Tour Overview
The 3-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Khiva is designed for travelers who want to explore northern Turkmenistan and the Karakum Desert in a compact itinerary. Enter through the Shavat border, visit Kunya-Urgench and Izmukshir Fortress, then continue to the Darvaza Gas Crater for an overnight stay in a traditional yurt camp.
The journey then continues through Dashoguz to Izmukshir Fortress, a lesser-visited archaeological site known for its massive mud-brick remains and connection with the medieval scholar Al-Zamakhshari. From there, leave the settled north behind and travel deep into the Karakum Desert. Spend your second evening beside the Darvaza Gas Crater, where the flames become especially dramatic after sunset. Enjoy an outdoor barbecue dinner and sleep in a traditional Turkmen yurt at the desert camp. On the final morning, experience the crater once more at sunrise before returning north through Dashoguz and crossing back into Uzbekistan at Shavat.
This itinerary is ideal for travellers staying in Khiva who want to combine UNESCO history, remote archaeological sites and Turkmenistan's most famous desert attraction without travelling as far south as Ashgabat.
3-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Khiva / Shavat Border → Kunya-Urgench → Dashoguz
🛂 10:00 AM (Approx.) — Shavat Border Meeting
Your journey begins at the Shavat border crossing near Khiva.
After completing passport and migration formalities on the Turkmenistan side, meet your local Darvaza Tour guide inside the permitted border area.
Border processing times can vary, so the day's sightseeing schedule remains flexible according to the actual entry time.
🚗 Drive to Kunya-Urgench
After meeting your guide, depart toward Kunya-Urgench, approximately 95–100 km away.
The drive normally takes around 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
🍽️ Lunch
Enjoy a traditional lunch either in Kunya-Urgench or en route, depending on the timing of the border crossing.
🏛️ Kunya-Urgench UNESCO Historical Tour
Spend the afternoon exploring one of Turkmenistan's most important medieval archaeological sites.
The guided programme includes several major monuments.
- Kutlug-Timur Minaret
- See the towering Kutlug-Timur Minaret, one of the most recognisable surviving monuments of medieval Khorezm.
- Its height and slightly leaning profile make it one of the defining landmarks of the site.
- Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum
- Visit the remarkable Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum, famous for its sophisticated geometric decoration and impressive interior dome.
- Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum
- Continue to the mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh, with its distinctive conical roof and elegant medieval proportions.
- Il-Arslan Mausoleum
- Visit the smaller but architecturally important Il-Arslan Mausoleum, another key monument from the Khorezmshah period.
- Caravanserai Gate
- See the monumental gateway associated with the medieval trading quarter and the historic Silk Road routes that once passed through the region.
🚗 Return to Dashoguz
After the sightseeing programme, drive back toward Dashoguz.
If arrival time allows, enjoy a brief city orientation to see some of the main avenues and everyday local life.
🍽️ Dinner
Relax over dinner at a local restaurant in Dashoguz.
🏨 Overnight: Hotel in Dashoguz.
Day 2 — Dashoguz → Bai Bazaar → Izmukshir Fortress → Darvaza Gas Crater
🍽️ 08:00 AM — Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and prepare for the journey south into the Karakum Desert.
🛍️ Bai Bazaar
Begin the day with a visit to a local bazaar in Dashoguz.
This is a good opportunity to experience everyday city life, see local produce and purchase water, fruit or snacks for the desert journey.
🏛️ Izmukshir Fortress
Leave Dashoguz and drive approximately 25 km to the ruins of Izmukshir Fortress.
Explore the remains of the ancient fortified settlement, characterised by massive mud-brick walls and open archaeological landscapes.
The site is traditionally associated with Al-Zamakhshari, one of the best-known medieval scholars from the region.
Your guide will explain the history of the settlement and its role in the cultural landscape of northern Turkmenistan.
🍽️ Lunch En Route
Continue south and stop for lunch at a roadside restaurant or teahouse in a local settlement.
🌵 Journey into the Karakum Desert
After lunch, continue toward Darvaza.
The planned drive covers approximately 300 km and usually takes around 4 to 4.5 hours.
Some sections of road are rough and uneven, so travel time can vary. This section of the tour is part of the real desert experience and should be treated as an adventurous overland journey rather than a standard motorway drive.
🔥 Darvaza Gas Crater
Arrive near the Darvaza Gas Crater toward the late afternoon or evening.
As the sun drops below the horizon, the flames become much more visible against the darkening desert.
There will be time to walk around the designated viewing area, take photographs and experience the unique atmosphere of the crater after sunset.
🍢 Barbecue Dinner
At the nearby yurt camp, enjoy a freshly prepared open-air barbecue dinner.
After dinner, you may return to the crater viewing area when conditions allow and see the glow of the flames beneath the desert sky.
⛺ Overnight: Traditional Turkmen yurt camp near Darvaza Gas Crater.
Included meals: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 3 — Darvaza Gas Crater → Dashoguz → Shavat Border / Khiva
🌅 Optional Sunrise Experience
Guests who wish to wake early can visit the crater again before sunrise.
The morning atmosphere is very different from the evening, with cooler air, softer light and fewer visitors.
🍽️ Breakfast at the Yurt Camp
Return to camp for breakfast before packing and beginning the drive back north.
🚗 Darvaza → Dashoguz
Travel approximately 300 km across the Karakum Desert toward Dashoguz.
The journey normally takes around 4 to 4.5 hours, depending on the condition of the road and stops along the way.
🍽️ Farewell Lunch in Dashoguz
Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
This provides time to rest before the final short transfer to the border.
🚗 Transfer to Shavat Border
Drive from Dashoguz to the Shavat border crossing.
The transfer normally takes around 15–20 minutes.
🛂 Approx. 15:00 — Border Arrival
Arrive at the Turkmenistan side of the border.
Our team will assist with departure procedures within the areas permitted by official border regulations.
After crossing into Uzbekistan, continue independently toward Khiva.
End of tour services.
3 days tour Price
Price per person based on the total number of travelers in the group.
1 Traveler
US$ 1,018
per person
2 Travelers
US$ 805
per person
3 Travelers
US$ 594
per person
4 Travelers
US$ 543
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
Dashoguz — 1 night
Dashoguz Hotel 4*
Your overnight stay in Dashoguz is arranged at Dashoguz Hotel, one of the leading 4-star accommodation options in northern Turkmenistan.
The hotel provides comfortable rooms, private bathroom facilities and a convenient location for travellers continuing to Kunya-Urgench, Izmukshir or the Darvaza Gas Crater.
Darvaza Tour uses this property as our preferred hotel in Dashoguz because of its dependable service, comfortable rooms and practical location within the city.
Breakfast is included. Twin, double or single rooms can be arranged according to the confirmed reservation.
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.
