Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Farap Border – Ancient Merv – Ashgabat
- 09:00: Meet on the Turkmen side of the Farap (Alat) border crossing
- Drive to the Merv Oasis (approx. 250 km)
- Lunch at a local teahouse in Baýramaly
- Full guided tour of Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
- Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar: A masterpiece of Seljuk architecture from the 12th century
- Great and Small Kyz Kala: The iconic “wavy” mud-brick desert fortresses
- Askhab Mausoleums: Sacred tombs of the companions of the Prophet
- Ancient Hammam & Sardoba: Medieval public bathhouse and water storage system
- Erk Kala & Gyaur Kala: Ancient citadels with panoramic views
- Drive to Ashgabat (approx. 350 km)
- Optional: Panoramic night drive — “Ashgabat by Night”
- Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat
Day 2: Ashgabat – Darvaza
- Visit to the Russian Bazaar (Gulistan)
- National Museum of Turkmenistan
- Old Nisa (UNESCO): Ancient Parthian ruins
- Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque: The largest mosque in Central Asia
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Drive north into the Karakum Desert (approx. 270 km)
- Stops on the way at the Water Crater and Mud Crater
- Arrival at the Darvaza Gas Crater (“Door to Hell”)
- Sunset photography at the crater
- BBQ dinner near the crater
- Overnight: Traditional Turkmen yurt at the crater camp
Day 3: Darvaza – Dashoguz – Kunya-Urgench – Dashoguz
- Sunrise visit to the crater before dawn
- Breakfast at the camp
- Drive to Dashoguz
- Arrival around 13:00 and lunch at Bay Town Restaurant — a good local restaurant in Dashoguz serving Turkmen cuisine, where you can enjoy delicious traditional dishes and rest after the long drive.
- Afternoon: Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO Historical Park)
- After lunch, we drive to Kunya-Urgench (Köneürgench) — the famous UNESCO World Heritage site with medieval monuments and mausoleums.
- During our visit, we will see the main highlights:
- Dashkala
- Dashmechet Madrasah
- Kutlug Timur Minaret
- Kyrk Molla
- Mausoleum of Il-Arslan
- Mausoleum of Najm ad-Din Kubra
- Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh
- Minaret of Mamun
- Sultan Ali Mausoleum
- Turabek Khanum Mausoleum
- We will spend about 2.5 hours exploring the monuments with the guide (photo stops included).
- Evening: Dashoguz Night City Tour
- After Kunya-Urgench, we return to Dashoguz for an evening city tour.
- Overnight: 4 star hotel in Dashoguz
Day 4: Dashoguz – Izmukshir – Shavat Border
- Breakfast at the hotel (full breakfast)
- Morning: Drive to Izmukshir (approx. 25 km from Dashoguz)
- Visit to the Dashoguz Museum — a nice local museum with interesting exhibits
- Visit to the local bazaar (Dashoguz Bazaar):
- Interaction with local people
- Souvenir shopping opportunities
- Authentic local market experience
- Lunch in Dashoguz
- Drive to the Shavat border crossing (approx. 15–20 min)
- Arrival at the border around 16:00
- Farewell to the guide and driver
- End of the wonderful 4 day tour
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)
- – 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
Dasoguz – 1 nights
Standart: Gurgench Hotel / Dasoguz Hotel