Как организовано начало и завершение тура между Хивой и Бухарой?

Тур начинается на узбекско-туркменском пограничном переходе «Шават» со стороны Хивы, где вас встречает сопровождающая команда. Маршрут проходит через весь Туркменистан и завершается на КПП «Фараб» с удобным выездом в Бухару, обеспечивая бесшовное транзитное путешествие между двумя городами Шелкового пути.

Где организована ночевка во время посещения газового кратера Дарваза?

В пустыне Каракумы у пылающего кратера Дарваза предусмотрена ночевка в традиционном юрточном лагере. Это позволяет насладиться завораживающим видом огненного кратера в ночное время, а также осмотреть соседние водный и грязевой кратеры.

Какие главные исторические достопримечательности и объекты ЮНЕСКО входят в программу?

В программу включены памятники средневекового Куня-Ургенча (объект ЮНЕСКО), глинобитные руины древней крепости Измукшир, беломраморная архитектура Ашхабада, монументальный Древний Мерв (объект ЮНЕСКО), а также караван-сарай Даяхатын XI века.

Чем интересен караван-сарай Даяхатын, включенный в маршрут?

Даяхатын — это выдающийся памятник архитектуры XI–XII веков, расположенный вдоль исторического маршрута Великого шелкового пути вблизи реки Амударья. Он знаменит своей уникальной узорчатой кирпичной кладкой и высокой степенью сохранности, предлагая редкую возможность увидеть аутентичную караванную стоянку средневековья.

5-Day Turkmenistan Transit Tour from Khiva to Bukhara via Dayahatun #32

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Quick facts

Duration: 5 days
Price: from $1403 The price depends on group size: in larger groups the guide and transport costs are shared.

🗺️ Tour Route:

Khiva / Shavat Border ➔ Kunya-Urgench ➔ Dashoguz ➔ Izmukshir ➔ Darvaza Gas Crater ➔ Ashgabat ➔ Ancient Merv ➔ Turkmenabat ➔ Dayahatun Caravanserai ➔ Farap Border / Bukhara

✨ Tour Overview

An ultimate 5-day overland journey across Turkmenistan, seamlessly linking Khiva and Bukhara! Enter through the Shavat border to explore the UNESCO-listed monuments of Kunya-Urgench and the mud-brick ruins of Izmukshir Fortress. Journey deep into the Karakum Desert to spend an unforgettable night in a yurt camp by the burning Darvaza Gas Crater, visit the unique Mud and Water craters, and tour the white-marble capital of Ashgabat. Travel along the high-speed motorway to uncover the grand Silk Road heritage of Ancient Merv, explore the remote 11th-century Dayahatun Caravanserai, and cross the majestic Amu Darya River before exiting via the Farap border.

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

Tour program

Day 1 Shavat Border → Dashoguz → Kunya-Urgench → Dashoguz

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.

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.

Lunch: Enjoy a traditional lunch upon arrival in Kunya-Urgench (or en route in Dashoguz, depending on exact timing).

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.

Return to Dashoguz: Drive back to Dashoguz. Enjoy a brief evening orientation city tour to see the local life, followed by a relaxing dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Stay at a hotel in Dashoguz.

Day 2 Dashoguz → Izmukshir → Darvaza Gas Crater

08:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel.

Bai Bazaar: Visit the vibrant local Bai Bazaar. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience authentic local life and pick up fresh fruits, snacks, and travel supplies for the desert journey.

Izmukshir Fortress: Depart Dashoguz and drive to the ancient Izmukshir Fortress (~25 km). Explore the impressive, massive clay ruins of this historical site, famous as the birthplace of the great medieval philosopher Al-Zamakhshari.

Lunch: Enjoy a traditional lunch en route at a roadside teahouse in a local settlement before heading deeper into the desert.

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 3 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 with Ancient Nisa: 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 4 Ashgabat → Ancient Merv → Turkmenabat

08:00 AM: Morning departure from Ashgabat. Drive east along the Ashgabat–Mary High-Speed Motorway (Autobahn). Enjoy a smooth, comfortable journey across the changing landscapes (~360 km, approx. 3.5 to 4 hours).

