5-Day Ashgabat, Yangykala & Darvaza Tour
This balanced five-day journey across Turkmenistan combines natural wonders with Silk Road heritage. Begin in the capital Ashgabat, drive west to the colorful Yangykala Canyons near the Caspian coast, then continue to the famous Darvaza Gas Crater glowing in the desert night. The tour ends at UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench before crossing the border at Shavat.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Arrival in Ashgabat – City Tour
Airport pickup in the early morning. Spend the day sightseeing in Ashgabat, visiting its museums, monuments, and key attractions. Meals are taken at local restaurants and you overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 2 — Ashgabat – Yangykala Canyons
Depart after breakfast and drive west toward the Yangykala Canyons via Turkmenbashi, around 600 km to Balkanabat and a further 147 km to Yangykala. Explore the canyons in the evening and enjoy stunning sunset views. Dinner is served at the campsite and you overnight in tents near Yangykala.
Day 3 — Yangykala – Balkanabat – Kow Ata – Nokhur – Ashgabat
Spend the morning at the canyons before beginning the return journey toward Ashgabat via Balkanabat. Along the way, visit the Kow Ata underground thermal lake and stop at the unique mountain village of Nokhur. Arrive in Ashgabat in the evening for an overnight stay.
Day 4 — Ashgabat – Darvaza Gas Crater
Depart in the morning for Darvaza, about 271 km and 4.5 hours of driving. Along the way, visit the Water Crater and the Mud Crater. Arrive at the Gas Crater by late afternoon to watch the famous Gates of Hell after dark. Dinner is served at a nearby yurt camp and you overnight in yurts or tents at Darvaza.
Day 5 — Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench – Border Crossing
Drive north to Dashoguz and Kunya-Urgench to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site with its Timur Minaret and Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum. Lunch is taken en route. The tour ends with a transfer to the Shavat or Khojeli border crossing for your departure.
- 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 fuel, meals and accommodation, transfer to the meeting point at the border, and parting with the guest 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 itinerary can be adjusted on the go where possible
- 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
- 01AshgabatDay 1
- 02Yangykala CanyonsDay 2
- 03BalkanabatDay 3
- 04Kow-Ata LakeDay 3
- 05NokhurDay 3
- 06AshgabatDay 3
- 07Darvaza Gas CraterDay 4
- 08Kunya-UrgenchDay 5
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- 5-Day Ashgabat, Yangykala & Darvaza Tour
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
