Tour Overview
An 8-day Turkmenistan tour from Khiva to Bukhara offers an extraordinary journey through the country's ancient Silk Road cities, spectacular desert landscapes and remote mountain regions. This private adventure combines Turkmenistan's most famous attractions with fascinating destinations rarely explored on shorter tours. Begin your journey with an unforgettable night beside the Darvaza Gas Crater, followed by a guided discovery of Ashgabat's impressive white-marble architecture. Continue to UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv before travelling east toward the breathtaking Koytendag Mountains.
Discover prehistoric dinosaur footprints, explore the sacred Kyrk Gyz Cave, admire dramatic mountain gorges and experience traditional hospitality in a local guesthouse. The adventure continues through the historic Kerki region and Turkmenabat, finishing with a visit to the remarkable Dayahatun Caravanserai. With experienced local guides, private transportation, an overnight train journey and carefully arranged accommodation, Darvaza Tour brings together history, nature and authentic cultural experiences in one unforgettable eight-day journey across Turkmenistan.
8-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Shavat Border → Dashoguz → Darvaza Gas Crater
🛂 10:00 AM — Arrival at the Shavat Border
Your eight-day adventure begins at the Shavat border crossing between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, conveniently accessible from Khiva.
After completing the required immigration and passport procedures on the Turkmenistan side, meet your local Darvaza Tour guide at the designated meeting point inside the border terminal, subject to border security arrangements.
Your guide will welcome you and introduce the exciting itinerary ahead.
🚗 Transfer to Dashoguz
Continue to Dashoguz, the main urban centre of northern Turkmenistan.
Enjoy an introduction to the region as you travel through local streets and observe everyday life in this part of the country.
🍽️ Traditional Lunch & Bazaar Experience
Stop at a local restaurant for lunch, with an opportunity to sample traditional Turkmen dishes.
If time allows, visit a local market to browse fresh produce, regional products and snacks before the desert expedition.
🚙 Journey into the Karakum Desert
Leave Dashoguz and drive south toward the famous Darvaza Gas Crater.
The journey covers approximately 300 kilometres and usually takes around 4–4.5 hours, depending on the condition of the desert roads.
As you travel deeper into the Karakum Desert, the scenery changes from populated settlements to remote plains and wide-open landscapes.
Please be prepared for uneven road surfaces and occasional bumpy sections during this adventurous drive.
🔥 Discover the Darvaza Gas Crater
Arrive at the extraordinary Darvaza Gas Crater, widely known as the "Door to Hell."
Explore the designated viewing areas and admire one of Turkmenistan's most unusual landmarks.
As evening approaches, enjoy the changing colours of the desert and the crater's atmospheric appearance after sunset. The visibility and intensity of flames can vary.
🍢 BBQ Dinner in the Desert
Settle into the nearby campsite, where your local team will prepare a traditional outdoor barbecue.
Enjoy dinner beneath the open desert sky, surrounded by the peaceful atmosphere of the Karakum.
After dark, take the opportunity to photograph the crater and enjoy the night scenery.
⛺ Overnight: Traditional Turkmen yurt at the Darvaza campsite.
Day 2 — Darvaza Gas Crater → Water & Mud Craters → Ashgabat
🌅 Optional Sunrise Experience
Early in the morning, you may return to a designated viewing area for a final look at the Darvaza Gas Crater.
Enjoy the quiet surroundings as the first light of day appears across the Karakum Desert.
🍽️ Breakfast at the Camp
Return to the campsite for a freshly prepared breakfast before packing your belongings and beginning the journey back toward civilization.
🚙 Desert Drive to Ashgabat
Travel approximately 270 kilometres south toward Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan.
The journey usually takes around 3.5–4.5 hours, depending on road conditions and the number of stops.
Your route passes through vast stretches of the Karakum Desert, offering opportunities to appreciate the remarkable contrast between the remote landscape and the modern capital.
💧 Water Crater & Mud Crater
During the drive, visit two lesser-known natural attractions associated with the Darvaza region.
Stop at the Water Crater to observe an unusual pool of water amid the dry desert surroundings.
Continue to the Mud Crater, another interesting geological feature of the region.
These short visits offer additional photography opportunities before reaching Ashgabat.
🍽️ Lunch in Ashgabat
Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and take a comfortable break after the desert drive.
