Darvaza To Merv Tour
About this tour
Spectacular Darvaza Gas Crater experience with camping and BBQ
Visit UNESCO-listed Merv, one of the oldest and most important cities on the Silk Road
Explore Ashgabat, the “white-marble capital” with grand monuments and futuristic architecture
Discover traditional Turkmen culture through carpet weaving, mosques, bazaars, and ancient ruins
Smooth transitions from border to border, with expert-guided sightseeing throughout
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Dashoguz, Turkmenistan to Door to Hell, Derweze, Turkmenistan
Our representative will meet you at the Turkmen/Uzbek border “Shavat”. Drive to Darvaza Burning Gas Crater (300km, 5h) The Crater is also called "The Door to Hell". The area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 60 m and 20 m deep. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today. In the evening, watch the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater. BBQ dinner & overnight at Gas Crater.
Day 2: Door to Hell, Derweze, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Picnic-style breakfast. Drive to Ashgabat (280km, 5h). Transfer to hotel. Drive to visit the Carpet Museum, one of the best in Central Asia featuring designs from the Tekke, Yamud, Sarik and Chodor tribes. The Turkmen Carpet Museum is one of the cultural centres of Turkmenistan, where about 2000 carpet exhibits, including rare ones, are exhibited. For example, the museum has the smallest carpet to wear keys, as well as the world’s largest hand carpet with a total area of 301 m², which was woven in 2001, and in 2003 it was added to the Guinness Book of Records. Afternoon you will have an Ashgabat city tour. In 2013 the Guinness Book of Records named Ashgabat a “white marbled city” – here you can see the biggest number of structures in the world made out of white marble. You will see the Presidential Palace, Ruhyyet Palace, Wedding Palace, modern “Yildyz” Hotel, Ferries Wheel, Constitution Monument, Arch of Neutrality, Monument and Park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Ashgabat Sports and Housing facilities. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Mary, Turkmenistan
BF at the hotel. Morning drive to Mary (360km, 5h). You also see the ruins of Seyitjemalledin mosque in Anau. The mosque was built in 1456 when Abu-ibn-Kasim Baber Bahadurkhan ruled in Khorasan (1446-1457). Construction of the mosque was financed by Bahadurkhan’s vizier, Muhammed Hudaidot, who also selected a site of construction–near the grave of his father, sheikh Jemaleddin, a native of Anau. The square central hall (with the sides of 10.5 meters) was crowned with a dome. In later periods, the Seyit-Jemaleddin mosque was partially reconstructed. By the nineteenth century, the subsidence of land had already damaged the building heavily, and during the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake it was destroyed completely. Now, only the lower parts of the portal and some fragments of the walls are extant. On the way visit Abiwerd which was once an important trading town of North Khorasan. It was a key link on the Great Silk Road between Nisa and Merv, and also enjoyed ties in Nishapur, across the Kopetdag Mountains to the south. You will see all the major buildings of Mary in the downtown. Also, visit Mary Bazaar to see a variety of local products. and the Russian Orthodox church (one of the oldest in Turkmenistan). Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Merv, Turkmenistan to Farap, Turkmenistan
BF at the hotel. Drive to Merv to explore ancient Merv – “Queen of the world”, was one of the most important capitals of Islam along with Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. Sightseeing of ancient Merv includes Greater Kyz Gala & Lesser Kyz Gala (VI-VII), Complex of Askhabs (VIII-XIV), Erk Gala (VI BC), Gyaur Gala (IV BC), Hoja Yusup Hamadani complex, Sultan Sanjar mausoleum, Muhamed Ibn Zeid mausoleum. After sightseeing, drive to Turkmen - Uzbek border Farap (260km, 4h).
What's included
• Letter of Invitation (State Registration, Travel Pass) • Accommodation in DBL/Twin room: • Garagum Yurt camp (Tent/Yurt) stay – 1 night (incl sleeping mats, sleeping bags, pillows, light) • Escort English-speaking guide service • Transportation as per program per AC regular road vehicles and 4x4 where terrain requires • Entrance fee: per program • Meals: BF at hotel, BBQ dinner at Darvaza • 1.5 L water per person per day • Travel tax
nternational flights • Cost of Turkmen visa w/border fees (70 – 100 USD) • PCR test (33 USD) • Payment for photo and video • Meals: L & D • Tips for guide and driver • Medical insurance • Services not shown in the program
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me. Notes: 1. Due to the changing conditions of some roads & traffic it might take slightly more or less time to drive than the mentioned driving time in the program 2. Flight times are subject to change by Turkmenistan Airlines, hand language 5kg, baggage 20kg per person, if the baggage is overweight you pay between 2-3$ per kg). 3. If the traveller stays more than 3 working days in Turkmenistan, the travel agency will register and stamp your passport on a local Tourist Board. 4. An express PCR test for Covid-19 will be taken upon arrival. It costs between 35-45 USD. 5. Breakfast box in case of very early morning departures.
Route & locations
Dashoguz, Turkmenistan to Door to Hell, Derweze, Turkmenistan