3-Day Turkmenistan Transit Tour from Khiva to Khiva or Nukus via Kunya-Urgench

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Route: Khiva / Shavat Border – Dashoguz – Darvaza Gas Crater – Ashgabat – Dashoguz – Kunya-Urgench – Shavat Border (Khiva) / Hojaili Border (Nukus)

A comprehensive 3-day loop through Turkmenistan that seamlessly connects Khiva to either Khiva or Nukus! Enter via the Shavat border and venture into the Karakum Desert for an incredible night of yurt camping by the spectacular burning Darvaza Gas Crater. Take a private guided tour of Ashgabat's shimmering white-marble architecture before boarding a classic overnight train back north. Conclude your trip exploring the ancient UNESCO World Heritage monuments of Kunya-Urgench before choosing a smooth exit via the Shavat or Hojaili border crossings.

Available Departure Dates

1 open groups

10.10.2026 10:00

4 free

0 booked 4 free

1 person: $786 4 people: $501

Secure payment via Stripe — Visa, Mastercard, Amex. Processed by TMTOURISM LLC (Wyoming, USA).

What is included/not included

What is included

Letter of Invitation (LoI) for Turkmenistan visa and assistance with mandatory registration of foreign visitors.
Private transport, domestic flights, and train tickets (as specified in your itinerary), along with a professional English-speaking guide for all designated routes.
All expenses of your driver and guide, including fuel, meals, accommodation, meeting you at the border and seeing you off at the border.
Daily breakfasts during the tour.
Dinner and overnight in a yurt at the Darvaza gas crater and at Gozli Ata (if included in your itinerary).
Entrance fees and photography permits for museums and attractions visited with your guide.
Travel insurance.
All local taxes and mandatory service charges for services included in the tour.
The tour usually starts and ends at the Turkmenistan side of the border (other pick-up or drop-off points can be arranged on request).

What is not included

Visa and other border fees are not included. The visa can be obtained either at the embassy or at the border.
International flights and any transport to/from Turkmenistan at the start and end of the tour.
Meals are not included in the program (approximately 5–10 USD per meal per person, depending on the location and restaurant).
Personal expenses (e.g. souvenirs, laundry, minibar) and tips for guides/drivers (optional but appreciated).
Drones (not allowed in Turkmenistan).

Tour program

Day 1 Shavat Border → Dashoguz → Darvaza Gas Crater

10:00 AM (Approx.): Meet and greet inside the main hall of the Shavat Border Control Terminal on the Turkmen side; as you process your migration and passport check, the border officers will contact our team, and our local guide will enter the hall to meet you directly based on your photo.

Dashoguz Stop: Short drive to Dashoguz for a traditional local lunch. Visit the local bazaar to experience the culture and shop for desert supplies/snacks.

Desert Journey: Begin the drive to Darvaza (~300 km, approx. 4 to 4.5 hours) crossing the Central Karakum Desert. Please note that certain sections of the road are rough and uneven, making the drive bumpy, this is a true off-road desert adventure.

Darvaza Gas Crater ("Shining of Karakum"): Arrive at the spectacular burning gas crater. Experience the desert sunset as the crater’s fiery glow begins to intensify.

Evening & Dinner: Enjoy a traditional, open-air BBQ dinner freshly prepared by our team at the yurt camp. The night offers the ultimate viewing and photography opportunities as the burning crater glows brilliantly under the desert stars.

Overnight: Stay in a traditional Turkmen yurt at the crater yurt camp.

Day 2 Darvaza Gas Crater → Ashgabat → Dashoguz (Overnight Train)

Sunrise Experience: Optional pre-dawn visit to the crater edge to experience the surreal morning light and capture the last glowing flames before sunrise over the desert.

Breakfast & Departure: Enjoy a fresh breakfast at the yurt camp, pack up, and begin your southward journey across the Karakum Desert to the capital city, Ashgabat (~270 km, approx. 3.5 hours). Please note that certain sections of the road are rough and uneven, making the drive bumpy, this is a true off-road desert adventure.

Desert Craters Stops: En route, make short stops to explore the unique Water Crater and Mud Crater, witnessing the diverse geological phenomena of the desert.

Lunch: Enjoy a lunch break upon arrival in Ashgabat.

Ashgabat City Tour: After lunch, embark on a guided exploration of Ashgabat. Discover the city's signature white-marble architecture, historic monuments, and cultural sites tailored to your pace.

Dinner (Flexible Options): Enjoy a flexible dinner break. Your guide can arrange a sit-down meal at a local Ashgabat cafe before departure, or help you pack a light dinner/snacks to take onboard the train, depending on your preference.

Train Station Transfer & Departure: Transfer to the Ashgabat Railway Station. Board the overnight train to Dashoguz, departing at 20:30.

Overnight: Stay on the overnight train (comfortable 4-berth compartments).

Day 3 Dashoguz → Kunya-Urgench → Border crossing

08:45 AM: Arrival & Meet-up: Arrive in Dashoguz via the overnight train from Ashgabat. Meet your private driver at the railway station and refresh before the day's program.

Drive to Kunya-Urgench: Depart toward Kunya-Urgench (~100 km, approx. 1.5 to 2 hours), the ancient capital of the powerful Khorezm Empire and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kunya-Urgench Historical Tour: A comprehensive guided exploration of the historical park, featuring:

Kutlug-Timur Minaret: The tallest medieval minaret in Central Asia.
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum: Famous for its breathtaking, mathematically perfect geometric ceiling mosaic.
Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh & Il-Arslan: Showcasing unique conical domes.
Caravanserai Gate: A glimpse into the old Silk Road trade hub.

Lunch: Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant in Kunya-Urgench.

Border Transfer (Customizable Options): Depending on your onward travel itinerary in Uzbekistan, enjoy a private transfer to your preferred border checkpoint:

Option A: Shavat Border Crossing (Best for Khiva / Urgench): Drive south via Dashoguz back to the Shavat crossing (~130 km, approx. 2 hours).
Option B: Hojaili Border Crossing (Best for Nukus / Muynak): Drive north directly to the nearby Hojaili-Kunya-Urgench crossing (~35 km, approx. 45 minutes).

Border Formalities & Exit: Arrival at the border terminal. Our professional team will escort and assist you through all Turkmen customs and departure immigration formalities as per official border permit regulations.

End of Tour.