Tour Overview
A 7-day Turkmenistan tour from Ashgabat is an unforgettable journey through the country's extraordinary landscapes, ancient Silk Road cities and fascinating cultural traditions. Starting at Ashgabat International Airport and finishing near Khiva or Nukus in Uzbekistan, this private adventure combines history, nature and authentic local experiences.
Explore Ashgabat's magnificent white-marble architecture before travelling by overnight sleeper train to the Caspian coast. Discover the dramatic red and pink cliffs of Yangykala Canyon, experience traditional village life in Nokhur and visit the naturally warm waters of Kow Ata Underground Lake. Continue to UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv, once an important Silk Road metropolis, before travelling into the Karakum Desert for an unforgettable night beside the Darvaza Gas Crater. Your journey concludes with the medieval monuments of Kunya-Urgench and a transfer to the Uzbekistan border. With experienced local guides, private transportation and carefully arranged accommodation, Darvaza Tour offers a memorable way to discover the highlights of Turkmenistan in just seven days.
7-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport & Welcome to Turkmenistan
✈️ Arrival in Ashgabat
Your seven-day adventure begins at Ashgabat International Airport (ASB), where you will complete the necessary passport control and immigration procedures before entering Turkmenistan.
🛂 Airport Welcome & Private Transfer
After completing the arrival formalities, meet your local Darvaza Tour representative at the airport. Our professional guide or driver will welcome you and arrange a comfortable private transfer to the city.
🍽️ Welcome Dinner or Hotel Check-in
Depending on your international flight schedule, enjoy your first taste of Turkmen hospitality with an evening meal at a local restaurant. Discover traditional Turkmen dishes and discuss the exciting journey ahead with your guide.
For late-night arrivals, we will arrange a direct transfer to your hotel, allowing you to settle in and rest before the following day's sightseeing.
🏨 Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 2 — Ashgabat City Tour & Overnight Sleeper Train to Turkmenbashi
🍽️ Breakfast & Hotel Check-out
Begin the morning with breakfast at your hotel. After checking out, meet your guide for a private exploration of Ashgabat, the remarkable capital of Turkmenistan.
🏛️ Discover Ashgabat — The White Marble City
Spend the day experiencing the distinctive character of a city famous for its striking white-marble buildings, impressive monuments, wide boulevards and beautifully maintained public spaces.
Your sightseeing programme will be carefully adapted to your interests, available time and the recommendations of your experienced local guide.
Possible highlights include Independence Monument, Neutrality Monument, the impressive Ertogrul Gazi Mosque, local markets and other cultural landmarks.
Your guide will balance sightseeing with opportunities for photography, learning about local traditions and discovering the history behind Ashgabat's extraordinary architecture.
🍽️ Lunch & Evening Meal
Take a relaxed lunch break at a local restaurant serving Turkmen or Central Asian cuisine.
In the late afternoon, enjoy an early dinner or purchase takeaway food and snacks for your overnight train journey.
🚆 17:50 — Overnight Train to Turkmenbashi
Transfer to Ashgabat Railway Station and prepare for your overnight railway journey west toward Turkmenbashi, situated on the Caspian Sea.
The planned departure is at approximately 17:50, subject to confirmation of the official railway timetable.
Travel in a comfortable four-berth sleeper compartment, with bedding and space to relax throughout the journey. A private compartment can be arranged for your booking when availability permits.
🌃 Overnight: Sleeper train from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi.
Day 3 — Turkmenbashi → Caspian Sea → Yangykala Canyon → Balkan Region
🚆 08:05 — Arrival in Turkmenbashi
Arrive at Turkmenbashi Railway Station in the morning, where your private driver will meet you and assist with your luggage.
Today is dedicated to the dramatic natural scenery of western Turkmenistan, combining the Caspian coastline with the extraordinary desert landscapes of Yangykala Canyon.
🌊 Turkmenbashi City & Caspian Coast
Begin with an introductory drive through Turkmenbashi, an important port city with a history shaped by its location on the Caspian Sea.
Admire historical limestone buildings, photograph the distinctive railway station dating from the late nineteenth century and enjoy views of the Caspian coastline.
An optional visit to the Awaza seaside resort may be arranged if access is permitted and sufficient time is available.
🍽️ Lunch in Turkmenbashi
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before leaving the coast. Depending on the restaurant and seasonal availability, you may have the opportunity to try local fish dishes or traditional Turkmen cuisine.
