4-Day Turkmenistan Tour: Ashgabat, Ancient Merv, and Darvaza Gas Crater

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Route: Ashgabat Airport – Ashgabat – Ancient Merv – Ashgabat – Darvaza Gas Crater – Ashgabat Airport

Discover the best of Turkmenistan on this 4-day loop tour from Ashgabat. Explore the white-marble capital, immerse yourself in history during a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ancient Merv, and experience authentic Turkmen culture. Complete your adventure with an unforgettable night of camping under the stars at the glowing Darvaza Gas Crater before returning to Ashgabat for departure.

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 & Ashgabat City Tour

Travel to Ashgabat: Getting to Know the City

Your itinerary in the capital of Turkmenistan

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.

Day 2 Ashgabat → Ancient Merv → Ashgabat

Journey to Ancient Merv: From Traditions to Historical Grandeur

After breakfast depart from Ashgabat towards Merv.

Turkmen Ojagy Ethnographic Complex

Arrive at the Turkmen Ojagy ethnographic complex near the ruins of Merv for a traditional lunch and folklore show:

Alabay & Camels: Meet the majestic Alabay dogs, the national pride of Turkmenistan, and take photos with the Bactrian camels.
National Dress: Access a collection of authentic Turkmen costumes. Try on the Telpek (sheepskin hats) and silver-adorned robes for a photo session in a traditional yurt.
Bread-Baking Master Class: Get hands-on experience at the Tamdyr (clay oven), learning the ancient art of baking Chorek (Turkmen flatbread).

Full Guided Tour of Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Explore the history of the great city, including visits to key archaeological monuments:

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 and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.

Day 3 Ashgabat → Darvaza

Journey to the Gates of Hell: Ashgabat to Darvaza

After breakfast, we continue our immersive tour of the "City of White Marble." This program is fully flexible, it depends on your personal preferences, your guide’s professional advice, and the time available in your schedule. We will visit as many landmarks as possible, ensuring a perfect balance of history, culture, and modern architecture.

The Route Itinerary

Lunch at a local restaurant.
Departure from Ashgabat heading North into the Karakum Desert (approx. 270 km).
En route stops at the Water Crater and Mud Crater.
Arrival at the Darvaza Gas Crater ("Gates of Hell").

Evening at the Crater

Sunset photography followed by a BBQ Dinner near the burning crater. The view is most spectacular after dark.

Overnight: Stay in a traditional Turkmen Yurt at the crater campsite.

Day 4 Darvaza → Ashgabat & Departure

Departure and Ashgabat Discovery

Morning at the Crater

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the camp. Before we depart, there is an optional pre-dawn visit to the crater, offering you one last chance to capture stunning photographs of the glowing landscape as the sun begins to rise.

Journey to Ashgabat

Following our morning activities, we will begin the drive from Darvaza back to the capital, Ashgabat.

City Tour & Hammam Relaxation

Hammam Relaxation: Begin your afternoon with a revitalizing break at a local hammam to unwind and refresh after the desert adventure.
Tailored Private Tour: Enjoy a private tour of Ashgabat customized entirely to your interests.

Your expert guide will design a perfect route to showcase the city's striking modern architecture, profound ancient history, and vibrant local culture, ensuring you make the most of your time.

Conclusion of the Journey

In the late evening, we will provide a transfer to Ashgabat International Airport. 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 itinerary includes a visit to the capital city of Ashgabat, an excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ancient Merv, an immersion into Turkmen culture, and an unforgettable overnight stay in tents near the Darvaza gas crater.

How is the overnight stay at the Darvaza gas crater organized?

The overnight stay at the Darvaza crater is organized in a camping format. You will be able to enjoy the view of the burning crater under the open sky, which is one of the most vivid experiences of the tour.

Does the tour start and end at Ashgabat Airport?

Yes, the tour route is a loop: it begins with a meeting at Ashgabat Airport and ends with a transfer back to Ashgabat Airport for your departure.

Do I need to be prepared for a trip to Ancient Merv?

A trip to Ancient Merv is a historical immersion into the era of the Great Silk Road. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes for walking around archaeological sites and to follow the guide's advice for a comfortable visit to the desert area.