Tour Overview
Turn your journey between Khiva and Bukhara into a four-day exploration of Turkmenistan's desert landscapes, modern capital and Silk Road heritage. The route begins at the Shavat border near Khiva and travels through Dashoguz before entering the Karakum Desert. Your first night is spent beside the Darvaza Gas Crater, where you can watch the flames after sunset, enjoy dinner at the desert camp and stay in a traditional Turkmen yurt.
The following day, travel south toward Ashgabat with stops at the Water and Mud craters. In the capital, discover monumental white-marble architecture, landscaped avenues and some of Turkmenistan's most distinctive city landmarks with a private local guide. On Day 3, continue exploring Ashgabat before travelling east along the main motorway toward Mary. This slower-paced stage gives you additional time in the capital before positioning you close to Ancient Merv for the final day's archaeological programme.
The last day is devoted to Ancient Merv, one of Central Asia's great historical sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After exploring its Seljuk mausoleums, fortified structures and ancient citadels, continue toward Turkmenabat and the Farap border for your onward journey to Bukhara.
The programme also includes the possibility of an ethnographic experience at Turkmen Ojagy, adding a cultural element to the historical route through the Mary region. This itinerary is ideal for travellers who want to cross Turkmenistan overland while seeing Darvaza, Ashgabat and Merv without extending the journey into a longer national tour.
4-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Khiva / Shavat Border → Dashoguz → Darvaza Gas Crater
Your Turkmenistan journey begins at the Shavat border crossing, conveniently located for travellers coming from Khiva.
The planned meeting time on the Turkmenistan side is approximately 10:00. After you complete passport and immigration formalities, our local team will coordinate your meeting with the guide within the permitted border area.
From Shavat, continue to Dashoguz for a lunch break and a short introduction to northern Turkmenistan. When timing allows, visit a local bazaar where you can see daily market life and purchase water, fruit or snacks before entering the Karakum Desert.
After lunch, travel south toward Darvaza. The route covers approximately 300 km and normally takes around 4 to 4.5 hours. Certain sections of the desert road are rough and uneven, so the actual driving time may vary.
Arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater toward late afternoon or evening, depending on border procedures and road conditions.
As sunset approaches, the desert atmosphere changes dramatically and the burning crater becomes increasingly visible against the surrounding landscape.
At the nearby yurt camp, enjoy a freshly prepared barbecue dinner. After dark, there will be additional time to view and photograph the crater beneath the Karakum night sky.
Overnight: Traditional Turkmen yurt camp near Darvaza Gas Crater.
Included meals: Dinner.
Day 2 — Darvaza → Water & Mud Craters → Ashgabat
Guests who wish to wake early can make an optional return to the Darvaza Gas Crater before sunrise for another perspective on the landscape.
After breakfast at the camp, begin the southbound journey through the Karakum Desert toward Ashgabat.
The planned distance is approximately 270 km, with a normal driving time of around 3.5 hours. Rough road sections and sightseeing stops may extend the journey.
Along the route, stop at the Water Crater and Mud Crater, two additional geological features of the Darvaza region.
Continue to Ashgabat and take a lunch break on arrival.
In the afternoon, begin your private guided exploration of Turkmenistan's capital.
Ashgabat is known for its monumental white-marble buildings, wide ceremonial avenues, landscaped parks and striking public architecture. The sightseeing programme can be adapted according to arrival time and your interests.
Possible visits may include major monuments, mosques, city viewpoints, public squares and selected cultural landmarks.
After sightseeing, transfer to your hotel and check in.
Overnight: Ak Altyn Hotel, Ashgabat.
Included meals: Breakfast.
Day 3 — Ashgabat City Tour → Mary
After breakfast, continue your private exploration of Ashgabat.
The morning programme is designed to cover important landmarks and architectural sites that were not visited the previous afternoon. Your guide will adjust the sightseeing route to the time available and your interests.
You may focus on additional monuments, cultural sites, viewpoints or local city life before stopping for lunch at a restaurant.
At approximately 14:00, leave Ashgabat and travel east toward Mary along the main Ashgabat–Mary motorway.
The planned distance is around 360 km, with an estimated driving time of approximately 3.5 to 4 hours under normal conditions.
The journey passes through changing desert landscapes and provides a comfortable transition from the capital toward the historic Merv oasis.
Arrive in Mary in the early evening and transfer to your hotel.
The remainder of the evening is free for rest before the following day's archaeological programme.
Overnight: Hotel in Mary.
Included meals: Breakfast.
Day 4 — Mary → Ancient Merv → Turkmen Ojagy → Turkmenabat → Farap Border / Bukhara
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and travel to Ancient Merv, one of the most important archaeological sites in Central Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Begin your guided exploration of the extensive historical park.
Key sites include:
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar — one of the great architectural monuments of the Seljuk period and a defining landmark of Ancient Merv.
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala — monumental mud-brick structures known for their distinctive corrugated walls.
Askhabs Mausoleums — sacred monuments associated with early Islamic history.
Ancient Sardoba and water-storage structures — evidence of the sophisticated methods used to supply water in the desert environment.
Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala — some of the oldest fortified areas within the Merv archaeological landscape.
Where time allows, additional ruins within the park can be visited according to your interests.
After the historical programme, continue to the nearby Turkmen Ojagy complex for an introduction to traditional Turkmen culture.
Depending on the confirmed programme, the experience may include encounters with Alabay dogs and Bactrian camels, opportunities to try traditional Turkmen clothing and a demonstration of bread baking in a tamdyr clay oven.
Afterwards, continue toward Turkmenabat along the Mary–Turkmenabat motorway.
The planned distance is approximately 240 km, with a driving estimate of around 2.5 hours.
Before reaching the border, make a short photo stop near the Amu Darya River, one of Central Asia's most important waterways.
Continue to the Farap border crossing.
Our local team will assist with Turkmenistan departure procedures within the areas permitted by border regulations.
The tour ends on the Turkmenistan side of the Farap crossing. Bukhara is reached after crossing into Uzbekistan and continuing west.
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$ 1,154
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.
- Turkmen Ojagy ethnographic experience
- 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.
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.
Mary — 1 night
Margush Hotel 4*
Accommodation in Mary is planned at Margush Hotel, one of the most comfortable and well-regarded hotel options in the city.
The hotel offers comfortable twin and double rooms, making it suitable for couples, friends and small groups. Rooms are clean, spacious and designed for a relaxing overnight stay before or after sightseeing in the Mary and Ancient Merv region.
Margush Hotel is officially positioned as a 4-star property and is one of Darvaza Tour’s preferred accommodation options in Mary because of its good room standard, comfortable atmosphere and convenient location for the tour programme.
Breakfast is included. Twin, double and single room arrangements can be organised according to the confirmed booking.
