Tour Overview
The 4-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Bukhara to Khiva is designed for travelers crossing Turkmenistan from east to west. Enter through the Farap border near Bukhara, explore Ancient Merv, travel overnight by sleeper train, discover Ashgabat, visit the Darvaza Gas Crater and continue through Kunya-Urgench before exiting toward Khiva.
The route begins at the Farap border and immediately introduces you to the historical heart of the country with a visit to Ancient Merv, one of Central Asia's most important Silk Road sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After exploring the archaeological park, continue to Mary and board a domestic overnight sleeper train to Ashgabat. The following morning, arrive in the capital and spend a full day discovering Ashgabat's monumental white-marble architecture, broad avenues, cultural landmarks and local city life with a private guide.
On Day 3, leave the capital and travel north into the Karakum Desert. Stop at the Water and Mud craters before reaching the Darvaza Gas Crater in time for sunset. Spend the evening beside the flames, enjoy dinner at the camp and stay overnight in a traditional Turkmen yurt. The final day continues north toward Kunya-Urgench, one of Turkmenistan's major UNESCO-listed historical sites. Explore its medieval minarets and mausoleums before choosing the border crossing that best fits your onward route in Uzbekistan: Shavat for Khiva or Urgench, or Khojeyli for Nukus and the Aral Sea region.
This itinerary is ideal for travellers who want to cross Turkmenistan overland while experiencing Ancient Merv, Ashgabat, Darvaza and Kunya-Urgench within a compact four-day programme.
4-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Farap Border → Ancient Merv → Mary → Overnight Train to Ashgabat
Your journey begins at the Farap border crossing, the main land entry point for travellers arriving from Bukhara.
The planned meeting time on the Turkmenistan side is approximately 09:00. After passport and immigration procedures are completed, meet your local guide and driver in the permitted border area.
From Farap, travel west toward the Merv oasis and the Mary region.
Stop for lunch before beginning your guided exploration of Ancient Merv, one of the great historical centres of the Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The sightseeing programme includes the principal monuments of the archaeological park.
- Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar — one of the most important surviving monuments of the Seljuk period.
- Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala — monumental mud-brick structures known for their distinctive corrugated walls.
- Askhabs Mausoleums — sacred Islamic monuments associated with early Muslim history.
- Ancient Sardoba and water structures — examples of how water was collected and stored in the desert environment.
- Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala — major fortified areas representing earlier stages in the development of the Merv settlement complex.
Where time permits, additional ruins can be included according to your interests.
After the tour, continue to Mary city.
Take time for dinner or purchase food and drinks for the overnight train journey.
Later in the evening, transfer to Mary Railway Station and board the sleeper train to Ashgabat.
The planned departure time is approximately 21:25, subject to the railway timetable confirmed for your travel date.
Overnight: Sleeper train, Mary → Ashgabat.
Included meals: According to the confirmed package.
Day 2 — Ashgabat Full-Day City Tour
Arrive at Ashgabat Railway Station in the morning, with the planned arrival around 08:05, subject to the confirmed railway schedule.
Meet your driver at the station and transfer for breakfast before beginning the day's programme.
Spend the day exploring Turkmenistan's capital with your private local guide.
Ashgabat is known for its distinctive white-marble architecture, wide boulevards, monumental public spaces and impressive city landmarks.
The sightseeing route is flexible and can be adapted to your interests and the time available.
Possible visits may include major monuments, mosques, museums, viewpoints, landscaped parks, public squares and local markets.
Take lunch and dinner breaks at local restaurants during the day.
In the evening, transfer to your hotel and check in.
Overnight: Ak Altyn Hotel, Ashgabat.
Included meals: Breakfast.
Day 3 — Ashgabat → Water & Mud Craters → Darvaza Gas Crater
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and enjoy some additional free time or sightseeing in Ashgabat.
Depending on your interests, you can use the morning to visit places not seen the previous day, shop for souvenirs or stop at a local market before leaving the city.
After lunch, depart Ashgabat and travel north into the Karakum Desert.
The route to Darvaza covers approximately 270 km and normally takes around 3.5 hours, although rough desert-road sections may extend the journey.
Along the way, stop at the Water Crater and Mud Crater, two unusual geological features in the Darvaza region.
Continue deeper into the desert and arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater toward sunset.
As the sky darkens, the crater's flames become more vivid and create one of the most dramatic night-time landscapes in Turkmenistan.
At the nearby yurt camp, enjoy a freshly prepared outdoor barbecue dinner.
After dinner, spend additional time near the crater for night-time viewing and photography.
Overnight: Traditional Turkmen yurt camp near Darvaza Gas Crater.
Included meals: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 4 — Darvaza → Kunya-Urgench → Shavat Border or Khojeyli Border
Guests who wake early can make an optional pre-sunrise visit to the crater for another view of the landscape.
Return to the camp for breakfast before beginning the journey north toward Kunya-Urgench.
The planned drive is approximately 390 km, with an estimated journey time of around 5.5 hours depending on road conditions.
Upon arrival, take a lunch break and begin your guided exploration of Kunya-Urgench, one of Turkmenistan's most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The historical programme includes:
- Kutlug-Timur Minaret — one of the most impressive surviving medieval minarets in Central Asia.
- Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum — famous for its exceptional interior decoration and geometric dome design.
- Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum — an important Khorezmshah-era monument with a distinctive conical roof.
- Il-Arslan Mausoleum — another significant medieval structure associated with the rulers of Khorezm.
- Caravanserai Gate — a surviving portal connected with the city's former importance on Silk Road trade routes.
After sightseeing, continue toward your selected border crossing.
Option A — Shavat Border for Khiva / Urgench
Travel south toward the Shavat crossing, the best option for travellers continuing to Khiva or Urgench.
Option B — Khojeyli Border for Nukus / Muynak
Travel toward the Khojeyli crossing, suitable for travellers continuing toward Nukus, Muynak or the Aral Sea region.
At the border terminal, our team will assist with Turkmenistan departure procedures within the areas permitted by official regulations.
The tour ends on the Turkmenistan side of the selected border crossing.
Overnight: None.
Included meals: Breakfast.
4-Day Tour Price
Price per person based on the total number of travelers in the group.
1 Traveler
US$ 1,226
per person
2 Travelers
US$ 946
per person
3 Travelers
US$ 765
per person
4 Travelers
US$ 699
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
Overnight Train — 1 night
Mary → Ashgabat Sleeper Train
Travel overnight from Ashgabat to Dashoguz in a comfortable 4-berth sleeper compartment.
Even for solo travellers or couples, Darvaza Tour will arrange a full 4-berth compartment for your booking whenever available, giving you more privacy and space during the journey.
The compartment is equipped for overnight travel and includes clean bedding, pillows and sleeping berths, allowing you to rest comfortably during the night.
The exact train and departure time will be reconfirmed before travel according to the railway schedule and ticket availability.
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.
