Откуда начинается тур и где он завершается?

Тур начинается с пересечения узбекско-туркменской границы через КПП «Шават» (со стороны Хивы). Завершить путешествие можно на выбор: вернуться в Хиву через КПП «Шават» или выехать в Нукус через КПП «Ходжейли».

Как организовано посещение и ночевка у газового кратера Дарваза?

Маршрут проходит через пустыню Каракумы, где вы увидите уникальные грязевой и водный кратеры, а также знаменитый горящий кратер Дарваза («Врата Ада»). Ночевка организована прямо в пустыне рядом с кратером в традиционной туркменской юрте.

Какие основные города и достопримечательности входят в программу?

За 4 дня вы посетите беломраморную столицу Ашхабад с обзорной экскурсией, совершите поездку на классическом ночном поезде в Дашогуз и исследуете впечатляющие средневековые памятники архитектуры древнего города Куня-Ургенч, входящие в список Всемирного наследия ЮНЕСКО.

Какой транспорт используется для переездов внутри Туркменистана?

В стоимость и программу входят автомобильные трансферы по маршруту (включая поездку по пустыне Каракумы к кратеру Дарваза) и переезд на ночном поезде из Ашхабада на север страны в Дашогуз.

4-Day Turkmenistan Transit Tour from Khiva to Khiva or Nukus via Darvaza #36

days

groups

options

Quick facts

Duration: 4 days
Price: from $1011 The price depends on group size: in larger groups the guide and transport costs are shared.

🗺️ Tour Route:

Khiva / Shavat Border ➔ Dashoguz ➔ Darvaza Gas Crater ➔ Ashgabat ➔ Dashoguz ➔ Kunya-Urgench ➔ Shavat Border (Khiva) / Hojaili Border (Nukus)

✨ Tour Overview

An incredible 4-day loop through Turkmenistan, seamlessly connecting Khiva with either Khiva or Nukus! Enter through the Shavat border and head deep into the Karakum Desert to spend an unforgettable night in a traditional yurt by the spectacular burning Darvaza Gas Crater. Travel south to witness the unique Mud and Water desert craters before enjoying a comprehensive guided tour of Ashgabat's shimmering white-marble architecture. Board a classic overnight train back north to Dashoguz, explore the breathtaking medieval UNESCO monuments of Kunya-Urgench, and complete your journey with a convenient exit back to Uzbekistan via the Shavat or Hojaili border crossings.

No dates scheduled yet. Contact us to request a private tour or specific date.

Tour program

Day 1 Shavat Border → Dashoguz → Darvaza Gas Crater

10:00 AM (Approx.): Meet and greet inside the main hall of the Shavat Border Control Terminal on the Turkmen side; as you process your migration and passport check, the border officers will contact our team, and our local guide will enter the hall to meet you directly based on your photo.

Dashoguz Stop: Short drive to Dashoguz for a traditional local lunch. Visit the local bazaar to experience the culture and shop for desert supplies/snacks.

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 2 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: After lunch, embark on a guided exploration of Ashgabat. Discover the city's signature white-marble architecture, historic monuments, and cultural sites tailored to your pace.

Overnight: Stay at a hotel in Ashgabat.

Day 3 Ashgabat → Dashoguz (Overnight Train)

Ashgabat City Tour: After breakfast at your hotel, continue your tailored exploration of the capital city with your expert guide. Today’s comprehensive program is designed to cover the remaining major landmarks, vibrant cultural sites, and unique architectural highlights at a relaxed pace, running seamlessly through both the morning and afternoon.

Lunch & Dinner (Flexible Options): The sightseeing naturally pauses midday for a relaxed lunch break at a local restaurant. The afternoon tour then continues smoothly until the evening, leading into a flexible dinner break. Depending on your preference and the exact train pacing, your guide can arrange a comfortable sit-down dinner at an Ashgabat café before departure, or help you pack high-quality travel snacks to enjoy onboard.

Train Station Transfer & Departure: Transfer to the Ashgabat Railway Station. Board the overnight train to Dashoguz, departing at 20:30.

Overnight: Stay on the overnight train (comfortable 4-berth compartments).

Day 4 Dashoguz → Kunya-Urgench → Border crossing

08:45 AM: Arrival & Meet-up: Arrive in Dashoguz via the overnight train from Ashgabat. Meet your private driver at the railway station and refresh before the day's program.

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: Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant in Kunya-Urgench.

Border Transfer (Customizable Options): Depending on your onward travel itinerary in Uzbekistan, enjoy a private transfer to your preferred border checkpoint:

Option A: Shavat Border Crossing (Best for Khiva / Urgench): Drive south via Dashoguz back to the Shavat crossing (~130 km, approx. 2 hours).
Option B: Hojaili Border Crossing (Best for Nukus / Muynak): Drive north directly to the nearby Hojaili-Kunya-Urgench crossing (~35 km, approx. 45 minutes).

Border Formalities & Exit: Arrival at the border terminal. Our professional team will escort and assist you through all Turkmen customs and departure immigration formalities as per official border permit regulations.

End of Tour.

Route Map

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Day start Day end 5 points

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).

Accommodations

Darvaza

1 nights

Ashgabat

1 nights

Standard: Hotel "Mizan"

Comfort: Hotel "Oguzkent"

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour begins with crossing the Uzbek-Turkmen border via the Shavat checkpoint (from the Khiva side). You can choose how to end your journey: return to Khiva via the Shavat checkpoint or depart to Nukus via the Hojeyli checkpoint.

How are the visit and overnight stay at the Darvaza gas crater organized?

The route passes through the Karakum Desert, where you will see unique mud and water craters, as well as the famous burning Darvaza crater ("Door to Hell"). The overnight stay is organized right in the desert next to the crater in a traditional Turkmen yurt.

What main cities and attractions are included in the program?

Over 4 days, you will visit the white-marble capital Ashgabat with a sightseeing tour, take a classic overnight train ride to Dashoguz, and explore the impressive medieval architectural monuments of the ancient city of Konye-Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What transport is used for travel within Turkmenistan?

The price and itinerary include overland vehicle transfers along the route (including a trip through the Karakum Desert to the Darvaza crater) and an overnight train journey from Ashgabat to Dashoguz in the north of the country.