Tour Overview
Discover the wonders of Central Asia on this 5-day Turkmenistan tour from Khiva, travelling overland to Bukhara through some of the country's most remarkable historical and natural attractions. Begin your adventure at UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench, explore the ancient Izmukshir Fortress and spend a memorable night in a traditional yurt near the spectacular Darvaza Gas Crater. Continue to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's extraordinary white-marble capital, before discovering the archaeological treasures of Ancient Merv, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Your journey concludes with a visit to the medieval Dayahatyn Caravanserai, a remarkable reminder of the historic Silk Road, before crossing the Farap border into Uzbekistan. With experienced local guides, private transportation and carefully arranged accommodation, this five-day journey offers an unforgettable introduction to Turkmenistan's history, culture and desert landscapes.
5-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Shavat Border → Kunya-Urgench → Dashoguz
10:00 AM — Welcome to Turkmenistan
Your five-day journey begins at the Shavat border crossing, conveniently located near Khiva and Urgench in Uzbekistan.
After completing passport control and immigration procedures, meet your professional local guide at the designated meeting point on the Turkmenistan side of the border.
Your Darvaza Tour guide and private driver will welcome you and introduce the travel programme before setting off to discover northern Turkmenistan.
Drive to Kunya-Urgench
Travel towards the ancient city of Kunya-Urgench, approximately 100 km from the Shavat border region, with a driving time of around 1.5–2 hours.
Once an influential political and commercial centre of Khorezm, Kunya-Urgench played a major role in the development of medieval Central Asian civilisation.
Today, its extraordinary architectural monuments form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Traditional Lunch
Enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant in Kunya-Urgench or Dashoguz, depending on border formalities and the day's sightseeing schedule.
Kunya-Urgench Historical Park — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Explore the impressive archaeological monuments of Kunya-Urgench with your local guide.
Discover magnificent medieval architecture, historic mausoleums and important reminders of the city's former position along the Silk Road.
During the guided visit, explore the following highlights:
Kutlug-Timur Minaret
Admire the impressive Kutlug-Timur Minaret, rising approximately 60 metres above the surrounding historical landscape.
This remarkable monument is among the tallest surviving medieval minarets in Central Asia and remains an outstanding example of historic brick construction.
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum
Visit one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in Kunya-Urgench.
The Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum is particularly celebrated for the extraordinary geometric patterns decorating its magnificent dome.
Learn about the craftsmanship and mathematical precision reflected in its medieval architectural design.
Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh
Continue to the historic resting place of Sultan Tekesh, a powerful ruler of the Khorezmshah dynasty.
Observe the monument's distinctive conical dome and impressive brickwork.
Mausoleum of Il-Arslan
Explore another outstanding medieval mausoleum, notable for its elegant proportions and decorative architectural features.
Your guide will explain the historical importance of the Khorezmshah period.
Caravanserai Gate
Discover the surviving entrance associated with an ancient caravanserai, a reminder of the merchants and travellers who once passed through this prosperous trading centre.
Return to Dashoguz
Following your visit to Kunya-Urgench, travel back to Dashoguz, one of the principal cities of northern Turkmenistan.
Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a brief introduction to the city, observing its modern streets, public spaces and local atmosphere.
Dinner and Hotel Check-in
Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before transferring to your hotel.
After a rewarding first day exploring the historical treasures of northern Turkmenistan, settle into your room and relax.
Overnight: Dashoguz Hotel 4★.
Day 2 — Dashoguz → Bai Bazaar → Izmukshir Fortress → Darvaza Gas Crater
08:00 AM — Breakfast at the Hotel
Begin the morning with breakfast before checking out of your hotel.
Today, your journey takes you from the cultural attractions of Dashoguz into the remote landscapes of the Karakum Desert.
Discover Bai Bazaar
Visit Bai Bazaar, one of the city's traditional markets, where local residents gather to purchase fresh produce and everyday goods.
Walk among stalls displaying seasonal fruits, vegetables, dried foods and regional products.
This lively market provides an excellent opportunity to experience the atmosphere of daily life in northern Turkmenistan.