🚗 Journey Across the Desert Plateau
Continue inland toward Yangykala Canyon, approximately 165 kilometres from Turkmenbashi. The journey usually takes around 2.5–3 hours, depending on the selected route and road conditions.
The changing terrain reveals the remote beauty of the western Karakum Desert, with open plains, limestone hills and dramatic geological formations.
🏛️ Optional Visit to Gozli Ata
If the schedule permits, stop at the revered Gozli Ata pilgrimage site, located amid striking desert cliffs.
This optional visit offers an insight into Turkmenistan's religious traditions and the spiritual importance of the surrounding landscape.
🏜️ Explore Yangykala Canyon
Discover one of Turkmenistan's most extraordinary natural landmarks.
Yangykala, often described as the country's Grand Canyon, is famous for its immense layers of red, pink, orange and white rock, shaped by geological processes over millions of years.
Walk along selected viewpoints with your guide, admire the scale of the canyon walls and capture unforgettable photographs of the colourful formations.
The canyon landscape preserves evidence of an ancient marine environment associated with the prehistoric Tethys Ocean.
Please note that reaching some viewpoints requires driving along uneven, unpaved desert roads.
🍽️ Evening Meal & Transfer to Hotel
Depending on weather conditions and the day's timing, enjoy a packed picnic meal in the surrounding canyon landscape or dinner at a local restaurant after returning to the main road.
Continue toward Balkanabat or another suitable hotel location in the Balkan Region, approximately 2–2.5 hours from the canyon area.
🏨 Overnight: Hotel in the Balkan Region.
Day 4 — Balkan Region → Nokhur Village → Kow Ata Underground Lake → Ashgabat
🍽️ Breakfast & Morning Departure
After breakfast at your hotel, continue east along the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains.
Today's programme combines traditional mountain culture, beautiful scenery and a unique underground natural attraction.
🏔️ Discover Nokhur Mountain Village
Leave the main highway and follow a scenic mountain road toward Nokhur, one of the most distinctive traditional settlements in Turkmenistan.
The village is known for its preserved customs, mountain surroundings and cultural traditions.
Explore the local cemetery, where graves are decorated with mountain goat horns, a characteristic feature associated with Nokhur's cultural heritage.
Walk through the village, observe traditional daily life and learn from your guide about the history and customs of its residents.
🍽️ Traditional Village Lunch
Enjoy a home-style Turkmen lunch with a local family or at a nearby restaurant, depending on arrangements.
This is an opportunity to experience regional cuisine and hospitality away from the capital.
Mountain access is weather-dependent. If heavy rain, snow or unsafe road conditions prevent a visit, the programme will be adjusted accordingly.
♨️ Kow Ata Underground Lake
Continue toward Kow Ata, one of Turkmenistan's most unusual natural attractions.
Descend into a large limestone cave containing a naturally heated, mineral-rich underground lake.
The lake is known for its warm waters, generally around 35°C, and its distinctive underground atmosphere.
If swimming is permitted and conditions are suitable, enjoy time in the thermal water before returning to the surface.
Visitors should be comfortable using the cave stairs, and swimming remains optional.
🚗 Return to Ashgabat
After visiting Kow Ata, drive back toward Ashgabat, approximately 90 kilometres away.
🍽️ Dinner in the Capital
Spend the evening at a local restaurant, enjoying traditional Turkmen food after an eventful day in the mountains.
🏨 Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 5 — Ashgabat → Ancient Merv (UNESCO) → Ashgabat
🍽️ Breakfast & Departure to Ancient Merv
After breakfast, meet your guide and set out on a full-day excursion to Ancient Merv, one of Central Asia's most important historical and archaeological destinations.
Travel east along the Ashgabat–Mary motorway, approximately 367 kilometres, with an estimated driving time of around four hours each way.
🏛️ Discover the Ancient Silk Road City of Merv
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological complex of Ancient Merv, once a major centre of learning, commerce and culture on the Great Silk Road.
Unlike a single preserved medieval city, Merv consists of several historic settlements that developed across different periods, providing an exceptional glimpse into the region's long and fascinating history.
Your guided archaeological visit includes:
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
Admire the monumental twelfth-century mausoleum of Sultan Ahmad Sanjar, one of the finest surviving architectural achievements of the Seljuk period.
Its massive proportions and impressive dome demonstrate the importance of Merv during the height of Seljuk power.
Greater & Lesser Kyz Kala
Visit the remarkable remains of these ancient mud-brick structures, instantly recognisable by their unusual corrugated exterior walls.
