Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Fire in the Desert
Arrival in Ashgabat at Flight Time ___. After completing all procedures at the airport, the group immediately heads toward the Karakum Desert — to the legendary Darvaza gas crater.
The road will take several hours and pass through the evening desert landscapes, where the sun slowly sinks below the horizon, painting the sands in golden-pink shades.
Stop at the water crater Along the way, a short stop is planned at one of the gas craters — a water crater filled with turquoise water and releasing bubbling gases. This pause allows you to see another unusual natural anomaly of the Karakums and take impressive photographs.
Darvaza yurt camp By nightfall, you will arrive at a yurt camp near the main crater — Darvaza, known as the Gates of Hell. After check-in, dinner cooked over a campfire awaits you. A simple but atmospheric meal is especially impressive against the backdrop of the silent desert.
Evening excursion to the Darvaza crater When night fully covers the Karakums, you will head to the crater itself. Its giant fiery mouth is mesmerizing: the flames seem to breathe, lighting up the desert with orange flashes. This is the best time for photography and contemplation — the feeling is as if you are standing on the edge of another world.
The night will be spent in yurts (2-3 people) under a bright starry sky visible only far from city lights.
Distance of the day: 350 km
Day 2 Return to Ashgabat and city sightseeing
Early in the morning, after breakfast at the yurt camp, you depart back to Ashgabat. The road passes through the quiet morning Karakums, when the desert is especially calm and cool. Upon arrival in the city, lunch awaits you, after which a насыщенная sightseeing program begins covering the main attractions of the capital.
Independence Park A spacious area with monuments, fountains, and architectural ensembles symbolizing the modern history of Turkmenistan. An excellent place for a walk and знакомства with the symbolism of the capital.
Ruhnama Monument Dedicated to the book-symbol of an era of the same name. Here you will learn about its significance for the country and see an important cultural site of Turkmenistan.
Neutrality Arch One of the most recognizable landmarks of Ashgabat. Panoramic views of the city open from the observation deck, making it an excellent photo spot.
Lenin Monument One of the few preserved Soviet sculptures in Turkmenistan, representing an interesting historical contrast against the background of the modern architecture of the capital.
Ertogrul Gazy Mosque A majestic religious structure in Ottoman style with four minarets, white marble, and a spacious inner courtyard. The mosque makes a strong impression with its architecture and scale.
After the sightseeing program, dinner awaits you in one of the capital’s restaurants. Evening and night — at a hotel in Ashgabat, where you can rest after a busy day.
Distance of the day: 350 km
Day 3 From the Caspian Sea to Yangykala Canyon and Gozli-Ata
An early flight from Ashgabat at 06:00 will bring you to the shores of the Caspian Sea by 07:00, to Turkmenbashi airport. After arrival, breakfast awaits you in a restaurant with a beautiful sea view — an ideal way to welcome the morning and regain strength before a busy day.
Turkmenbashi city market After breakfast, you will go to the market, where you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the coastal city, see the variety of local goods, and purchase food for lunch and dinner. This is also an opportunity to try fresh fruits, sweets, or buy small souvenirs.
Yangykala Canyons Next begins the transfer to one of the most impressive natural landscapes of Turkmenistan — the Yangykala canyons. Along the way, you will see desert territories with grazing camels, and then fantastic shapes and colors of the canyons will open before you — red, white, and pinkish sheer walls resembling Martian landscapes.
Lunch at the viewpoint Lunch, purchased in advance at the market, will be arranged right at a site with a breathtaking view of the giant stone ridges. After lunch, several viewpoints are planned for photographs and full immersion in the beauty of the canyons.
Sacred place Gozli-Ata After completing the sightseeing, you will go to Gozli-Ata — a place of pilgrimage, where an overnight stay is planned in an air-conditioned yurt camp. Accommodation is simple, on mattresses on the floor, but comfortable; there is a shared toilet and shower on the territory.
In the evening, the guide and driver will prepare dinner — homemade, warm, and especially delicious after an active day in nature. A night in yurts will allow you to feel the atmosphere of silence and peace of the sacred places.
Distance of the day: 200-220 km
Day 4 Route to alien landscapes
In the morning, after breakfast at the yurt camp, you set off toward the small town of Serdar, located at the foothills of the Kopetdag. The road passes through calm desert landscapes and rural areas, where you can see traditional daily life and the unhurried rhythm of local residents.
