Tour Overview
This 4-day Khiva to Bukhara tour is designed for travelers who want more time to explore Ashgabat while crossing Turkmenistan overland. Enter through the Shavat border near Khiva, overnight near the Darvaza Gas Crater, spend two days discovering Ashgabat and continue to Ancient Merv before exiting toward Bukhara via Farap.
The following morning, travel south toward Ashgabat with stops at the Water and Mud craters. After arriving in the capital, begin a private introduction to the city's monumental white-marble architecture, broad avenues and major landmarks.Unlike shorter transit programmes, this itinerary gives you additional time in Ashgabat. Day 3 is reserved for a more complete exploration of the capital, allowing you to visit more cultural sites, monuments, viewpoints and architectural highlights without rushing. On the final day, leave Ashgabat early and travel east toward the Mary region and Ancient Merv. Explore one of Central Asia's most important archaeological landscapes before continuing to Turkmenabat and the Farap border for your onward journey to Bukhara.
This route is especially suitable for travellers who want to combine Darvaza and Ancient Merv with a more complete Ashgabat experience while travelling overland between Khiva and Bukhara.
4-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Khiva / Shavat Border → Dashoguz → Darvaza Gas Crater
Your journey begins at the Shavat border crossing, one of the most convenient entry points into Turkmenistan for travellers arriving from Khiva.
The planned meeting time on the Turkmenistan side is approximately 10:00. After you complete passport and immigration formalities, our local team will coordinate your meeting with the guide inside the permitted border area.
From Shavat, continue to Dashoguz for a lunch stop and a short introduction to northern Turkmenistan.
When timing allows, visit a local bazaar to experience everyday market life and purchase drinks, fruit or snacks before beginning the desert journey.
After lunch, travel south across the Karakum Desert toward Darvaza. The planned distance is approximately 300 km and the drive normally takes around 4 to 4.5 hours.
Some sections of the desert road are rough and uneven, so travel time may vary depending on road conditions.
Arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater toward late afternoon or evening.
As the sun sets, the flames inside the crater become much more visible and create a striking contrast with the surrounding desert landscape.
At the nearby yurt camp, enjoy a freshly prepared barbecue dinner.
After dinner, spend more time near the crater for night-time viewing and photography before returning to the camp.
Overnight: Traditional Turkmen yurt camp near Darvaza Gas Crater.
Included meals: Dinner.
Day 2 — Darvaza → Water & Mud Craters → Ashgabat
Guests who wish to wake early can make an optional pre-sunrise visit to the crater for another perspective on the landscape.
After breakfast at the camp, begin the journey south toward Ashgabat.
The planned route covers approximately 270 km, with an estimated driving time of around 3.5 hours. Rough sections and sightseeing stops may extend the journey.
Along the way, stop at the Water Crater and Mud Crater, two unusual geological sites in the Darvaza region.
Continue to Ashgabat and take a lunch break after arrival.
In the afternoon, begin your first guided introduction to the capital.
Ashgabat is famous for its white-marble architecture, wide ceremonial avenues, landscaped parks and monumental public spaces.
The sightseeing route will be adapted to your arrival time and may include major monuments, mosques, public squares, viewpoints and selected cultural landmarks.
After sightseeing, transfer to your hotel and check in.
Overnight: Ak Altyn Hotel, Ashgabat.
Included meals: Breakfast.
Day 3 — Full-Day Ashgabat City Tour
After breakfast at the hotel, continue your private exploration of Ashgabat with your local guide.
This full day is designed to give you a much broader understanding of the capital than is possible on a short transit stop.
Your guide will build the programme around the places not visited on the previous afternoon, with flexibility to match your interests and pace.
The sightseeing programme may include additional monumental architecture, museums, mosques, memorial complexes, viewpoints, local markets and cultural landmarks.
The day is intentionally flexible, allowing time for photo stops, walking, rest breaks and a more relaxed experience of the city.
Take a lunch break at a local restaurant during the day.
In the evening, you can enjoy dinner at a restaurant in Ashgabat and return to the hotel for your second night in the capital.
Overnight: Ak Altyn Hotel, Ashgabat.
Included meals: Breakfast.
Day 4 — Ashgabat → Ancient Merv → Turkmenabat → Farap Border / Bukhara
Depart Ashgabat early in the morning, around 07:30, and travel east toward the Mary region along the main motorway.
The journey covers approximately 360 km and normally takes around 3.5 to 4 hours.
Arrive in the Mary or Bayramaly area and take a lunch break before beginning your visit to Ancient Merv.
Ancient Merv is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important historical centres of the Silk Road.
Explore the principal monuments with your guide.
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar — one of the most impressive surviving buildings of the Seljuk period.
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala — monumental mud-brick structures famous for their distinctive corrugated walls.
Askhabs Mausoleums — sacred monuments associated with early Islamic history.
Ancient Sardoba and water structures — reminders of the sophisticated systems once used to store and manage water in the desert.
Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala — ancient fortified areas showing the long development of the Merv oasis.
If time allows, additional ruins within the archaeological park can be included according to your interests.
After the Merv tour, continue northeast toward Turkmenabat.
The planned distance is approximately 240 km, with an estimated driving time of around 2.5 hours.
Upon arrival in Turkmenabat, stop for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
After dinner, continue to the Farap border crossing, approximately 40 km from the city.
Our team will assist with Turkmenistan departure formalities within the areas permitted by border regulations.
After crossing into Uzbekistan, continue onward toward Bukhara independently or with a separately arranged transfer.
Overnight: None.
Included meals: Breakfast.
4-Day Tour Price
Price per person based on the total number of travelers in the group.
1 Traveler
US$ 1,341
per person
2 Travelers
US$ 1,031
per person
3 Travelers
US$ 837
per person
4 Travelers
US$ 774
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: two nights in a comfortable 4-star 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 on the Turkmenistan side of the Shavat border, intercity and sightseeing transfers, and the final transfer to the Farap border for onward travel to Bukhara.
- Meals: hotel breakfasts in Ashgabat, plus dinner and breakfast at the Darvaza yurt camp.
- Guiding: a licensed English-speaking guide throughout the programme.
- Sightseeing: a full-day private city tour of Ashgabat, plus guided visits and entrance fees for sites included in the agreed programme, including Ancient Merv.
- 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, 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, dinners in Ashgabat, the farewell dinner in Turkmenabat 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
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.
Ashgabat — 2 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.
