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From Ashgabat · Start at the Airport

Turkmenistan Tours from Ashgabat

Flying into Ashgabat? Start your trip in the white-marble capital, then head north for a night by the burning Darvaza Gas Crater, walk through Ancient Merv, or continue overland to Khiva and Bukhara.

7-day trip from Ashgabat to Khiva Your guide meets you at the airport e-Visa support included

Ashgabat to Khiva: Our Most Popular Trip

Seven days across the whole country — from the white-marble capital to the Caspian canyons, Ancient Merv and the burning crater, finishing at the border with Khiva.

Tour group at the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque near Ashgabat on the 7-day tour from Ashgabat to Khiva Most popular from Ashgabat
7 days · 6 nights Sleeper train to the Caspian Ends at the Khiva border

7-Day Tour from Ashgabat to Khiva

Ashgabat → Yangykala Canyon → Ancient Merv → Darvaza Gas Crater → Kunya-Urgench → Khiva

  • Airport pick-up and the white-marble capital
  • Yangykala Canyon, Nokhur and Kow Ata
  • Ancient Merv and Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO)
  • A night by the Darvaza Gas Crater

From

US$1,130per person

Group of 4 · US$1,924 for a solo traveller

2–3 Day Tours from Ashgabat

Short on time? See Darvaza and Ancient Merv in a quick loop from the capital, explore the canyons of the west, or cross the country to Khiva or Bukhara.

2-Day

Private / Small Group

2-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat to Bukhara via Ancient Merv

Available from: Ashgabat

Travel from Ashgabat to Bukhara on a private 2-day Turkmenistan journey combining the white-marble capital, UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv and a convenient Farap border exit.

1 traveler — US$ 917 pp

4+ travelers — US$ 486 pp

3-Day

Private / Small Group

3-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat to Khiva via Darvaza & Kunya-Urgench

Available from: Ashgabat

Travel from Ashgabat to Uzbekistan on a private 3-day journey through the Karakum Desert, Darvaza Gas Crater and UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench, finishing near Khiva or Nukus.

1 traveler — US$ 1089 pp

4+ travelers — US$ 532 pp

3-Day

Private / Small Group

3-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat: Darvaza Gas Crater & Ancient Merv

Available from: Ashgabat

This 3-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat combines the Darvaza Gas Crater, the highlights of Ashgabat and UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv in one compact private itinerary.

International tourists meeting a Turkmen wedding party in traditional clothing during their Ashgabat city tour

3-Day

Private / Small Group

3-Day Western Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat: Yangykala Canyon, Nokhur & Kow Ata

Available from: Ashgabat

Discover western Turkmenistan on a private 3-day journey from Ashgabat featuring the Caspian coast, Yangykala Canyon, Nokhur mountain village and Kow Ata Underground Lake.

darvaza gas crater1

3-Day

Private / Small Group

3-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat: Kunya-Urgench & Darvaza

Available from: Ashgabat

Travel from Ashgabat to UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench and the Darvaza Gas Crater on a private 3-day Turkmenistan tour with a domestic flight, desert yurt stay and return to Ashgabat.

Travellers walking towards the corrugated mud-brick walls of Great Kyz Kala at Ancient Merv

3-Day

Private / Small Group

3-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat to Khiva via Darvaza

Available from: Ashgabat

Explore Turkmenistan in 3 days from Ashgabat to Khiva or Nukus. Discover Ashgabat, camp at Darvaza Gas Crater and visit UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench.

Travelers photographing the green water crater near Darvaza during a guided tour through the Karakum Desert

3-Day

Private / Small Group

3-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat to Bukhara via Darvaza & Merv

Available from: Ashgabat

Travel from Ashgabat to Bukhara in 3 days, exploring the Darvaza Gas Crater, white-marble Ashgabat and UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv with a private guide.

4–5 Day Tours from Ashgabat

More time for the highlights: Ancient Merv, the Darvaza Gas Crater and the colourful Yangykala Canyon — with routes back to Ashgabat airport or on to Khiva.

Golden Alabay dog monument in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

4-Day

Private / Small Group

4-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat: Merv & Darvaza

Available from: Ashgabat

Explore Turkmenistan in 4 days from Ashgabat. Discover Ancient Merv, visit Darvaza Gas Crater and enjoy private city tours, cultural experiences and yurt camping.

1 traveler — US$ pp

Panoramic view of the mud-brick ruins of Ancient Nisa near Ashgabat with the Kopet Dag Mountains rising in the background

4-Day

Private / Small Group

4-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat: Yangykala Canyon & Merv

Available from: Ashgabat

Explore Turkmenistan in 4 days from Ashgabat. Visit Yangykala Canyon, the Caspian coast, Nokhur, Kow Ata and UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv on a private tour.

Visitors walking near the waterfall in Nokhur village, Turkmenistan, at the foot of the so-called "Mountains of Love".

4-Day

Private / Small Group

4-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat: Yangykala & Merv

Available from: Ashgabat

Discover Turkmenistan in 4 days from Ashgabat. Explore Yangykala Canyon, the Caspian coast, Nokhur, Kow Ata and UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv on a private tour.

