4-Day Tour: Merv, Ashgabat, Darvaza & Kunya-Urgench
Cross Turkmenistan from the Bukhara border to the Khiva border on this four-day adventure. You will explore the ancient oasis city of Merv, marvel at the monuments of Ashgabat, spend a night beside the blazing Darvaza Gas Crater, and discover the medieval mausoleums of Kunya-Urgench. A compact journey that packs UNESCO heritage, desert wonders and authentic local life into four memorable days.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Farap Border – Ancient Merv – Ashgabat
Meet at 09:00 on the Turkmen side of the Farap (Alat) border crossing and drive to the Merv Oasis (around 250 km), with a lunch stop at a teahouse in Bayramaly. Enjoy a full guided tour of Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, the Great and Small Kyz Kala fortresses, the Askhab Mausoleums, the medieval hammam and sardoba, and the Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala citadels. Continue to Ashgabat (around 350 km), with an optional panoramic night drive. Overnight at a hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 2 — Ashgabat – Darvaza
Visit the Russian Bazaar (Gulistan), the National Museum of Turkmenistan, the Parthian ruins of Old Nisa (UNESCO) and the Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque, the largest in Central Asia, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Drive north into the Karakum Desert (around 270 km), stopping at the Water Crater and the Mud Crater. Arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater, the famous Door to Hell, for sunset photography and a barbecue dinner. Overnight in a traditional Turkmen yurt at the crater camp.
Day 3 — Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench – Dashoguz
Watch the crater glow before dawn, then enjoy breakfast at the camp and drive to Dashoguz, arriving around 13:00 for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon explore Kunya-Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for about 2.5 hours with photo stops, seeing the Kutlug Timur Minaret, the Turabek Khanum Mausoleum, the mausoleums of Il-Arslan, Najm ad-Din Kubra and Sultan Tekesh, Kyrk Molla and more. In the evening return to Dashoguz for a city tour. Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Dashoguz.
Day 4 — Dashoguz – Izmukshir – Shavat Border
After a full breakfast at the hotel, drive to Izmukshir (around 25 km from Dashoguz) and visit the Dashoguz Museum. Explore the lively local bazaar with a chance to meet local people and shop for souvenirs in an authentic market atmosphere. Enjoy lunch in Dashoguz before driving the short distance to the Shavat border crossing, arriving around 16:00. Say farewell to your guide and driver at the end of this wonderful four-day tour.
- 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 and guide expenses, 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 time available, and the itinerary can be adjusted as you go
- Visa and other fees at the border (usually no more than $110 per person)
- Meals (about $3-8 per meal per person)
- Tips (welcomed but not required)
7 STOPS
- 01Farab BorderDay 1
- 02Ancient MervDay 1
- 03AshgabatDay 1
- 04Darvaza Gas CraterDay 2
- 05Kunya-UrgenchDay 3
- 06DashoguzDay 3
- 07Shavat BorderDay 4
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- 4-Day Tour: Merv, Ashgabat, Darvaza & Kunya-Urgench
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
