Turkmenistan Tour from Bukhara (5 days): Turkmenabat, Merv, Ashgabat, and Darvaza
Route: Bukhara / Farap Border – Turkmenabat – Mary – Ancient Merv – Ashgabat – Darvaza Gas Crater – Ashgabat Airport
The perfect extension of your Great Silk Road journey! If you are coming from Bukhara (Uzbekistan), simply cross the nearby Farap border to embark on an unforgettable 5-day tour of Turkmenistan. Explore the ruins of Ancient Merv (UNESCO), discover the white-marble capital of Ashgabat, and spend a night by the spectacular Darvaza Gas Crater before departing from Ashgabat Airport.
5
days
1
groups
3
options
Available Departure Dates
1 open groups
02.05.2026
00:00
7 / 9
seats
Available
1
person:
$1626
9
people:
$730
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
* 09:00 AM: Meet and greet at the Turkmen side of the Farap Border Checkpoint. Assistance with customs and immigration formalities.
* Short drive into Turkmenabat.
* Morning guided tour of the Amul Fortress and Lebap Regional History Museum (Discover artifacts, carpets, and exhibits covering the region's rich history).
* Lunch at a local restaurant or chaikhana in Turkmenabat.
* Visit the vibrant (Green Bazaar) to experience local life, browse fresh produce, and see the bustling market atmosphere.
* Late afternoon: Depart Turkmenabat and drive to Mary via the newly opened modern highway, ensuring a smooth, comfortable, and efficient journey.
* Overnight: Hotel in Mary.
* Short drive into Turkmenabat.
* Morning guided tour of the Amul Fortress and Lebap Regional History Museum (Discover artifacts, carpets, and exhibits covering the region's rich history).
* Lunch at a local restaurant or chaikhana in Turkmenabat.
* Visit the vibrant (Green Bazaar) to experience local life, browse fresh produce, and see the bustling market atmosphere.
* Late afternoon: Depart Turkmenabat and drive to Mary via the newly opened modern highway, ensuring a smooth, comfortable, and efficient journey.
* Overnight: Hotel in Mary.
* Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
* 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.
* 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).
* Afternoon Mary City Tour:
Mary State History Museum: Explore this white-marble museum housing a rich collection of over 40,000 artifacts excavated from Ancient Merv and the Bronze Age Margiana civilization.
Pokrovskaya Church: Visit the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary. Built around 1900, this striking red-brick Orthodox church is a unique architectural and historical landmark in the region.
* Transfer by road to Ashgabat (approx. 4 hours drive).
* Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
* 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.
* 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).
* Afternoon Mary City Tour:
Mary State History Museum: Explore this white-marble museum housing a rich collection of over 40,000 artifacts excavated from Ancient Merv and the Bronze Age Margiana civilization.
Pokrovskaya Church: Visit the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary. Built around 1900, this striking red-brick Orthodox church is a unique architectural and historical landmark in the region.
* Transfer by road to Ashgabat (approx. 4 hours drive).
* Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
* After breakfast 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.
* 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.
* Breakfast at the camp and optional pre-dawn sunrise visit to the crater for final photos.
* Drive from Darvaza to 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.
* Drive from Darvaza to 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 free time or 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.
* Transfer to Ashgabat Airport: depart 1.5–2 hours before flight time.
End of Tour.
* Transfer to Ashgabat Airport: depart 1.5–2 hours before flight time.
End of Tour.
Accommodations
-
Mary
(1 nights)
Standard: Margush Hotel, Hotel "Mary" -
Ashgabat
(2 nights)
Standard: Hotel "Mizan", Bagt Koshgi Hotel
Comfort: Hotel "Oguzkent", Hotel "Archabil" -
Darvaza
(1 nights)
Standard: Yurt Camp
