5-Day Turkmenistan Tour: Ashgabat, Merv, Darvaza & Shavat Border
Itinerary: Ashgabat Airport – Ashgabat – Merv – Mary – Ashgabat – Darvaza Gas Crater – Dashoguz – Shavat Border (Uzbekistan)
Spend an eventful 5 days in Turkmenistan before heading to Uzbekistan. Explore the white-marble capital Ashgabat, delve into the history of Ancient Merv (UNESCO), and discover authentic Turkmen culture. The tour culminates with an overnight camping stay under the starry sky at the blazing Darvaza Gas Crater, after which you will conclude your journey at the Shavat border.
5
days
0
groups
3
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.
* After breakfast depart from Ashgabat towards Merv.
* 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):
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.
* Arrival in Mary City: Check into the hotel.
* Overnight: Hotel in Mary.
* 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):
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.
* Arrival in Mary City: Check into the hotel.
* Overnight: Hotel in Mary.
* Morning Journey: Depart from Mary and travel back to the gleaming capital.
* 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.
* 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.
* After breakfast 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.
* 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").
* 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.
* 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").
* 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.
* Pre-dawn sunrise visit to the crater for the best morning light.
* Breakfast at the camp and departure for the return drive to Dashoguz.
* Arrival in Dashoguz. Farewell lunch at a local restaurant.
* Transfer to the Shavat Border Checkpoint (approx. 15-20 minutes drive).
* 03:00 PM: Assistance with border formalities for departure to Uzbekistan.
* End of Tour.
* Breakfast at the camp and departure for the return drive to Dashoguz.
* Arrival in Dashoguz. Farewell lunch at a local restaurant.
* Transfer to the Shavat Border Checkpoint (approx. 15-20 minutes drive).
* 03:00 PM: Assistance with border formalities for departure to Uzbekistan.
* End of Tour.
Accommodations
-
Ashgabat
(2 nights)
Standard: Hotel "Mizan", Bagt Koshgi Hotel
Comfort: Hotel "Oguzkent", Hotel "Archabil" -
Mary
(1 nights)
Standard: Margush Hotel, Hotel "Mary" -
Darvaza
(1 nights)
Standard: Yurt Camp
