5 Days Group Tour To Turkmenistan
About this tour
Cross-border journey from Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan following ancient Silk Road routes
Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Kunya Urgench, Ancient Nisa and Ancient Merv
Visit the legendary Darvaza Gas Crater (“Door to Hell”) and spend the night in desert yurts
Discover the white-marble capital Ashgabat, including modern landmarks and historic districts
Experience the dramatic landscapes of the Yangikala Canyons (“Fire Fortresses”)
Visit sacred pilgrimage sites such as Gozli Ata Mausoleum
Walk along the Caspian Sea coast in Turkmenbashi
Enjoy authentic local cuisine and traditional hospitality
Overnight stays in yurts and hotels, combining comfort and adventure
Guided by experienced local guides with assistance at border crossings
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Shabat border, Turkmenistan to Darvaza, Ahal region, Turkmenistan
07:40 – Early morning departure from Khiva. We drive towards the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan border, allowing enough time to arrive calmly and without rush. 09:00 – Border crossing. All visa, passport and customs procedures will be completed together with the guide. The guide assists throughout the process, helping to make the border crossing as smooth and stress-free as possible. 10:30 – After crossing the border, you will meet your Turkmen guide. A short introduction to the tour program follows, including a discussion of the route, travel conditions, safety information and time for questions. 🏛️ Guided Tour of Kunya Urgench (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Kunya Urgench was once one of the most important cities of Central Asia and a major center of the Khorezm Empire. Today, its monuments stand as impressive reminders of medieval architecture and the Silk Road era. During the guided tour, you will visit: Kutlug Timur Minaret (11th–12th centuries), the tallest minaret in Central Asia Turabek Khanum Mausoleum (14th century), famous for its beautiful turquoise dome and intricate decorations Tekesh Mausoleum (13th century), built for one of the most powerful Khorezm rulers Il-Arslan Mausoleum (12th century), one of the oldest monuments in the area Atabek Caravanserai (13th century), an important stop for merchants traveling along the Silk Road The guide will explain the historical background, architectural details and cultural significance of each monument, giving you a clear understanding of the region’s past. Lunch at a local café or at a roadside restaurant during the drive. 🚙 Journey to Darvaza through the Karakum Desert After lunch, we continue our journey deep into the Karakum Desert, one of the largest sand deserts in the world. The landscape gradually changes into vast open spaces, dunes and desert plains, offering a true feeling of remoteness and adventure. 🔥 Darvaza Gas Crater Experience By evening, we arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the “Door to Hell”. The crater has been burning for decades and creates an unforgettable sight, especially after sunset. You will have time to: Walk around the crater (at a safe distance) Take photos at sunset and after dark Enjoy the silence and atmosphere of the desert night Dinner is prepared near the crater, cooked on an open fire in traditional style. 🏕️ Overnight in Yurts After dinner, you will stay overnight in traditional Turkmen yurts, located close to the crater. The yurts are simple but comfortable and offer an authentic nomadic experience under the stars of the desert sky. Meals included: Dinner
Day 2: Darvaza, Ahal region, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Ahal region, Turkmenistan
🌅 Morning in the Karakum Desert Breakfast in the yurts near the Darvaza Gas Crater. After breakfast, there will be time to pack, enjoy the morning desert atmosphere and take final photos of the crater in daylight, revealing a completely different perspective from the night view. 🚙 Transfer from Darvaza to Ashgabat After breakfast, we depart from Darvaza and drive towards Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. The road passes through desert landscapes, offering insight into the vastness of the Karakum and the everyday life beyond the cities. 🍽️ Lunch in Ashgabat Upon arrival in Ashgabat, you will head directly to a local restaurant for lunch, where you can taste traditional Turkmen cuisine or international dishes. 🏨 Hotel Check-in & Rest After lunch, check-in at the hotel. You will have free time to rest, freshen up and prepare for the city tour after the long desert drive. 🏙️ Guided City Tour of Ashgabat In the afternoon, your guided tour of Ashgabat begins — a city often referred to as the “White Marble Capital of the World.” Ashgabat is famous for its monumental architecture, wide avenues and futuristic design, much of it built from white marble and listed in the Guinness World Records. 🏛️ Ancient Nisa (Old Nisa – Kone-Nusay) | UNESCO Your first stop is Ancient Nisa, located just outside Ashgabat. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was once the capital of the Parthian Empire (3rd century BCE – 3rd century CE). Here, you will explore the ruins of fortresses, temples and royal buildings while the guide explains the historical importance of Nisa as a political and cultural center of the ancient world. 🎡 Ferris Wheel “Älem” Next, you will visit the “Älem” Ferris Wheel, officially recognized by the Guinness World Records as the highest Ferris wheel enclosed within a building. The structure, made of glass and white steel, gives the attraction a strikingly modern and futuristic appearance and symbolizes the modern face of Ashgabat. 🏛️ Lenin Monument & Old Part of the City The tour continues to the Lenin Monument and the old part of Ashgabat, where you will see remnants of the city’s Soviet past. This area provides a strong contrast to the modern marble architecture and helps you better understand the city’s historical layers and transformation. 🌆 Evening in Ashgabat Dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, enjoy a relaxed walk through Berkarar Shopping and Entertainment Center, one of the most popular modern complexes in Ashgabat, where locals gather for shopping and leisure. 🛏️ Overnight Overnight stay in a hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 3: Ashgabat, Ahal region, Turkmenistan to Yangykala, Balkan region, Turkmenistan
