6 Day Tour: Ashgabat – Merv – Yangykala – Awaza – Nokhur – Kow Ata – Darvaza
A compact, all-in-one program for travelers who want to experience Turkmenistan's top highlights comfortably and efficiently. In six days you visit Ancient Merv, Yangykala Canyon, Awaza on the Caspian, Nokhur Village, the Kow Ata underground lake, Ashgabat's main sights, and spend an unforgettable night at the Darvaza Gas Crater. The journey covers mountains, desert, sea, culture, and history in one smooth, well-balanced trip, available for both private and group travelers.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Bajgiran Border (Iran) – Ashgabat – City Tour – Ancient Merv
We meet you at the Bajgiran border with Iran and transfer about 45 km (around one hour) to Ashgabat for an introduction to the marble capital, including its main monuments and museums. The day's highlight is the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Merv near Mary, one of the great cities of the Silk Road, reached by a short internal flight before you return to your Ashgabat base. Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 2 — Ashgabat – Gozli Ata – Yangykala Canyon (Sunset) – Turkmenbashy
After an early breakfast you head west across the desert and countryside, passing camels and small villages, with a tasty lunch stop along the way. You visit Gozli Ata, a peaceful holy shrine set in the middle of the desert, then continue to Yangykala Canyon, arriving at the perfect time as the sun paints the cliffs in red, pink, and orange. After plenty of time for photography you drive to Turkmenbashy on the Caspian Sea and check into a comfortable seaside hotel for the night.
Day 3 — Awaza – Nokhur Village – Sharlawuk Waterfall – Kow Ata Lake – Ashgabat
After a rich breakfast you visit Awaza, the modern seaside resort on the Caspian, with perfect morning light, then enjoy fresh local fish and seafood at the Tolkun Restaurant by the sea. The long but scenic drive back toward Ashgabat passes through Nokhur Village high in the Kopetdag Mountains, where you see the legendary plane trees, the Gyz-Bibi holy place, and locals selling healing herbs and mountain honey. You stop at the romantic Sharlawuk Waterfall and then the Kow Ata underground lake, a natural hot spring kept at 37–38°C inside a huge cave where you can swim. While you bathe, the driver and guide prepare a barbecue dinner and tea over a campfire, before driving back to Ashgabat for the night.
Day 4 — Ashgabat City & Bazaar – Drive to Darvaza Gas Crater (Overnight in Yurt)
The day begins with Ashgabat's culture and local life at the Carpet Museum, home to the world's largest handmade Turkmen carpet, and the lively Russian Bazaar, where you can buy telpek hats, traditional dresses, souvenirs, and taste Turkmen melons. After buying shashlik and snacks for the night, you switch to 4x4 vehicles and drive north into the Karakum Desert, stopping at the Mud Crater and Water Crater on the way. You reach the Darvaza Gas Crater before sunset to watch the "Gates of Hell" begin to glow, then enjoy a barbecue dinner beside the flames as the stars come out. You spend the night in a warm traditional yurt about 400 meters from the crater.
Day 5 — Darvaza Sunrise – Return to Ashgabat – City Tour
You wake early to watch the sunrise over the crater, with an optional camel-caravan photo session, then enjoy breakfast and drive back to Ashgabat. After lunch and a short rest at your hotel, the afternoon continues exploring the white city, including the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque and Mausoleum, the Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center with its indoor Ferris wheel, the Olympic Village, and the Lenin Monument. The program can be tailored for photography or more local experiences, and you spend the night in Ashgabat.
Day 6 — Ashgabat – Bajgiran Border (Iran)
After a final sunrise return from Darvaza and breakfast, you enjoy a last city tour of Ashgabat with time for souvenirs. 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 yurt overnight stay at Darvaza
- All breakfasts
- All expenses of the driver and guide, including fuel, meals and accommodation, transfer to the meeting point and separation with the guest at the border
- All taxes
- The tour starts and ends at the Turkmenistan border
- You see everything possible to see within the time; the tour can be adjusted on the go as 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 others as per the tour (roughly no more than $10 per day if any)
- Tips (tips are welcomed)
14 STOPS
- 01Bajgiran BorderDay 1
- 02AshgabatDay 1
- 03Ancient MervDay 1
- 04AshgabatDay 2
- 05Gozli AtaDay 2
- 06Yangykala CanyonsDay 2
- 07TurkmenbashiDay 2
- 08AwazaDay 3
- 09NokhurDay 3
- 10Kow-Ata LakeDay 3
- 11AshgabatDay 3
- 12Darvaza Gas CraterDay 4
- 13AshgabatDay 5
- 14Bajgiran BorderDay 6
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- 6 Day Tour: Ashgabat – Merv – Yangykala – Awaza – Nokhur – Kow Ata – Darvaza
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
