Tour Overview
Discover the fascinating contrasts of Central Asia on our 5-day Turkmenistan tour from Ashgabat, combining remarkable Silk Road heritage, Bronze Age archaeology and the dramatic landscapes of the Karakum Desert. Travel from Turkmenistan's white-marble capital to the historic cities of the east before continuing overland toward Khiva or Nukus in Uzbekistan.
Explore the UNESCO-listed ruins of Ancient Merv, experience traditional Turkmen culture at Turkmen Ojagy and venture into the desert to discover Gonur Depe, the extraordinary archaeological centre of ancient Margiana. Continue north for a memorable evening beside the Darvaza Gas Crater, with a traditional barbecue dinner and an overnight stay in a desert yurt camp. Complete your journey at UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench, renowned for its medieval minaret, mausoleums and Silk Road monuments. With a professional local guide, private transportation and accommodation arranged throughout the journey, Darvaza Tour offers an enriching five-day experience through some of Turkmenistan's most remarkable destinations.
5-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Ashgabat | Discovering the White Marble Capital
Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport
Welcome to Turkmenistan! Upon landing at Ashgabat International Airport (ASB), complete the necessary passport control and arrival procedures. Your professional English-speaking guide and private driver will meet you in the arrivals area and introduce you to the programme ahead.
Depending on your flight schedule, begin with breakfast at a local restaurant before setting out to discover the capital.
Private Ashgabat City Tour
Spend your first day exploring Ashgabat, a remarkable city celebrated for its monumental avenues, distinctive architecture and striking white-marble buildings.
Your guide will adapt the sightseeing programme to your interests and arrival time. Possible highlights include:
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Independence Monument — an impressive symbol of modern Turkmenistan surrounded by landscaped gardens.
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Neutrality Monument — one of the capital's most recognisable landmarks.
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Ertogrul Gazi Mosque — a beautiful example of Ottoman-inspired architecture.
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National Museum of History — a fascinating introduction to the country's archaeological and cultural heritage.
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Ancient Nisa — the UNESCO-listed Parthian fortress near Ashgabat, subject to the day's available sightseeing time.
Lunch and Dinner
Enjoy breaks at local restaurants, with opportunities to sample traditional Turkmen dishes and discover the country's culinary traditions.
Evening in Ashgabat
Continue sightseeing if your arrival time permits, or enjoy a relaxed evening after your international journey. Your guide will arrange the schedule around your comfort.
Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 2 — Ashgabat → Ancient Merv → Turkmen Ojagy → Mary
Breakfast and Morning Departure
After breakfast, check out of your Ashgabat hotel and set off east toward the Mary region.
Travel approximately 360 km along the Ashgabat–Mary highway, with an estimated driving time of around four hours. Along the way, observe the open landscapes and desert surroundings of southern Turkmenistan.
Ancient Merv — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Arrive at the spectacular archaeological park of Ancient Merv, formerly one of the most important commercial and cultural centres on the Great Silk Road.
Accompanied by your local guide, explore monuments representing several centuries of Central Asian history.
Main Historical Attractions
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Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar: Admire the monumental 12th-century Seljuk mausoleum, renowned for its impressive dome and elegant architectural proportions.
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Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala: Discover the distinctive corrugated mud-brick walls of these remarkable fortified structures.
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Askhabs Mausoleums: Visit the historically significant religious complex dedicated to two companions of the Prophet Muhammad.
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Ancient Sardoba and Hammam: Learn how earlier inhabitants stored water and developed essential facilities for life in an arid climate.
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Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala: Examine the remains of the enormous fortified settlements that reveal Merv's extraordinary urban past.
Additional monuments may be explored when the sightseeing schedule allows.
Turkmen Ojagy Cultural Experience
After exploring Ancient Merv, continue to the Turkmen Ojagy ethnographic complex for an introduction to traditional Turkmen hospitality.
Enjoy a regional lunch and take part in memorable cultural activities:
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Alabay Dogs and Bactrian Camels: Learn about two animals closely associated with Turkmen heritage and enjoy photography opportunities.
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Traditional National Clothing: Try on colourful Turkmen garments and distinctive telpek hats for photographs.
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Traditional Bread Baking: Discover how Turkmen chorek is prepared in a clay tamdyr oven, with an opportunity to experience the bread-making tradition.
Evening in Mary
Transfer to Mary, where you will check into your hotel. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and rest after a day filled with history and cultural discovery.
Overnight: Margush Hotel 4★ in Mary.
Day 3 — Mary → Gonur Depe (Ancient Margiana) → Ashgabat
Journey into the Karakum Desert
Begin the day with breakfast before setting out on an exciting archaeological excursion to Gonur Depe.
Travel by suitable off-road vehicle into the remote desert landscape, approximately two hours from the Mary area, depending on road and weather conditions.
Gonur Depe Archaeological Exploration
Step back more than four thousand years as you discover the remains of Gonur Depe, one of the major archaeological settlements of Bronze Age Margiana.
During your guided visit, explore the fascinating evidence of a sophisticated ancient civilisation, including:
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Excavated palace complexes and settlement foundations.
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Ancient ceremonial and religious structures.
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Burial grounds and archaeological discoveries.
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Remains of defensive walls and residential quarters.
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Historical explanations of the wider Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex.
