4-Day Turkmenistan Tour: Shavat – Darvaza – Ashgabat – Merv
This 4-day Turkmenistan tour is perfect for travelers crossing in from Uzbekistan. Begin at the Shavat border, visit the UNESCO site of Kunya-Urgench, and continue to the fiery Darvaza Gas Crater for an unforgettable night in a traditional yurt. Explore Ashgabat, the white-marble capital with its unique museums, monuments, and bazaars, before heading east to ancient Merv, one of the Silk Road's most important cities. Conclude your adventure with a night train to Turkmenabat and exit through the Farab border.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Khiva/Shavat – Dashoguz – Darvaza
We meet you at the Uzbekistan border near Khiva and Urgench and drive to Kunya-Urgench for sightseeing. After lunch we journey on to Darvaza (note that the road is under repair, so it takes some time) and visit the Darvaza Gas Crater, the famous Gates of Hell. Enjoy dinner at a nearby yurt camp and spend the evening at the glowing crater with your guide. Overnight in yurts or tents at Darvaza.
Day 2 — Darvaza – Ashgabat
After breakfast at Darvaza we drive to Ashgabat, stopping en route at the Water Crater and the Mud Crater. Enjoy lunch in the capital followed by an afternoon of sightseeing around Ashgabat. Overnight at a comfortable hotel in the city.
Day 3 — Ashgabat – Merv – Night Train to Turkmenabat
After breakfast at your hotel we drive to Merv (about 400 km, 4 hours) and have lunch there. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of ancient Merv, one of the great cities of the Silk Road. Following dinner in Mary, board the night train to Turkmenabat.
Day 4 — Turkmenabat – Farab
Arrive in Turkmenabat in the morning and enjoy breakfast. Transfer to the Farab border crossing to exit toward Uzbekistan. This marks the end of the tour services.
- Invitation letter support and foreigner registration in Turkmenistan
- Accommodation in standard rooms
- Ashgabat city tour
- Transport and guide
- Meals at Darvaza and an overnight yurt stay at Darvaza
- All breakfasts
- All driver/guide expenses, including fuel, meals, accommodation, 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 tour 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 other sites as per the tour (roughly no more than $10 per day if any)
- Tips (tips are welcome)
8 STOPS
- 01KhivaDay 1
- 02Shavat BorderDay 1
- 03DashoguzDay 1
- 04Darvaza Gas CraterDay 1
- 05AshgabatDay 2
- 06Ancient MervDay 3
- 07TurkmenabatDay 3
- 08Farab BorderDay 4
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
