Tour Overview
The 3-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Khiva to Bukhara is a compact overland journey combining the Karakum Desert, Ashgabat and one of Turkmenistan’s classic overnight train journeys. Enter through the Shavat border near Khiva and spend your first evening at the famous Darvaza Gas Crater.
After a night in a traditional Turkmen yurt, continue south toward Ashgabat with stops at the Water and Mud Craters along the way. Spend the afternoon discovering the monumental architecture, broad avenues and cultural landmarks of Turkmenistan’s white-marble capital before boarding an overnight sleeper train east toward Turkmenabat. Your final morning introduces you to the Lebap region and the Silk Road heritage of Turkmenabat. Depending on timing and your interests, visit the Green Bazaar, ancient Amul Fortress and selected city landmarks before crossing the Amu Darya and continuing to the Farap border for onward travel to Bukhara.
This itinerary is especially suitable for travelers looking for a Khiva to Bukhara via Turkmenistan route that includes Darvaza, Ashgabat and an overnight sleeper train without adding several extra travel days.
3-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Khiva / Shavat Border → Dashoguz → Darvaza Gas Crater
🛂 Shavat Border Arrival
Your journey begins at the Shavat border crossing, conveniently located for travellers arriving from Khiva and Urgench.
The planned meeting time on the Turkmenistan side is approximately 10:00. After completing passport control, immigration and entry procedures, our local team will coordinate your meeting with the guide inside the permitted border area.
🚗 Transfer to Dashoguz
Continue by private vehicle to Dashoguz, the main city of northern Turkmenistan.
The stop provides time to stretch after the border crossing and prepare for the longer desert section of the journey.
🍽️ Lunch in Dashoguz
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring Turkmen or regional cuisine.
If timing permits, your guide can also take you briefly to a local bazaar to purchase fruit, water, snacks or other supplies for the evening in the desert.
🌵 Journey into the Karakum Desert
Leave Dashoguz and travel south toward Darvaza.
The journey covers approximately 300 km and normally takes around 4 to 4.5 hours. Some sections of the route are rough or uneven, and actual travel time can vary according to road and weather conditions.
🔥 Darvaza Gas Crater
Arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater toward sunset or early evening.
As natural light fades, the crater’s flames become increasingly visible against the surrounding Karakum landscape. Spend time at the permitted viewing area taking photographs and experiencing one of Turkmenistan’s most unusual desert sights.
🍢 BBQ Dinner at the Camp
Continue to the nearby yurt camp for a freshly prepared outdoor barbecue dinner.
After dinner, there will be additional time to experience the crater after dark, when the orange glow becomes especially dramatic against the desert night.
⛺ Overnight
Stay in a traditional Turkmen yurt near Darvaza.
Overnight: Darvaza yurt camp
Included meals: Dinner
Day 2 — Darvaza → Water & Mud Craters → Ashgabat → Overnight Train to Turkmenabat
🌅 Optional Sunrise Visit
Guests who wish to wake early can make another short visit to the crater before sunrise.
Morning light creates a very different atmosphere from the previous evening and offers another opportunity for photography.
🍽️ Breakfast at the Yurt Camp
Return to camp for breakfast before packing your belongings and beginning the journey south.
🚙 Drive from Darvaza to Ashgabat
Travel across the Karakum Desert toward Ashgabat.
The distance is approximately 270 km and the journey generally takes around 3.5 hours, although the final timing depends on road conditions and sightseeing stops.
💧 Water Crater
Make a short stop at the Water Crater, one of the geological features found along the Darvaza desert route.
🌋 Mud Crater
Continue to the Mud Crater for a brief sightseeing and photography stop before travelling onward to Ashgabat.
🍽️ Arrival in Ashgabat & Lunch
Arrive in Turkmenistan’s capital and stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
🏛️ Private Ashgabat City Tour
Spend the afternoon discovering Ashgabat with your guide.
