2-Day Turkmenistan Circular Tour Starting & Ending in Ashgabat

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Route: Ashgabat (ASB Airport) – Darvaza Gas Crater – Ashgabat (ASB Airport)

A perfectly concentrated 2-day circular tour starting and ending at Ashgabat International Airport! Begin your adventure with a morning orientation tour of Ashgabat's futuristic white-marble cityscape before heading into the vast Karakum Desert for an unforgettable night of yurt camping by the fiery Darvaza Gas Crater. On day two, travel back to the capital, stopping en route to explore the unique Mud and Water desert craters. Complete your journey with afternoon city sightseeing, cultural shopping at local bazaars, and a convenient transfer back to Ashgabat International Airport for your departure flight.

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

What is included/not included

What is included

Letter of Invitation (LoI) for Turkmenistan visa and assistance with mandatory registration of foreign visitors.
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).

Tour program

Day 1 Arrival in Ashgabat → Darvaza Gas Crater

Flight Arrival & Welcome: Upon your arrival at the Ashgabat International Airport (ASB), clear customs and immigration formalities.

Airport Transfer: Meet and greet by our team at the arrival gate (our guide/driver will recognize you based on your photo). Transfer to a restaurant for breakfast and a quick refresh.

Ashgabat City Highlights: Take a morning orientation tour of the "White Marble City", exploring its grand monuments, futuristic avenues, and manicured parks.

Lunch: Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.

Drive into the Karakum Desert: In the afternoon, depart Ashgabat and head north into the vast Karakum Desert (~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.

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 prepared by our team at the campsite. The night offers the ultimate viewing and photography opportunities under the desert stars.

Overnight: Stay in a traditional Turkmen yurt or a comfortable tent campsite near the crater.

Day 2 Darvaza → 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: Spend the afternoon discovering any remaining landmarks, museums, or vibrant local bazaars in Ashgabat that you haven't visited yet, perfect for picking up souvenirs.

Departure Transfer: Depending on your international flight schedule, enjoy a private transfer to the Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) for your evening departure.

End of Tour.

Accommodations

Darvaza

1 nights

Standard: Yurt Camp

FAQ

What is included in this 2-day tour program?

The tour program includes a sightseeing tour of Ashgabat, the unique "white-marble" capital of Turkmenistan, as well as an exciting trip to the Darvaza gas crater, where you will spend an unforgettable night camping at the "Gates of Hell."

What is the itinerary of this tour?

The tour follows a circular route that begins and ends at Ashgabat International Airport. The path follows the route: Ashgabat Airport — Ashgabat — Darvaza crater — Ashgabat — Ashgabat Airport.

Will I make it to my flight after the tour ends?

Yes, the tour is specifically designed as a two-day program, logistically optimized to ensure you can comfortably return to Ashgabat International Airport in time for your flight.

Where will we stay during the trip to the crater?

During the trip to the Darvaza gas crater, an overnight stay in a campsite is provided, which will allow you to fully enjoy the view of the burning crater after dark.

Client Reviews (1)

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Furkan OĞUZ

15.01.2026 07:45

TM Tourism ekibi tarafından organize edilen 4 günlük Türkmenistan turundan yeni döndük ve tek kelimeyle bayıldık! Program inanılmaz derecede zengindi: fütüristik beyaz mermerli Aşkabat'tan Merv ve Köhne Ürgenç'in antik kalıntılarına kadar her şeyi gördük. Ancak gezinin en can alıcı noktası Karakum Ç...