You may also purchase snacks or other personal supplies for the journey into the desert.
Izmukshir Fortress — Ancient Khorezm Heritage
Leave Dashoguz and travel approximately 25 km towards the remains of Izmukshir, also known as Zamakshar.
Explore the atmospheric ruins of this historic settlement, surrounded by the open landscapes of the Dashoguz region.
Izmukshir is particularly associated with the renowned medieval scholar Al-Zamakhshari, whose contributions to Arabic linguistics and Islamic scholarship became widely influential.
During your visit, examine the surviving mud-brick fortifications and learn about the historical significance of the former settlement.
Lunch Along the Route
Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant or roadside teahouse before continuing south.
Your guide will arrange a suitable stop according to the day's travel schedule.
Journey Through the Karakum Desert
Continue towards Darvaza Gas Crater, travelling approximately 300 km through the vast Karakum Desert.
The journey generally takes around 4–5 hours, depending on road conditions and planned stops.
Along the way, observe the extraordinary desert landscape, with its wide horizons, sandy terrain and remote settlements.
Please note that some sections of the route are uneven or unpaved, making the drive occasionally bumpy.
Arrival at Darvaza Gas Crater
Reach the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, widely known as the "Door to Hell."
This unusual natural-gas site has become one of Turkmenistan's best-known attractions and an important destination for travellers exploring the Karakum Desert.
Your guide will introduce the crater's background and explain its connection with the region's natural gas resources.
Sunset at Darvaza
Spend time enjoying the desert landscape as the sun sets.
The changing evening light creates memorable photographic opportunities, while the crater's appearance becomes particularly dramatic wherever flames remain visible.
Enjoy the atmosphere from the designated safe viewing areas.
Traditional Barbecue Dinner
After sightseeing, continue to the nearby desert campsite.
Your local team will prepare a traditional open-air barbecue dinner.
Enjoy a peaceful evening beneath the Karakum Desert sky, far from the noise of the cities.
Overnight: Traditional Turkmen yurt at the Darvaza desert camp.
Day 3 — Darvaza → Water & Mud Craters → Ashgabat → Ancient Nisa
Optional Early-Morning Crater Visit
Travellers who enjoy photography can wake before sunrise for a final visit to the designated viewing area at Darvaza.
The early morning brings a different atmosphere to the desert, with cooler temperatures and softer natural light.
Breakfast at the Desert Camp
Return to the campsite for breakfast before preparing for the journey south towards Ashgabat.
Meet your guide and driver, pack your belongings and depart across the Karakum Desert.
Drive from Darvaza to Ashgabat
Travel approximately 270 km towards the capital, with an expected driving time of around 3.5–4.5 hours under suitable conditions.
The journey provides another opportunity to experience the remarkable scale of the Karakum Desert.
Your guide will share information about the landscapes, settlements and natural features of central Turkmenistan.
Visit the Water Crater and Mud Crater
Along the route, stop to discover two lesser-known features of the Darvaza desert region, subject to access and conditions.
Water Crater: Observe the unusual water-filled depression in the desert landscape.
Mud Crater: Discover another distinctive geological formation associated with the region's gas-bearing terrain.
These short visits add variety to the return journey and provide opportunities for photography.
Arrival in Ashgabat and Lunch
Continue south to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's capital and largest city.
Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and take a short break before your afternoon sightseeing.
Ashgabat — The White-Marble Capital
Begin exploring Ashgabat, a city famous for its broad avenues, striking white-marble buildings and impressive modern monuments.
Your private sightseeing programme will be adapted to your interests, arrival time and your guide's recommendations.
Depending on opening hours, your programme may include selected city landmarks and cultural attractions.
Ancient Nisa — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Continue to Ancient Nisa, situated near Ashgabat at the foothills of the Kopet Dag Mountains.
This remarkable archaeological site preserves the remains of an important centre of the ancient Parthian Empire.
Walk through accessible sections of the fortified complex while your guide explains the significance of the royal structures and archaeological discoveries made at the site.