Your guide will explain their historical significance and the architectural features that make them among the most photographed ruins of Ancient Merv.
Askhabs Mausoleums & Ancient Sardoba
Explore the historic religious complex associated with the companions of the Prophet Muhammad.
Nearby, discover remnants of ancient water-storage systems that helped sustain communities in this challenging desert environment.
Erk Kala & Gyaur Kala
Discover two of Merv's most important ancient urban sites, where surviving earthen fortifications reveal the impressive scale of earlier settlements.
Selected viewpoints offer memorable perspectives across the surrounding archaeological landscape.
🍽️ Lunch in Mary or Bayramaly
Take a break for lunch at a regional restaurant and enjoy traditional Turkmen cuisine.
Additional archaeological stops may be included if time, access conditions and guest interests allow.
🚗 Return Journey to Ashgabat
Following the historical tour, travel back to the capital along the motorway.
Enjoy the changing desert landscape during the return drive, arriving in Ashgabat in the evening.
🍽️ Evening Dinner & Rest
After a rewarding day exploring the Silk Road heritage of Turkmenistan, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel.
🏨 Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 6 — Ashgabat → Water & Mud Craters → Darvaza Gas Crater
🍽️ Breakfast & Hotel Check-out
Start the day with breakfast before checking out of your hotel.
This morning provides an opportunity to enjoy a final introduction to Ashgabat's local culture before setting off into the Karakum Desert.
🛍️ Morning Sightseeing & Local Bazaar
Depending on your interests, your guide can arrange additional city sightseeing or a visit to a local market.
Browse traditional products, purchase souvenirs or collect fresh fruit and snacks for the desert journey.
🍽️ Lunch in Ashgabat
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before beginning the adventure north.
🚙 Travel into the Karakum Desert
Leave Ashgabat and drive toward the Darvaza Gas Crater, located approximately 270 kilometres north of the capital.
The journey normally takes around 3.5–4.5 hours, depending on road conditions and scheduled stops.
As the city gradually disappears behind you, experience the remarkable open landscapes of the Karakum Desert.
Some sections of the journey involve rough and uneven roads. Your driver will adjust the pace to the terrain and prevailing conditions.
💧 Water Crater & Mud Crater
Along the way, stop to see two unusual geological features of the desert.
The Water Crater offers a surprising contrast to the surrounding dry landscape, while the Mud Crater provides another fascinating example of the region's geological character.
Enjoy short photography stops before continuing to the main attraction.
🔥 Arrival at the Darvaza Gas Crater — Door to Hell
Reach one of Turkmenistan's most recognisable natural and industrial landmarks, the Darvaza Gas Crater.
Famous for its burning gas and extraordinary appearance, the crater has become an iconic destination for travellers exploring Central Asia.
Enjoy time at the viewing area as daylight fades and the desert landscape transforms at sunset.
The experience is particularly atmospheric after dark, when visible flames and glowing sections of the crater stand out against the night sky. Flame intensity may vary.
🍢 Traditional Desert BBQ Dinner
Gather at the campsite for an outdoor barbecue prepared by the local team.
Enjoy dinner, conversations and the peaceful atmosphere of the desert far from the busy streets of the capital.
🌌 Evening Photography & Stargazing
After dinner, spend time admiring the night scenery, taking photographs and enjoying the remarkable atmosphere of the Karakum Desert.
⛺ Overnight: Traditional Turkmen yurt or comfortable tent campsite near Darvaza Gas Crater.
Day 7 — Darvaza Gas Crater → Kunya-Urgench → Shavat Border / Khiva or Hojaili Border / Nukus
🌅 Optional Sunrise Visit to Darvaza
Early risers may enjoy one final excursion to a designated crater viewpoint before sunrise.
Experience the quiet desert landscape in the soft morning light and capture memorable photographs before leaving Darvaza.
🍽️ Breakfast at the Desert Camp
Return to your camp for a freshly prepared breakfast.
After packing your belongings, begin the northbound journey toward Kunya-Urgench.
🚙 Desert Journey to Kunya-Urgench
Travel across the Karakum Desert toward the historic city of Kunya-Urgench, once an important political and cultural centre of the Khorezm region.
Depending on road and seasonal conditions, the journey follows either the shorter desert route of approximately 260 kilometres or a longer route via Dashoguz.
Allow approximately 4–5.5 hours or longer if road conditions require a diversion.
