Tour Overview
The 3-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Bukhara to Ashgabat is a compact overland itinerary for travelers entering Turkmenistan from Uzbekistan. Cross the Farap border near Bukhara, continue through Turkmenabat and explore UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv before traveling onward to Ashgabat.
From Merv, continue toward Ashgabat along the modern east-west highway and spend two nights in the capital. The second day is dedicated to a private exploration of Ashgabat, where the sightseeing programme can be adapted to your interests, pace and preferred mix of historical, cultural and architectural sites. On the final day, continue sightseeing in Ashgabat before choosing the departure option that best fits your onward travel plans: a private transfer toward the Howdan border for Iran, subject to confirmed border arrangements, or a direct transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for your international flight.
This itinerary is especially suitable for travellers moving west from Uzbekistan who want to combine Ancient Merv and Ashgabat within a compact three-day Turkmenistan programme.
3-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Bukhara / Farap Border → Turkmenabat → Ancient Merv → Ashgabat
🛂 Farap Border Arrival
Your journey begins at the Farap border crossing, commonly used by travellers arriving from Bukhara and Alat.
The planned meeting time on the Turkmenistan side is approximately 09:00. After completing passport control, customs and immigration procedures, our local team will coordinate your meeting with the guide inside the permitted border area.
🚗 Drive toward the Merv Oasis
After leaving the border, begin the journey southwest toward the Mary region and Ancient Merv.
The route crosses the eastern landscapes of Turkmenistan before reaching the historic oasis that once formed one of the major centres of the Silk Road.
🍽️ Lunch in Mary or Bayramaly
Stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Mary or Bayramaly before beginning the archaeological programme.
🏛️ Ancient Merv — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Spend the afternoon exploring the vast archaeological landscape of Ancient Merv with your guide.
Important sites include:
🏰 Greater & Lesser Kyz Kala
See the distinctive corrugated mud-brick walls of these fortified residences, among the most recognizable monuments of Merv.
🕌 Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
Visit one of the great surviving monuments of Seljuk architecture, built for Sultan Ahmad Sanjar in the 12th century.
🕋 Askhabs Mausoleums
Visit the sacred memorial complex associated with companions of the Prophet Muhammad and learn about the continuing religious importance of the site.
💧 Ancient Sardoba
See the historic water-storage structure that illustrates how travellers and communities survived in the dry environment surrounding Merv.
🏺 Erk Kala & Gyaur Kala
Explore the remains of Merv’s earlier fortified cities and gain a sense of the enormous scale of this ancient urban centre.
Additional archaeological remains may be included when timing and local conditions allow.
🚙 Drive from Mary to Ashgabat
After the Merv visit, continue west toward Ashgabat.
The journey covers approximately 360 km and normally takes around 3.5 to 4 hours using the main Ashgabat–Mary highway.
🍽️ Dinner in Ashgabat
Upon arrival in the capital, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before transferring to the hotel.
🏨 Overnight: Ashgabat
Day 2 — Full-Day Private Ashgabat City Tour
🍽️ Breakfast at the Hotel
Begin the morning with breakfast before meeting your guide for a full day in the capital.
🏛️ Ashgabat City Discovery
Spend the day exploring Ashgabat on a private sightseeing programme tailored to your pace and interests.
Possible highlights can include the city’s monumental avenues, white-marble public buildings, museums, mosques, memorials and major architectural landmarks.
Your guide can adapt the sequence according to opening hours, local access conditions and your interests.
🕌 Historic & Cultural Sites
The programme can combine modern Ashgabat with selected historical and cultural landmarks, helping you understand both contemporary Turkmenistan and the region’s deeper history.
📸 White-Marble Architecture
Take time for photography at some of the city’s most striking monumental areas and broad ceremonial avenues.
🍽️ Lunch
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant during the sightseeing programme.
🛍️ Local Culture
Where appropriate, the itinerary can also include a bazaar or other local stop for a more everyday perspective on life in the capital.
🍽️ Dinner
Finish the day with dinner at a local restaurant.
🏨 Overnight: Ashgabat
Day 3 — Ashgabat Sightseeing → Howdan Border / Iran OR Ashgabat International Airport
🍽️ Breakfast & Check-out
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and check out.
🏛️ Final Ashgabat Sightseeing
Continue exploring the capital in the morning.
This session is designed to cover important places not visited on Day 2 and can be adjusted around your confirmed departure schedule.
🍽️ Lunch
Enjoy a relaxed lunch before beginning your final transfer.
🚗 Departure Option A — Howdan Border / Iran
For travellers continuing toward Iran, depart Ashgabat by private vehicle and travel toward the Howdan border crossing.
The road heads toward the Kopet Dag foothills south of the capital.
Your guide and driver will assist with Turkmenistan departure formalities within the areas permitted by border regulations.
Because border operating conditions and permissions can change, the exact crossing point and timing will be reconfirmed before travel.
🛫 Departure Option B — Ashgabat International Airport
If continuing by air, enjoy a private transfer directly to Ashgabat International Airport.
Pickup will normally be arranged approximately 2–3 hours before your international flight, depending on airline and airport requirements.
🏁 End of Tour Services
The tour ends at your confirmed departure point.
3-Day Tour Price
Price per person based on the total number of travelers in the group.
1 Traveler
US$ 1,154
per person
2 Travelers
US$ 1,154
per person
3 Travelers
US$ 1,154
per person
4 Travelers
US$ 1,154
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:
- Visa support and registration: assistance with the e-visa application and foreigner registration in Turkmenistan.
- E-visa fee: the electronic visa fee is included in the tour price.
- Hotel accommodation: one night in a comfortable 4-star hotel in Ashgabat with breakfast, based on twin-room sharing according to guests’ gender unless another room arrangement is agreed.
- Darvaza accommodation: one night in a traditional yurt near the Darvaza Gas Crater, including dinner, breakfast, bed linen and access to shower facilities.
- Ground transport: comfortable air-conditioned vehicles with experienced drivers throughout the land itinerary.
- Transfers: pick-up on the Turkmenistan side of the Shavat border, intercity road transfers, sightseeing transfers and the confirmed final transfer to Haudan border or Ashgabat International Airport.
- Meals: breakfasts, plus dinner and breakfast at the Darvaza yurt camp.
- Guiding: a licensed English-speaking guide throughout the programme.
- Sightseeing: guided city tours and entrance fees for museums and sites included in the agreed programme.
- Medical insurance: coverage up to USD 64,000 per guest, subject to the policy terms.
- Driver and guide costs: fuel, meals, accommodation and other route-related expenses for the driver and guide.
- Taxes and organisation: applicable taxes, road fees and organisational costs for the included services.
- Flexible programme: the order and timing of visits may be adjusted according to border processing, road conditions, local access, flight timing and the time available.
- Mobile internet: access to the guide’s portable Wi-Fi router where mobile network coverage is available, supporting up to 10 connected devices at a time.
- Happ VPN: the guide will provide an access key after arrival in Turkmenistan.
Price doesn't include:
- Meals not expressly listed as included. Allow approximately USD 3–8 per person per meal as an indicative budget; actual restaurant prices vary.
- Personal expenses, including souvenirs, snacks, alcohol, laundry, minibar purchases, additional hotel services and other personal purchases.
- Tips for guides and drivers, which are optional and appreciated.
- Onward transport and services after crossing into Iran, unless separately agreed.
- International flights departing from Ashgabat, unless specifically stated in the quotation.
Accommodation
Ashgabat — 2 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.
