4-Day Tour: Ashgabat – Darvaza – Merv – Ashgabat Airport
This four-day tour is ideal for travelers who arrive directly in Ashgabat and want extra time in the capital while still seeing the country's iconic sites. Begin with a drive into the Karakum Desert to witness the fiery Darvaza Gas Crater, with dinner and a night in traditional yurts. Return to Ashgabat for a guided city tour of marble monuments, museums, bazaars and UNESCO-listed Old Nisa. A day trip to ancient Merv, once a Silk Road jewel, completes this compact journey.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Bajgiran Border (Iran) – Ashgabat highlights – Old Nisa (UNESCO) – Darvaza Gas Crater
Your guide meets you at the Bajgiran border with Iran and transfers you about 45 km (roughly one hour) to Ashgabat for the capital's key highlights. You visit Old Nisa Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the marble Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque in Gypjak. After lunch and a stroll through the Russian Bazaar, you depart around 14:00 on the four-hour drive north across the desert, arriving near sunset at the flaming 'Gates of Hell.' Enjoy a grilled kebab dinner by the fire under the stars. Overnight in a traditional yurt camp near the crater.
Day 2 — Darvaza – return to Ashgabat – Melon Day festivities – Ashgabat city tour (overnight in Ashgabat)
After breakfast at Darvaza you drive back toward Ashgabat (about 4–4.5 hours), with stops at the unusual Water Crater and Mud Crater and a small desert village where locals raise goats and camels. Back in the capital you join the festive atmosphere of Turkmenistan's Melon Day, with melon displays, tasting of seasonal products and folk performances when available. The afternoon city tour takes in the National Museum of Turkmenistan, the Turkmen Carpet Museum, the Neutrality Arch, the Independence Monument and the white-marble ceremonial avenues, plus Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and the Olympic City as time allows. Dinner at a traditional restaurant and overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 3 — Ashgabat – Mary – Ancient Merv – Gadymy Turkmen Ojagy – Mary
After breakfast you set off from Ashgabat to Mary along the excellent new highway, arriving in the Merv area around 11:00. You explore the highlights of Ancient Merv, one of the most important Silk Road cities in Central Asia, including Kyz Kala, Gyaur Kala, Erk Kala, the beautifully restored Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum and the Merv Ice House. After lunch you visit Gadymy Turkmen Ojagy, a cultural site where you can meet camels and Akhal-Teke horses, try on Turkmen national dress, see Alabai dogs and experience traditional yurt hospitality. In the evening you transfer to Mary for a short walk and dinner, with overnight at the Margush Hotel.
Day 4 — Mary – Turkmenabat – Farab Border (Bukhara)
After breakfast in Mary you drive east along the Amu Darya toward Turkmenabat (about 290 km), with a lunch stop en route. Continuing a short distance to the Farab border crossing (about 60 km), you complete exit formalities into Uzbekistan, with Bukhara lying just beyond the frontier. End of services at the Farab border.
- 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, accommodation and transfers to and from the meeting point at the border
- All taxes
- The tour starts and ends at the Turkmenistan border
- You will see everything possible within the available time; the itinerary can be adjusted on the go as feasible
- 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 welcomed)
11 STOPS
- 01Bajgiran BorderDay 1
- 02AshgabatDay 1
- 03Old NisaDay 1
- 04Darvaza Gas CraterDay 1
- 05AshgabatDay 2
- 06MaryDay 3
- 07Ancient MervDay 3
- 08MaryDay 4
- 09TurkmenabatDay 4
- 10Farab BorderDay 4
- 11BukharaDay 4
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- 4-Day Tour: Ashgabat – Darvaza – Merv – Ashgabat Airport
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- Within 1 working day
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
