5-Day Turkmenistan Discovery Tour: Darvaza, Ashgabat & Ancient Merv

Hotel accommodation basis: Twin or double rooms unless otherwise agreed

Day 1 — Shavat Border → Dashoguz → Darvaza Gas Crater

Approximate driving distance: 310–350 km

10:00 — Planned meeting at the Shavat Border Crossing between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, depending on the completion of border formalities.

After completing the Uzbek exit procedures, enter the Turkmen border area, where your professional local guide will meet you and assist with the Turkmenistan entry formalities.

Meet your driver and continue to Dashoguz, the principal city of northern Turkmenistan.

Dashoguz City Introduction

Enjoy a short introduction to the city, including a drive through its central streets and a visit to a local bazaar.

Browse regional products and observe daily life before beginning your journey into the desert.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

Lunch is not included in the tour price and is payable directly at the restaurant.

Journey Through the Karakum Desert

After lunch, travel south toward Darvaza, passing open plains, sandy terrain and scattered settlements.

Short stops will be arranged along the way for rest and photographs.

Darvaza Gas Crater

Arrive in the Darvaza area and settle into your traditional Turkmen yurt camp.

Visit the Darvaza Gas Crater, internationally known as the “Gates of Hell.”

Observe the crater from the designated viewing area and enjoy its desert surroundings as daylight fades. Sunset views depend on the season and arrival time; the appearance and intensity of the flames may vary.

In the evening, enjoy a freshly prepared BBQ dinner at the camp.

After dinner, relax in the desert atmosphere, with time for nighttime views and photography before returning to your yurt.

Overnight: Traditional Turkmen yurt camp near Darvaza
Meals included: BBQ dinner
Meals not included: Lunch

Day 2 — Darvaza → Karakum Desert → Ashgabat City Discovery

Approximate driving distance: 260–290 km, plus local sightseeing

Early risers may return to the crater for an optional morning visit, offering a different perspective on the desert landscape.

Breakfast will be served at the yurt camp.

After breakfast, depart Darvaza and travel south through the Karakum Desert toward Ashgabat.

Depending on road and weather conditions, access and timing, stops may be arranged near the Water and Mud Craters and at selected desert viewpoints.

A lunch stop will be arranged during the journey or upon arrival in the capital.

Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Ashgabat — The White-Marble Capital

Arrive in Ashgabat and check in at your hotel according to the hotel’s check-in arrangements.

Begin a guided introduction to the capital’s monumental architecture, landscaped parks and broad avenues.

The main sightseeing program includes:

• Independence Monument — a principal national landmark surrounded by gardens and monumental sculptures.
• Neutrality Monument — one of Ashgabat’s most recognisable architectural landmarks.
• White-marble avenues and ceremonial districts — a panoramic drive through the capital’s distinctive contemporary architecture.

Further planned city visits will be completed after your return from Mary on Day 4.

Ashgabat by Night

After sunset, enjoy a panoramic drive through illuminated Ashgabat.

See the capital’s monuments, avenues and white-marble buildings under their evening lighting, with selected stops for photography before returning to your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat
Meals included: Breakfast
Meals not included: Lunch and dinner

Day 3 — Ashgabat → Ancient Merv → Mary

Approximate driving distance: 400–430 km

Breakfast at the hotel.

Depart Ashgabat and travel east across the plains of the Ahal and Mary Regions, passing settlements, agricultural areas and oasis landscapes.

A lunch stop will be arranged according to the day’s schedule.

Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Ancient Merv — A Great City of the Silk Road

Near Bayramaly, begin your guided exploration of Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Central Asia’s great historical urban centres.

The archaeological landscape preserves the remains of successive cities that developed across the oasis over many centuries.

The sightseeing program includes:

• Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum — a monumental surviving example of Seljuk architecture.
• Erk Kala — an early fortified settlement with impressive surviving earthen walls.
• Gyaur Kala — the remains of another major historical city within the Merv complex.
• Kyz Kala — distinctive fortified mud-brick residences recognised for their corrugated walls.

Your guide will explain the development of the oasis and Merv’s importance as a centre of Silk Road trade, political power and cultural exchange.

Mary City Introduction

After the archaeological excursion, continue to Mary.

Enjoy an introductory drive through the modern city centre, including its main streets, public squares and representative architecture.

Transfer to your hotel and check in.

The evening is free for dinner at a local restaurant and rest after the day’s journey.

Overnight: Hotel in Mary
Meals included: Breakfast
Meals not included: Lunch and dinner

Day 4 — Mary → Ashgabat City Sightseeing

Approximate driving distance: 370–400 km, plus local sightseeing

Breakfast at the hotel.

Before leaving Mary, enjoy a brief guided visit to a local market or selected central landmarks, depending on opening hours and the departure schedule.

Return to Ashgabat

Depart Mary and travel west toward Ashgabat, crossing the plains of the Mary and Ahal Regions.

Short stops will be arranged for rest and refreshments, with a lunch stop during the journey.

Lunch is not included in the tour price and is payable directly at the restaurant.

Arrive in Ashgabat and check in at your hotel.

Continue Exploring the Capital

Continue the city sightseeing program, focusing on planned visits not completed on Day 2.

Depending on the arrival time and opening hours, the program includes:

• Wedding Palace viewpoint — a photographic stop overlooking part of the capital and its distinctive architecture.
• Russian Bazaar — time to browse local sweets, dried fruits, nuts, regional products and souvenirs.
• White-marble avenues and ceremonial districts — further panoramic sightseeing through the capital’s monumental public spaces.

Complete the planned visits to the Independence Monument and Neutrality Monument if these were not covered on Day 2.

Evening Views of Ashgabat

In the evening, enjoy further views of illuminated Ashgabat, with selected stops for photographs before returning to the hotel.

Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat
Meals included: Breakfast
Meals not included: Lunch and dinner

Day 5 — Ashgabat → International Airport Departure

Approximate driving distance: 20–60 km, depending on hotel location and any additional sightseeing

Breakfast at the hotel.

Depending on your confirmed flight schedule, enjoy free time or a short final sightseeing drive before departure.

If there is sufficient time before airport check-in, the program may include a drive along the capital’s monumental avenues or a brief visit to the Russian Bazaar, if not completed earlier.

Departure Transfer

At the appropriate time, transfer by private vehicle to Ashgabat International Airport for your onward flight.

Your guide will assist with the departure transfer and direct you to the airport departures area.

For early departures, transfer directly to the airport. A breakfast box may be requested in advance, subject to hotel arrangements.

Any final sightseeing depends on the flight schedule and must allow sufficient time for airport check-in and security procedures.

Meals included: Breakfast

End of services at Ashgabat International Airport.

Driving distances are approximate. The order and duration of visits may be adjusted according to border procedures, road and weather conditions, local access, opening hours and the confirmed departure flight. Ashgabat sightseeing will be distributed between Days 2 and 4, with any additional visits on Day 5 subject to the time available before departure.