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5-Day Turkmenistan Odyssey: From Khorezm Fortresses to the Gates of Hell & Silk Road Wonders
Route: Shavat - Dashoguz - Kunya-Urgench - Dashoguz - Izmukshir - Darvaza - Ashgabat - Ancient Merv - Turkmenabat - Farap
Explore the treasures of Turkmenistan in 5 days: from the masterpieces of Kunya-Urgench and ancient Nisa to the flaming Darvaza crater. Follow the footsteps of the Great Seljuks in Merv and discover the unique Dayahatun Caravanserai. A professional tour from Shavat to Farap border, offering a deep dive into history and culture.
5
days
0
groups
4
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
* 10:00 AM: Meet and greet at the Turkmen side of the Shavat Border Checkpoint.
* Departure for Kunya-Urgench (approx. 95 km), the ancient capital of the Khorezm Shahs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
* Traditional lunch in Kunya-Urgench.
* Full guided tour of the historical park:
Kutlug-Timur Minaret (The tallest in Central Asia).
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum (Famous for its exquisite ceiling mosaic).
Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan.
Caravansaray Gate
* Return to Dashoguz.
* A short evening city tour of Dashoguz, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
* Overnight: Hotel in Dashoguz.
* Departure for Kunya-Urgench (approx. 95 km), the ancient capital of the Khorezm Shahs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
* Traditional lunch in Kunya-Urgench.
* Full guided tour of the historical park:
Kutlug-Timur Minaret (The tallest in Central Asia).
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum (Famous for its exquisite ceiling mosaic).
Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan.
Caravansaray Gate
* Return to Dashoguz.
* A short evening city tour of Dashoguz, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
* Overnight: Hotel in Dashoguz.
* 08:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel.
* Visit the Bai Bazaar. A great opportunity to experience local life.
* Drive to the ancient Izmukshir Fortress (approx. 25 km). Explore the impressive ruins of this Parthian-era fortress, also known as the birthplace of the great philosopher Al-Zamakhshari.
* Begin the journey to the Karakum Desert (~300 km). We will stop at roadside teahouses.
* 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.
* Visit the Bai Bazaar. A great opportunity to experience local life.
* Drive to the ancient Izmukshir Fortress (approx. 25 km). Explore the impressive ruins of this Parthian-era fortress, also known as the birthplace of the great philosopher Al-Zamakhshari.
* Begin the journey to the Karakum Desert (~300 km). We will stop at roadside teahouses.
* 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.
* Breakfast at the camp and optional pre-dawn sunrise visit to the crater for final photos.
* Drive from Darvaza to Ashgabat.
* En route: Short photo stops at the Water and Mud Craters. Experience these unique natural desert bubbles before leaving the Karakum sands.
* Arrival and Ashgabat City Tour: A flexible program tailored to your arrival and departure times. The final itinerary depends on your personal preferences, your guide’s professional advice, and the time available in your schedule.
Old Nisa (UNESCO World Heritage Site): Visit the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, the ancient seat of the Parthian kings.
National Museum of History: Explore the museum’s extensive collection, including the famous ivory rhytons and artifacts recovered from Nisa, providing a deep dive into the country's ancient heritage.
We will visit as many landmarks as possible, ensuring a perfect balance of history, culture, and modern architecture.
* Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
* Drive from Darvaza to Ashgabat.
* En route: Short photo stops at the Water and Mud Craters. Experience these unique natural desert bubbles before leaving the Karakum sands.
* Arrival and Ashgabat City Tour: A flexible program tailored to your arrival and departure times. The final itinerary depends on your personal preferences, your guide’s professional advice, and the time available in your schedule.
Old Nisa (UNESCO World Heritage Site): Visit the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, the ancient seat of the Parthian kings.
National Museum of History: Explore the museum’s extensive collection, including the famous ivory rhytons and artifacts recovered from Nisa, providing a deep dive into the country's ancient heritage.
We will visit as many landmarks as possible, ensuring a perfect balance of history, culture, and modern architecture.
* Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
* After breakfast depart from Ashgabat towards Merv.
* 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.
* Drive to Turkmenabat: Continue the journey toward the Amu Darya river region.
* Overnight: Hotel in Turkmenabat.
* 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.
* Drive to Turkmenabat: Continue the journey toward the Amu Darya river region.
* Overnight: Hotel in Turkmenabat.
* Early departure north toward the remote Dayahatun Caravanserai.
* Dayahatun Caravanserai (The Architectural Masterpiece): Explore the 11th-century Seljuk ruins.
* Return to Turkmenabat: Drive back through local villages and cotton fields.
* Lebap Regional Museum: Visit the museum to see the ethnographic and archaeological collections of the Amu Darya region.
* Amul Fortress: Explore the ruins of Amul-Gala (Amul Fortress), an ancient Silk Road site located on the outskirts of the city.
* City tour with photo stops.
* Amu Darya River: Enjoy a photo stop by the majestic Amu Darya, the largest river in Central Asia, on your way toward the border.
* Drive to Farap and drop-off at Farap border (Turkmen side; escort through formalities as per permit).
* End of Tour.
* Dayahatun Caravanserai (The Architectural Masterpiece): Explore the 11th-century Seljuk ruins.
* Return to Turkmenabat: Drive back through local villages and cotton fields.
* Lebap Regional Museum: Visit the museum to see the ethnographic and archaeological collections of the Amu Darya region.
* Amul Fortress: Explore the ruins of Amul-Gala (Amul Fortress), an ancient Silk Road site located on the outskirts of the city.
* City tour with photo stops.
* Amu Darya River: Enjoy a photo stop by the majestic Amu Darya, the largest river in Central Asia, on your way toward the border.
* Drive to Farap and drop-off at Farap border (Turkmen side; escort through formalities as per permit).
* End of Tour.
Accommodations
-
Dashoguz
(1 nights)
Standard: Hotel "Dashoguz" -
Darvaza
(1 nights)
Standard: Yurt Camp -
Ashgabat
(1 nights)
Standard: Hotel "Mizan", Bagt Koshgi Hotel
Comfort: Hotel "Oguzkent", Hotel "Archabil" -
Turkmenabat
(1 nights)
Standard: Turkmenabat International Airport Hotel
Comfort: Hotel "Yupek Yoly" (Silk Road)
