4-Day Itinerary
This 4-day private journey starts from the Bukhara/Farab side and finishes at Ashgabat International Airport, combining Ancient Merv, Ashgabat, Old Nisa and the Darvaza Gas Crater. The route is ideal for travelers who want to enter Turkmenistan overland from Uzbekistan and depart internationally from Ashgabat.
Bukhara / Farab → Ashgabat Airport
Bukhara → Farab Border → Turkmenabat → Ancient Merv → Ashgabat → Darvaza → Ashgabat Airport
Day 1 — Farab → Turkmenabat → Ancient Merv → Ashgabat
After completing the border formalities at Farab, meet your local guide and driver on the Turkmenistan side and begin the journey through eastern Turkmenistan.
Continue to Ancient Merv, one of the most important archaeological centres of the Silk Road. Visit major sites such as the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala, Erk Kala, Gyaur Kala and the Askhab Mausoleums.
After sightseeing, continue west to Ashgabat and check in at your hotel.
Overnight: Ashgabat
Day 2 — Ashgabat → Darvaza Gas Crater
After breakfast, begin sightseeing in Ashgabat. Depending on opening hours and available time, visits may include Old Nisa, Gypjak Mosque, major monuments, panoramic viewpoints, museums and selected city landmarks.
Around midday, stop for lunch before leaving Ashgabat and driving north through the Karakum Desert towards the Darvaza Gas Crater.
Arrive in the late afternoon or early evening. Spend time at the crater as daylight fades, enjoy dinner near the camp and return to the crater after dark.
Overnight: Traditional yurt near the Darvaza Gas Crater
Day 3 — Darvaza → Ashgabat
After breakfast at the camp, leave Darvaza and return to Ashgabat.
The afternoon is kept flexible for additional sightseeing, local markets, souvenir shopping or places that may not have been visited the previous day.
Depending on the day and your interests, the programme may include Tolkuchka Bazaar, Russian Bazaar, local handicraft shops, Berkarar Shopping and Entertainment Center or additional Ashgabat monuments.
Overnight: Ashgabat
Day 4 — Ashgabat → Airport Departure
Your final day is arranged according to your international flight schedule.
Your driver will collect you from the hotel and provide a private transfer to Ashgabat International Airport with sufficient time for check-in and departure procedures.
If your flight leaves later in the day and time allows, additional sightseeing, shopping or restaurant arrangements can be organized before the airport transfer.
End of tour.
4-Day Tour Price
Price per person based on the total number of travelers in the group.
1 Traveler
US$ 1,228
per person
2 Travelers
US$ 822
per person
3 Travelers
US$ 731
per person
4 Travelers
US$ 659
per person
Groups of more than 4 travelers are also welcome. The larger the group, the lower the price per person may become.
Please note that the prices shown above are indicative and may vary depending on the final itinerary, travel dates, accommodation and overnight arrangements, room configuration, optional services, and other individual requirements. We will always confirm the final tour price with you before booking.
What’s Included
- Visa support. Full assistance with the Letter of Invitation (LOI) and foreigner registration in Turkmenistan.
- Accommodation. Comfortable 4-star hotels with breakfast, based on twin-room sharing according to guests’ gender.
- Yurt night stay at Darvaza. Overnight in a traditional yurt near the Darvaza Gas Crater, including dinner, breakfast, bed linen, and shower facilities.
- Transport. Comfortable air-conditioned vehicles with experienced drivers throughout the tour.
- Transfers. Farab border pick-up, city-to-city transfers, sightseeing transfers, and final transfer to Ashgabat International Airport.
- Meals. All breakfasts, plus dinner and breakfast at Darvaza.
- Guide. Licensed English-speaking guide throughout the route.
- Sightseeing and entrance fees. City tours, sightseeing program, and entrance tickets to museums and sites included in the itinerary.
- Medical insurance. Insurance coverage up to 64,000 USD per guest.
- Driver and guide expenses. Gasoline, meals, accommodation, and all route-related expenses for the driver and guide are included.
- Taxes and organization. All taxes, road fees, and organizational expenses are included.
- Border-to-airport service. The tour starts at the Turkmenistan side of the Farab border and ends at Ashgabat International Airport.
- Flexible program. You will see everything possible within the available time. The tour can be adjusted on the go, depending on time, logistics, and local conditions.
- Mobile internet during the trip. When mobile network coverage is available, your guide will provide Wi-Fi through a portable router that can share internet with up to 10 people at the same time.
- Happ VPN. Your guide will provide the VPN key for Happ VPN after your arrival in Turkmenistan.
Not Included
- Visa & border fees. Paid separately upon arrival; the amount may vary depending on nationality and entry point.
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Personal expenses. Souvenirs, snacks, SIM cards, laundry and other personal purchases.
- Tips. Not included, but welcome.
