7 Days Tour Kunya-urgench-darvaza-ashgabat-merv-farap
About this tour
Visit to Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO site)
Desert camping near the Darvaza Gas Crater
Explore Ashgabat, the marble capital
Ashgabat city tour
Explore ancient Merv – one of the most important cities of the Silk Road
Final stop in Turkmenabat, with an option to cross into Uzbekistan (Bukhara)
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Dashoguz, Turkmenistan to Köneürgench, Turkmenistan
Meet the guide at the Dashoguz/Shawat border of Turkmenistan; the meeting time depends on when you cross the border. And perhaps after crossing the border, you will have to take a COVID test costing $35 USD per person. Cash payment in US dollars is required. Upon arrival at the border point, go through customs procedures and start. Drive to Koneurgench city. Тhe trip will take approximately 1,5 hours by car. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in. Visiting the Koneurgench (UNESCO 2005) province historical reserve. It is the ancient capital of Khorezm. Visit the mausoleums of II Arslan and Soltan Tekesh, Nejmeddin Kubra, Soltan Ali, Turabek Khanum (12th c.), the mausoleum of Turabek Khanum, and the Kutlug Timur Minaret. Visiting the Kone-Urgench Museum of History 15:00 trip to Darvaza – Gas Crater, which is a huge flaming crater located 270 km away (5 hours). In the evening, enjoy the spectacular and fascinating view of the Gas Crater. Visit the Gas Crater. To truly enjoy this end of the world, it is best to arrive at the Gate before sunset. Stay in a camp with tasty catering – dinner in picnic style – the perfect way to enjoy this highlight. Observe the fantastic view of the crater during the day and at night, feel the heat, and listen to the sound that this giant oven creates. Overnight at the camp in the yurt.
Day 2: Dashoguz, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
8:00 - Breakfast at the camp. Departure from the camp; travel time is 4 hours, and the distance is 270 km. Before reaching Ashgabat, we can visit the Eastern Bazaar (at your request) to shop and buy national souvenirs—all of which are handmade. 13:00 – Before reaching Ashgabat, visit the oriental (and exotic) bazaar “Altyn Asyr” for shopping and buying souvenirs. If you're looking for a truly authentic shopping experience in Ashgabat, look no further than Altyn Asyr Bazaar. Located on the outskirts of the city, this bustling market is the largest in Turkmenistan and the fifth-largest in Central Asia. With its vibrant atmosphere, historical significance, and unique architectural features, Altyn Asyr Bazaar is a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike. The market is particularly busy selling a wide variety of goods, including handicrafts, jewellery, animals, food, and other products. In addition, you can buy traditional Turkmen clothing. Local ateliers create unique men's and women's garments in a single copy, which have no analogues. Arrival in Ashgabat, transfer to the 3-star hotel, check-in, and a short rest Excursion Ashgabat city tour includes: The health trail in the mountains, The highest flagpole in the world at 133 meters (in the Guinness Book). The size of the giant cloth of the State Flag of Turkmenistan is 52x35 m, and its weight is 420 kg. Olympic city (in the Guinness Book). Monument and park of Independence, Neutrality Tower, Evening visit to one of the city's shopping and entertainment centres: Berkarar, Arkach, etc. Overnight stays at the hotel.
