5-Day Turkmenistan Discovery Tour: Nohur, Yangykala & Darvaza

Hotel accommodation basis: Twin or double rooms unless otherwise agreed

Day 1 — Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport → Ashgabat

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

Arrive at Ashgabat International Airport.

After completing immigration and customs formalities, meet your professional local guide in the arrivals hall.

Your guide will assist with the arrival arrangements and introduce you to your driver.

Transfer by private vehicle to your hotel, with check-in according to the hotel’s arrangements.

First Impressions of Ashgabat

Depending on your flight arrival time, enjoy a short introductory drive through the capital’s white-marble avenues and monumental architectural districts.

If timing permits, selected panoramic stops or a brief visit to the Russian Bazaar may be arranged.

For evening arrivals, enjoy your first views of the illuminated capital during the hotel transfer, where the route permits.

The main city sightseeing program will continue after your return from western Turkmenistan.

For late arrivals, transfer directly to the hotel and rest. Arrival-day sightseeing is subject to the confirmed flight schedule.

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

Day 2 — Ashgabat → Kow-Ata → Nohur → Serdar

Approximate driving distance: 280–350 km, plus any additional local sightseeing

Breakfast at the hotel.

Depart Ashgabat and travel west through the Gokdepe area toward the Kopet Dag foothills.

If time permits, visit the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque in Gypjak on the way out of the capital, admiring its grand dome, minarets and white-marble architecture.

Kow-Ata Underground Lake

Continue to Kow-Ata, a naturally warm underground lake inside a limestone cave.

Descend the staircase into the cave to see the lake in its unusual subterranean setting.

Guests who wish may bathe in the warm water, subject to local access conditions, safety rules and personal preference.

Nohur Mountain Village

Travel into the mountains to Nohur, a community known for its distinctive local traditions and scenic setting.

Explore the village lanes with your guide, enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and learn about local crafts and everyday life.

Visit the traditional cemetery, where your guide will explain the community’s distinctive burial customs.

Time will be provided for photographs where permitted, with respect for the community and local customs.

A lunch stop will be arranged at a regional or roadside restaurant.

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

Continue to Serdar

Leave the mountain area and continue west toward Serdar, passing open landscapes and settlements along the route.

Arrive in the evening and check in at your hotel.

Rest before the following day’s canyon excursion and domestic flight.

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

Day 3 — Serdar → Yangykala Canyon → Turkmenbashi → Flight to Ashgabat

Approximate driving distance: 450–550 km, plus airport transfers
Domestic flight: Turkmenbashi → Ashgabat

Early breakfast at the hotel or a breakfast box, subject to hotel arrangements and the planned departure time.

Depart Serdar and travel west through the Balkan Region, passing settlements and landscapes associated with western Turkmenistan’s petroleum industry.

Continue toward Yangykala Canyon, crossing arid plains and open semi-desert scenery.

Yangykala Canyon

Explore a striking landscape of layered cliffs, sculpted rock formations and wide desert horizons.

Visit selected panoramic viewpoints, admiring the contrasting bands of red, yellow, white and pink rock.

Enjoy time for photographs and short walks at accessible stops.

Suitable off-road transportation will be used where required for the unpaved approach, with viewpoints selected according to road and local access conditions.

A lunch stop or packed lunch will be arranged according to the route and flight schedule.

Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Turkmenbashi and Flight to Ashgabat

After the canyon excursion, continue to Turkmenbashi, on the Caspian coast.

Any city introduction will be brief and subject to the time available before airport check-in.

Transfer to the airport for your evening domestic flight to Ashgabat.

The day’s departure time, canyon visit and airport transfer will be planned to allow sufficient time for check-in. The flight time, seats and baggage allowance will be confirmed for your travel date.

Upon arrival in Ashgabat, meet your local team and enjoy a short panoramic drive through the illuminated capital on the way to your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat
Meals included: Breakfast or a hotel breakfast box
Meals not included: Lunch and dinner

Day 4 — Ashgabat City Discovery → Karakum Desert → Darvaza Gas Crater

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

Breakfast at the hotel.

Begin the day with guided sightseeing in Ashgabat, focusing on planned visits not completed on your arrival day.

Ashgabat — The White-Marble Capital

Discover 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.

Depending on the schedule and opening hours, continue to:

• Wedding Palace viewpoint — a photographic stop overlooking part of the capital.
• Russian Bazaar — time to browse local sweets, dried fruits, nuts, regional products and souvenirs.

A lunch stop will be arranged before leaving the capital.

Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Journey Through the Karakum Desert

Depart Ashgabat and travel north toward Darvaza, passing open plains, sandy terrain and scattered desert settlements.

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

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: Breakfast and BBQ dinner
Meals not included: Lunch

Day 5 — Darvaza → Dashoguz → Shavat Border

Approximate driving distance: 310–350 km

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 north through the Karakum Desert toward Dashoguz.

Short stops will be arranged for rest and photographs as the desert gradually gives way to the agricultural landscapes of northern Turkmenistan.

Dashoguz City Introduction

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

Browse regional products and observe daily life before continuing toward the border.

A lunch stop will be arranged at a local restaurant according to the border schedule.

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

Shavat Border Departure

Continue to the Shavat Border Crossing between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Upon arrival, your guide will assist with the necessary Turkmenistan exit and border formalities.

Border arrival will be planned according to the confirmed operating hours, road conditions and the time spent sightseeing in Dashoguz.

An onward transfer on the Uzbekistan side toward Khiva or Urgench can be arranged separately upon request.

Meals included: Breakfast
Meals not included: Lunch and dinner

End of services on the Turkmen side of Shavat Border.

Driving distances are approximate. The order and duration of visits may be adjusted according to the confirmed arrival flight, border procedures, road and weather conditions, local access, opening hours and domestic flight schedules. An evening flight from Turkmenbashi to Ashgabat is required on Day 3; its timing, seats and baggage allowance must be confirmed before the tour is finalised. Arrival-day sightseeing depends on the international flight schedule.