6 days from Dashoguz

Route: Turkmenistan – via Shavat

This 7-day Turkmenistan tour starts with a border crossing from Khiva to visit the historical sites of Koneurgench, followed by a desert drive for a campfire dinner and overnight stay at the Darvaza Gas Crater. The itinerary features extensive tours of Ashgabat’s white marble landmarks, the National Museum, and the UNESCO-listed Old Nisa fortress. Travelers will take an overnight train to Turkmenbashi to explore the fish market and the stunning Yangikala Canyons by jeep, with a return route through the Kopetdag Mountains to visit Nohur village and the Kov Ata underground lake. The journey concludes with a full-day excursion to ancient Merv on the Silk Road before a final departure from Ashgabat. The package includes visa support, 3-star accommodation, full-board meals, and an English-speaking guide, with prices ranging from $835 to $1050 based on group size.

7
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groups
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options
What is included / not included
  • Visa support (Letter of Invitation, State Registration, Travel Pass)
  • Road transport in private air-conditioned vehicles, regular.
  • Accommodation based on 3*Mizan otel or similar.
  • Meal: F/B
  • Tourist entrance tax at every hotel 2 $
  • English-speaking guide-interpreter services.
  • Entrance fees to sites mentioned in the program, as per price differentiation
  • Bottled water 1,5 ltr per person.
  • Porter services
  • Turkmenistan tourist visa from 55 to 100 USD per person (depending on the country of residence), in the endurance to the Country (subject to change)
  • Turkmenistan migration tax 12 USD per person, to be paid at entering borders (subject to change)
  • Photo/video fees at historical sites and museums
  • Tips for local guide(s) and/or driver(s)
  • Souvenirs and other personal items
  • All other charges and services not mentioned under “Included”
Tour program
Your Turkmen guide will meet you. Drive to the Koneurgench, visit Koneurgench. Transfer to Darvaza. Drive through the Karakum Desert to the famous Darvaza Gas Crater (280 km, 4 h). After arriving at the crater, camp will be set up and you'll enjoy a delicious, fire-cooked dinner near the "Gates of Hell". Overnight in tents.
Camp-style breakfast . Transfer to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, has recently been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as having more white marble buildings than any other city in the world. Visit the National Museum of History, the Monument of Neutrality, Presidential Square, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and the recently-built Independence Park. Dinner. Overnight in Ashgabat.
Tour around the city. Nissa ancient fortress (UNESCO Heritagesite ), Independence Park and Neutrality Arch. Visit National Museum. This museum has a vast collection of artifacts that tell the story of Turkmenistan's history, from ancient times to the present day. At 17:50 departure to Turkmenbashy by train. Dinner on the train.
Arrive time 08:15 (early in the morning). Breakfast. visit of the old town area, Russian orthodox church and Fish bazaar. Then drive to Yangikala Canyons. Lunch during the excursion. Explore the canyons area by jeep and by foot. Then drive to Kyzylarbat for overnight in Chynar Hotel. On the way to Kyzylarbat, quick stop of few minutes in Balkanabat in order to take some pictures of the monument with camel and explorer. Most of the tout in this day will be devoted to Yangikala and, to a lesser extent, Turkmenbashi. Balkanabat will be just a stop over of some minutes.
After breakfast drive to the Nohur village in Kopetdag Mountains, explore Nohur with visits tribal cemetery, waterfall, big tree and Gyz Bibi Mausoleum. Picnic lunch. While driving towards Ashgabat, visit Kov Ata underground lake (opportunity to swim), Geokdepe mosque and Chuli Gorge. Arrive to Ashgabat in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast drive to Merv (300 km, 5 h 30 min), an ancient city that was a major center of international trade and crafts on the Silk Road. Merv is also home to a historical park for you to discover, with sights including: the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Major and Minor Kyz-Kala, Erk-Kala, Gyaur-Kala, Keshk Fortress, and others. Dinner at a local restaurant. Drive back to Ashgabat.
End of the tour. Exit from Ashgabat International Airport.
From Shavat / Khiva Darvaza Gas Crater Short Breaks (1–3 days)