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5-Day

Private / Small Group

5-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat: Darvaza, Yangykala & Merv

Available from: Ashgabat

Explore Turkmenistan in 5 days from Ashgabat. Visit Darvaza Gas Crater, Yangykala Canyon and UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv, with desert camping and an overnight train.

Ornate interior dome, chandeliers and Islamic decorations inside Ertugrul Gazi Mosque in Ashgabat

5-Day

Private / Small Group

5-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat to Khiva: Merv, Gonur Depe & Darvaza

Available from: Ashgabat

Explore Turkmenistan in 5 days from Ashgabat to Khiva or Nukus. Discover Ancient Merv, Gonur Depe, Darvaza Gas Crater and UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench.
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Longer Journeys from Ashgabat (8–9 Days)

For travellers who want to see it all — more days on the Caspian coast, Koytendag in the far east, or our grand tour of the whole country.

Monumental white marble architecture, statues and landscaped grounds in central Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

9-Day

Private / Small Group

9-Day Grand Turkmenistan Tour: Ashgabat, Yangykala, Koytendag, Merv & Darvaza

Available from: Ashgabat

Explore Turkmenistan from west to east on a 9-day expedition combining Yangykala Canyon, Koytendag’s dinosaur footprints, Ancient Merv, Ashgabat and the Darvaza Gas Crater.

1 traveler — US$ 3027 pp

4+ travelers — US$ 1698 pp

9-Day

Private / Small Group

9-Day Turkmenistan Tour: Ashgabat, Yangykala, Merv, Kunya-Urgench & Darvaza

Available from: Ashgabat

This 9-Day Turkmenistan Tour is designed for travelers who want to experience several of the country’s most important historical, cultural and natural highlights in one journey.

1 traveler — US$ 2375 pp

4+ travelers — US$ 1458 pp

Ashgabat Wedding Palace in daylight featuring its monumental star-shaped structure, mirrored sphere and broad staircase

8-Day

Private / Small Group

8-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat: Yangykala, Merv & Darvaza

Available from: Ashgabat

Explore Turkmenistan in 8 days from Ashgabat. Discover Yangykala Canyon, the Caspian coast, Ancient Merv, Nokhur village and Darvaza Gas Crater with a desert yurt stay.

Arriving in Ashgabat

Most of our travellers fly into Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) — here's how your first day works.

  1. 1 Before you fly

    Get Your e-Visa

    Once your route and dates are agreed, we help you apply for the Turkmenistan e-Visa. Standard processing takes about 14 days.

  2. 2 Landing

    Land at Ashgabat Airport

    Go through passport control and customs with your e-Visa. Your guide follows your flight, so delays are no problem.

  3. 3 Arrivals hall

    Your Guide Meets You

    Your guide and driver are waiting in the arrivals hall, help with your luggage and take you into the city.

  4. 4 Day 1

    Start Exploring

    Breakfast, a rest at the hotel or straight into the white-marble capital — day 1 is planned around your flight time.

    On your last day we drive you back to the airport, or to the Khiva or Bukhara border on one-way routes.

Our visa assistance and the airport pick-up are included in every tour from Ashgabat. Official visa and arrival fees are paid by the traveller.

Tours from Ashgabat: Your Questions

The things travellers flying into Ashgabat usually ask us before their trip.

Can my tour start on the day I land in Ashgabat?

Yes. Your guide and driver meet you in the arrivals hall at Ashgabat International Airport, and day 1 is planned around your flight time. If you land at night, we take you to the hotel first and start sightseeing after you've rested.

Can I visit Darvaza from Ashgabat in one day?

It's possible, but we don't recommend it. The crater is about 260 km north of Ashgabat — around 4 hours each way — and it's at its best after sunset. Staying the night in a yurt camp by the crater is far more comfortable. Our 3-day tour with Darvaza and Merv is the shortest route that includes it.

Can I fly into Ashgabat and leave overland to Uzbekistan?

Yes. Several of our routes start at Ashgabat airport and finish at the Shavat border near Khiva or the Farap border near Bukhara, so you can continue your Silk Road trip in Uzbekistan. Our 7-day tour from Ashgabat to Khiva is the most popular of them.

Which tour should I choose if I only have 3 days?

For a first visit, the 3-day tour with Darvaza and Ancient Merv covers the two highlights most travellers come for and brings you back to Ashgabat airport. If you're continuing to Uzbekistan, choose a 3-day route that ends at the Khiva or Bukhara border instead.

Are hotels in Ashgabat included?

Yes, every hotel night in the itinerary is included with breakfast, as well as the yurt camp night at Darvaza. You'll find the exact hotels under "What's Included" on each tour page.

Do I need a visa for Turkmenistan?

Yes, tourists travel on an e-Visa, and our visa assistance is included in every tour. Standard processing takes about 14 days and urgent processing about 7 days, so it's best to start as soon as your dates are confirmed. Official visa and arrival fees are paid by the traveller. More about the e-Visa.

Can I join a group from Ashgabat to share the cost?

Yes. When other travellers join for the same dates, the price per person goes down. Check our group tour dates or tell us your dates and we'll let you know if anyone else is travelling then.

More questions? Read our full FAQ or ask us on WhatsApp.