Tour Overview
The 2-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat to Bukhara is designed for travelers who want to cross Turkmenistan efficiently while visiting Ancient Merv. Begin in Ashgabat, travel east through the country, explore the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Merv and continue to the Farap border near Bukhara.
Begin in Ashgabat after arrival at the international airport and spend your first day discovering the capital's distinctive white-marble architecture, monumental avenues, cultural landmarks and modern cityscape with a private local guide. The sightseeing programme remains flexible so that it can be adjusted around your flight arrival time and personal interests.
On the second day, leave Ashgabat and travel east across Turkmenistan toward the historic Merv oasis. Explore Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest former cities of the Silk Road, including monumental Seljuk architecture, mud-brick fortresses and archaeological remains representing different periods of Central Asian history.
After the Merv sightseeing programme, continue toward Turkmenabat and the Farap border crossing. From there, cross into Uzbekistan for your onward journey to Bukhara. This itinerary is especially suitable for travellers who want to combine an international arrival in Ashgabat with the country's most important Silk Road heritage before continuing overland into Uzbekistan.
2-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Ashgabat International Airport → Ashgabat City Tour
Your Turkmenistan journey begins upon arrival at Ashgabat International Airport (ASB).
After landing, complete immigration, passport control, baggage collection and customs procedures.
Your Darvaza Tour guide or driver will meet you after arrival and assist with the beginning of your programme.
Depending on the actual flight arrival time, transfer first for breakfast, refreshments or a short rest before beginning your guided introduction to Ashgabat.
Private Ashgabat Discovery
Spend the day exploring Turkmenistan's capital with a private local guide.
Ashgabat is known for its extraordinary concentration of white-marble buildings, broad ceremonial avenues, landscaped parks, monumental squares and distinctive modern architecture.
Rather than following a rigid sequence, your guide will adapt the sightseeing programme according to your arrival time, interests and the accessibility of individual sites.
Possible highlights may include major national monuments, mosques, public squares, panoramic viewpoints, architectural landmarks and other important cultural sites.
The programme is designed to give you a broad introduction to both modern Turkmenistan and the historical background of the country before your journey east toward Merv.
Lunch and dinner breaks can be arranged at suitable local restaurants during the day according to your preferred pace.
In the evening, transfer to your hotel and check in.
Overnight: Ak Altyn Hotel 4*, Ashgabat.
Included meals: Breakfast according to the confirmed accommodation package.
Day 2 — Ashgabat → Ancient Merv → Turkmenabat → Farap Border / Bukhara
Begin the day with an early breakfast at your hotel.
At approximately 07:30, check out and depart Ashgabat for the long-distance journey east toward the Mary region.
Ashgabat → Mary Region
Travel along the main Ashgabat–Mary motorway.
The planned distance is approximately 360 km, with an estimated driving time of around 3.5 to 4 hours under normal road conditions.
As you travel east, the urban landscape gradually gives way to the open plains and desert scenery of southern Turkmenistan.
Arrive in the Mary region and take a lunch break in Mary or Bayramaly before beginning your archaeological visit.
Ancient Merv UNESCO World Heritage Site
Continue to Ancient Merv, one of the most important historical sites in Turkmenistan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Once a major centre of trade, scholarship and political power along the Silk Road, Merv developed through several successive urban settlements over many centuries.
Your guided sightseeing programme focuses on the principal monuments of the archaeological park.
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
Visit the monumental 12th-century mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, one of the most recognisable surviving structures from the Seljuk period.
Its massive proportions and architectural design reflect the importance of Merv during one of the city's most influential historical periods.
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala
Explore the impressive mud-brick structures of Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala.
Their unusual corrugated exterior walls make them among the most distinctive archaeological monuments of the Merv oasis.
Askhabs Mausoleums
Visit the sacred mausoleum complex connected with early Islamic traditions in the region.
Your guide will explain its religious significance and historical context.
Ancient Sardoba and Water Structures
See examples of the sophisticated systems that helped store and manage water in this arid environment.
These remains illustrate how settlements and travellers survived along the desert trade routes of Central Asia.
Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala
Explore the remains of major fortified areas representing earlier stages in Merv's development.
From selected points around the archaeological complex, you can appreciate the extraordinary scale of the ancient settlement.
Additional historical remains may be visited when time permits.
Merv → Turkmenabat
After completing the Merv programme, continue northeast toward Turkmenabat.
The planned journey is approximately 240 km, normally taking around 2.5 hours via the main motorway.
Turkmenabat
Arrive in Turkmenabat in the evening.
Depending on the day's timing, stop for dinner at a local restaurant before continuing toward the border.
Turkmenabat is one of the major cities of eastern Turkmenistan and lies close to the historic Amu Darya corridor.
Turkmenabat → Farap Border
Continue approximately 40 km toward the Farap border crossing.
The final transfer usually takes around 40 minutes, depending on traffic and local conditions.
Upon arrival, our team will assist with Turkmenistan departure procedures within the areas permitted by border regulations.
Cross into Uzbekistan through the Farap–Alat border and continue toward Bukhara.
End of tour services.
Overnight: None.
2-Day Tour Price
Price per person based on the total number of travelers in the group.
1 Traveler
US$ 917
per person
2 Travelers
US$ 750
per person
3 Travelers
US$ 518
per person
4 Travelers
US$ 486
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:
- E-Visa support and registration: assistance with the Turkmenistan e-Visa procedure and foreign guest registration.
- E-Visa fee: electronic visa cost included in the tour price.
- Hotel accommodation: one night in Ashgabat with breakfast, based on the confirmed room arrangement.
- Private transport: comfortable air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced local driver throughout the itinerary.
- Airport and border transfers: Ashgabat Airport pick-up, all intercity and sightseeing transfers, and final transfer to Farap Border.
- English-speaking guide: licensed local guide throughout the programme.
- Sightseeing and entrance fees: admission fees for sites included in the confirmed Ashgabat and Ancient Merv programme.
- Medical insurance: coverage up to USD 64,000 per traveller, subject to policy conditions.
- Driver and guide expenses: fuel, meals, accommodation and route-related operating costs.
- Taxes and organisational costs: applicable local taxes, road charges and operational expenses.
- Flexible programme: sightseeing order and timing may be adjusted according to flight arrival, road conditions, site opening times and border processing.
- Portable Wi-Fi: access to the guide's portable router where mobile network coverage is available.
- Happ VPN access: VPN access key can be provided after arrival in Turkmenistan.
Price doesn't include:
- Meals not specifically stated as included: lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks unless included in your confirmed quotation.
- Personal expenses: souvenirs, snacks, alcoholic drinks, laundry, minibar and other personal purchases.
- Tips: gratuities for the guide and driver are optional and appreciated.
- Uzbekistan-side transport: transfer from the Uzbekistan side of Farap/Alat Border to Bukhara unless specifically included in your quotation.
- Additional activities: services or sightseeing requested outside the confirmed itinerary.
- International flights: flights arriving in Ashgabat are not included unless separately agreed.
Accommodation
Ashgabat — 1 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.
