Нужна ли виза для участия в туре и как организовано пересечение границы?

Да, для въезда в Туркменистан большинству иностранных граждан требуется туристическая виза и пригласительное письмо (LOI), оформление которого организуется заранее. Пересечение границы проходит через КПП «Шават» (Шават — Дашогуз). Наш гид и транспорт встретят вас на туркменской стороне границы после прохождения паспортного и таможенного контроля.

В каких условиях проходит ночевка возле газового кратера Дарваза?

Ночевка организована в традиционном юрточном кемпинге в пустыне Каракумы недалеко от кратера. В юртах предоставляются спальные места с постельными принадлежностями. Вечером для гостей готовится традиционный ужин-барбекю на свежем воздухе с потрясающим видом на пылающий кратер. Удобства в лагере базовые (пустынный кемпинг).

Какие главные достопримечательности входят в программу тура?

Тур охватывает ключевые исторические и природные объекты северного Туркменистана: архитектурные памятники древнего Куня-Ургенча (включены в список ЮНЕСКО), руины древней крепости Измукшир, знаменитый горящий кратер Дарваза («Врата ада»), а также колоритный восточный базар в городе Дашогуз.

Откуда начинается тур и где он заканчивается?

Маршрут начинается в Хиве или Ургенче (Узбекистан), откуда организуется трансфер до пограничного перехода «Шават». После завершения трехдневной программы по Туркменистану группа возвращается через этот же КПП с обратным трансфером в Хиву или Ургенч.

3-Day Kunya-Urgench & Darvaza Gas Crater Tour from Khiva / Urgench #17

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groups

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Quick facts

Duration: 3 days
Price: from $802 The price depends on group size: in larger groups the guide and transport costs are shared.

🗺️ Route:

Itinerary: Khiva / Shavat border – Kunya-Urgench – Dashoguz – Izmukshir – Darvaza gas crater – Dashoguz – Shavat border / Khiva

✨ Tour Overview

An incredible 3-day desert and history adventure starting from Khiva! Cross the Shavat border to explore the UNESCO-listed medieval architecture of Kunya-Urgench and the ancient ruins of the Izmukshir fortress. Journey deep into the Karakum Desert for an unforgettable night in a traditional yurt camp by the spectacular burning Darvaza gas crater. Enjoy an authentic barbecue under the stars and experience local culture at the vibrant Dashoguz bazaar before returning to Uzbekistan.

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

Tour program

Day 1 Shavat Border → Dashoguz → Kunya-Urgench → Dashoguz

🛂 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.
🚗 Drive to Kunya-Urgench: Depart toward Kunya-Urgench (~96 km, approx. 1.5 hours), the ancient capital of the Khorezm Empire and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
🍽️ Lunch: Enjoy a traditional lunch upon arrival in Kunya-Urgench (or en route in Dashoguz, depending on exact timing).
🏛️ Kunya-Urgench Historical Tour: Explore the grand archaeological park featuring:
- Kutlug-Timur Minaret: The tallest medieval minaret in Central Asia.
- Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum: World-renowned for its intricate, mathematically perfect geometric ceiling mosaic.
- Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh & Il-Arslan: Featuring iconic conical domes.
- Caravanserai Gate: A historical reminder of the ancient Silk Road trade route.
🚗 Return to Dashoguz: Drive back to Dashoguz. Enjoy a brief evening orientation city tour to see the local life, followed by a relaxing dinner at a local restaurant.
🏨 Overnight: Stay at a hotel in Dashoguz.

Day 2 Dashoguz → Izmukshir → Darvaza Gas Crater

🍽️ 08:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel.
🛍️ Bai Bazaar: Visit the vibrant local Bai Bazaar. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience authentic local life and pick up fresh fruits, snacks, and travel supplies for the desert journey.
🏛️ Izmukshir Fortress: Depart Dashoguz and drive to the ancient Izmukshir Fortress (~25 km). Explore the impressive, massive clay ruins of this historical site, famous as the birthplace of the great medieval philosopher Al-Zamakhshari.
🌵 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.
🍽️ Lunch: Enjoy a traditional lunch en route at a roadside teahouse in a local settlement before heading deeper into the desert.
🌵 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 3 Darvaza Gas Crater → Dashoguz → Shavat Border

🏔️ 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 the return drive across the Karakum Desert to Dashoguz (~300 km, approx. 4 to 4.5 hours).
🍽️ Dashoguz & Farewell Lunch: Arrive in Dashoguz and enjoy a farewell lunch at a traditional local restaurant, tasting regional specialties.
🚗 Border Transfer: Short drive to the Shavat Border Checkpoint (approx. 15–20 minutes).
🛂 03:00 PM (Approx.): 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 Services.

Route Map

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Day start Day end 5 points

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).

Accommodations

Dashoguz

1 nights

Darvaza

1 nights

FAQ

Do I need a visa to participate in the tour, and how is the border crossing organized?

Yes, most foreign citizens require a tourist visa and a Letter of Invitation (LOI) to enter Turkmenistan, which is arranged in advance. The border crossing takes place through the Shavat checkpoint (Shavat – Dashoguz). Our guide and transport will meet you on the Turkmen side of the border after passport and customs control.

What are the conditions for the overnight stay near the Darvaza gas crater?

The overnight stay is organized in a traditional yurt camp in the Karakum Desert near the crater. Sleeping accommodations with bedding are provided in the yurts. In the evening, a traditional open-air barbecue dinner is prepared for guests with stunning views of the flaming crater. Facilities at the camp are basic (desert camping).

What are the main attractions included in the tour itinerary?

The tour covers key historical and natural sites of northern Turkmenistan: the architectural monuments of ancient Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the ruins of the ancient Izmukshir fortress, the famous burning Darvaza gas crater ("Gates of Hell"), as well as the colorful oriental bazaar in the city of Dashoguz.

Where does the tour start and end?

The route begins in Khiva or Urgench (Uzbekistan), from where a transfer to the Shavat border crossing is organized. After completing the three-day program in Turkmenistan, the group returns through the same checkpoint with a return transfer to Khiva or Urgench.