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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: Embark on a private tour of Ashgabat that is completely tailored to 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: Embark on a private tour of Ashgabat that is completely tailored to 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)
