Tour Overview
Discover the historical treasures and dramatic desert landscapes of northern Turkmenistan on a private 3-day Turkmenistan tour from Khiva, combining the UNESCO World Heritage monuments of Kunya-Urgench, the ancient Izmukshir Fortress and an unforgettable overnight experience beside the Darvaza Gas Crater.
Your adventure begins at the Shavat border crossing near Khiva, where your local Darvaza Tour guide welcomes you to Turkmenistan. Travel north to Kunya-Urgench, once an influential centre of the Khorezm region and an important destination on the medieval Silk Road. Explore its remarkable mausoleums, towering minaret and historic architectural remains before continuing to Dashoguz for your first overnight stay. On the second day, discover everyday life in northern Turkmenistan with a visit to the lively Bai Bazaar. Continue to the ruins of Izmukshir, a historic settlement associated with the renowned medieval scholar Al-Zamakhshari. From here, venture into the vast Karakum Desert, travelling south toward one of Turkmenistan's most famous attractions, the Darvaza Gas Crater.
As evening falls, watch the crater's fiery glow against the surrounding desert. Enjoy a freshly prepared outdoor barbecue dinner and spend the night in a traditional Turkmen yurt near the crater, experiencing the peaceful atmosphere of the Karakum Desert after dark. On your final morning, enjoy breakfast at the desert camp before returning north through the Karakum Desert to Dashoguz. After a traditional farewell lunch, continue to the Shavat border for your onward journey to Khiva. Organised by Darvaza Tour, this private three day itinerary is particularly suitable for travellers who want to explore Kunya-Urgench, Izmukshir and Darvaza Gas Crater without travelling all the way south to Ashgabat.
With private transportation, local guiding, carefully arranged accommodation and sightseeing included in one coordinated programme, this journey offers a memorable combination of Silk Road history, Turkmen culture and desert adventure.
3-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Khiva / Shavat Border → Kunya-Urgench → Dashoguz
🛂 10:00 AM — Welcome to Turkmenistan at Shavat Border
Your three-day journey begins at the Shavat border crossing, conveniently located for travellers arriving from Khiva, Uzbekistan.
The planned meeting time is approximately 10:00 AM on the Turkmenistan side of the checkpoint. After completing the required passport and immigration procedures, you will meet your local Darvaza Tour guide in the designated border reception area, subject to official access regulations.
Your guide and driver will welcome you and introduce the programme for the coming three days.
🚙 Transfer to Historic Kunya-Urgench
After leaving the border, begin your journey toward Kunya-Urgench, one of northern Turkmenistan's most important historical destinations.
The planned drive covers approximately 96 km and normally takes around 1.5–2 hours, depending on road conditions.
Located in the historical Khorezm region, Kunya-Urgench preserves remarkable monuments from the medieval period and forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
🍽️ Traditional Lunch
Enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant in Kunya-Urgench. Depending on your arrival time and the border crossing process, lunch may alternatively be arranged along the route through Dashoguz.
This stop provides an opportunity to sample traditional Turkmen dishes before continuing your historical exploration.
🏛️ Guided Exploration of Kunya-Urgench
Begin a private guided tour of the Kunya-Urgench historical complex, discovering the outstanding architecture and cultural heritage of medieval Khorezm.
Your sightseeing programme features the following principal monuments.
Kutlug-Timur Minaret
Admire one of Central Asia's most impressive surviving medieval minarets. Its soaring structure reflects the architectural achievements and historical importance of Kunya-Urgench.
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum
Explore this celebrated medieval monument, especially admired for the elaborate geometric decoration of its domed interior.
Your guide will explain the symbolism, architectural details and historical setting of this remarkable building.
Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh
Discover an outstanding example of Khorezmian funerary architecture, recognised for its distinctive conical dome and decorative brickwork.
Mausoleum of Il-Arslan
Continue to another important medieval mausoleum, where intricate brick patterns and a characteristic roof design demonstrate the craftsmanship of the period.
Caravanserai Gate
Visit the surviving monumental gateway associated with the historic trading settlement.
Learn about Kunya-Urgench's role in the commercial and cultural networks that connected Central Asia along the Silk Road.
Additional stops within the archaeological area may be arranged according to the available time and site access conditions.
🚙 Return Drive to Dashoguz
After completing the historical programme, travel back toward Dashoguz, the principal city of northern Turkmenistan.
Enjoy an introductory orientation drive through the city, observing its main streets, local neighbourhoods and everyday urban life.
🍽️ Evening Dinner in Dashoguz
Take a relaxed dinner break at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy traditional regional food after your first day of sightseeing.
🏨 Overnight at Dashoguz Hotel
Transfer to Dashoguz Hotel for check-in and rest.
The hotel serves as your comfortable overnight base before the following day's visit to Izmukshir Fortress and journey into the Karakum Desert.
Overnight: Dashoguz Hotel — 1 night.
Included meals: None. Lunch and dinner are at guests' expense unless otherwise specified in the quotation.
Day 2 — Dashoguz → Bai Bazaar → Izmukshir Fortress → Darvaza Gas Crater
🍳 08:00 AM — Breakfast at Dashoguz Hotel
Begin the morning with breakfast at the hotel before checking out and meeting your guide and driver.
Today combines local culture, historical exploration and an unforgettable desert journey.
