Introduction
This 6 Day Turkmenistan Tour covers the country’s most iconic highlights, from desert wonders to Silk Road history and the Caspian Sea. Begin at the Shavat border and experience the fiery Darvaza Gas Crater with dinner and an overnight in yurts. Continue to Ashgabat, the white-marble capital with UNESCO-listed Nisa, museums, and monuments. Travel to ancient Merv, explore Turkmenbashi on the Caspian coast, and marvel at the colorful Yangikala canyons before concluding your journey with departure from Ashgabat.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Shavat Border – Darvaza
- Meet at the border with Uzbekistan near Khiva and Urgench, the Shavat border crossing point.
- After completing border formalities, you will drive to Dashoguz city for lunch.
- Following lunch, we will start our journey to Darvaza (approximately 300km, 7 hours drive), also known as the “Gates of Hell”. The road is currently undergoing repairs, which may affect travel time.
- Upon arrival, you will have some free time around the Crater before dinner at a nearby Yurt camp.
- Overnight will be at Darvaza in Yurts or tents.
Day 2: Darvaza – Ashgabat (City Tour)
- After breakfast at Darvaza, we will continue driving towards Ashgabat (approximately 300km, 5 hours drive), the capital city of Turkmenistan.
- On the way, we will make stops to visit two other craters, namely the Water Crater and the Mud Crater, and also visit a local village in the desert where goats and camels are kept.
- Upon arrival in Ashgabat, you will have lunch at a local restaurant.
- In the afternoon, we will begin our comprehensive sightseeing tour of Ashgabat, one of the most unusual cities in the world, known for its Guinness World Record as the city with the most white marble buildings. We will explore the main attractions of Ashgabat, which may include the National Museum, Museum of Carpets, various Monuments, and other key sites.
- Dinner will be at a traditional restaurant in Ashgabat.
- Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 3: Ashgabat – Merv – Ashgabat
- After breakfast at the hotel, we will embark on a full-day trip towards Merv, an ancient great city of the Silk Road and one of the most magnificent cities from the Persian and Islamic periods. The drive from Ashgabat to Mary is approximately 388km, taking around 4 hours on a very good paid highway. Merv is located very close to Mary city.
- Lunch will be at a restaurant near Merv city.
- We will then begin our sightseeing of Merv, exploring main destinations such as Gyz-Gala, Askhabi mausoleums, the ancient castles of Gyaur Kala and Erk Kala, and the mausoleum of Soltan Sanjar, among other significant historical sites.
- After sightseeing, we will drive back to Ashgabat.
- Dinner will be at a restaurant in Ashgabat.
- Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 4: Ashgabat – Turkmenbashi
- After breakfast, we will drive northwest from Ashgabat towards Turkmenbashi. The drive from Ashgabat to Balkanabat is approximately 430km (5 hours drive), and then another 150km (1.5 hours drive) to Turkmenbashi, with good road conditions throughout.
- During our journey, we will make sure to include visits to Kow Ata and Nokhur Village, both of which are located along the Ashgabat – Turkmenbashi highway.
- Upon arrival in Turkmenbashi, which is a beautiful city on the Caspian Sea shore, you will check into your hotel.
- Free time in the city and dinner at a local restaurant.
- Overnight in Turkmenbashi.
Day 5: Turkmenbashi – Yangikala – Ashgabat
- After breakfast, we will drive from Turkmenbashi to the stunning Yangikala Canyons (approximately 142km, 2 hours drive), where the road conditions can be bad.
- You will have time for sightseeing and enjoying the spectacular views of the canyons.
- Following our visit to Yangikala, we will continue our journey towards Ashgabat on the same day. The route will take us from Yangikala directly to Balkanabat and then to Ashgabat, without returning to Turkmenbashi.
- Upon arrival in Ashgabat, you will check into your hotel.
- Dinner will be at a restaurant in Ashgabat.
- Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 6: Ashgabat – International Airport
- Depending on your flight schedule, you will have free time in Ashgabat before your transfer to Ashgabat International Airport.
- International flights from Ashgabat typically depart at night, often after midnight.
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