🏛️ Afternoon Ashgabat City Tour
Begin discovering the capital, often called the "White Marble City" because of its striking modern architecture.
Your private guide will introduce the city's wide boulevards, monumental buildings, landscaped parks and important cultural attractions.
Depending on available time and your interests, the programme may include Independence Monument, Neutrality Monument, Ertogrul Gazi Mosque or other landmarks.
The sightseeing schedule will be tailored to your preferences and arrival time.
🏨 Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 3 — Full-Day Ashgabat City Tour & Cultural Discovery
🍽️ Breakfast at the Hotel
Begin the morning with breakfast before meeting your local guide for a full day of sightseeing in Turkmenistan's remarkable capital.
🏛️ Explore the White Marble City
Today's programme is dedicated to exploring Ashgabat in greater depth.
Your guide will design a personalized sightseeing route, allowing you to discover the city's fascinating mixture of modern monumental architecture, historical heritage and local traditions.
Possible sightseeing highlights include:
Independence Monument: Admire one of Ashgabat's most recognisable landmarks, surrounded by extensive landscaped grounds.
Neutrality Monument: Discover an important symbol of Turkmenistan's officially recognised permanent neutrality.
Ertogrul Gazi Mosque: Visit one of the capital's most impressive religious buildings, inspired by Ottoman architectural traditions.
National Museum of History: Explore historical and archaeological exhibits that help explain the country's ancient civilizations and cultural development, subject to opening hours.
Local Markets: Experience an authentic side of Ashgabat while browsing regional products, textiles, traditional handicrafts and souvenirs.
🍽️ Traditional Lunch
Take a break at a local restaurant and enjoy Turkmen cuisine.
🏛️ Afternoon Cultural Exploration
Continue sightseeing according to your personal interests.
Your guide may focus on historical landmarks, museums, architectural photography or local neighbourhoods, ensuring a comfortable balance between exploration and relaxation.
This flexibility makes the day suitable for travellers interested in both Turkmenistan's history and its modern development.
🍽️ Dinner in Ashgabat
In the evening, enjoy dinner at a recommended restaurant and discuss the next stage of your journey toward Ancient Merv.
🏨 Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 4 — Ashgabat → Ancient Merv → Mary → Overnight Train to Kerki
🍽️ Breakfast & Hotel Check-out
After an early breakfast, check out of your hotel and prepare for a full day exploring the historical heart of the Great Silk Road.
🚗 07:30 AM — Drive to Ancient Merv
Depart Ashgabat and travel east along the modern Ashgabat–Mary motorway.
The distance is approximately 360 kilometres, with an estimated driving time of 3.5–4 hours under suitable road conditions.
Enjoy the changing desert scenery as you approach the historical Merv oasis.
🍽️ Lunch in Mary or Bayramaly
Stop at a local restaurant to enjoy traditional regional cuisine before or after the archaeological tour, depending on your arrival time.
🏛️ Ancient Merv — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Spend the afternoon discovering the extraordinary remains of Ancient Merv, one of the most important urban centres of the medieval Islamic world and a major destination along the Silk Road.
Your guide will explain how the oasis developed through different civilizations and became an influential centre of trade, scholarship and culture.
The archaeological programme includes the following principal monuments:
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
Visit the impressive twelfth-century mausoleum dedicated to Sultan Ahmad Sanjar, the powerful Seljuk ruler.
Admire its monumental brick construction, distinctive dome and important place in the architectural history of Central Asia.
Greater & Lesser Kyz Kala
Explore two remarkable historic structures known for their unusual corrugated exterior walls.
These substantial mud-brick remains are among the most distinctive architectural features of Ancient Merv.
Askhabs Mausoleums
Discover the historic religious complex associated with companions of the Prophet Muhammad, an important place of remembrance and pilgrimage.
Ancient Sardoba & Hammam
Observe surviving remains of medieval water-storage facilities and bathing structures, demonstrating how communities adapted to life in the oasis environment.
Erk Kala & Gyaur Kala
Visit the impressive remains of ancient fortified settlements, where monumental earthen walls reveal the scale of earlier cities.
Selected viewpoints provide striking perspectives across the archaeological landscape.
Additional historic sites may be explored if time and access conditions permit.
🌆 Evening in Mary
Following the archaeological visit, return to Mary.
Depending on the remaining time, enjoy a short orientation tour of the city or relax at a local restaurant.
