Introduction
This Turkmenistan 5 day tour begins at the Shavat border with Uzbekistan and leads to the famous Darvaza Gas Crater for sunset, kebabs, and an overnight yurt stay. Discover Ashgabat’s marble landmarks, museums, and ancient Nisa, then continue west to Kow Ata cave, Nokhur village, and the Caspian coast. Admire Yangikala canyons before concluding the journey at Bajgiran border.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1, Shavat – Dashoguz – Darvaza
- Meet you at the Uzbekistan border (Shavat border) near Khiva.
- After lunch at a restaurant in Dashoguz, begin the journey to Darvaza (approximately 300km, 7-hour drive). The road takes time to pass through as it is under repair.
- Arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the “Gates of Hell,” before sunset. Enjoy free time around the crater.
- Dinner at a nearby yurt camp (about 400 meters away).
- Spend more time at the burning crater of Darvaza with your guide, where you can hear stories about Darvaza.
- Overnight in a yurt or tent in Darvaza.
Day 2, Darvaza – Ashgabat City Tour
- After breakfast in Darvaza, continue the journey to Ashgabat (approximately 271km, 4.5-hour drive). En route, visit the Water Crater and Mud Crater. Also, stop at a village in the desert where goats and camels are raised.
- Lunch at a restaurant in Ashgabat.
- After lunch, begin a city tour of Ashgabat, one of the world’s most unusual cities. This city holds the Guinness World Record for having the most white marble buildings.
- Tour the main attractions of Ashgabat including the National Museum, Carpet Museum, various monuments, the ruins of Nisa (the first capital of the Parthian Empire), and the ruins of Anau.
- Check in at your hotel in Ashgabat after the city tour.
- Dinner at a traditional restaurant in Ashgabat.
- Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 3, Ashgabat – Kow-Ata – Nokhur Village – Turkmenbashi
- After breakfast at the hotel, depart early in the morning for Turkmenbashi (approximately 430km from Ashgabat to Balkanabat, and about 150km from Balkanabat to Turkmenbashi, totaling about 580km and 6.5 hours of travel).
- En route, visit Kow-Ata, a huge cave with a thermal lake at the bottom, located about 100km west of Ashgabat along the Ashgabat–Turkmenbashi highway.
- Also visit Nokhur Village, situated in the mountainous area along the Ashgabat–Turkmenbashi highway, about 160km west of Ashgabat.
- Continue the journey to Turkmenbashi, located on the Caspian Sea coast.
- Check in at your hotel in Turkmenbashi.
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Turkmenbashi.
- Overnight in Turkmenbashi.
Day 4, Turkmenbashi – Yangikala – Balkanabat – Ashgabat
- After breakfast at the hotel, travel from Turkmenbashi to Yangikala Canyon (approximately 142km, 2-hour drive).
- After exploring Yangikala Canyon, head to Balkanabat (approximately 147km, 2-hour drive).
- Continue the journey to Ashgabat (approximately 430km, 5-hour drive).
- Check in at your hotel in Ashgabat.
- Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 5, Ashgabat – Free Time – Howdan (Bajgiran) Border
- After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy free time in Ashgabat.
- During the day, head to the Howdan border checkpoint (also called Bajgiran) between Ashgabat city and the Iranian town of Bajgiran.
- Tour ends at the Howdan border checkpoint.
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
Accommodation
Ashgabat – 2 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