3-Day Turkmenistan Tour: Bajgiran – Darvaza – Ashgabat – Merv – Farap
This 3-day overland journey crosses Turkmenistan from the Iranian border at Bajgiran to the Uzbek border at Farap near Bukhara. You will spend a night in traditional yurts beside the flaming Darvaza Gas Crater, the legendary "Gates of Hell," explore the marble capital Ashgabat, and walk through the UNESCO-listed ruins of ancient Merv. It is the perfect transit route for travelers moving between Iran and Uzbekistan who want to experience the highlights of Turkmenistan along the way.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Iran Border (Bajgiran) → Darvaza Gas Crater
In the morning you cross the border from Iran into Turkmenistan at the Bajgiran–Gaudan checkpoint, where your guide meets you and accompanies you in your own car. You drive through the Kopetdag mountains and into the Karakum desert, stopping for short rests and meals along the way before continuing north to the Darvaza Gas Crater, the famous "Gates of Hell." After arriving in the evening you walk around the flaming crater at sunset and enjoy a dinner of freshly grilled kebabs at the yurt camp. Later you return to the crater to take in the atmosphere and the starry desert sky, then spend the night in traditional Turkmen yurts nearby.
Day 2 — Darvaza → Ashgabat
After breakfast at the Darvaza yurt camp you drive back south towards Ashgabat (about 4–5 hours, 300 km), stopping on the way to see the Water Crater and the Mud Crater. You have lunch at a restaurant in the capital, then enjoy an afternoon and evening city tour of Ashgabat, including the Independence Monument, the Neutrality Arch, the Wedding Palace (Bagt Koshgi), the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and a night panoramic view of the marble city. The day ends with dinner in Ashgabat and an overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 3 — Ashgabat → Merv → Farap Border (to Bukhara)
After breakfast at the hotel you drive east to Mary (about 3 hours on a good road) to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ancient Merv, including the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Erk Kala, Gyaur Kala and Kyz Kala. Following lunch in Mary you continue on to Turkmenabat (about 4.5 hours on mixed roads) for a short rest and dinner. In the evening you transfer to the Farap border crossing, where you exit Turkmenistan and enter Uzbekistan, ending the tour just about 100 km from Bukhara.
- 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 and accommodation, transfer to the meeting point at the border and farewell at the border
- All taxes
- The tour starts 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 as per the tour (roughly no more than $10 per day, if any)
- Tips (tips are welcomed)
6 STOPS
- 01Bajgiran BorderDay 1
- 02Darvaza Gas CraterDay 1
- 03AshgabatDay 2
- 04Ancient MervDay 3
- 05Farab BorderDay 3
- 06BukharaDay 3
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