🍽️ Dinner Before the Train Journey
Enjoy dinner in Mary, with time to refresh and prepare for the overnight railway journey.
🚆 21:25 — Overnight Train from Mary to Kerki
Transfer to Mary Railway Station and board the planned overnight train toward Kerki.
The proposed departure is approximately 21:25, subject to the operating railway timetable and confirmed ticket availability.
Accommodation is planned in a four-berth sleeper compartment, allowing you to rest while travelling across eastern Turkmenistan.
🌃 Overnight: Sleeper train from Mary to Kerki.
Day 5 — Kerki → Gaynar Baba Spring → Koytendag Mountains
🚆 07:00 AM — Arrival in Kerki
Arrive at Kerki Railway Station, where your local driver will welcome you and assist with your luggage.
Begin the morning with a traditional breakfast at a nearby café or restaurant.
🚙 Journey Toward the Koytendag Mountains
Leave Kerki and begin a scenic drive east toward the remote Koytendag mountain region.
The journey covers approximately 185 kilometres, with the landscape gradually changing from lowland plains to rugged foothills and striking mountain formations.
This region is known for its unusual geology, distinctive local traditions and remarkable natural attractions.
♨️ Gaynar Baba Natural Spring
Along the route, visit Gaynar Baba, also known as Gaynarbaba or Hojagaynar, a natural spring associated with the cultural traditions of the Koytendag region.
Observe the spring and its surrounding landscape while your guide explains its local importance.
The site is valued by residents for its natural characteristics and traditional significance. Any claimed medicinal benefits should be understood as local beliefs rather than established medical treatments.
🏡 Arrival in Koyten Village
Continue toward Koyten, a traditional settlement surrounded by impressive mountain scenery.
Upon arrival, settle into a local guesthouse or tourist base.
Experience a different side of Turkmenistan, away from the country's major cities, where mountain landscapes and rural traditions are part of everyday life.
🌄 Afternoon Relaxation & Village Atmosphere
Spend the remaining afternoon relaxing, exploring the nearby surroundings or enjoying photography in the peaceful mountain environment.
Depending on timing and local arrangements, your guide can introduce you to traditional village customs and daily life.
🍽️ Home-Cooked Traditional Dinner
In the evening, enjoy a freshly prepared meal hosted at your accommodation.
This is an opportunity to experience warm local hospitality and sample regional Turkmen dishes.
🏨 Overnight: Guesthouse or tourist base in the Koytendag Mountains.
Day 6 — Koytendag National Highlights: Dinosaur Plateau, Umbar Dere & Kyrk Gyz Cave
🍽️ Breakfast in the Mountains
Enjoy breakfast at your guesthouse before beginning a full-day expedition through some of the most impressive natural attractions in eastern Turkmenistan.
Today's programme combines prehistoric discoveries, dramatic gorges and local pilgrimage traditions.
🦕 Dinosaur Plateau — Hojapil
Travel into the mountains toward the famous Dinosaur Plateau near Hojapil.
This extraordinary limestone surface preserves numerous fossilized dinosaur footprints dating to the Jurassic period.
Walk along designated viewing areas with your guide and discover evidence of prehistoric animals that once inhabited the region millions of years ago.
The site is among the best-known paleontological attractions in Central Asia and offers an unforgettable experience for travellers interested in natural history.
Learn how these ancient tracks were preserved in stone and why the geological formations of Koytendag are so significant.
🏞️ Umbar Dere Gorge & Waterfall
Continue to the scenic Umbar Dere Gorge, a remarkable mountain landscape featuring steep rock formations and narrow valleys.
Depending on weather, trail conditions and accessibility, enjoy a walk through the gorge toward the picturesque Umbar Dere waterfall.
Admire the surrounding rock walls, natural vegetation and dramatic mountain views.
The presence and volume of flowing water may vary according to seasonal conditions.
🍽️ Mountain Picnic Lunch
Pause for a packed picnic lunch in a scenic mountain setting.
Enjoy the fresh air and peaceful surroundings before continuing the afternoon's exploration.
🪨 Pälwan Daş — Hero's Stone
Visit the traditional landmark known as Pälwan Daş, or Hero's Stone.
According to local legends, this large stone is associated with stories of exceptional strength and determination.
Your guide will explain the folklore connected with the site and its significance in regional traditions.
