Turkmenistan's Hidden Gems: Kunya-Urgench, Yangykala & Nokhur
Beyond the famous Darvaza crater and marble Ashgabat, Turkmenistan hides three remarkable stops: the ancient ruins of Kunya-Urgench, the Mars-like Yangykala Canyons, and the mountain village of Nokhur with its ancient traditions.
Tours Including Turkmenistan's Hidden Gems
Kunya-Urgench, the Yangykala Canyons and Nokhur sit in different regions of the country, so most itineraries combine Kunya-Urgench with a Uzbekistan border crossing, and Yangykala or Nokhur with a western Turkmenistan route. The tours below include one or more of these stops.
New Tour
4-Day Turkmenistan Transit Tour from Bukhara to Khiva or Nukus via Merv, Overnight Train & Darvaza
3-Day Turkmenistan Transit Tour from Bukhara to Khiva or Nukus via Merv, Overnight Train & Darvaza
8-day tour "Main attractions of Turkmenistan": Yangi-Kala Canyon, Merv and Darvaza Crater
2-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Bukhara to Ancient Merv and Turkmenabat
4-day Turkmenistan tour from Bukhara to Iran/Ashgabat: Merv, Darvaza and Ashgabat
Turkmenistan Tour from Bukhara to Khiva/Nukus (5 days): Turkmenabat, Merv, Ashgabat, Darvaza, and Kunya-Urgench
Upcoming Departures Including These Sites
Join a guaranteed small-group departure that includes one or more of these hidden gems.
What Each Place Actually Is
Three very different stops, each worth planning around:
Kunya-Urgench
UNESCO World Heritage ruins of mausoleums and minarets, once capital of the historic Khorezm region, near the Uzbekistan border.
Yangykala Canyons
Striking red, white and yellow canyon formations in western Turkmenistan, often compared to the surface of Mars — best seen at sunset.
Nokhur Village
A remote mountain village known for customs found nowhere else in Turkmenistan, including distinctive goat-horn-decorated graves.
Getting there
All three are remote enough that independent access is impractical — a guide and driver are essential, and we build them into your route.
Why These Places Are Worth Seeking Out
Kunya-Urgench's UNESCO status
One of Central Asia's most significant Islamic architecture sites, with mausoleums and minarets dating back centuries.
Yangykala's otherworldly colors
Layered red, white and yellow rock formations that few travelers to Turkmenistan ever see, despite rivaling any canyon landscape in the region.
Nokhur's living traditions
A village culture and dialect found nowhere else in the country, still practiced today rather than preserved as a museum piece.
Fewer crowds, more discovery
These sites see a fraction of the visitors that Darvaza and Ashgabat do, for travelers who want to go beyond the standard route.
Visa for Turkmenistan — Included
A Turkmenistan tourist visa requires a Letter of Invitation (LOI) from a licensed tour operator. It is included in every tour booking — read our full visa guide for the details.
Turkmenistan's Hidden Gems — FAQ
Go Beyond the Standard Route
Tell us which of these you want to include and we'll build them into your itinerary. We reply within 24 hours.
