Introduction
This 7 Day Turkmenistan Tour is the most complete journey for travelers who want to experience the country’s highlights in one trip. Starting in Ashgabat, the white marble capital, you will explore UNESCO-listed Nisa, the National Museum, and illuminated monuments of the city. The adventure continues north to the Darvaza Gas Crater, the “Gates of Hell,” where you will spend a night in yurts under the starry desert sky. Travel further to Kunya-Urgench, another UNESCO World Heritage site with mausoleums and minarets from the Golden Age of the Silk Road. On the western side of the country, witness the Martian landscapes of Yangikala Canyons and enjoy the Caspian coast at Turkmenbashi. Along the way, you will also visit the Kow-Ata underground lake, the mountain village of Nokhur, and swim in the healing waters of the cave. The tour finishes with a day in Ancient Merv, one of the most important Silk Road cities. This well-balanced itinerary combines history, culture, and natural wonders for an unforgettable 7 day adventure in Turkmenistan.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Ashgabat – Ancient Nisa – Ashgabat
- Transfer to the hotel from the Ashgabat Airport for a rest.
- 12:00 – Meeting at the hotel after guest’s rest
- 12:30 – Lunch at national restaurant – Introduction to Turkmen cuisine
- 14:00 – Ancient Nisa (UNESCO site) – Visit the capital of the ancient Parthian empire
- 16:00 – National Museum – World’s richest collection of Parthian gold
- 17:30 – Start sightseeing tour of Ashgabat – White marble city exploration (including Gypjak Mosque and Turkmenbashi Mausoleum)
- 20:00 – Dinner at national restaurant
- 21:30 – Night tour of Ashgabat city to enjoy beautiful illuminations
- 22:30 – Accommodation at 3★ hotel in Ashgabat
Day 2: Ashgabat – Darvaza
- 08:00 – Breakfast at hotel
- 09:00 – Continue Ashgabat sightseeing
- 14:00 – Departure to Darvaza (3-5 hours drive)
- 17:30 – Arrival in Darvaza, accommodation in yurts
- 17:50 – First introduction to Darvaza crater in daylight
- 18:30 – Dinner by campfire under starry sky
- 20:30 – Crater under starlight – witness the “Gates of Hell”
- Overnight in traditional yurts
Day 3: Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench – Ashgabat
- 06:30 – Breakfast in the desert
- 07:30 – Sunrise at the crater
- 08:00 – Transfer to Kunya-Urgench (400 km)
- 13:00 – Lunch at restaurant in Kunya-Urgench (instead of Dashoguz)
- 14:30 – Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO site) tour including and then transfer to Dashoguz airport:
- Kutlug-Timur Minaret (60 meters high)
- Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum
- Il-Arslan Mausoleum
- 19:50 – Flight to Ashgabat (arrive at the airport
- 21:30 – Dinner and accommodation at 3★ hotel in Ashgabat
Day 4: Ashgabat – Yangikala Canyon
- 07:00 – Breakfast at hotel
- 08:00 – Drive towards to Yangikala Canyon
- Lunch en route at roadside restaurant
- Quick stop at Gozli Ata shrines (if time allows)
- 17:30 – Arrival at Yangikala canyon in golden hour – Martian landscapes on Earth
- 18:30 – Drive to Turkmenbashi
- 20:30 – Dinner at restaurant with sea view
- 22:00 – Accommodation at hotel by the Caspian Sea
Day 5: Caspian Sea – Kov-Ata – Ashgabat
- 08:00 – Breakfast
- 09:00 – Avaza Resort: walk along the promenade
- 10:30 – Drive to Ashgabat
- 14:30 – en route lunch in mountain village Nokhur
- 17:00 – Kov-Ata Cave – swimming in thermal lake 40°C
- 20:30 – Dinner at a restaurant in Ashgabat
- 22:00 – Accommodation at 3★ hotel in Ashgabat
Day 6: Ashgabat – Ancient Merv – Ashgabat
- 06:00 – Early breakfast at hotel
- 07:00 – Transfer to Mary (ancient Merv) – 350 km
- 10:30 – Merv (UNESCO site) tour:
- Erk-Kala – ancient fortress from 3rd century BC
- Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum
- Kyz-Kala fortresses
- Ibn Zayd Mausoleum
- 13:00 – Lunch in Mary
- 15:00 – Return to Ashgabat
- 19:00 – Dinner at Ashgabat restaurant
- 21:00 – Accommodation at 3★ hotel in Ashgabat
Day 7: Ashgabat – Horse Riding – Airport Transfer
- 08:00 – Breakfast at hotel
- 09:00 – Horse riding on Akhal-Teke horses (1 hour)
- 10:30 – Last-minute shopping
- 12:00 – Quick lunch at restaurant
- 12:30 – Transfer to Ashgabat Airport (for 3:15pm flight)
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 – 4 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