Your guide will explain how the ancient communities of the Murghab oasis developed complex settlements, craft traditions and connections with neighbouring civilisations.
Return to Mary and Lunch
Following the archaeological excursion, travel back toward Mary or Bayramaly. Stop at a local restaurant for lunch and a short rest.
Highway Journey to Ashgabat
Continue west along the modern highway toward Ashgabat, approximately 360 km, with an estimated driving time of 3.5–4 hours.
Admire the scenery of the Turkmen countryside as you leave the ancient oasis settlements behind and return to the capital.
Evening Arrival
Arrive in Ashgabat, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and check into your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 4 — Ashgabat → Water & Mud Craters → Darvaza Gas Crater
Breakfast and Final Ashgabat Sightseeing
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and enjoy additional time to discover Ashgabat.
Depending on your interests, the morning may include visits to outstanding architectural landmarks, a local market, cultural attractions or shopping opportunities for traditional Turkmen souvenirs.
The programme remains flexible and will be coordinated by your guide.
Lunch in Ashgabat
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before preparing for the desert journey.
Journey across the Karakum Desert
Leave the capital and travel north toward the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, approximately 270 km from Ashgabat.
The drive normally takes several hours and passes through the expansive Karakum Desert, with its vast open landscapes and small settlements.
Please be aware that some sections include uneven asphalt and rough desert tracks.
Water and Mud Crater Stops
Along the way, make short sightseeing and photography stops at two unusual desert landmarks:
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Water Crater: Observe a water-filled depression offering a striking contrast to the surrounding dry landscape.
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Mud Crater: Discover another fascinating geological feature of the Karakum Desert.
Arrival at Darvaza Gas Crater
Continue toward the dramatic Darvaza Gas Crater, widely known as the “Door to Hell.”
Arrive in the late afternoon or around sunset, depending on the road conditions and sightseeing schedule.
Enjoy time to observe the extraordinary desert landscape as the sky darkens and the crater becomes increasingly striking.
Traditional Barbecue Dinner
In the evening, relax at the desert campsite and enjoy a freshly prepared barbecue dinner.
The illuminated crater creates memorable photography opportunities after sunset. Your guide will provide safety instructions for visiting the surrounding area.
Overnight: Traditional Turkmen yurt or arranged desert campsite near Darvaza Gas Crater.
Day 5 — Darvaza Gas Crater → Kunya-Urgench → Shavat Border / Hojayli Border
Optional Sunrise Experience
Early risers may enjoy a final visit to the Darvaza Gas Crater to experience the peaceful atmosphere of the Karakum Desert in the morning.
Capture your last photographs before returning to the campsite for breakfast.
Breakfast and Departure
After breakfast, collect your belongings and begin the northbound journey toward Kunya-Urgench.
The drive covers approximately 340 km and may take around 5–6 hours, depending on road conditions and the selected route.
Some desert sections are uneven and bumpy, so travel times remain approximate.
Kunya-Urgench — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Arrive in Kunya-Urgench, once an influential centre of the medieval Khorezm region and a major destination along the Silk Road.
Explore its extraordinary surviving architectural monuments with your guide.
Historical Highlights
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Kutlug-Timur Minaret: Discover the towering medieval minaret, one of the most remarkable surviving monuments of Khorezm.
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Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum: Admire the beautiful geometric decoration and intricate interior mosaic patterns.
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Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum: Explore this outstanding example of medieval Khorezmian architecture.
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Il-Arslan Mausoleum: Examine the distinctive conical roof and decorative brickwork.
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Caravanserai Gate: See the remains of an entrance associated with the city's historic trading heritage.
Your guide will explain how Kunya-Urgench developed into an important political, commercial and cultural centre.
Traditional Lunch
Stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Kunya-Urgench before preparing for the final border transfer.
Departure to Uzbekistan — Two Options
Your preferred exit checkpoint will be arranged in advance according to your onward journey.
Option A — Shavat Border (for Khiva / Urgench)
Travel south via Dashoguz toward the Shavat border crossing. The drive is approximately 130 km and may take around two hours.
This option is convenient for travellers continuing their Silk Road adventure in Khiva.
Option B — Hojayli Border (for Nukus / Muynak)
Transfer toward the Hojayli border checkpoint, approximately 35 km from the Kunya-Urgench area, subject to confirmation that the crossing is available for your departure.
This option is suitable for travellers planning to continue toward Nukus, the Savitsky Museum or the Aral Sea region.
Border Formalities and End of Tour
Upon reaching your confirmed border checkpoint, your Darvaza Tour team will assist with departure arrangements and provide guidance for completing the necessary border procedures within the permitted areas.
Cross into Uzbekistan and continue independently or with a separately arranged transfer to your next destination.
End of Tour Services.
5-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.
- 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
Ashgabat — 2 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★
Guests will stay at Margush Hotel in Mary following their visit to Ancient Merv and Turkmen Ojagy. The hotel offers a convenient base for the following morning's excursion to Gonur Depe. Breakfast is included.
Darvaza — 1 Night
Traditional Desert Yurt Camp
Enjoy an unforgettable night in the Karakum Desert near the Darvaza Gas Crater. Accommodation is arranged in a traditional Turkmen yurt or designated campsite with basic desert facilities. A freshly prepared barbecue dinner and breakfast are included.