🌄 Morning: Departure from Ashgabat In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we depart from Ashgabat and begin our journey westward. This day is dedicated to exploring some of the most spectacular and remote natural landscapes of Turkmenistan, far from the main tourist routes. As we leave the capital behind, the scenery gradually changes from urban surroundings to open steppe and desert landscapes, offering a deeper insight into the country’s vast and diverse geography. 🍽️ Midday: Lunch in Gyzylarbat & Stop in Balkanabat Around midday, we arrive in Gyzylarbat (also known as Serdar), where we stop for lunch at a local café. After lunch, we continue driving to Balkanabat, the administrative center of the Balkan Province. Here, there will be time to: purchase supplies for dinner, take a short break, prepare for the more remote part of the journey. From Balkanabat onward, the road leads through increasingly isolated and dramatic terrain, with wide horizons and striking geological formations. 🏜️ Yangikala Canyons – The “Fire Fortresses” of Turkmenistan Upon arrival at the Yangikala Canyons, prepare for one of the most breathtaking natural sights in Turkmenistan. Often called the “Fire Fortresses”, these canyons are famous for their vibrant red, pink, yellow and white rock layers, sculpted by wind and water over millions of years. You will have time to: explore the canyon viewpoints, walk along the edges and valleys, take photographs of the dramatic landscapes, especially beautiful in the afternoon light. The silence, colors and scale of Yangikala create a powerful sense of remoteness and natural beauty. 🕌 Gozli Ata – Sacred Pilgrimage Site After visiting the canyons, we drive to the nearby pilgrim village of Gozli Ata. This important spiritual site is home to the mausoleum of Gozli Ata, a highly respected Sufi saint. Pilgrims from across Turkmenistan come here to pay their respects, making it one of the country’s most significant religious places. Your guide will explain the cultural and spiritual significance of the site and local traditions associated with it. 🏕️ Overnight in Yurts In the evening, we settle in traditional yurts near Gozli Ata. Dinner is prepared using the supplies purchased earlier, and you will enjoy a peaceful night surrounded by desert landscapes and star-filled skies. Overnight stay: Yurts near Gozli Ata
Day 4: Yangykala, Balkan region, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Ahal region, Turkmenistan
🌅 Morning: Departure from Gozli Ata After breakfast at the guesthouse or campsite near Gozli Ata, we begin our journey toward Turkmenbashi, located to the northwest of the pilgrimage site. The drive takes approximately 2–3 hours and passes through open desert and steppe landscapes, offering a final look at the remote western regions of Turkmenistan. 🌊 Turkmenbashi – Port City on the Caspian Sea Upon arrival in Turkmenbashi (formerly known as Krasnovodsk), Turkmenistan’s main port city, you will experience a completely different atmosphere compared to the desert regions. 🌴 Seaside Visit – Caspian Sea We head directly to the Caspian Sea coast, the world’s largest inland body of water. Here you will have time to: walk along the seaside, enjoy fresh sea air, take photos of the coastline and port area, relax after several days of desert travel. This stop provides a rare opportunity to see Turkmenistan’s maritime side, contrasting sharply with the landscapes of the Karakum Desert and Yangikala Canyons. 🚙 Afternoon & Evening: Drive Back to Ashgabat In the afternoon, we begin the long drive back to Ashgabat. The journey crosses vast desert territories and takes several hours. Dinner will be arranged on the way at a roadside café or local restaurant. 🏨 Arrival in Ashgabat & Overnight Late in the evening, arrival in Ashgabat. Check-in at the hotel and time to rest after the long but rewarding journey. Overnight stay: Hotel in Ashgabat
Day 5: Ashgabat, Ahal region, Turkmenistan to Farap border, Lebap Region, Turkmenistan
🌅 Morning: Departure from Ashgabat After breakfast at the hotel, we depart from Ashgabat and drive east toward Mary, one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions in Central Asia. The journey follows the historic route of the Great Silk Road, once traveled by merchants, caravans and pilgrims connecting East and West. 🏛️ Ancient Merv – UNESCO World Heritage Site Upon arrival, we begin our guided tour of Ancient Merv, one of the most important cities of the medieval world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At its peak, Merv was among the largest cities on Earth and a major political, cultural and scientific center of the Islamic Golden Age. During the visit, you will explore: Erk Gala – the oldest core of Merv, dating back to the Achaemenid period Gyaur Gala – the main city of the pre-Islamic and early Islamic era Big and Small Kyz Gala – impressive fortress-like palaces with distinctive corrugated walls Askhab Complex – an important religious and architectural site Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum (12th century) – one of the finest examples of Seljuk architecture and the most iconic monument of Merv Your guide will explain the historical layers of Merv, from ancient times through the Islamic period, bringing the ruins to life through stories of conquest, trade and culture. 🚙 Transfer to Turkmenabat & Farap Border After the tour of Merv, we continue our drive toward Turkmenabat and the Farap border crossing. At the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan border, you will go through passport, visa and customs formalities at both checkpoints. The guide will assist you throughout the process to ensure a smooth crossing. 🌍 End of the Tour After crossing the border, the tour officially comes to an end. End of the tour with unforgettable memories of Turkmenistan’s history, landscapes and culture.
What's included
Notes on included services All transfers: 1-4 by sedan/ by minivan/ Hotel accommodation in double occupancy, breakfasts included; Darvaza - a night: yurt for 2-3 people Excursion program with English-speaking guides Visa support for Turkmenistan tourist visa $90 (LOI); English speaking Guide(s) to accompany the group throughout the tour Entrance fees and photo fees for attractions as per itinerary; Personal Travel insurance
Notes on excluded services Full board (lunches and dinners); Hotel charges for additional services; Consular fees and Turkmenistan tourist visas (110-120$- USD at the border for express visa). Tips of $8-$10 per day to the tour guide and driver; Tickets for international flights
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Shabat border, Turkmenistan to Darvaza, Ahal region, Turkmenistan