🕯️ Kyrk Gyz Cave — The Forty Girls
Continue to Kyrk Gyz Cave, one of the most atmospheric pilgrimage destinations in the Koytendag region.
The cave is associated with a local legend about forty girls and is known for the numerous fabric strips tied by visitors as expressions of hope and wishes.
Explore the accessible sections with your guide and learn about the traditions surrounding this remarkable sacred site.
The visit offers a fascinating insight into the relationship between nature, folklore and spiritual customs in eastern Turkmenistan.
🚙 Return to Koyten
After a full day in the mountains, return to your guesthouse or tourist base.
🍽️ Traditional Dinner & Relaxation
Enjoy another home-cooked dinner and a relaxing evening surrounded by the mountain landscape.
🏨 Overnight: Guesthouse or tourist base in Koytendag.
Please note: Mountain activities and hiking routes depend on weather, road accessibility and the physical conditions of the participants. The guide may adjust the order of visits when necessary.
Day 7 — Koytendag → Kerki Historical Monuments → Turkmenabat
🍽️ Breakfast & Departure from Koytendag
Begin the morning with breakfast at your guesthouse before saying farewell to the mountain region.
Travel back toward Kerki, enjoying the changing scenery as the rocky highlands gradually give way to the plains of eastern Turkmenistan.
🏛️ Historical Discoveries Around Kerki
The region surrounding Kerki preserves several important monuments associated with medieval Islamic architecture and local pilgrimage traditions.
Your guide will introduce you to selected historical landmarks as you continue the cultural portion of the tour.
Astana Baba Mausoleum Complex
Visit the remarkable Astana Baba complex, an important pilgrimage destination containing a group of historic tombs and domed structures.
Admire the distinctive architectural layout and learn about the religious traditions associated with the site.
Alamberdar Mausoleum
Discover one of the finest examples of medieval brick architecture in the wider Kerki region.
The mausoleum is especially noteworthy for its monumental proportions and carefully arranged decorative brickwork.
Idris Baba Historical Site
Continue to the Idris Baba religious and historical site, associated with the cultural heritage and Islamic learning traditions of the region.
Your guide will introduce its local history and explain its significance to visitors.
🍽️ Lunch in Kerki
Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant, sampling regional dishes before the onward journey.
🚗 Transfer to Turkmenabat
Depart Kerki and continue by road toward Turkmenabat, approximately 230 kilometres away.
Travel across the eastern plains of Turkmenistan, passing settlements and agricultural areas along the route.
🌆 Arrival in Turkmenabat
Reach Turkmenabat, the principal city of the Lebap Region and an important historical crossroads near the Amu Darya River.
Transfer to your hotel for check-in and relaxation.
🍽️ Dinner & Optional Evening City Drive
Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Depending on your arrival time and energy level, take an optional evening orientation drive through Turkmenabat to see its illuminated avenues and modern city landmarks.
🏨 Overnight: Ýüpek Ýoly (Silk Way Hotel), Turkmenabat — 4-star accommodation.
Day 8 — Turkmenabat → Dayahatun Caravanserai → Amul Fortress → Farap Border / Bukhara
🌅 07:00 AM — Morning Departure
Depart Turkmenabat early in the morning for the final historical expedition of your eight-day journey.
Travel north along the Amu Darya region toward the remote Dayahatun Caravanserai, located approximately 170 kilometres from Turkmenabat.
The journey can take around 3.5 hours each way because the final sections include unpaved and uneven roads.
🍽️ Breakfast Along the Route
Enjoy breakfast at a suitable stop before continuing into the remote desert landscape.
🏛️ Dayahatun Caravanserai — Silk Road Heritage
Discover one of the most fascinating surviving caravanserais in Turkmenistan.
Dating from the medieval Seljuk period, Dayahatun is an extraordinary example of Silk Road architecture, reflecting the historical importance of trade routes connecting Central Asia with surrounding regions.
Explore the atmospheric remains of the caravanserai and admire its elegant brickwork, decorative features and impressive architectural design.
Your guide will explain how caravanserais once provided shelter and services for merchants, travellers and trading caravans crossing vast distances.
The remote location and surrounding desert scenery make Dayahatun an especially memorable final stop on your Turkmenistan adventure.
🚗 Return Journey to Turkmenabat
After the visit, begin the drive back toward Turkmenabat.
Pass through rural settlements and agricultural landscapes along the Amu Darya region, observing everyday life outside the major cities.
