2 Day Tour: Ashgabat – Darvaza Crater – Kunya-Urgench
This short two-day journey is the ideal link between Ashgabat and Uzbekistan for travelers crossing through Turkmenistan. You begin with a city tour of the white-marble capital, then drive north into the Karakum Desert to reach the fiery Darvaza Gas Crater at sunset, dine on local kebabs and spend the night in traditional yurts under the stars. On day two you continue to Dashoguz and explore the UNESCO-listed ruins of Kunya-Urgench before exiting through the Shavat border toward Khiva and Urgench.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Ashgabat – Darvaza Gas Crater
Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport and check-in to your hotel (if arriving on the Thursday flight). After breakfast you enjoy a city tour of Ashgabat, the gleaming white-marble capital, before driving 271 km (about 4.5 hours) north into the Karakum Desert. You arrive before sunset to witness the spectacular ignition of the Darvaza Gas Crater, then enjoy a kebab dinner at a nearby yurt camp. Spend the evening at the burning crater with stories and insights from your guide, and overnight in a traditional yurt or comfortable tent.
Day 2 — Darvaza – Dashoguz – Kunya-Urgench – Shavat Border
After breakfast at Darvaza, you drive about 300 km (roughly 7 hours) across the desert to the city of Dashoguz. From there it is around 94 km (1.5 hours) to Kunya-Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you explore the historic ruins and monuments of the ancient city with your guide. The day ends with a transfer to the Shavat border crossing for your onward journey to Uzbekistan, near Khiva and Urgench.
- Invitation letter support and foreigner registration in Turkmenistan
- Accommodation in standard rooms
- Ashgabat city tour
- Transport and guide
- Meals at Darvaza and overnight yurt stay at Darvaza
- All breakfasts
- All expenses of the driver/guide, including fuel, meals and accommodation, transfer to the meeting point at the border and farewell at the border
- All taxes
- The tour starts at the Turkmenistan border and ends at the Turkmenistan border
- You will see everything possible within the available time; the itinerary can be adjusted along the way
- Visa and other fees at the border (usually no more than $110 per person)
- Meals ($3–8 per meal per person)
- Entrance fees to museums and other sites as per the tour (roughly no more than $10 per day if any)
- Tips (tips are welcomed)
5 STOPS
- 01AshgabatDay 1
- 02Darvaza Gas CraterDay 1
- 03DashoguzDay 2
- 04Kunya-UrgenchDay 2
- 05Shavat BorderDay 2
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
