5-Day Turkmenistan Highlights Transit Tour from Khiva to Bukhara

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Route: Khiva / Shavat Border – Dashoguz – Darvaza Gas Crater – Ashgabat – Turkmenbashi – Yangykala Canyon – Balkanabat – Nokhur – Kow Ata – Ashgabat – Ancient Merv – Turkmenabat – Farap Border / Bukhara

An ultimate 5-day overland transit tour showcasing the absolute best of Turkmenistan, perfectly connecting Khiva with Bukhara! Enter via the Shavat border and cross the Karakum Desert to spend an unforgettable night yurt camping at the burning Darvaza Gas Crater. Take a morning flight to the Caspian coast to explore Turkmenbashi and marvel at the breathtaking, fiery-colored cliffs of Yangykala Canyon. Discover the isolated mountain culture of Nokhur, swim in the warm thermal sulfur waters of Kow Ata underground lake, and tour the grand monuments of white-marble Ashgabat. Finally, travel along the high-speed motorway to explore the ancient UNESCO-listed ruins of Merv before crossing the Farap border to Bukhara.

Available Departure Dates

2 open groups

01.09.2026 10:00

2/4 seats

1 person: $1198 4 people: $921

Secure payment via Stripe — Visa, Mastercard, Amex. Processed by TMTOURISM LLC (Wyoming, USA).

06.10.2026 10:00

2/4 seats

1 person: $1043 4 people: $941

Secure payment via Stripe — Visa, Mastercard, Amex. Processed by TMTOURISM LLC (Wyoming, USA).

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 fees. meal costs and photo fees at the Turkmen Ojagy Ethnographic Complex (if included in your itinerary).

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 → Turkmenbashi (Flight) → Yangykala Canyon → Balkan Region

Morning Flight to the Caspian Coast: Early check-out and transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for a short early morning flight to Turkmenbashi at 6:20 AM. Meet your driver upon arrival at the coastal airport.

Turkmenbashi City & Awaza Highlights: Enjoy a brief orientation tour of this historic port city. View the unique pre-revolutionary architecture built from Caspian limestone, stop by the beautiful 1895 Moorish-style railway station, and catch scenic coastal views of the Caspian Sea. Optional: An excursion to the nearby Awaza Sea Resort can be arranged upon request, depending entirely on whether the zone is open and accessible to visitors at the exact time of your visit.

Lunch: Enjoy a fresh seafood or traditional lunch at a local restaurant.

Scenic Drive & Optional Stop at Gozli Ata Pilgrim Site: Depart east into the desert toward the canyons. Optional & Time Permitting: Make a brief visit to Gozli Ata, one of Turkmenistan’s most revered pilgrimage sites, nestled inside striking white-and-pink cliff formations.

Expedition to Yangykala Canyon: Continue your off-road journey to the breathtaking Yangykala Canyons (~160 km total from Turkmenbashi). Arrive at the canyon plateau to explore the vast, fiery red and pink limestone formations (the ancient Tethys Ocean floor).

Drive to Hotel & Dinner: Drive south from the canyon plateau toward your hotel in the Balkan region (~2 to 2.5 hours). Depending on the season and weather, enjoy an authentic packed picnic dinner directly on the canyon rim, or a warm dinner upon arrival at your destination.

Overnight: Stay at a hotel in the Balkan Region (Balkanabat or surrounding transit hubs based on availability).

Day 4 Balkan Region → Nokhur → Kow Ata → Ashgabat

08:30 AM: Depart your hotel and drive east along the highway parallel to the Kopet Dag mountain range.

Nokhur Mountain Village: Take a scenic mountain detour up to the isolated tribal village of Nokhur. Tour the unique local cemetery adorned with ancient ibex horns, meet the local mountain residents, and enjoy a traditional home-cooked village lunch at a local family home or local restaurant. (Note: Access to the mountain village depends on favorable weather and road conditions; in case of winter snow or heavy rain, a comfortable alternative lunch will be arranged en route).

Kow Ata Underground Lake: Drive down the mountain paths to the famous Kow Ata Underground Lake (approx. 1 hour). Descend into the deep limestone cave for a unique, relaxing swim in the naturally warm, mineral-rich thermal sulfur waters (constant 35°C year-round).

Return to Ashgabat: Drive the final stretch back to the capital city (~100 km, approx. 1.5 hours).

Dinner: Enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant in Ashgabat.

Overnight: Stay at a hotel in Ashgabat.

Day 5 Ashgabat → Ancient Merv → Farap Border

07:30 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.

Fast Drive via Motorway: Depart Merv and head northeast toward the custom checkpoint via the Mary–Turkmenabat High-Speed Motorway (Autobahn) (~240 km, approx. 2.5 hours).

Farewell Dinner: Arrive in Turkmenabat and enjoy a delicious farewell dinner at a local restaurant, celebrating the conclusion of your Turkmenistan journey.

Arrival at Farap Border Checkpoint: After dinner, take a short drive to the 24-hour Farap-Alat border crossing (~40 km, approx. 40 minutes). 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.