to Khiva or Urgench.
Our team will take you to the Turkmenistan side of the border checkpoint, where you can complete the required departure procedures before continuing into Uzbekistan.
Option B — Hojaili Border Crossing (Nukus / Muynak)
Alternatively, travel toward the Hojaili border crossing near Kunya-Urgench.
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Distance: approximately 35 km.
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Estimated driving time: around 45 minutes.
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Best suited for travellers continuing to Nukus, Muynak or the Aral Sea region.
Your preferred exit point will be confirmed before the tour begins, subject to applicable border arrangements.
🛂 Border Assistance & End of Tour
Upon arrival at your selected border checkpoint, our local team will assist with the Turkmenistan departure procedures in accordance with the regulations and access permissions in force.
Your three-day journey concludes on the Turkmenistan side of the chosen crossing. Transportation and other travel services within Uzbekistan are separate unless explicitly included in your confirmed booking.
Overnight: Not included — end of tour.
Included meals: Breakfast at Darvaza camp.
3-Day Tour Price
Price per person based on the total number of travelers in the group.
1 Traveler
US$ 1,154
per person
2 Travelers
US$ 1,154
per person
3 Travelers
US$ 1,154
per person
4 Travelers
US$ 1,154
per person
Groups of more than 4 travelers are also welcome. The larger the group, the lower the price per person may become.
Price includes:
- Visa support and registration: assistance with the e-Visa application and foreigner registration in Turkmenistan.
- Hotel accommodation: one night at the 4-star Ak Altyn Hotel in Ashgabat with breakfast, based on twin-room sharing according to guests’ gender unless another room arrangement is agreed.
- Darvaza accommodation: one night in a traditional yurt near the Darvaza Gas Crater, including dinner, breakfast, bed linen and access to shower facilities.
- Ground transport: comfortable air-conditioned vehicles with experienced drivers throughout the land itinerary.
- Transfers: pick-up at Ashgabat International Airport, intercity and sightseeing transfers, and the final transfer to the Shavat or Khojeyli border.
- Meals: hotel breakfast in Ashgabat, plus dinner and breakfast at the Darvaza yurt camp.
- Guiding: a licensed English-speaking guide throughout the programme.
- Sightseeing: guided visits and entrance fees for sites included in the agreed programme, including Ashgabat, the Water and Mud Craters and Kunya-Urgench.
- Medical insurance: coverage up to USD 64,000 per guest, subject to the policy terms.
- Driver and guide costs: fuel, meals, accommodation and other route-related expenses for the driver and guide.
- Taxes and organisation: applicable taxes, road fees and organisational costs for the included services.
- Flexible programme: the order and timing of visits may be adjusted according to flight arrival, border processing, road conditions, local access and the time available.
- Mobile internet: access to the guide’s portable Wi-Fi router where mobile network coverage is available, supporting up to 10 connected devices at a time.
Price doesn't include:
- e-Visa fee: paid by the traveller; the amount depends on nationality and processing time. We prepare and submit your application after the tour is confirmed.
- Arrival fees: about US$49 per person (migration registration and medical check), paid in cash at Ashgabat International Airport on arrival.
- International flights: flights arriving in Ashgabat are not included unless separately agreed.
- Meals: lunches, dinner in Ashgabat and any meals not listed under Price includes. Allow about USD 3–8 per person per meal; actual restaurant prices vary.
- Personal expenses: souvenirs, snacks, alcohol, laundry, minibar and other personal purchases.
- Tips: for guides and drivers; optional and appreciated.
Accommodation
Ashgabat — 1 night
Ak Altyn Hotel 4*
Accommodation in Ashgabat is planned at Ak Altyn Hotel, a centrally located hotel with convenient access to the main sightseeing areas, restaurants and major city attractions.
The hotel is officially classified as a 4-star property, although it is an older-established hotel with a more traditional interior style compared with newer luxury hotels in Ashgabat. We use Ak Altyn because of its practical location, reliable service and easy access to the main places included in the city sightseeing programme.
Breakfast is included. Twin, double or single room arrangements can be provided according to the confirmed booking.
Darvaza — 1 night
Traditional Turkmen Yurt Camp
One night near the Darvaza Gas Crater. The stay includes bedding, dinner, breakfast and access to camp washing/shower facilities. Accommodation in the desert is simpler than a city hotel and is designed as part of the Karakum experience.