The sightseeing programme remains flexible and will be planned according to the actual arrival time. Possible visits include monumental public spaces, white-marble architecture, national landmarks, modern avenues and selected cultural sites.
The route will be organised efficiently so that you can see as much as possible without rushing before the evening train.
🍽️ Dinner Before the Train
Depending on the remaining time, choose between a sit-down dinner at a local restaurant or a prepared takeaway meal and snacks for the train journey.
🚉 Transfer to Ashgabat Railway Station
Transfer to the railway station in time for boarding.
🚆 Ashgabat → Turkmenabat Overnight Sleeper Train
Board the overnight train to Turkmenabat, scheduled to depart at approximately 19:50.
Settle into your sleeper compartment and travel east across Turkmenistan during the night.
Overnight: Sleeper train from Ashgabat to Turkmenabat
Included meals: Breakfast at Darvaza
Day 3 — Turkmenabat → Amul Fortress & City Highlights → Farap Border / Bukhara
🚆 09:30 — Arrival in Turkmenabat
Arrive at Turkmenabat Railway Station in the morning.
Meet your private driver and guide at the station and begin the final part of the programme.
🏛️ Flexible Turkmenabat Exploration
The sightseeing programme is adapted to your arrival time, border plans and personal interests.
Possible highlights include:
🛍️ Green Bazaar
Visit one of the city’s main local markets to experience everyday life in eastern Turkmenistan.
Browse seasonal fruit, dried produce, spices and regional products while observing the atmosphere of a traditional Central Asian bazaar.
🏰 Amul Fortress
Visit the remains of ancient Amul, an important Silk Road settlement that historically connected routes toward Merv, Bukhara and Khorezm.
Walk around the surviving earthen fortifications and learn about the city’s role in regional trade.
🏙️ Turkmenabat City Orientation
Take a short drive through central Turkmenabat to see its modern avenues, public spaces and selected monuments.
🍽️ Lunch in Turkmenabat
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before beginning the final road transfer.
🌊 Amu Darya River Photo Stop
On the way toward the border, make a short stop near the Amu Darya River.
The river historically played a major role in the development of the settlements and trading routes of eastern Turkmenistan.
🚗 Transfer to Farap Border
Continue approximately 40 km toward the Farap border crossing.
🛂 Border Assistance
Upon arrival, our local team will assist with Turkmenistan departure procedures within the areas permitted by border regulations.
After completing immigration and customs formalities, cross into Uzbekistan and continue toward Bukhara.
End of Tour Services.
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.
- Darvaza accommodation: one night in a traditional yurt near the Darvaza Gas Crater, including dinner, breakfast, bed linen and access to shower facilities.
- Overnight train: sleeper-train ticket from Ashgabat to Turkmenabat in a 4-berth compartment.
- Ground transport: comfortable air-conditioned vehicles with experienced drivers throughout the land itinerary.
- Transfers: pick-up on the Turkmenistan side of the Shavat border, intercity, sightseeing and railway station transfers, and the final transfer to the Farap border for onward travel to Bukhara.
- Meals: 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 the Water and Mud Craters, Ashgabat and Amul Fortress in Turkmenabat.
- 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 border processing, train schedules, 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.
- Border fees on arrival: about US$49 per person (migration registration and medical check), paid in cash at the border.
- Meals: lunches, dinner in Ashgabat, food on the train 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
Overnight Train — 1 night
Ashgabat → Turkmenabat Sleeper Train
Travel overnight from Ashgabat to Turkmenabat in a comfortable 4-berth sleeper compartment.
Even for solo travellers or couples, Darvaza Tour will arrange a full 4-berth compartment for your booking whenever availability allows, providing additional privacy and space during the journey.
The sleeper compartment is prepared for overnight travel and includes sleeping berths, clean bedding and pillows, allowing you to rest during the night while travelling across Turkmenistan.
The exact train departure time and carriage allocation will be reconfirmed before travel according to the official railway schedule and ticket availability.
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.
