Introduction

This 6 day Ashgabat based tour is a compact, all in one program for travelers who want to experience Turkmenistan’s top highlights comfortably and efficiently. Designed originally as a full All Included private tour, it is now available for both private and group travelers. In six days you visit Merv, Yangykala Canyon, Awaza, Nokhur Village, Kow Ata, Ashgabat’s main sights, and spend a night at the Darvaza Gas Crater covering mountains, desert, sea, culture, and history in one smooth and well-balanced journey.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Ashgabat – City Tour – Ancient Merv – Return to Ashgabat

Upon arrival in Ashgabat, we take you to your hotel, Ak Altyn or Bagt Köşgi, to leave your luggage. I believe Ak Altyn will be your hotel, because it’s very comfortable, with the best service.
After a short rest, you’ll meet your wonderful guide and start your beautiful city tour.
The first things we visit are the Independence Monument and the Arch of Neutrality the most important symbols of Ashgabat.
Then we go to the National Museum of Turkmenistan one of the most beautiful and interesting places in the capital. When travelers first arrive in Turkmenistan, they often don’t know what this country is, who we are, and how everything began. This museum will tell you that story, and your guide will explain everything clearly and warmly.
After the museum, we drive to the Wedding Palace (Bagt Köşgi) and the Art Monument, take some photos, and then continue to the new Magtymguly Cultural Park.
Magtymguly is our greatest poet people call him the “Turkmen Pushkin.” His monument is large and full of spirit, a must-see for every visitor.
Around noon, we visit Old Nisa, the ancient Parthian capital (UNESCO World Heritage).
After that, lunch will be served in a local restaurant delicious Turkmen food.
In the afternoon, we start our drive toward Mary using the new toll highway. The road is excellent and smooth. Then another short drive brings us to Ancient Merv, one of the most important Silk Road cities.
We plan to arrive before sunset so you can take beautiful photos in golden light.
In Merv, we visit Kyz-Kala, Erk-Kala, Gyaur-Kala, and the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar. If there’s still time, we’ll stop at the small Kyz-Kala and look for some souvenirs.
After sightseeing, we have dinner in Mary you can try national Turkmen dishes or European ones if you prefer.
Then we drive back to Ashgabat by highway.
Check-in at Ak Altyn Hotel, one of the best and most caring hotels in Ashgabat.
Overnight in Ashgabat.

Day 2 – Ashgabat – Gozli Ata – Yangykala Canyon (Sunset) – Overnight in Turkmenbashy

Early breakfast and departure west.
We will make our way through the desert and countryside, watching camels, passing small villages, maybe playing music in the car the road will never feel boring.
Along the way, locals sell fruit and snacks, and we’ll stop for a tasty lunch at our partner café.
We visit Gozli Ata, a holy shrine in the middle of the desert. He was a respected man, almost a prophet in these lands, and the site is full of peace.
Then we continue to Yangykala Canyon.
We arrive at the perfect time when the sun paints the cliffs in red, pink, and orange.
The wind is fresh, the silence powerful, and the view looks like a movie scene.
We’ll take time to photograph every corner you are the artist here, and this is your canvas.
Later, we drive to Turkmenbashy on the Caspian Sea.
Check into Beýik Ýüpek Ýoly Hotel (Grand Silk Road) the best standard hotel in Turkmenbashy, near the sea, very comfortable and clean.
Enjoy a calm evening and good sleep after a wonderful day of nature, color, and photography.

Day 3 – Awaza – Tolkun Restaurant – Nokhur Village – Sharlawuk Waterfall – Kow-Ata Lake – Return to Ashgabat

Wake-up and breakfast at the hotel the buffet is rich: cheeses, cold cuts, fruits, everything like in Switzerland.
After breakfast, we drive to Awaza, the modern seaside resort on the Caspian.
We added it especially because you are a photographer the morning light on the Caspian is perfect.
Then we visit Tolkun Restaurant, one of the best in Turkmenbashy, right by the sea.
You can try fresh local fish, salmon, or other seafood everything is cooked perfectly.
After lunch, we begin the long but beautiful drive back toward Ashgabat, passing through amazing landscapes.
We will stop in Nokhur Village, high in the Kopetdag Mountains.
The people of Nokhur are ancient Turkmen tribes, living traditionally for centuries.
You will see the legendary plane trees, the Gyz-Bibi holy place, and locals selling healing herbs and pure mountain honey.
Then we continue to Sharlawuk Waterfall, also known as the “Mountain of Love.”
It’s a romantic, peaceful spot surrounded by cliffs.
After that, we visit Kow-Ata Underground Lake, a natural hot spring inside a huge cave.
The water stays around 37–38°C all year. Don’t forget your swimwear!
While you enjoy your swim, your driver and guide prepare a barbecue dinner and tünç tea over a campfire.
We set up a tapchan where you can relax and enjoy dinner Turkmen-style.
After dinner, we drive back to Ashgabat with music and good energy.
Arrival and overnight at Ak Altyn Hotel.

Day 4 – Ashgabat City & Bazaar – Drive to Darvaza Gas Crater (Overnight in Yurt)

After breakfast, we start the day with Ashgabat’s culture and local life.
We visit the Carpet Museum, where you’ll see the world’s largest handmade Turkmen carpet and carpets from all regions.
Then we go to the Russian Bazaar, the liveliest market in Ashgabat.
Here you can buy telpek hats, traditional dresses, and souvenirs.
You can taste Turkmen melons there’s one funny man who always says his melons are “the original originals!”
From our company, we’ll gift you some dried melon to take home.
We also buy shashlik, drinks, and snacks for the Darvaza night.
After lunch, we switch to 4×4 vehicles and drive north into the Karakum Desert.
Along the way, we visit the Mud Crater and Water Crater, then continue to the main highlight — the Darvaza Gas Crater.
We arrive before sunset to watch the “Gates of Hell” begin to glow.
As night falls, the view becomes magical fire in the desert, stars above.
Your driver and guide prepare dinner barbecue, tea, maybe a cold beer.
We sit near the crater and enjoy the silence and heat of the flames.
Overnight in a warm traditional yurt, about 400 meters from the crater.

Day 5 – Darvaza Sunrise – Return to Ashgabat – City Tour

Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the crater.
We can arrange a camel-caravan photo session.
After breakfast, we drive back to Ashgabat.
Arrival in the city, lunch in a local restaurant, and check-in at your hotel for a short rest.
In the afternoon, we continue exploring the white city:
Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque and Mausoleum
Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center (indoor Ferris wheel)
Olympic Village
Lenin Monument
If you wish, we can customize the program for photography or more local experiences.
Overnight in Ashgabat (Ak Altyn Hotel).

Day 6 – Departure

Early wake-up, breakfast, and transfer to Ashgabat International Airport.
We help with check-in and say goodbye warmly.
We are truly happy that you visited our sunny country the land of fire, mountains, sea, tea, and kind people.
We hope you take with you the best memories, and one day, we will welcome you again in Turkmenistan.
Safe travels and thank you for choosing us.

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 ($3-8/ 1meal/ 1person)
– Entrance fees to Museums and others as per the tour. roughly not more 10$ per day if any.
– Tips. Tips are welcomed

Accommodation

Ashgabat – 3 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

Turkmenbashy – 1 nights

Standart: Beyik Yupek yoly / Nebitchi

Comfort: Carlak Hotel

6 Day Tour: Ashgabat – Merv – Yangykala – Awaza – Nokhur Village – Kow Ata – Darvaza – Ashgabat Airport