3-Day Turkmenistan Tour: Kunya-Urgench, Darvaza, Ashgabat & Merv
This three-day journey links Khiva with Bukhara across Turkmenistan's greatest highlights. Enter at the Shavat border to explore UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench, then cross the desert to the fiery Darvaza Gas Crater for a sunset and a night in a yurt. Continue to the white-marble capital of Ashgabat for a full city tour, and finish among the Silk Road ruins of ancient Merv before exiting at the Farab border.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Khiva – Kunya-Urgench – Dashoguz – Darvaza
Meet your guide at the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan border at the Shavat crossing near Khiva. Visit the historic UNESCO site of Kunya-Urgench for sightseeing among its ancient minarets and mausoleums. Then drive roughly 300 km (about 7 hours over challenging roads) to the Darvaza Gas Crater, the famous 'Gates of Hell'. Enjoy a traditional dinner and spend the night in yurts beside the glowing crater.
Day 2 — Darvaza – Ashgabat
After breakfast at Darvaza, stop to see the nearby Water and Mud Craters along the way. Drive about 271 km (around 4.5 hours) to Ashgabat and check into your hotel. Enjoy a comprehensive city tour including the National Museum, the Carpet Museum, the ruins of ancient Nisa, the Akhal-Teke horse farm, and a local bazaar. Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 3 — Ashgabat – Merv – Farab border (toward Bukhara)
Drive roughly 388 km (about 4 hours on good highway) to ancient Merv. Explore its Silk Road sites, including Gyz-Gala, the Askhab mausoleums, Gyaur-Kala, Erk-Kala, and the great Sultan Sanjar mausoleum. Continue to Turkmenabat and exit at the Farab border crossing for your onward journey to 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 expenses of the driver/guide, including fuel, meals, and accommodation, plus transfer to the meeting point at the border and farewell 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 itinerary can be adjusted on the go as needed
- 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 sites along the tour (roughly no more than $10 per day, if any)
- Tips (tips are welcome)
8 STOPS
- 01KhivaDay 1
- 02Kunya-UrgenchDay 1
- 03DashoguzDay 1
- 04Darvaza Gas CraterDay 1
- 05AshgabatDay 2
- 06Ancient MervDay 3
- 07Farab BorderDay 3
- 08BukharaDay 3
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
