5-Day Tour: Ashgabat, Darvaza & Yangykala Canyons
This five-day journey across Turkmenistan combines desert, coast, and canyons. Witness the fiery Darvaza Gas Crater with an overnight yurt stay, explore Ashgabat's marble monuments, museums, and ancient Nisa, then travel west toward the Caspian Sea. Along the way you'll discover the Kow Ata underground lake, the mountain village of Nokhur, and the dramatic Yangykala Canyons before returning to Ashgabat.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Bajgiran Border (Iran) – Ashgabat – Darvaza
We meet you at the Bajgiran border with Iran and transfer about 45 km (around one hour) to Ashgabat for a short look at the marble capital. In the afternoon you depart north for the Darvaza Gas Crater (271 km, about 4.5 hours across the Karakum Desert), arriving before sunset. Enjoy a kebab dinner at the camp and the burning crater after dark. Overnight in a yurt camp at Darvaza.
Day 2 — Darvaza – Ashgabat
After breakfast at Darvaza, drive back to Ashgabat (300 km, about 5 hours), stopping at the Water Crater and the Mud Crater along the way. Enjoy lunch and a city tour of Ashgabat, including the National Museum, the Carpet Museum, the city's monuments, the ruins of Nisa and Anau, an Akhal-Teke horse farm, the bazaar, and a shopping center. Dinner and overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 3 — Ashgabat – Turkmenbashi
Set off in the morning for Turkmenbashi (430 km to Balkanabat, then 150 km onward). On the way, visit the Kow Ata underground lake and the traditional mountain village of Nokhur. Check into your hotel and spend the night in Turkmenbashi.
Day 4 — Turkmenbashi – Yangykala – Ashgabat
Drive to the Yangykala Canyons (142 km, about 2 hours) and explore their dramatic red and white cliffs. Then return to Ashgabat via Balkanabat (147 km to Balkanabat, then 430 km onward). Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 5 — Ashgabat – Bajgiran Border (Iran)
After breakfast you enjoy a final morning in Ashgabat with time for souvenirs at the Tolkuchka Bazaar. You are then transferred about 45 km (roughly one hour) to the Bajgiran border crossing for exit formalities into Iran. End of services at the Bajgiran border.
- Invitation letter support and foreigner registration in Turkmenistan
- Accommodation in standard rooms
- Ashgabat city tour
- Transport and guide
- Meals at Darvaza and the overnight yurt stay at Darvaza
- All breakfasts
- All driver/guide expenses, including fuel, meals, and accommodation, plus 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, and the program can be adjusted on the go where 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 sites (roughly no more than $10 per day, if any)
- Tips (tips are welcome)
8 STOPS
- 01Bajgiran BorderDay 1
- 02AshgabatDay 1
- 03Darvaza Gas CraterDay 1
- 04AshgabatDay 2
- 05TurkmenbashiDay 3
- 06Yangykala CanyonsDay 4
- 07AshgabatDay 4
- 08Bajgiran BorderDay 5
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
