Turkmenistan Tour from Bukhara to Khiva/Nukus (5 days): Turkmenabat, Merv, Ashgabat, Darvaza, and Kunya-Urgench
Route: Bukhara / Farap Border – Turkmenabat – Mary – Ancient Merv – Ashgabat – Darvaza Gas Crater – Kunya-Urgench – Shavat/Hojaili Border
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, spend a night by the spectacular Darvaza Gas Crater, and explore the ancient monuments of Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO) before departing to Khiva or Nukus via the northern borders.
5
days
1
groups
4
options
Available Departure Dates
1 open groups
05.05.2026
00:00
7 / 9
seats
Available
1
person:
$1661
9
people:
$741
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 (Alat) Border Checkpoint.
* Drive to Dayahatun: Journey north through the Lebap oasis, following the ancient trade route that connected the cities of the Oxus (Amu Darya) with the northern kingdoms.
* Dayahatun Caravanserai (The Architectural Masterpiece): Explore the 11th-century Seljuk ruins.
* Lunch en route.
* 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.
* Arrival & Dinner: Check into the hotel. Enjoy a traditional dinner at a local restaurant.
* Overnight: Hotel in Turkmenabat.
* Drive to Dayahatun: Journey north through the Lebap oasis, following the ancient trade route that connected the cities of the Oxus (Amu Darya) with the northern kingdoms.
* Dayahatun Caravanserai (The Architectural Masterpiece): Explore the 11th-century Seljuk ruins.
* Lunch en route.
* 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.
* Arrival & Dinner: Check into the hotel. Enjoy a traditional dinner at a local restaurant.
* Overnight: Hotel in Turkmenabat.
* Breakfast at the hotel.
* Turkmenabat Zelyony Bazaar: A quick dive into the local life.
* Visit Ancient Amul Fortress: A visit to the mud-brick ruins of Amul-Zemur.
* Drive to Mary (approx. 250 km).
* Lunch en route or packed lunch.
* 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.
* Arrival in Mary City: Check into the hotel.
* Overnight: Hotel in Mary.
* Turkmenabat Zelyony Bazaar: A quick dive into the local life.
* Visit Ancient Amul Fortress: A visit to the mud-brick ruins of Amul-Zemur.
* Drive to Mary (approx. 250 km).
* Lunch en route or packed lunch.
* 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.
* Arrival in Mary City: Check into the hotel.
* Overnight: Hotel in Mary.
* Breakfast & Departure from Mary: Head west towards the capital.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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 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.
* 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.
* A pre-dawn sunrise visit to the crater for a different perspective and final photos.
* Breakfast at the camp and direct drive from Darvaza to Kunya-Urgench via the desert highway (approx. 260 km)..
* Lunch at a local restaurant in the town of Kunya-Urgench.
* 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.
* Border Transfer (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).
* Assistance with border formalities and crossing into Uzbekistan.
* End of Tour.
* Breakfast at the camp and direct drive from Darvaza to Kunya-Urgench via the desert highway (approx. 260 km)..
* Lunch at a local restaurant in the town of Kunya-Urgench.
* 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.
* Border Transfer (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).
* 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
