Tour Overview
Experience the remarkable contrasts of Turkmenistan on a private 3-day Turkmenistan tour from Ashgabat, combining the fascinating landscapes of the Karakum Desert, the country's modern white-marble capital and the extraordinary Silk Road heritage of Ancient Merv.
Your journey begins at Ashgabat International Airport, where your local guide welcomes you to Turkmenistan. After an introduction to the capital's distinctive architecture and major landmarks, travel north across the Karakum Desert to one of the country's most unusual natural attractions, the Darvaza Gas Crater. Watch the glowing crater after sunset, enjoy a freshly prepared outdoor dinner and spend your first night in a traditional Turkmen yurt beneath the desert sky. The following morning, return toward Ashgabat with stops at the Water and Mud craters, two fascinating geological features of the Darvaza region. Spend the afternoon exploring more of Ashgabat, discovering its impressive monuments, cultural attractions, broad avenues and unique architectural character before enjoying a comfortable overnight stay in the capital.
On your final day, follow the historic Silk Road east toward the ancient oasis of Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once among the most influential cities in Central Asia. Explore magnificent medieval monuments, including the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, the Kyz Kala fortresses and the ancient citadels of Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala. After your historical exploration, return to Ashgabat for your onward international flight.
Organised by Darvaza Tour, this private three-day itinerary is ideal for travellers who want to experience the Darvaza Gas Crater, Ashgabat and Ancient Merv within a short visit, with local guiding, accommodation, private transportation and travel arrangements coordinated as one convenient programme.
3-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Ashgabat → Karakum Desert → Darvaza Gas Crater
✈️ Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport
Your 3-day Turkmenistan adventure begins upon arrival at Ashgabat International Airport (ASB). After completing passport control, customs and immigration formalities, meet your Darvaza Tour representative in the arrivals area.
Your private guide and driver will welcome you and coordinate the day's programme according to your arrival time.
☕ Breakfast and Refreshment Stop
For guests arriving on early-morning flights, the first stop can be a local restaurant for breakfast and refreshments before exploring the capital.
🏛️ Introduction to Ashgabat – The White Marble City
Begin your journey with an introductory sightseeing tour of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's remarkable capital.
Discover the city's distinctive architectural landscape, featuring monumental white-marble buildings, grand avenues, landscaped parks and impressive national monuments.
Your guide will introduce you to the country's modern history, architecture and cultural traditions while selecting suitable sightseeing stops according to the available time.
🍽️ Traditional Lunch in Ashgabat
Before leaving the capital, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This is a good opportunity to discover traditional Turkmen cuisine and prepare for the journey into the Karakum Desert.
🚙 Drive from Ashgabat to Darvaza Gas Crater
In the afternoon, leave Ashgabat and travel north into the vast Karakum Desert.
The journey covers approximately 270 km and normally takes around 3.5–4 hours, depending on local road conditions.
As you travel farther into the desert, the city gradually gives way to open landscapes, sandy plains and remote settlements.
Please note that certain sections of the road are rough and uneven. The drive can be bumpy, and the travelling time may vary.
🔥 Arrival at Darvaza Gas Crater
Reach the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, one of Turkmenistan's best-known desert attractions.
The crater is especially atmospheric around sunset, when the surrounding landscape begins to darken and the glow from the burning gas becomes more visible.
Enjoy time to observe the crater, take photographs and experience the unusual scenery of the Central Karakum Desert.
🍢 Outdoor Barbecue Dinner
After exploring the crater, continue to the nearby desert camp, where our team will prepare a traditional outdoor barbecue dinner.
Enjoy your evening in the quiet desert surroundings. After dinner, there will be an opportunity to return to the viewing area to observe the crater after dark, subject to local safety and access conditions.
⛺ Overnight at Darvaza Yurt Camp
Spend your first night in a traditional Turkmen yurt near the Darvaza Gas Crater.
The camp provides bedding and access to basic washing and shower facilities.
Overnight: Traditional Turkmen Yurt Camp, Darvaza.
Included meals: Dinner.
Day 2 — Darvaza Gas Crater → Water & Mud Craters → Ashgabat
🌅 Optional Sunrise Experience
Guests wishing to start the day early can enjoy another visit to the Darvaza Gas Crater around sunrise.
Morning light offers a different view of the surrounding desert and creates an excellent opportunity for additional photographs.
🍳 Breakfast at the Desert Camp
Return to the camp for a freshly prepared breakfast before packing your belongings and beginning the journey south toward Ashgabat.
🚙 Journey Across the Karakum Desert
Travel approximately 270 km back toward the capital, with an estimated driving time of around 3.5–4 hours, excluding sightseeing stops.
Along the way, explore two additional geological attractions in the Darvaza region.