🍽️ Late Lunch in Turkmenabat
Arrive back in Turkmenabat for a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.
Take time to relax before the final sightseeing programme and border transfer.
🏛️ Lebap Regional History Museum
If opening hours and your schedule permit, visit the regional museum to discover exhibits dedicated to the history, archaeology and ethnographic traditions of eastern Turkmenistan.
Learn about the region's historical connection to the Silk Road and the civilizations that flourished along the Amu Darya.
🏰 Ancient Amul Fortress
Explore the surviving ruins of Amul, an important historical settlement that contributed to the development of Turkmenabat as a regional trading centre.
Walk through selected sections of the ancient earthwork remains and hear stories about the city's role in connecting trade routes across Central Asia.
🌊 Amu Darya River Photo Stop
Continue toward the Uzbekistan border with an opportunity to admire the Amu Darya, one of the most important rivers in Central Asian history.
Stop at a suitable safe viewpoint to photograph the river and surrounding landscapes.
🛂 Transfer to Farap Border
Complete the final drive toward the Farap border checkpoint, approximately 40 kilometres from Turkmenabat.
Your guide and local team will provide assistance with the Turkmenistan-side departure process according to the official immigration and customs procedures.
After crossing the border into Uzbekistan, you may continue your onward journey toward Bukhara.
End of Tour Services — Thank you for exploring Turkmenistan with Darvaza Tour!
8-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.
- Darvaza accommodation: one night in a traditional yurt near the Darvaza Gas Crater, including dinner, breakfast, bed linen and access to shower facilities.
- Hotel accommodation: two nights at the 4-star Ak Altyn Hotel in Ashgabat and one night at the 4-star Yupek Yoly Hotel in Turkmenabat, with breakfast, based on twin-room sharing according to guests’ gender unless another room arrangement is agreed.
- Overnight train: sleeper-train ticket from Mary to Kerki.
- Koytendag accommodation: two nights at a local guesthouse or tourist base in the Koytendag Mountains, with breakfast.
- Ground transport: comfortable air-conditioned vehicles with experienced drivers throughout the land itinerary, including suitable vehicles for the mountain roads in Koytendag.
- Transfers: pick-up on the Turkmenistan side of the Shavat border, intercity, sightseeing and railway station transfers, and the final transfer to the Farap border for onward travel to Bukhara.
- Meals: dinner and breakfast at the Darvaza yurt camp, plus breakfasts at all hotels and guesthouses.
- Guiding: a licensed English-speaking guide throughout the programme.
- Sightseeing: guided visits and entrance fees for sites included in the agreed programme, including Ashgabat, Ancient Merv, Gaynar Baba Spring, the Dinosaur Plateau, Umbar Dere, Kyrk Gyz Cave, Kerki, Dayahatyn Caravanserai and Amul Fortress.
- 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, train schedules, road conditions, weather, local access 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.
Price doesn't include:
- e-Visa fee: paid by the traveller; the amount depends on nationality and processing time. We prepare and submit your application after the tour is confirmed.
- Border fees on arrival: about US$49 per person (migration registration and medical check), paid in cash at the border.
- Meals: lunches, dinners, the picnic lunch in Koytendag, food on the train and any meals not listed under Price includes. Allow about USD 3–8 per person per meal; actual restaurant prices vary.
- Personal expenses: souvenirs, snacks, alcohol, laundry, minibar and other personal purchases.
- Tips: for guides and drivers; optional and appreciated.
Accommodation
Turkmenabat — 1 Night
Ýüpek Ýoly Hotel 4★
Accommodation in Turkmenabat is arranged at Ýüpek Ýoly Hotel (Silk Way Hotel), a modern four-star property located in the city centre. The hotel offers comfortable, well-appointed guest rooms and a convenient location for travellers exploring the Lebap region.
We have selected this hotel for its modern facilities, comfortable accommodation and convenient access to Turkmenabat's main attractions.
Guests will spend one night here before departing early the following morning for the Dayahatyn Caravanserai excursion. Breakfast is included, with an early breakfast box available if required by the departure schedule. Twin, double or single rooms can be arranged according to the confirmed booking.
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.
Koytendag Mountains — 2 nights
Stay at a traditional guesthouse or tourist base in the Koyten area. Accommodation is simple and locally managed, offering a welcoming mountain atmosphere and home-cooked meals.
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.