Nisa offers a fascinating contrast to Ashgabat's modern architecture, illustrating the extraordinary depth of Turkmenistan's history.
Additional Ashgabat Sightseeing
If time permits, continue your exploration of the capital with visits or photo stops at selected monuments, public squares or cultural landmarks.
The final sightseeing programme will depend on the day's arrival time and local opening hours.
Dinner and Hotel Check-in
Enjoy a traditional dinner at a local restaurant before transferring to your hotel.
Relax after your desert adventure and prepare for the next day's Silk Road discoveries.
Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 4 — Ashgabat → Ancient Merv → Turkmenabat
08:00 AM — Departure from Ashgabat
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your private guide and driver.
Begin your journey east towards the Mary region, following the main highway connecting Ashgabat with the historic Merv oasis.
The drive covers approximately 360 km and generally takes around 3.5–4.5 hours, depending on road conditions.
Enjoy views of the surrounding plains and changing landscapes as you travel deeper into eastern Turkmenistan.
Lunch in Mary or Bayramaly
Upon reaching the Mary region, enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant.
Sample traditional Turkmen dishes before continuing towards one of Central Asia's most significant archaeological sites.
Ancient Merv — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Discover Ancient Merv, an extraordinary collection of archaeological remains preserving thousands of years of history.
Once one of the great centres of the Silk Road, Merv flourished as an important destination for merchants, scholars and rulers.
The surviving monuments illustrate the city's development under successive civilisations, particularly during the Seljuk period.
During your guided visit, explore the following historical attractions.
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
Visit the imposing 12th-century Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, among the finest surviving monuments of Seljuk architecture.
Admire its monumental proportions, historic brickwork and impressive dome while learning about the powerful Seljuk ruler buried here.
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala
Discover the remarkable remains of the Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala complexes.
These historic mud-brick buildings are especially recognised for their unusual corrugated exterior walls.
Your guide will explain their architectural characteristics and their place in the history of the Merv oasis.
Askhabs Mausoleums
Continue to the important Askhabs complex, associated with early Islamic history and religious traditions in the region.
Explore the monuments and learn about their cultural and historical significance.
Ancient Sardoba and Hammam
Discover remains of the sophisticated infrastructure that once supported life in the ancient city.
Explore features associated with historical bathing facilities and water-storage systems, offering insight into everyday life in the desert environment.
Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala
Complete your exploration with the ancient fortified settlements of Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala.
Observe their impressive earthen ramparts and learn how the urban centres of Merv expanded and changed over the centuries.
Additional archaeological remains may be visited if the schedule allows.
Continue to Turkmenabat
After completing your sightseeing, depart the Merv region and travel northeast towards Turkmenabat.
The onward journey covers approximately 240 km, with driving times usually around 2.5–3.5 hours depending on the selected route and local conditions.
Enjoy the changing scenery as you travel towards the Amu Darya region.
Evening Arrival in Turkmenabat
Arrive in Turkmenabat and transfer to your hotel.
After checking in, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and relax following a full day of historical exploration and overland travel.
Overnight: Hotel in Turkmenabat.
Day 5 — Turkmenabat → Dayahatyn Caravanserai → Amu Darya → Farap Border / Bukhara
07:00 AM — Early Departure from Turkmenabat
Begin your final day with an early departure towards Dayahatyn Caravanserai, one of the most fascinating medieval monuments in eastern Turkmenistan.
A breakfast box or an en-route breakfast stop can be arranged according to the confirmed hotel and departure schedule.
Travel north through the Lebap region, following landscapes once crossed by merchants moving between Amul and Khorezm.
Journey to Dayahatyn Caravanserai
The site lies approximately 170–210 km north of Turkmenabat, depending on the road and starting point used.
Allow around 3–4 hours for the outward journey, subject to road conditions.
Some sections involve uneven asphalt and unpaved desert tracks.
As you approach the historic caravanserai, the surrounding landscape reveals a quieter and more remote side of Turkmenistan.
Dayahatyn Caravanserai — A Medieval Silk Road Monument
Arrive at Dayahatyn Caravanserai, also known as Dayakhatyn or Daya Hatyn.
