3-Day Tour: Shavat – Darvaza – Ashgabat – Turkmenabat – Farab
A compact three-day crossing of Turkmenistan from the Shavat border near Khiva to the Farab border. Stand before the eternally burning Darvaza Gas Crater in the heart of the Karakum Desert, spend a night in a desert yurt camp, and discover the marble city of Ashgabat. The journey ends with a scenic overnight train to Turkmenabat and a tour of the ancient city of Amul.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Shavat border (Khiva) – Dashoguz – Darvaza
We meet you at the Shavat border crossing near Khiva and, after border formalities, transfer to Dashoguz for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we set out across the Karakum Desert to the world-famous Darvaza Gas Crater, the "Gates of Hell" (about 300 km, 7 hours). At dusk you will have ample free time to witness the burning crater, followed by a traditional kebab dinner at a nearby yurt camp. Spend the night in comfortable yurts or tents while your guide shares the legends of Darvaza under the desert sky.
Day 2 — Darvaza – Ashgabat – night train to Turkmenabat
Rise before dawn for a sunrise visit to the crater and breakfast at camp, then drive 3.5 hours to Ashgabat with photo stops at the Water and Mud craters along the way. In the capital you tour the National Museum of Turkmenistan and the Carpet Museum, the Arch of Neutrality, Independence Monument and Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, the Parthian ruins of Nisa (UNESCO), the Akhal-Teke horse stables and the Olympic City. After a traditional Turkmen dinner and time for souvenirs, you board the overnight train from Ashgabat at 19:50, dining in the restaurant carriage before sleeping aboard en route to Turkmenabat.
Day 3 — Turkmenabat – Farab border – end of tour
The train arrives in Turkmenabat at 09:20, where a driver meets you for a tour of the city once known as Amul, the largest town on the Amu Darya River. You will visit the historic Amul Fortress, the lively Green Bazaar (Gok Bazar), the Lebap Regional History Museum and the elegant white Wedding Palace. After a Turkmen lunch, around 14:00 we drive to the Farab border, arriving about 14:30, where we say goodbye. This border is open 24 hours a day, all year round.
- 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 driver/guide expenses, including fuel, meals, accommodation, and transfers to and from the border meeting points
- All taxes
- The tour starts and ends at the Turkmenistan border
- You will see everything possible within the available time; the itinerary can be adjusted on the go where feasible
- Visa and other fees at the border (usually no more than $110 per person)
- Meals ($3–8 per meal per person)
- Tips (welcomed)
7 STOPS
- 01Shavat BorderDay 1
- 02KhivaDay 1
- 03DashoguzDay 1
- 04Darvaza Gas CraterDay 1
- 05AshgabatDay 2
- 06TurkmenabatDay 2
- 07Farab BorderDay 3
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- 3-Day Tour: Shavat – Darvaza – Ashgabat – Turkmenabat – Farab
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