🏛️ Explore Kunya-Urgench — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Discover the outstanding medieval monuments of Kunya-Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its remarkable Islamic architecture and historical importance.
Your guided visit includes:
Kutlug-Timur Minaret
Admire the towering medieval minaret, one of the most impressive surviving structures associated with historic Khorezm.
Learn about its architectural design and its importance within the former city.
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum
Explore this beautifully decorated mausoleum, celebrated for the remarkable geometric patterns and colourful tilework of its interior dome.
The building is considered one of the architectural highlights of Kunya-Urgench.
Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh
Visit the distinctive brick mausoleum with its striking conical dome, an important monument of the Khorezmshah period.
Mausoleum of Il-Arslan
Discover another impressive example of medieval funerary architecture, famous for its decorated brickwork and carefully proportioned design.
Ancient Caravanserai Gate
View the surviving monumental gateway associated with the city's trading past, recalling the merchants and travellers who once crossed Central Asia along the Silk Road.
🍽️ Lunch in Kunya-Urgench
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing toward the Uzbekistan border.
🚗 Border Transfer — Two Possible Routes
Your final transfer will be arranged according to your onward travel destination and the border crossings authorised for your journey.
Option A — Shavat Border / Khiva
Travel south through the Dashoguz region toward the Shavat border crossing, approximately 130 kilometres from Kunya-Urgench.
This option is recommended for travellers continuing to Khiva or Urgench in Uzbekistan.
Option B — Hojaili Border / Nukus
When the Hojaili border crossing is confirmed to be available for your nationality, travel documents and intended exit, a transfer can be arranged toward the crossing near Kunya-Urgench.
This option is suitable for onward travel toward Nukus or Muynak.
🛂 Turkmenistan Border Departure Assistance
Upon reaching your confirmed border checkpoint, your local team will provide guidance and assistance with the Turkmenistan-side departure procedures in accordance with border regulations.
After completing the formalities, continue into Uzbekistan and proceed toward your onward destination.
End of Tour Services — Thank you for travelling with Darvaza Tour!
7-Day Tour Price
Price per person based on the total number of travelers in the group.
1 Traveler
US$ 1,924
per person
2 Travelers
US$ 1,332
per person
3 Travelers
US$ 1,277
per person
4 Travelers
US$ 1,130
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: three nights at the 4-star Ak Altyn Hotel in Ashgabat and one night in a hotel in the Balkan region, with breakfast, based on twin-room sharing according to guests’ gender unless another room arrangement is agreed.
- Overnight train: sleeper-train ticket from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi in a 4-berth compartment.
- 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, including suitable vehicles for the desert and canyon routes.
- Transfers: pick-up at Ashgabat International Airport, railway station, intercity and sightseeing transfers, and the final transfer to the Shavat or Khojeyli border.
- 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 Ashgabat, Yangykala Canyon, Nokhur, Kow Ata, Ancient Merv, the Water and Mud Craters and Kunya-Urgench.
- 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 flight arrival, train schedules, border processing, road conditions, weather 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.
- Arrival fees: about US$49 per person (migration registration and medical check), paid in cash at Ashgabat International Airport on arrival.
- International flights: flights arriving in Ashgabat are not included unless separately agreed.
- Meals: lunches, dinners, food on the train, the picnic near Yangykala and any meals not listed under Price includes. Allow about USD 3–8 per person per meal; actual restaurant prices vary.
- Kow Ata swimming: if you wish to swim in the underground lake, a small local fee may apply.
- 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.
Overnight Train — 1 night
Ashgabat → Turkmenbashi Sleeper Train
Travel overnight from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi, a coastal city on the Caspian Sea, in a comfortable 4-berth sleeper compartment.
Even for solo travellers or couples, Darvaza Tour will arrange a full 4-berth compartment exclusively for your booking whenever availability allows, providing additional privacy, comfort and personal space throughout the journey.
The sleeper compartment is designed for overnight travel and includes comfortable sleeping berths, clean bedding and pillows, allowing you to relax and enjoy a restful night while travelling across the landscapes of western Turkmenistan.
The overnight train offers a practical and authentic way to experience Turkmenistan's railway system while travelling from the capital to the Caspian coast.
The exact train departure and arrival times, compartment arrangements and carriage allocation will be reconfirmed before travel according to the official railway schedule and ticket availability.
Ashgabat — 3 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.
Balkan Region — 1 night
Overnight accommodation in Balkanabat or a suitable nearby hotel, selected according to the confirmed route and room availability.
