Turkmenistan Tour from Bukhara to Khiva/Nukus (5 days): Turkmenabat, Merv, Ashgabat, Darvaza, and Kunya-Urgench

days

groups

options

🗺️ Route:

Bukhara / Farap border ➔ Turkmenabat ➔ Mary ➔ Ancient Merv ➔ Ashgabat ➔ Darvaza gas crater ➔ Kunya-Urgench ➔ Shavat / Khojeyli border

✨ Trip Overview

The perfect continuation of your Great Silk Road journey! If you are traveling from Bukhara (Uzbekistan), simply cross the nearest Farap border to embark on an unforgettable 5-day tour of Turkmenistan. Explore the ruins of Ancient Merv (UNESCO), discover the white-marble capital Ashgabat, spend a night by the impressive Darvaza gas crater, and see the ancient monuments of Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO) before heading to Khiva or Nukus via the northern borders.

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.
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, photo fees, and activities at Turkmen Ojagy (if included in your itinerary; lunch, folklore, dress-up, & masterclasses require min. 4 people).

Tour program

Day 1 Farap border → Turkmenabat

🛂 09:00 AM: Meet and greet
Start of the program: Meet and greet at the Turkmen side of the Farap (Alat) Border Checkpoint.
🚗 Drive to Dayahatun
Transfer: Journey north through the Lebap oasis, following the ancient trade route that connected the cities of the Oxus (Amu Darya) with the northern kingdoms.
🏛️ Explore the historical monument
Dayahatun Caravanserai (The Architectural Masterpiece): Explore the 11th-century Seljuk ruins.
🍽️ Lunch
Dining: Lunch en route.
🚗 Return and explore the region
Turkmenabat and surroundings:
- 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. (This visit is time-permitting and depends on the border crossing speed and winter daylight hours.)
- Visit the banks of the Amu Darya in Turkmenabat: Walk along the river.
🌃 Evening and overnight
End of the day: Arrival & Dinner: Check into the hotel. Enjoy a traditional dinner at a local restaurant.
- Overnight: Hotel in Turkmenabat.

Day 2 Turkmenabat → Mary

🍽️ Morning: Breakfast
Start of the day: Breakfast at the hotel.
🛍️ Morning: Zelyony Bazaar
Local flavor: Turkmenabat Zelyony Bazaar: A quick dive into the local life.
🏛️ Morning: Amul Fortress
Historical site: Visit Ancient Amul Fortress: A visit to the mud-brick ruins of Amul-Zemur.
🚗 Day: Transfer
Road: Drive to Mary (approx. 250 km).
🍽️ Day: Lunch
Dining: Lunch en route or packed lunch.
🏛️ Day: Ancient Merv
UNESCO site: 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.
🏨 Evening: Arrival
Accommodation: Arrival in Mary City: Check into the hotel.
🌃 Evening: Rest
Overnight: Hotel in Mary.

Day 3 Mary → Ashgabat

🍽️ Morning: Breakfast and departure
Mary: Breakfast & Departure from Mary: Head west towards the capital.
🏛️ Day: Historical sites along the way
Historical heritage:
- Abiverd Fortress: A stop at the ruins of the medieval city of Abiverd.
- Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque (Anau): Visit the ruins of the 15th-century mosque, famous for its unique mosaic dragons on the portal. This is a highly sacred site for locals.
🚀 Evening: Arrival in Ashgabat
Ashgabat: 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: Accommodation
Hotel: Hotel in Ashgabat.

Day 4 Ashgabat → Darvaza

🌅 Morning: Ashgabat City Tour
Program: After breakfast 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. We will visit as many landmarks as possible, ensuring a perfect balance of history, culture, and modern architecture.
🍽️ Day: Lunch
Dining: Lunch at a local restaurant.
🚗 Day: Transfer to Darvaza Crater
Route: Departure from Ashgabat heading North into the Karakum Desert (approx. 270 km).
- En route: stops at the Water Crater and Mud Crater.
🌵 Evening: Darvaza Gas Crater
Arrival: Arrival at the Darvaza Gas Crater ("Gates of Hell").
🌃 Evening: Dinner and relaxation at the crater
Program: Sunset photography followed by a BBQ Dinner near the burning crater. The view is most spectacular after dark.
🏨 Night: Accommodation
Overnight: Stay in a traditional Turkmen Yurt at the crater campsite.

Day 5 Darvaza → Kunya-Urgench → Border

🌵 Pre-dawn: Crater visit
Darvaza Crater: A pre-dawn sunrise visit to the crater for a different perspective and final photos.
🍽️ Morning: Breakfast and drive
Road to Kunya-Urgench: Breakfast at the camp and direct drive from Darvaza to Kunya-Urgench via the desert highway (approx. 260 km).
🍽️ Day: Lunch
Local restaurant: Lunch at a local restaurant in the town of Kunya-Urgench.
🏛️ Day: Guided tour of the historical park
Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO): Guided Tour of the Historical Park (UNESCO):
- Kutlug-Timur Minaret: The tallest minaret in Central Asia.
- Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum: Famous for its exquisite and unique ceiling mosaic.
- Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan: Iconic architectural landmarks of the Khorezmshah era.
- Caravansaray Gate: Viewing the preserved monumental portal of the ancient city.
➕ Upon request: Border transfer
Border Transfer: Transfer to the border (upon request):
- Option A (Shavat Border): Transfer to the Shavat crossing (Best for Khiva).
- Option B (Hojaili Border): Transfer to the Hojaili crossing (Best for Nukus).
🛂 Completion: Border formalities
Uzbekistan: Assistance with border formalities and crossing into Uzbekistan. End of Tour.

Accommodations

Turkmenabat

1 nights

Standard: Turkmenabat International Airport Hotel

Comfort: Hotel "Yupek Yoly" (Silk Road)

Mary

1 nights

Standard: Margush Hotel, Hotel "Mary"

Ashgabat

1 nights

Standard: Hotel "Mizan", Bagt Koshgi Hotel

Comfort: Hotel "Oguzkent", Hotel "Archabil"

Darvaza

1 nights

Standard: Yurt Camp

FAQ

How do I get to the start of this tour from Bukhara?

The tour begins at the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border crossing at Farap (near Bukhara). You will arrive at the border on your own, where your guide will meet you, and your 5-day journey through Turkmenistan will begin.

Where will I stay overnight during the visit to the Darvaza gas crater?

A night at the Darvaza gas crater is a unique experience. Depending on the comfort level you choose, accommodation can be arranged in an equipped tent camp or a yurt set up near the crater, allowing you to enjoy the night view of the 'Gates of Hell'.

Does the tour end in Khiva or Nukus?

Yes, after completing the main program and visiting the monuments of Kunya-Urgench, you will be taken to the northern border crossings (Shavat or Khodjeyli), from where you can easily continue your journey to Khiva or Nukus, respectively.

Are UNESCO World Heritage sites included in the program?

Yes, the tour program is carefully curated to include visits to key historical sites. You will explore the ruins of Ancient Merv, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and also visit the ancient architectural monuments of Kunya-Urgench, which are also protected by UNESCO.