Lunch on the way A simple but hearty meal is planned, allowing you to rest and regain strength before the next part of the route.
Moon Mountains After arrival in Serdar, you will head to a unique natural site — the Moon Mountains. Bizarre hills with shades of gray, blue, and white, and the soft curves of the relief create the feeling of an extraterrestrial surface. The landscape truly resembles frames from space missions, and here you can walk, take photos, and enjoy the calm and scale of the surrounding nature.
After visiting the Moon Mountains, you return to Serdar. In the evening, dinner in one of the local restaurants with national cuisine dishes and rest after a busy day.
Night — in a hotel in Serdar, where you can restore your strength before the next stages of the journey.
Distance of the day: 180-200 km
Day 5 Traces of history and the hot waters of Kow-Ata
The morning begins in Serdar; after breakfast, you set off toward Nokhur. Arrival is planned around 11:00, where acquaintance with the history and culture of the region awaits you.
Nokhur tribal cemetery An important place of pilgrimage for local residents, allowing you to feel the connection with the traditions and history of the region.
Kow-Ata underground lake On the way to lunch, a special stop is planned at the thermal underground lake Kow-Ata. The water here stays at 36C year-round, creating an amazing feeling of warmth and coziness surrounded by underground caves. This place is ideal for a short walk and photographs.
Lunch in the Kow-Ata area At 13:00, lunch is planned in a café with an opportunity to try local cuisine and regain strength before continuing the route.
Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum (Ashgabat) After arriving in Ashgabat, around 18:00, you will visit the main religious and cultural shrine of the country, where you can become more familiar with the history of modern Turkmenistan.
In the evening, around 20:00, dinner in one of Ashgabat’s restaurants, rest, and summing up the trip. Night — in a hotel in Ashgabat with comfortable accommodation.
Distance of the day: 250-270 km
Day 6 Ashgabat: history, culture, and traditions
The day begins with a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, after which you set off to see the capital from an unusual angle — from the Ferris wheel, which offers panoramic views of the entire city.
Ferris wheel (Ashgabat) It offers impressive panoramic views of the capital, its architectural ensembles, and green zones.
Earthquake Monument Symbolizes the restoration of Ashgabat after the devastating 1948 earthquake. Here you can learn about the city’s history and walk through the surrounding area.
Soviet War Memorial Complex and the historic city of Nisa A visit to the memorial complex, as well as to the ancient archaeological complex of Nisa, included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, will allow you to get acquainted with the rich history of the region and see preserved monuments of antiquity.
Equestrian complex — Akhal-Teke horses After lunch, you will visit an equestrian complex, where you can see the majestic Akhal-Teke horses, take photos, and learn about the traditions of Turkmen horse breeding.
Tolkuchka Bazaar (Ashgabat) The day ends with a visit to one of the largest markets in the capital. Here you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of local life, buy souvenirs, and try national dishes.
In the evening — dinner at a restaurant and rest at the hotel after a busy day.
Distance of the day: 50-70 km
Day 7 Merv: a journey into antiquity
Today you will travel from Ashgabat to the ancient city of Merv, one of the most important centers of the Great Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along the way, you can enjoy the endless desert landscapes and picturesque views of central Turkmenistan.
Lunch in Merv Upon arrival, lunch awaits you in a local cuisine restaurant, where you can try traditional regional dishes and regain strength before the excursion.
Excursion through ancient Merv The main part of the day is a visit to the ruins of the ancient city. You will walk through the territory of old fortresses, mosques, madrasahs, and other historical structures, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the ancient city, and feel the greatness of its history. The excursion will allow you to learn about people’s lives, trade routes, and the culture of the region over many centuries.
After a busy day — transfer back to Ashgabat, evening check-in at the hotel, and rest after the journey.
Distance of the day: 450-500 km
Day 8 Farewell to Turkmenistan
Today it is time to say goodbye to Turkmenistan. After breakfast, a transfer to Ashgabat airport awaits you. On the way, you can once again admire the city, remember the bright moments of the journey, and take your last photographs.
Your flight home concludes your trip, leaving you with many impressions of the Karakum deserts, the fiery craters of Darvaza, ancient cities, and the country’s cultural heritage.
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.
- – Entrance fees to Museums and others as per the tour. roughly not more 10$ per day if any.
- – 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)
- – 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
Serdar – 1 nights
Standart: Cynar Hotel
Gozli Ata – 1 nights
Standart: Shared yurts / individual accommodation in yurts or tents available upon request