This remarkable architectural complex developed along the historic caravan route connecting Amul with Khorezm.
Its surviving structures reflect the rich architectural traditions of the 11th–12th century Seljuk period.
During your guided visit, discover the historic building and its remarkable decorative features.
Monumental Entrance Portal
Admire the surviving main entrance and learn how travellers once entered this important roadside complex.
Decorative Seljuk Brickwork
Examine the fascinating brick patterns that decorate the surviving architectural surfaces.
These details demonstrate the skill and creativity of medieval builders.
Central Courtyard and Chambers
Explore the historic courtyard and surviving rooms that once formed part of the caravanserai's accommodation and service facilities.
Ancient Trade Route History
Learn about the importance of caravanserais as places of shelter, trade and communication along the Silk Road.
Your guide will explain how merchants and caravans relied on such complexes while travelling between distant settlements.
Return Journey to Turkmenabat
After completing the guided visit, begin the return drive towards Turkmenabat.
Travel through the rural landscapes of Lebap Province, passing local settlements and agricultural areas along the Amu Darya region.
Late Lunch in Turkmenabat
Upon returning to the city, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
This is an opportunity to relax following the long desert excursion and sample regional Turkmen cuisine before departing for Uzbekistan.
Optional Turkmenabat Cultural Highlights
If your return time permits, enjoy a short introduction to additional attractions in Turkmenabat.
Lebap Regional History Museum: Discover archaeological finds, traditional crafts and ethnographic collections illustrating the history of eastern Turkmenistan.
Amul Fortress: Visit the surviving earthworks of the ancient Amul settlement, once an important trading centre connecting the Amu Darya region with the Silk Road.
These sightseeing stops are optional and depend on available time, museum opening hours and the planned border arrival.
Amu Darya River Photo Stop
On the way towards the Farap border, enjoy a short scenic stop near the Amu Darya River, where permitted.
This historic waterway has shaped the geography, agriculture and trade routes of Central Asia for centuries.
Transfer to Farap Border
Continue towards the Farap–Alat border crossing, approximately 40–45 km from Turkmenabat.
Your local team will assist with the applicable departure procedures and guide you through the permitted stages of border formalities.
After completing your exit from Turkmenistan, cross into Uzbekistan and continue towards Bukhara using your independently or separately arranged onward transfer.
Your five-day journey across Turkmenistan concludes at the Farap border.
End of Tour Services.
5-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 each at the 4-star Dashoguz Hotel, the 4-star Ak Altyn Hotel in Ashgabat and the 4-star Yupek Yoly Hotel in Turkmenabat, 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, 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 Kunya-Urgench, Izmukshir Fortress, Ashgabat, Ancient Nisa, Ancient Merv and Dayahatyn Caravanserai.
- 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 Dashoguz, Ashgabat and 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
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.
Turkmenabat — 1 Night
Ýüpek Ýoly Hotel 4★
Accommodation in Turkmenabat is arranged at Ýüpek Ýoly Hotel (Silk Way Hotel), a modern four-star property located in the city centre. The hotel offers comfortable, well-appointed guest rooms and a convenient location for travellers exploring the Lebap region.
We have selected this hotel for its modern facilities, comfortable accommodation and convenient access to Turkmenabat's main attractions.
Guests will spend one night here before departing early the following morning for the Dayahatyn Caravanserai excursion. Breakfast is included, with an early breakfast box available if required by the departure schedule. Twin, double or single rooms can be arranged 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.
Dashoguz — 1 Night
Dashoguz Hotel
Your first overnight stay is arranged at Dashoguz Hotel, an established hotel in the city of Dashoguz, northern Turkmenistan.
The property provides a convenient base for travellers exploring the historical monuments of Kunya-Urgench, the Izmukshir area and the cultural attractions of Dashoguz.
Dashoguz Hotel offers comfortable guest accommodation and breakfast, allowing you to relax after a full day of sightseeing before continuing your journey into the Karakum Desert.
Twin or double-room arrangements can be organised according to the confirmed booking.