🛍️ Visit to Bai Bazaar in Dashoguz
Start with a visit to Bai Bazaar, a lively local market where residents shop for fresh produce, everyday household items and regional food products.
Explore the market atmosphere, observe daily life and discover a more traditional side of northern Turkmenistan.
You may also purchase fresh fruit, bottled drinks or snacks for the journey across the Karakum Desert.
🏛️ Excursion to Izmukshir Fortress
Continue toward the historical ruins of Izmukshir, situated approximately 25 km from Dashoguz.
The site preserves the substantial remains of a fortified settlement, with impressive ancient earthen walls and defensive structures.
Izmukshir is traditionally associated with the birthplace of the renowned medieval scholar Al-Zamakhshari, whose work contributed significantly to Arabic linguistics and Islamic scholarship.
During your guided visit, explore the surviving fortress remains, learn about the settlement's historical significance and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape.
🚙 Journey South into the Karakum Desert
After visiting Izmukshir, begin the long journey toward Darvaza Gas Crater.
The main Dashoguz–Darvaza section covers approximately 300 km and normally requires around 4–4.5 hours of driving.
As the journey continues south, the landscape gradually changes into the remote plains and desert scenery of the Central Karakum.
Some stretches of road are rough, uneven and bumpy. Your guide and driver will adapt the pace and arrange necessary stops according to conditions.
🍽️ Traditional Lunch Along the Desert Route
During the journey, stop for lunch at a local roadside teahouse or restaurant where available.
Enjoy a break before continuing farther into the desert.
🔥 Arrival at Darvaza Gas Crater
Reach the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, one of the most distinctive attractions in Turkmenistan.
The immense desert crater is known for its burning natural gas and its dramatic appearance after sunset.
Arrive toward the late afternoon or evening, depending on road conditions and the day's sightseeing schedule.
Take time to admire the crater from designated safe viewing areas, photograph the surrounding landscape and watch as the flames become more striking in the fading daylight.
🍢 Outdoor Barbecue Dinner at Darvaza
Continue to the nearby desert camp, where our team will prepare a traditional open-air barbecue dinner.
Enjoy the peaceful desert atmosphere and the experience of dining beneath the Karakum sky.
After dinner, you may have additional time to observe the glowing crater at night, subject to local safety conditions.
⛺ Overnight in a Traditional Turkmen Yurt
Spend the night at a traditional yurt camp close to the Darvaza Gas Crater.
Your overnight stay includes sleeping arrangements with bedding and access to basic camp washing and shower facilities.
Enjoy the unique atmosphere of the desert before settling in for the night.
Overnight: Traditional Turkmen Yurt Camp — 1 night.
Included meals: Breakfast and barbecue dinner.
Day 3 — Darvaza Gas Crater → Dashoguz → Shavat Border / Khiva
🌅 Optional Sunrise Visit to Darvaza Gas Crater
Guests who wish to wake early can enjoy a final visit to the crater around sunrise.
The softer morning light provides a different perspective of the desert landscape and offers another opportunity for photography before leaving Darvaza.
🍳 Breakfast at the Yurt Camp
Return to the camp for a freshly prepared breakfast.
After breakfast, pack your belongings and prepare for the northbound journey across the Karakum Desert.
🚙 Return Journey from Darvaza to Dashoguz
Leave the desert camp and travel back toward Dashoguz.
The planned distance is approximately 300 km, with an estimated driving time of 4–4.5 hours, excluding additional stops.
Travel across the vast Karakum Desert, passing remote settlements and open landscapes along the way.
As on the previous day, certain sections of road may be rough or uneven, and the travelling time remains dependent on local conditions.
🍽️ Farewell Lunch in Dashoguz
Upon reaching Dashoguz, enjoy a final lunch break at a traditional local restaurant.
This is an opportunity to relax, sample regional specialities and reflect on your three-day exploration of northern Turkmenistan.
🚙 Transfer to Shavat Border Checkpoint
After lunch, continue to the Shavat border crossing for your departure from Turkmenistan.
The final transfer from Dashoguz normally takes approximately 15–20 minutes, depending on the starting location and road conditions.
🛂 Approximately 03:00 PM — Border Arrival
The planned arrival time at Shavat is around 3:00 PM, subject to desert road conditions, lunch timing and the day's overall schedule.
Your local guide will assist with Turkmenistan departure and customs procedures within the areas permitted by official border regulations.
After completing the border formalities, continue independently or with your separately arranged transfer into Uzbekistan toward Khiva.
End of Darvaza Tour Services.
Overnight: No accommodation required.
Included meals: Breakfast. Farewell lunch is at guests' expense unless specifically included in the confirmed quotation.
3-Day Turkmenistan Tour Price
Private tour price per person, based on the total number of travellers in your 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
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.
Dashoguz — 1 Night
Dashoguz Hotel
Your first overnight stay is arranged at Dashoguz Hotel, an established hotel in the city of Dashoguz, northern Turkmenistan.
The property provides a convenient base for travellers exploring the historical monuments of Kunya-Urgench, the Izmukshir area and the cultural attractions of Dashoguz.
Dashoguz Hotel offers comfortable guest accommodation and breakfast, allowing you to relax after a full day of sightseeing before continuing your journey into the Karakum Desert.
Twin or double-room arrangements can be organised according to the confirmed booking.
