4 Day Tour: Ashgabat – Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench – Shavat
The perfect itinerary for travelers who want to see Turkmenistan's highlights in a short time. Begin in Ashgabat, the white-marble capital famous for its monuments, museums, bazaars and the UNESCO-listed ruins of Nisa, then meet the legendary Akhal-Teke horses and enjoy authentic Turkmen cuisine. Spend an unforgettable night in the desert at the Darvaza Gas Crater, the so-called "Gates of Hell". The journey ends with the Silk Road ruins of UNESCO Kunya-Urgench before crossing out at the Shavat border near Khiva.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Arrival in Ashgabat (Evening)
Evening arrival at Ashgabat International Airport, where you are met and greeted by our local team. A private transfer takes you to your hotel for check-in. Rest after the flight and overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 2 — Ashgabat Full-Day City Tour
After breakfast, begin a full day of sightseeing in the capital, known as the "City of White Marble". Visit the Turkmen Carpet Museum, the main monuments (Neutrality Arch, Monument of Independence and Ertugrul Gazi Mosque) and the UNESCO ruins of ancient Parthian Nisa. See the legendary golden Akhal-Teke horses at the stables, the Olympic Village built for the 2017 Asian Games, and modern Ashgabat with its shopping malls. Enjoy dinner with authentic Turkmen cuisine and overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 3 — Ashgabat (Morning) → Darvaza Gas Crater (Afternoon)
After breakfast, a short morning city tour takes in the Tolkuchka (Altyn Asyr) Bazaar and the Health Path (Saglyk Yoly). In the afternoon you depart for the Darvaza Gas Crater, about 4.5 hours away, stopping at the Water Crater and the Mud Crater on the way. Watch the sunset over the burning Darvaza Gas Crater, the famous "Gates of Hell". Dinner and overnight at a desert yurt camp (or tents).
Day 4 — Darvaza → Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO) → Shavat Border
After breakfast at Darvaza, drive to Kunya-Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Kutlug-Timur Minaret, the Turabek-Khanym Mausoleum, the Tekesh and Il-Arslan mausoleums, the Najm al-Din al-Kubra complex and other monuments. Continue to the Shavat border crossing with Uzbekistan near Khiva, where services in Turkmenistan end.
- Invitation letter support and foreigner registration in Turkmenistan
- Accommodation in standard rooms
- Ashgabat city tour
- Transport and guide
- Meals at Darvaza and yurt night stay at Darvaza
- All breakfasts
- All driver/guide expenses, including fuel, meals, accommodation and transfer to the meeting point at the border
- All taxes
- The tour starts and ends at the Turkmenistan border
- You will see everything possible within the time; the itinerary 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 sites as per the tour (roughly no more than $10 per day if any)
- Tips (tips are welcomed)
4 STOPS
- 01AshgabatDay 1
- 02Darvaza Gas CraterDay 3
- 03Kunya-UrgenchDay 4
- 04Shavat BorderDay 4
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- 4 Day Tour: Ashgabat – Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench – Shavat
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- Within 1 working day
- Office
- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