Lunch: Arrive in the Mary region and enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant in Mary or Bayramaly.

Ancient Merv Guided Tour: Visit the spectacular archaeological park of Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Explore the key historical highlights in a streamlined route:

Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar: A 12th-century Seljuk masterpiece featuring its legendary double-dome construction.
Greater & Lesser Kyz Kala: The iconic "corrugated" mud-brick desert fortresses (7th–12th centuries).
Askhabs Mausoleums & Ancient Sardoba: Visit the sacred burial sites of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, along with the adjacent medieval public baths and the sophisticated desert water storage system (Sardoba).
Erk Kala & Gyaur Kala: Climb the massive ancient citadels for a panoramic view over the vast archaeological park.
Note: Ancient Merv hosts numerous other hidden ruins; additional minor historic sights within the archaeological park can be flexibly explored upon request, depending on your time and interest.

Transit to the Amu Darya Region: Following your tour of Merv, continue your journey northeast via the Mary–Turkmenabat High-Speed Motorway (Autobahn), heading toward the majestic Amu Darya river region and the city of Turkmenabat (~240 km, approx. 2.5 hours). Watch the shifting colors of the desert as dusk falls.

Evening Arrival & Dinner: Arrive in Turkmenabat in the early evening. Enjoy a direct private transfer to your hotel for check-in, followed by a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Stay at a hotel in Turkmenabat.

Day 5 Turkmenabat → Dayahatun → Farap Border

07:00 AM: Depart north along the Amu Darya valley toward the remote Dayahatun Caravanserai (~170 km, approx. 3.5 hours). Have breakfast en route. Please note that the final sections of this route consist of rough, unpaved desert roads.

Dayahatun Exploration & Return Journey: Arrive at Dayahatun to explore the magnificent 11th-century Seljuk ruins, a true architectural masterpiece of the Silk Road hidden in the desert. After the tour, begin the return drive to Turkmenabat (~3.5 hours), passing through authentic local villages and scenic agricultural fields.

Late Lunch & Turkmenabat City Exploration: Arrive back in Turkmenabat around 14:30 for a well-deserved, hearty lunch at a local restaurant. Following lunch, enjoy a focused cultural exploration of the city:

Lebap Regional Museum: Discover the fascinating ethnographic and archaeological collections showcasing the rich heritage of the Amu Darya region.
Amul Fortress: Explore the atmospheric mud-brick ruins of Amul-Gala, an ancient Silk Road stronghold on the city's outskirts.

Amu Darya River Photo Stop: Make a scenic photo stop by the majestic Amu Darya, the largest river in Central Asia, as you cross it on your way toward the border.

Border Transfer: Drive to the Farap Border Checkpoint (~40 km from the city). 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 6 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).
Entrance, photo fees, and activities at Turkmen Ojagy (if included in your itinerary; lunch, folklore, dress-up, & masterclasses require min. 4 people).

Accommodations

Dashoguz

1 nights

Darvaza

1 nights

Ashgabat

1 nights

Standard: Hotel "Mizan"

Comfort: Hotel "Oguzkent"

Turkmenabat

1 nights

FAQ

How are the start and end of the tour between Khiva and Bukhara organized?

The tour begins at the Shavat Uzbek-Turkmen border crossing near Khiva, where you will be met by our support team. The route crosses all of Turkmenistan and concludes at the Farap border checkpoint with convenient onward travel to Bukhara, providing a seamless transit journey between two Silk Road cities.

What are the main historical attractions and UNESCO sites included in the program?

The program includes the monuments of medieval Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO site), the mudbrick ruins of the ancient Izmukshir fortress, the white marble architecture of Ashgabat, the monumental Ancient Merv (UNESCO site), and the 11th-century Dayakhatyn caravanserai.

What makes the Dayahatyn Caravanserai included in the itinerary interesting?

Dayahatyn is an outstanding architectural monument from the 11th–12th centuries, situated along the historic Silk Road route near the Amu Darya River. It is renowned for its unique patterned brickwork and remarkable state of preservation, offering a rare opportunity to experience an authentic medieval caravan stop.