4-Day Grand Tour of Turkmenistan: Ashgabat, Darvaza & UNESCO Sites
Itinerary: Ashgabat Airport – Ashgabat – Flight to Dashoguz – Konye-Urgench – Darvaza – Ashgabat – Ancient Merv – Ashgabat Airport
This packed 4-day tour covers the main historical and natural treasures of Turkmenistan. You will explore modern white-marble Ashgabat, take a domestic flight to discover the ancient ruins of Konye-Urgench, spend an unforgettable night camping by the flaming Darvaza gas crater in the Karakum Desert, and touch the grandeur of Ancient Merv – one of the most important cities on the Great Silk Road.
4
days
0
groups
2
options
There are currently no available dates for this tour. Contact us for a private tour.
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 and English-speaking guide for the days and routes specified in your itinerary.
- 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 not included in the program (estimated 3–8 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 fees. meal costs and photo fees at the Turkmen Ojagy Ethnographic Complex (if included in your itinerary).
Tour program
* Morning Arrival: Meet and greet at the Ashgabat International Airport and transfer to the city.
* After breakfast Ashgabat City Tour: Embark on a private tour of Ashgabat that is completely tailored to your schedule. Your expert guide will design a route that maximizes your time. We will adapt the pace and landmarks to your personal interests, ensuring you experience the perfect mix of Turkmenistan's ancient history, rich culture, and striking modern architecture.
* Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
* After breakfast Ashgabat City Tour: Embark on a private tour of Ashgabat that is completely tailored to your schedule. Your expert guide will design a route that maximizes your time. We will adapt the pace and landmarks to your personal interests, ensuring you experience the perfect mix of Turkmenistan's ancient history, rich culture, and striking modern architecture.
* Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
* 06:00 AM: Fly from Ashgabat Domestic Airport to Dashoguz.
* Arrival & Breakfast.
* Drive from Dashoguz to Kunya-Urgench.
* Guided Tour of the Historical Park (UNESCO):
Kutlug-Timur Minaret: The tallest minaret in Central Asia.
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum: Famous for its exquisite and unique ceiling mosaic.
Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan: Iconic architectural landmarks of the Khorezmshah era.
Caravansaray Gate: Viewing the preserved monumental portal of the ancient city.
* Return to Dashoguz for a traditional lunch and a visit to the local market (shopping for supplies/snacks for the desert).
* Begin the journey to Darvaza (~300 km, 5 hours). The route crosses the Central Karakum Desert.
* Arrival at the Darvaza Gas Crater ("Gates of Hell"). Experience the sunset over the desert as the crater’s glow begins to intensify.
* Traditional BBQ Dinner served at the campsite. Spectacular nighttime viewing of the burning crater—the best time for photography.
* Overnight: Stay in a traditional Turkmen Yurt or tent campsite.
* Arrival & Breakfast.
* Drive from Dashoguz to Kunya-Urgench.
* Guided Tour of the Historical Park (UNESCO):
Kutlug-Timur Minaret: The tallest minaret in Central Asia.
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum: Famous for its exquisite and unique ceiling mosaic.
Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan: Iconic architectural landmarks of the Khorezmshah era.
Caravansaray Gate: Viewing the preserved monumental portal of the ancient city.
* Return to Dashoguz for a traditional lunch and a visit to the local market (shopping for supplies/snacks for the desert).
* Begin the journey to Darvaza (~300 km, 5 hours). The route crosses the Central Karakum Desert.
* Arrival at the Darvaza Gas Crater ("Gates of Hell"). Experience the sunset over the desert as the crater’s glow begins to intensify.
* Traditional BBQ Dinner served at the campsite. Spectacular nighttime viewing of the burning crater—the best time for photography.
* Overnight: Stay in a traditional Turkmen Yurt or tent campsite.
* Breakfast at the camp and optional pre-dawn sunrise visit to the crater for final photos.
* Drive from Darvaza to Ashgabat.
* En route: Short photo stops at the Water and Mud Craters. Experience these unique natural desert bubbles before leaving the Karakum sands.
* Arrival and Ashgabat City Tour: Continue a private tour of Ashgabat that is completely tailored to your schedule. Your expert guide will design a route that maximizes your time. We will adapt the pace and landmarks to your personal interests, ensuring you experience the perfect mix of Turkmenistan's ancient history, rich culture, and striking modern architecture.
* Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
* Drive from Darvaza to Ashgabat.
* En route: Short photo stops at the Water and Mud Craters. Experience these unique natural desert bubbles before leaving the Karakum sands.
* Arrival and Ashgabat City Tour: Continue a private tour of Ashgabat that is completely tailored to your schedule. Your expert guide will design a route that maximizes your time. We will adapt the pace and landmarks to your personal interests, ensuring you experience the perfect mix of Turkmenistan's ancient history, rich culture, and striking modern architecture.
* Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
* Morning departure from Ashgabat heading to Mary/Merv.
* Traditional lunch in a local restaurant in Mary or Bayramaly.
* Full Guided Tour of Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar: A 12th-century Seljuk masterpiece, once the largest building in the Islamic world.
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala: The iconic "corrugated" mud-brick desert fortresses (7th–12th centuries).
Askhabs Mausoleums: Visit the sacred burial sites of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Al-Hakim ibn Jabir and Buraidah ibn Al-Husaib).
Ancient Hammam & Sardoba: Discover the remains of medieval public baths and the sophisticated water storage systems of the desert.
Erk Kala & Gyaur Kala: Climb the ancient citadels for a panoramic view of the vast archaeological park.
* Return to Ashgabat: Relax on the drive back to the capital, watching the desert landscape shift as the sun sets.
* Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) for your departure flight.
* End of Tour.
* Traditional lunch in a local restaurant in Mary or Bayramaly.
* Full Guided Tour of Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar: A 12th-century Seljuk masterpiece, once the largest building in the Islamic world.
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala: The iconic "corrugated" mud-brick desert fortresses (7th–12th centuries).
Askhabs Mausoleums: Visit the sacred burial sites of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Al-Hakim ibn Jabir and Buraidah ibn Al-Husaib).
Ancient Hammam & Sardoba: Discover the remains of medieval public baths and the sophisticated water storage systems of the desert.
Erk Kala & Gyaur Kala: Climb the ancient citadels for a panoramic view of the vast archaeological park.
* Return to Ashgabat: Relax on the drive back to the capital, watching the desert landscape shift as the sun sets.
* Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) for your departure flight.
* End of Tour.
Accommodations
-
Ashgabat
(2 nights)
Standard: Hotel "Mizan", Bagt Koshgi Hotel
Comfort: Hotel "Oguzkent", Hotel "Archabil" -
Darvaza
(1 nights)
Standard: Yurt Camp
