3-Day Highlights Circular Tour of Turkmenistan from Ashgabat

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Route: Ashgabat (ASB Airport) – Darvaza Gas Crater – Ashgabat – Ancient Merv – Mary – Ashgabat (ASB Airport)

A compact 3-day circular tour showcasing the iconic highlights of Turkmenistan, starting and ending at Ashgabat International Airport! Experience the futuristic white-marble architecture of Ashgabat before traveling into the Karakum Desert for an unforgettable night of yurt camping by the glowing Darvaza Gas Crater. On day two, return to the capital, stopping en route to explore the unique Mud and Water desert craters. Journey east on day three along the high-speed motorway to uncover the ancient Silk Road heritage of UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv before returning to Ashgabat for a farewell dinner and a smooth airport transfer for your departure flight.

No dates scheduled yet. Contact us to request a private tour or specific date.

What is included/not included

What is included

Letter of Invitation (LoI) for Turkmenistan visa and assistance with mandatory registration of foreign visitors.
Accommodation in standard hotel rooms: twin rooms shared by same-gender guests; double rooms for couples; single rooms arranged when needed (other room categories on request).
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).
Entrance, photo fees, and activities at Turkmen Ojagy (if included in your itinerary; lunch, folklore, dress-up, & masterclasses require min. 4 people).

Tour program

Day 1 Arrival in Ashgabat → Darvaza Gas Crater

Flight Arrival & Welcome: Upon your arrival at the Ashgabat International Airport (ASB), clear customs and immigration formalities.

Airport Transfer: Meet and greet by our team at the arrival gate (our guide/driver will recognize you based on your photo). Transfer to a restaurant for breakfast and a quick refresh.

Ashgabat City Highlights: Take a morning orientation tour of the "White Marble City", exploring its grand monuments, futuristic avenues, and manicured parks.

Lunch: Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.

Drive into the Karakum Desert: In the afternoon, depart Ashgabat and head north into the vast Karakum Desert (~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.

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 prepared by our team at the campsite. The night offers the ultimate viewing and photography opportunities under the desert stars.

Overnight: Stay in a traditional Turkmen yurt or a comfortable tent campsite near the crater.

Day 2 Darvaza Gas Crater → Ashgabat

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: Spend the afternoon discovering any remaining landmarks, museums, or vibrant local bazaars in Ashgabat that you haven't visited yet, perfect for picking up souvenirs.

Overnight: Stay at a hotel in Ashgabat.

Day 3 Ashgabat → Ancient Merv → Ashgabat → Ashgabat Airport

07:30 AM: Morning departure from Ashgabat. Drive east along the Ashgabat–Mary High-Speed Motorway (Autobahn). Enjoy a smooth, comfortable journey across the changing landscapes (~360 km, approx. 3.5 to 4 hours).

Lunch: Arrive in the Mary region and enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant in Mary or Bayramaly.

Ancient Merv Guided Tour: Visit the spectacular archaeological park of Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Explore the key historical highlights in a streamlined route:

Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar: A 12th-century Seljuk masterpiece featuring its legendary double-dome construction.
Greater & Lesser Kyz Kala: The iconic "corrugated" mud-brick desert fortresses (7th–12th centuries).
Askhabs Mausoleums & Ancient Sardoba: Visit the sacred burial sites of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, along with the adjacent medieval public baths and the sophisticated desert water storage system (Sardoba).
Erk Kala & Gyaur Kala: Climb the massive ancient citadels for a panoramic view over the vast archaeological park.
Note: Ancient Merv hosts numerous other hidden ruins; additional minor historic sights within the archaeological park can be flexibly explored upon request, depending on your time and interest.

Return Drive via Motorway: Drive back to the capital city via the high-speed autobahn, watching the sunset over the desert horizon during the smooth return trip.

Farewell Dinner & Airport Transfer: Relax over a delicious farewell dinner at a top local restaurant in Ashgabat. Depending on your international flight schedule, enjoy a private transfer to Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) for your departure flight back home.

End of Tour.