4-Day Turkmenistan Tour: Shavat – Darvaza – Ashgabat – Merv – Farab
This 4-day Turkmenistan tour begins at the Shavat border near Khiva and ends at the Farab border near Bukhara, making it a perfect bridge between Uzbekistan's two great Silk Road cities. You'll spend an unforgettable evening at the Darvaza Gas Crater, the famous "Gates of Hell," with a barbecue dinner and an overnight stay in a desert yurt beneath the stars. From there the route leads to Ashgabat with its gleaming white marble landmarks, then on to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ancient Merv. In just four days you'll experience the desert, history, and culture that make Turkmenistan unforgettable.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Khiva/Shavat – Dashoguz – Darvaza
Meet your guide on the Turkmenistan side of the border near Khiva/Urgench and set off across the desert toward Darvaza (travel time may be longer due to road works). The arrival at the Darvaza Gas Crater is timed for before sunset, so you can admire it in daylight, at sunset, and again under the night sky. Enjoy dinner at a nearby camp and spend the evening at the glowing crater with your guide. Overnight in a yurt or tent at Darvaza.
Day 2 — Darvaza – Ashgabat
After breakfast at Darvaza, continue toward Ashgabat with stops at the Water and Mud Craters along the way. Have lunch in Ashgabat, then enjoy an afternoon city tour that includes the UNESCO World Heritage site of Nisa, the ruins of an ancient Parthian fortress. Overnight at a comfortable hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 3 — Ashgabat → Merv → Ashgabat → Night Train to Turkmenabat
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Ancient Merv (around 400 km, about 4 hours), one of the great cities of the Silk Road. Have lunch in Merv and enjoy a guided visit of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Return to Ashgabat and board the night train (19:50 → 09:20) to Turkmenabat.
Day 4 — Turkmenabat – Farab (exit to Uzbekistan)
Arrive in Turkmenabat in the morning and have breakfast. Afterward, enjoy free time in Turkmenabat or transfer to the Turkmenistan side of the Farab border to exit into Uzbekistan. The tour ends here.
- Invitation letter support and foreigner registration in Turkmenistan
- Accommodation in standard rooms
- Ashgabat city tour
- Transport and guide
- Meals at Darvaza and the yurt overnight stay at Darvaza
- All breakfasts
- All driver/guide expenses, including gasoline, meals and 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 to see within that 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 along 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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- 4-Day Turkmenistan Tour: Shavat – Darvaza – Ashgabat – Merv – Farab
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
