4-Day Highlights Circular Tour of Turkmenistan from Ashgabat

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

An action-packed 4-day circular adventure showcasing the grandest highlights of Turkmenistan, starting and ending at Ashgabat International Airport! Discover the shimmering white-marble architecture of Ashgabat before taking a domestic flight north to Dashoguz to tour the medieval UNESCO-listed monuments of Kunya-Urgench. Journey through the Central Karakum Desert for a memorable night of yurt camping by the roaring Darvaza Gas Crater, stopping at the Mud and Water craters on your return to the capital. On your final day, travel east via high-speed motorway to uncover the ancient Silk Road heritage of Merv before concluding your journey with a farewell dinner in Ashgabat and a smooth airport transfer.

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 & 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

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 4 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.

Accommodations

Ashgabat

2 nights

Standard: Hotel "Mizan", Bagt Koshgi Hotel

Comfort: Hotel "Oguzkent", Hotel "Archabil"

Darvaza

1 nights

Standard: Yurt Camp

FAQ

What is included in the 4-day Turkmenistan tour program?

The tour program covers the country's key attractions: a sightseeing tour of the white-marble city of Ashgabat, a visit to the ruins of Kunya-Urgench, an unforgettable overnight stay at a campsite near the Darvaza gas crater in the Karakum Desert, and a trip to the ancient city of Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Are there any domestic flights included in this tour?

Yes, the tour includes a domestic flight from Ashgabat to Dashoguz, which allows you to make the most efficient use of your time to visit the historical sites of Kunya-Urgench.

What are the accommodation conditions near the Darvaza crater?

Accommodation near the Darvaza gas crater is provided in a campsite. This is a unique experience that allows you to spend a night in the Karakum Desert under the open sky, next to the spectacular sight of the "Gates of Hell".

Is this tour suitable for a first introduction to the history of the Great Silk Road?

Absolutely. The itinerary is specifically designed as an intensive trip, including visits to Kunya-Urgench and Merv — some of the most significant and expansive historical centers along the routes of the Great Silk Road.