5 Day Turkmenistan Tour from Khiva: Darvaza, Ashgabat & Merv

• Your 5 Day Turkmenistan Tour from Khiva begins at the Shavat border crossing, conveniently located for travelers coming from Khiva or Urgench in Uzbekistan.
• After completing the Uzbek border formalities, continue to the Turkmenistan side, where our local guide and driver will meet you and assist you with the arrival procedures.
• After leaving the border area, drive to Dashoguz, the main city of northern Turkmenistan. Depending on your border-crossing time, there will be an opportunity to stop for lunch at a local restaurant and prepare for the long journey south through the Karakum Desert.
• Continue toward the Darvaza Gas Crater. The road crosses a remote desert landscape and provides your first introduction to the vast Karakum region.
• Arrival at Darvaza is planned around the late afternoon or evening whenever possible. After reaching the desert camp, settle into your private traditional yurt before walking to the famous burning crater.
• Spend time around the Darvaza Gas Crater, watching the landscape change as daylight disappears and the flames become increasingly dramatic after sunset.
• Dinner will be prepared near the camp, normally including grilled dishes such as shashlyk, salads, bread and other local food. Vegetarian meals can also be arranged in advance.
• After dinner, enjoy additional time around the crater and the surrounding desert before returning to camp.
• Overnight in a traditional yurt near the Darvaza Gas Crater.

• After breakfast at the desert camp, depart Darvaza and begin the journey south toward Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan.
• On the way, depending on road conditions and available time, stop at the Water Crater and Mud Crater, two other unusual geological sites located in the Karakum Desert.
• The route continues through remote desert settlements and open landscapes before gradually approaching Ashgabat.
• Upon arrival in the capital, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to your hotel for check-in.
• The remainder of the day can be used for an introductory drive through Ashgabat, allowing you to see the city’s distinctive white-marble buildings, wide avenues, fountains and illuminated monuments.
• Dinner can be arranged at a local or traditional Turkmen restaurant according to your preference.
• Overnight at a hotel in Ashgabat.

• After breakfast, begin a full day guided exploration of Ashgabat, one of the most distinctive capitals in Central Asia.
• During the city tour, you will explore many of Ashgabat’s most recognizable monuments and architectural landmarks, including its white marble government buildings, ceremonial avenues, parks and major city viewpoints.
• Depending on opening hours and your interests, the program can include the National Museum of Turkmenistan, the Carpet Museum, major monuments and other cultural attractions.
• Continue to Old Nisa, an important archaeological site connected with the ancient Parthian Empire and one of the most significant historical locations near Ashgabat.
• The itinerary may also include a visit to an Akhal-Teke horse farm, where you can learn about Turkmenistan’s famous horse breed, as well as time at a local bazaar or market if the schedule allows.
• Lunch will be arranged during the sightseeing program.
• In the evening, return to the city centre and enjoy free time or an additional drive through illuminated Ashgabat.
• Dinner at a local restaurant.
• Second overnight at a hotel in Ashgabat.

• After breakfast, depart Ashgabat and travel east toward Mary and Ancient Merv.
• The journey crosses central Turkmenistan before reaching the Merv oasis, one of the most historically important regions along the ancient Silk Road.
• After arrival, begin your guided visit of Ancient Merv, a vast archaeological area containing monuments from several different historical periods.
• Explore major sites such as the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, one of the finest surviving monuments of the Seljuk period.
• Continue to the impressive mud-brick fortresses of Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala, recognizable for their distinctive corrugated walls.
• Visit the Askhabs Mausoleums, as well as the remains of Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala, which reveal the enormous scale of the ancient settlement.
• Your guide will explain how Merv developed into one of the major cities of the Silk Road and why civilizations repeatedly rebuilt their settlements across this oasis.
• Additional archaeological monuments within the complex can be visited depending on available time and your interests.
• After completing the Merv sightseeing program, transfer to nearby Mary city.
• Check in at your hotel and enjoy dinner or free time in the evening.
• Overnight at a hotel in Mary.

• After breakfast at the hotel, leave Mary and begin the final stage of your journey east toward Turkmenabat.
• Travel across the eastern part of Turkmenistan before arriving in Turkmenabat, one of the country’s major cities on the Amu Darya River.
• Depending on your preferred border-crossing time, stop in Turkmenabat for lunch and, when time permits, a short look around the city or a local market.
• Afterwards, continue approximately 40 km toward the Farab border crossing between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
• Our guide and driver will assist you up to the Turkmenistan side of the border and explain the departure procedure.
• After completing the border formalities, cross into Uzbekistan, where you can continue toward Bukhara.
• End of the 5 Day Turkmenistan Tour from Khiva.

Standard & Comfort:
Private yurt near the Darvaza Gas Crater

Premium:
Private yurt with a private bathroom near the Darvaza Gas Crater

Standard:
Mizan Hotel or Bagt Koshgi Hotel (or similar)

Comfort:
Sport Hotel or Archabil Hotel (or similar)

Premium:
Oguzkent Hotel (or similar)

Standart: Mary Hotel / Merv Hotel

Comfort: Margush Hotel