4-Day Turkmenistan Tour: Ashgabat, Caspian Sea, Yangykala & Merv
Route: Ashgabat Airport – Ashgabat – Kow-Ata – Nokhur – Turkmenbashi – Yangykala Canyon – Ashgabat – Ancient Merv – Ashgabat Airport
Discover the best of Turkmenistan in 4 days. This packed tour will take you from Ashgabat's modern architecture to the warm underground lake of Kow-Ata, the coastal city of Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea, the breathtaking landscapes of Yangykala Canyon, and the ancient UNESCO-listed ruins of Merv.
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.
* 07:00 AM: Early departure from Ashgabat.
* Visit Kow Ata Underground Lake. Descend into this famous cave to see the thermal lake. Optional: A quick morning swim in the warm mineral water (35°C) to wake up.
* Drive into the Kopet Dag mountains to visit Nokhur Mountain Village.
* Continue West across the Balkan region towards the Caspian Sea.
* Arrival in Turkmenbashi: Reach the port city in the evening.
* Seaside Dinner & Stroll: Walk along the Caspian shore to breathe in the sea air, followed by a feast of local specialties like grilled Sturgeon and fresh catch-of-the-day.
* Overnight: Hotel in Turkmenbashi.
* Visit Kow Ata Underground Lake. Descend into this famous cave to see the thermal lake. Optional: A quick morning swim in the warm mineral water (35°C) to wake up.
* Drive into the Kopet Dag mountains to visit Nokhur Mountain Village.
* Continue West across the Balkan region towards the Caspian Sea.
* Arrival in Turkmenbashi: Reach the port city in the evening.
* Seaside Dinner & Stroll: Walk along the Caspian shore to breathe in the sea air, followed by a feast of local specialties like grilled Sturgeon and fresh catch-of-the-day.
* Overnight: Hotel in Turkmenbashi.
* 07:00 AM: Drive to Yangykala. Leaving early is essential to maximize daylight at the canyon.
* Arrival at Yangykala Canyon: Witness the "Grand Canyon of Central Asia." Walk along the limestone cliffs, taking in the surreal bands of red, pink, and white rock. This is one of the most photogenic spots in the country.
* Picnic Lunch: A boxed lunch enjoyed with a view over the vast canyon floor.
* Begin the long drive back to Ashgabat (~6 hours).
* En Route: Watch the desert landscape shift as the sun sets.
* Arrival in Ashgabat and transfer to your hotel.
* Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
* Arrival at Yangykala Canyon: Witness the "Grand Canyon of Central Asia." Walk along the limestone cliffs, taking in the surreal bands of red, pink, and white rock. This is one of the most photogenic spots in the country.
* Picnic Lunch: A boxed lunch enjoyed with a view over the vast canyon floor.
* Begin the long drive back to Ashgabat (~6 hours).
* En Route: Watch the desert landscape shift as the sun sets.
* Arrival in Ashgabat and transfer to your hotel.
* 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" -
Turkmenbashi
(1 nights)
Standard: Hotel "Charlak", Hotel "Great Silk Road"