🌊 Water Crater Visit
Stop at the Water Crater, a distinctive desert formation that provides an interesting contrast to the nearby gas crater.
Learn about the landscape and take photographs before continuing your journey.
🌋 Mud Crater Visit
Continue to the Mud Crater, another unusual geological site in the Karakum Desert.
The stop provides a chance to observe a different aspect of the region's terrain and geological history.
🍽️ Lunch in Ashgabat
Upon returning to Ashgabat, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before beginning the afternoon city programme.
🏛️ Private Ashgabat City Tour
Continue exploring the capital with your English-speaking guide.
Depending on your interests, available time and access arrangements, the programme may cover selected national monuments, cultural attractions, museums, central squares and architectural landmarks.
Ashgabat is particularly known for its grand urban design, monumental architecture and distinctive white-marble cityscape.
Your guide will adapt the sightseeing route according to your preferences and the attractions already visited on Day 1.
🛍️ Local Markets and Souvenir Opportunities
If time permits, enjoy a visit to a local market or shopping area to discover traditional souvenirs, Turkmen textiles and regional handicrafts.
🏨 Hotel Check-in and Evening Relaxation
After sightseeing, transfer to your hotel and check in.
The remainder of the evening is available for dinner and relaxation before the following day's journey to Ancient Merv.
Overnight: Ak Altyn Hotel, Ashgabat.
Included meals: Breakfast.
Day 3 — Ashgabat → Ancient Merv → Ashgabat International Airport
🍳 Early Breakfast and Departure
Begin the final day of your Turkmenistan tour with breakfast at the hotel.
Check out and meet your guide and driver for the eastbound journey toward the historic Merv oasis.
🚙 Ashgabat to Mary via the Modern Highway
Depart Ashgabat at approximately 07:30 and travel east toward the Mary region along the Ashgabat–Mary highway.
The planned journey covers approximately 360 km and normally requires around 3.5–4 hours, depending on road conditions and stops.
Along the way, enjoy views of Turkmenistan's changing landscapes as you travel toward one of the country's most important historical regions.
🍽️ Traditional Lunch in Mary or Bayramaly
Upon reaching the Mary region, take a lunch break at a local restaurant in Mary or Bayramaly.
Enjoy regional Turkmen dishes before beginning your exploration of Ancient Merv.
🏛️ Ancient Merv – UNESCO World Heritage Site
Explore the remarkable archaeological remains of Ancient Merv, one of the most important historical cities along the Silk Road.
For centuries, Merv was a major centre of trade, culture, scholarship and political power. Today, its extensive ruins preserve evidence of different periods in Central Asian history.
Your private guided tour focuses on the principal monuments of the archaeological park.
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
Visit the celebrated 12th-century mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, one of the finest surviving examples of Seljuk architecture in Turkmenistan.
Admire its monumental proportions and learn about the historical importance of the Seljuk Empire.
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala
Explore the remains of these unusual fortified mud-brick structures, recognised for their distinctive corrugated exterior walls.
Your guide will explain their architectural characteristics and their place within the history of the Merv oasis.
Askhabs Mausoleums
Visit the historic religious monuments associated with companions of the Prophet Muhammad.
These sites form an important part of the region's Islamic cultural heritage.
Ancient Hammam and Sardoba
Discover remains of traditional bathing facilities and historical water-storage structures that illustrate aspects of urban life and water management in the oasis.
Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala
Explore the ancient fortified areas of Merv, where extensive defensive earthworks and archaeological remains reveal the scale of the historical settlement.
Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding archaeological landscape from permitted viewing areas.
Additional Historical Stops
Ancient Merv contains many further archaeological remains. Depending on your interests, site accessibility and available time, your guide may include additional short visits within the historical park.
🚙 Return Journey to Ashgabat
After completing the historical programme, begin the long-distance drive back toward Ashgabat.
Travel west along the main highway, with appropriate rest stops during the journey.
The exact arrival time will depend on the duration of the archaeological visit, road conditions and the confirmed flight departure schedule.
🍽️ Farewell Dinner in Ashgabat
If sufficient time is available before your flight, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Ashgabat.
This final meal offers an opportunity to reflect on your journey through the Karakum Desert, the white-marble capital and the ancient Silk Road heritage of Merv.
✈️ Private Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport
Your guide and driver will arrange the final transfer to Ashgabat International Airport (ASB), allowing sufficient time for airline check-in, passport control and departure procedures.
The final day's schedule must be coordinated with your confirmed international flight, as the round-trip drive to Merv and back requires substantial travelling time.
End of Darvaza Tour Services.
Overnight: No accommodation required.
Included meals: Breakfast.
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 — 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.
