3 Day Tour: Iran/Bajgiran – Ashgabat – Darvaza – Dashoguz – Khiva
A compact and budget-friendly route created for travelers arriving from Mashhad and crossing the Bajgiran border. In just three days you discover the white-marble capital of Ashgabat, spend a spectacular night in a yurt at the burning Darvaza Gas Crater, and continue smoothly into Uzbekistan through Dashoguz toward Khiva. Practical and efficient, it lets you see Turkmenistan's two biggest highlights without losing extra days, making it ideal for those starting a long multi-country trip from Iran.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Iran – Ashgabat
You enter Turkmenistan from Iran, most likely through the Bajgiran border crossing near the holy city of Mashhad; arrive before noon, as this border closes early. After formalities you drive to Ashgabat for lunch and hotel check-in. In the afternoon begin a sightseeing tour of the strikingly white capital, whose unique architecture and cleanliness surprise many visitors. At night Ashgabat glows beautifully and must be seen under the lights to be fully appreciated. Overnight at a hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 2 — Ashgabat – Darvaza
After breakfast enjoy some free time in Ashgabat. Around 15:00, following lunch, you drive to the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the Gates of Hell (300 km, about 4 hours), passing camels and herds of goats and sheep grazing across the Karakum Desert with several photo stops. Around 19:00 you reach the crater for your first walk around this breathtaking site, followed by a traditional dinner of meat or vegetable kebabs at 20:30. Spend the evening at the burning crater with other travelers, taking photos and listening to your guide's stories. Overnight in traditional Turkmen yurts near the crater.
Day 3 — Darvaza – Dashoguz – Khiva
At 07:00, after breakfast at the camp, you depart for Dashoguz, a city close to the Uzbekistan border (300 km, around 6 hours). Around 13:00 enjoy lunch in Dashoguz. At 15:00 your guide takes you to the Uzbekistan border crossing, where the tour ends.
- 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)
5 STOPS
- 01Bajgiran BorderDay 1
- 02AshgabatDay 1
- 03Darvaza Gas CraterDay 2
- 04DashoguzDay 3
- 05KhivaDay 3
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- 3 Day Tour: Iran/Bajgiran – Ashgabat – Darvaza – Dashoguz – Khiva
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
