3-Day Highlights Circular Tour of Turkmenistan from Ashgabat

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Route: Ashgabat (ASB Airport) – Ashgabat – Dashoguz – Kunya-Urgench – Dashoguz – Darvaza Gas Crater – Ashgabat (ASB Airport)

A comprehensive 3-day circular adventure starting and ending at Ashgabat International Airport! Begin with a tailored tour of Ashgabat's futuristic white-marble cityscape before taking a short domestic flight north to Dashoguz. Explore the medieval UNESCO World Heritage monuments of Kunya-Urgench, including the grand Kutlug-Timur Minaret and Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum. Journey across the Central Karakum Desert for an iconic night of yurt camping by the fiery Darvaza Gas Crater. On your final day, travel back south to Ashgabat, discovering the unique Mud and Water desert craters en route before enjoying last-minute city sightseeing and a smooth transfer back to the airport for your flight home.

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).

Tour program

Day 1 Arrival in Ashgabat & Tailored Capital Discovery

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: Embark on a private, fully customizable tour of the "White Marble City." Your guide will craft a flexible route tailored to your pace and personal interests, blending ancient Silk Road history with grand futuristic landmarks.

Meals & Leisure: The day is designed around your comfort, featuring carefully timed breaks for a delicious lunch and a relaxed dinner at top local restaurants, where you can sample authentic Turkmen and regional cuisine while reflecting on the city's unique sights.

Overnight: Stay at a hotel in Ashgabat.

Day 2 Ashgabat → flight to Dashoguz → Kunya-Urgench → Darvaza Gas Crater

Early Morning Flight to Dashoguz: Transfer to Ashgabat Domestic Airport for your early flight to Dashoguz (approx. 06:00 AM departure). Upon arrival, meet your driver.

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 & Market Visit in Dashoguz: Return to Dashoguz for a traditional lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, visit the vibrant local bazaar to pick up desert snacks, fresh fruits, and supplies for the evening ahead.

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 3 Darvaza Gas Crater → Ashgabat → Ashgabat Airport

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.

Departure Transfer: Depending on your international flight schedule, enjoy a private transfer to the Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) for your evening departure.

End of Tour.