3-Day Turkmenistan Tour: Ashgabat – Darvaza – Turkmenabat – Farap
This adventurous three-day journey begins in Ashgabat, the marble capital listed in the Guinness Book of Records for its dazzling architecture, with time to explore its museums, monuments and bazaars. From there you head deep into the Karakum Desert to witness the fiery Darvaza Gas Crater, the famous "Gates of Hell," and spend the night in a traditional yurt under the desert sky. The route then continues with an overnight train to Turkmenabat, a memorable taste of local wagon travel with card games and tea in the dining car. On the final day you reach Turkmenabat and transfer to the Farap border near Bukhara, the closest crossing toward Samarkand.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Ashgabat → Darvaza Gas Crater (overnight)
The day starts with a morning city tour of Ashgabat, taking in the gleaming white-marble landmarks of the Turkmen capital. In the afternoon you depart for the Darvaza Gas Crater, a 271 km drive of about 3.5 hours across the Karakum Desert. You arrive at sunset to witness the spectacular "Door to Hell" as it begins to glow against the darkening sky. Dinner and overnight are in traditional yurts near the crater.
Day 2 — Darvaza → Ashgabat → Turkmenabat (night train)
After breakfast at Darvaza, you drive back toward Ashgabat with stops at the striking Water Crater and Mud Crater along the way. Back in the capital there is time for additional Ashgabat city sightseeing. In the evening you board the night train to Turkmenabat, an authentic experience of local wagon travel. Overnight on the train with fellow travelers, card games and tea in the dining car.
Day 3 — Turkmenabat → Farap Border (near Bukhara)
You arrive in Turkmenabat in the morning and have some time to spend in the city. Afterwards you transfer to the Farap border crossing, the closest point toward Samarkand and Bukhara. The tour ends at the Turkmenistan side of the Farap border, where you proceed with border formalities.
- 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, accommodation and transfers to and from the border meeting point
- All taxes
- The tour starts and ends at the Turkmenistan border
- You will see everything possible within the available time; the program 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)
- Entrance fees to museums and other sites as per the tour (roughly no more than $10 per day if any)
- Tips (tips are welcomed)
6 STOPS
- 01AshgabatDay 1
- 02Darvaza Gas CraterDay 1
- 03AshgabatDay 2
- 04TurkmenabatDay 2
- 05Farab BorderDay 3
- 06BukharaDay 3
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
