3 Day Tour: Ashgabat – Kunya-Urgench – Darvaza – Ashgabat
A classic round-trip from the white-marble capital that packs Turkmenistan's greatest highlights into three full days. You explore Ashgabat's grand monuments and UNESCO-listed Old Nisa, fly north to the medieval treasures of Kunya-Urgench, and spend an unforgettable night in a yurt beside the blazing Darvaza Gas Crater. Practical and complete, the tour begins and ends in Ashgabat, making it ideal for travelers who want to see the country's icons without crossing any land borders.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Bajgiran Border (Iran) – Arrival & Ashgabat City Tour
We meet you at the Bajgiran border with Iran and, after formalities, transfer about 45 km (around one hour) to Ashgabat. You spend the day exploring the white-marble capital — the National Museum, the Neutrality and Independence monuments, the Akhal-Teke horse traditions and the lively Russian Bazaar — before lunch at a national restaurant. Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 2 — Flight to Dashoguz, Kunya-Urgench & Darvaza Gas Crater
After an early breakfast you transfer to the airport around 04:30 for the 06:00 flight to Dashoguz, arriving around 07:30–08:00. Your guide takes you to Kunya-Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you explore the Turabek Khanym Mausoleum, the Kutlug-Timur Minaret and the Il Arslan Mausoleum, superb examples of medieval Islamic architecture. After lunch in Dashoguz you set off across the Karakum Desert toward the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, timing the drive to arrive before sunset for the best view of the fiery 'Gates of Hell'. You settle into a traditional Turkmen yurt near the crater, enjoy a BBQ dinner with kebabs prepared by your guide and driver, and relax by the fire under the starry desert sky. Overnight in the desert camp.
Day 3 — Darvaza – Dashoguz – Shavat Border (Khiva)
After sunrise and breakfast at the Darvaza camp, you drive north across the desert to Dashoguz (about 250 km) for lunch. In the afternoon you transfer the short distance to the Shavat border crossing (about 80 km) and complete exit formalities into Uzbekistan, where Khiva lies just beyond the frontier. End of services at the Shavat border.
- Invitation letter support and foreigner registration in Turkmenistan
- Accommodation in standard rooms
- Ashgabat city tour
- Transport and guide
- Meals at Darvaza and yurt overnight stay at Darvaza
- All breakfasts
- All driver/guide expenses, including fuel, meals and accommodation, transfer to the meeting point at the border and parting with the guest 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 tour can be adjusted on the go
- 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 along the tour (roughly no more than $10 per day, if any)
- Tips (tips are welcome)
8 STOPS
- 01Bajgiran BorderDay 1
- 02AshgabatDay 1
- 03DashoguzDay 2
- 04Kunya-UrgenchDay 2
- 05Darvaza Gas CraterDay 2
- 06DashoguzDay 3
- 07Shavat BorderDay 3
- 08KhivaDay 3
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- 3 Day Tour: Ashgabat – Kunya-Urgench – Darvaza – Ashgabat
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