Day 3: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Morning breakfast at the hotel, and then we will start the city tour again. Magtymguly Monument and Park Ferris Wheel (in the Guinness Book), where you can take a ride, Memorial Complex "People's Memory" - a complex for earthquake victims and those of the Second World War Wedding Palace The sculptural ensemble depicts the founder of the Turkmen nation, Oguzkhan, and his six sons. This complex includes 27 light fountains, which work synchronously thanks to special software (in the Guinness Book) International Airport (in the Guinness Book) Ertogrul Gazi (Turkish) Mosque
Day 4: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Yangykala Canyon, Tersakkan, Turkmenistan
Breakfast at the hotel - Drive to the Yangikala Canyon by car – visiting one of the scenic natural objects of Turkmenistan – Yangikala canyons is located 165 km to the north from Balkanabat (3-4 hours) and 160 km to the east from Turkmenbashy. The word expression “Yangi kala” is translated from Turkmen as “fire fortresses”. Indeed, the sheer cliffs of white, yellow, ocher, purple and red colors, fancily carved by winds and rains, are very similar to the stone castles from a fantasy. The most beautiful canyons are during sunset, when everything is painted in a red-hot color. Once, the bottom of the canyons was the bottom of an ancient sea. In addition, today you can walk there, like in a natural park of sculptures made of compressed soil, sloughing in hands. Return to Nebitdag City. Nebitçi hotel. Overview at the hotel
Day 5: Balkanabat Turkmenistan, Balkanabat, Turkmenistan to Köw Ata Underground Lake, Akdepe, Turkmenistan
9.00 – drive to the Kowata lake journey by car. Continue with Nokhur. The village itself fills a small depression valley in the mountains of the Kopet Dag Range, and the houses are been built with local boulders cemented with mud. Apart from the main street through the middle of the town, the streets are so narrow that they only just fit a car between the high stone retaining walls on each side. The Nohkuri people who populate this remote mountain village are quite different to other Turkmen tribes. They live in a handful of villages in the mountainous border area spanning Turkmenistan and Iran. Nokhur is the largest village with just a thousand or maybe two thousand people. Kow-Ata underground lake that is located 107 km from Ashgabat (1,5 hours). The Turkmen name Kow-Ata means Father of caves. At first glance, this underground area appears like a magnificent auditorium: the overall length of the cave is 230 m, its height reaches 20 m, and its width is at some points 57 m. The bottom of the cave is covered with lumps of dissolved limestone (stalagmites), and its warm and gushing water is clear and emerald colored. The water has a constant temperature of 33-37°C. (You should swim in a lake). Continue our way to Ashgabat city. Transfer to the hotel . Check-in. 20.00 - Rest and overnight at the hotel
Day 6: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Mary, Turkmenistan
Breakfast at the hotel - Departure from Ashgabat to Mary by car In the afternoon, we will arrive in Mary City Visit Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site). One of the major archaeological sites of Central Asia, Merv played an important role in the development of the Silk Road for more than 2,000 years. On the territory of Merv, there are unique fortresses that belong to different eras. They differ in size and degree of preservation: Erk-kala (6th century BC), Gyaur-kala (3rd century), Kyz-kala (6th century), Sultan-kala (11th century), Abdullakhan-kala (15th century), and Bairamalikhan-kala (presumably 18th century). 19:00 – Return to Mary City. 20:00 – Evening tour of the city, night illumination, and visit to one of the shopping and entertainment centres. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Mary, Turkmenistan to Farap, Turkmenistan
08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel, check out. Drive (by car) to the Lebap province, to Turkmenabad city (5 hours). – Arrival at the Farap border point. - Crossing the border.
What's included
LOI, registration fee, permit fee Accommodation: hotel – 5 nights (breakfast), camping – 1 night (dinner and breakfast) Guide – 7 days Transport – 7 days Entry tickets to museums. Fee for using cameras in monuments. Daily water
Visa fee: $55 - $85 COVID test: $35 Meals and services Personal expenses and gratuities Insurance
What to know
Good day. We are glad for your interest in our tour. All travellers to Turkmenistan requre a visa. Asman tourism çompany can provide you with an invitation/visa support letter (essential to obtain visa). Approval of the (regular) invitation letter usually takes 10 working days, (urgent) - 5 days. With an emailed copy of the invitation letter you can get your visa at Turkmenistan Embassy. If not time to get visa at Turkmenistan Embassy you also can obtain the visa at Ashgabat international airport or at any land borders on arrival (payable in cash us dollars). If you have any questions or suggestions, we would be happy to respond. Sincerely, Asman Tourism Company.
Route & locations
Dashoguz, Turkmenistan to Köneürgench, Turkmenistan