Tour Overview
Cross Turkmenistan from east to north on a compact three-day journey connecting Bukhara with Khiva or Nukus while visiting some of the country's most important historical and natural highlights.
The trip begins at the Farap border near Bukhara and continues toward Ancient Merv, one of Central Asia's great archaeological landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the remains of successive Silk Road cities before travelling west to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's distinctive white-marble capital. The second day combines a private introduction to Ashgabat with a journey north into the Karakum Desert. Along the way, stop at the Water and Mud craters before reaching the Darvaza Gas Crater. Spend the evening beside the flames, enjoy dinner in the desert and stay overnight in a traditional Turkmen yurt. On the final day, travel north to Kunya-Urgench, another UNESCO-listed historical site filled with medieval minarets, mausoleums and monuments connected with the powerful Khorezm region.
From Kunya-Urgench, choose the border crossing that best matches your onward journey in Uzbekistan: Shavat for Khiva and Urgench, or Khojeyli for Nukus and the Aral Sea region. With private transport, local guiding, e-Visa assistance and accommodation arranged throughout the route, this programme is designed for travellers who want to see a large part of Turkmenistan within a short transit itinerary.
3-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Farap Border → Ancient Merv → Ashgabat
Your journey begins at the Farap border crossing, the main land gateway for travellers arriving from Bukhara.
The planned meeting time on the Turkmenistan side is approximately 09:00. After completing passport and immigration procedures, meet your local guide and driver in the permitted border area and begin the journey toward the Merv oasis.
Travel southwest across the eastern Karakum region toward Bayramaly and Ancient Merv. The drive covers approximately 250 km, although travel time can vary depending on border procedures, traffic and road conditions.
Stop for lunch in Bayramaly or the Mary region before beginning your guided visit to Ancient Merv, one of the most important archaeological complexes along the historic Silk Road.
During the tour, explore the main monuments of the site, including:
- Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar — an outstanding monument of the Seljuk period and one of the most recognizable structures at Merv.
- Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala — impressive mud-brick fortified residences known for their distinctive corrugated exterior walls.
- Askhabs Mausoleums — sacred monuments associated with early Islamic history.
- Ancient Sardoba and historic water structures — examples of the sophisticated systems once used to store water in the desert environment.
- Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala — some of the oldest parts of the Merv settlement complex, offering a sense of the enormous scale of the ancient city.
Where time permits, your guide can include additional archaeological remains within the park.
After sightseeing, continue west toward Ashgabat. The planned road journey is approximately 350–360 km.
Arrive in the capital in the evening and transfer directly to your hotel.
If arrival time and energy allow, an optional short panoramic drive through illuminated Ashgabat can be arranged before check-in or after dinner.
Overnight: Ak Altyn Hotel, Ashgabat.
Included meals: Breakfast depends on previous arrangements; other meals according to the confirmed tour package.
Day 2 — Ashgabat → Water & Mud Craters → Darvaza Gas Crater
After breakfast, begin a private guided introduction to Ashgabat.
Your sightseeing programme will be adapted to the time available and may include the capital's monumental white-marble architecture, broad avenues, public squares, mosques, viewpoints and selected cultural landmarks.
Ashgabat presents a striking contrast to the ancient cities visited the previous day, combining modern architecture with monuments reflecting Turkmenistan's history and national identity.
After sightseeing, enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, leave Ashgabat and travel north into the Karakum Desert toward Darvaza. The distance is approximately 270 km and normally requires around 3.5 hours, although rough desert-road sections may extend the journey.
Along the way, stop briefly at the Water Crater and Mud Crater, two unusual geological features of the Darvaza region.
Continue deeper into the desert and arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater toward sunset.
As darkness falls, the flames become increasingly visible and the crater creates one of the most memorable night-time scenes in Turkmenistan.
At the nearby camp, enjoy a freshly prepared barbecue dinner. Afterwards, spend more time viewing and photographing the crater beneath the desert sky.
Overnight: Traditional Turkmen yurt camp near Darvaza Gas Crater.
Included meals: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 3 — Darvaza → Kunya-Urgench → Shavat Border or Khojeyli Border
Guests who wake early can make an optional visit to the Darvaza Gas Crater before sunrise and see the landscape in a completely different light.
Return to the camp for breakfast before beginning the journey north across the Karakum Desert toward Kunya-Urgench.
The planned drive is approximately 260 km, although the exact route and journey time depend on current road conditions.
Upon arrival in Kunya-Urgench, take a lunch break before beginning your guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological area.
Kunya-Urgench was once one of the major political and commercial centres of Khorezm and preserves a remarkable collection of medieval monuments.
Main sites include:
- Kutlug-Timur Minaret — a soaring medieval minaret that remains one of the most recognizable monuments in northern Turkmenistan.
- Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum — celebrated for its elaborate interior decoration and geometric dome design.
- Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum — an important monument of the Khorezmshah period with a distinctive conical roof.
- Il-Arslan Mausoleum — another significant example of medieval Khorezm architecture.
- Caravanserai Gate — a surviving portal associated with the city's role in historic Silk Road trade.
After sightseeing, continue to the border crossing most suitable for your onward route in Uzbekistan.
Option A — Shavat Border for Khiva / Urgench
Travel toward the Shavat border crossing for travellers continuing to Khiva or Urgench.
After completing Turkmenistan departure procedures, cross into Uzbekistan and continue your journey independently or with a separately arranged transfer
Option B — Khojeyli Border for Nukus / Muynak
Travellers heading toward Nukus, Muynak or the Aral Sea region can continue toward the Khojeyli border crossing.
Your Darvaza Tour guide and driver will assist with departure procedures within the areas permitted by border regulations.
The tour ends on the Turkmenistan side of the selected crossing.
Overnight: None.
Included meals: Breakfast.
3 days 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 — 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.
Darvaza — 1 night
Traditional Turkmen Yurt Camp
One night near the Darvaza Gas Crater. The stay includes bedding, dinner, breakfast and access to camp washing/shower facilities. Accommodation in the desert is simpler than a city hotel and is designed as part of the Karakum experience.
