7 Day Tour: Farab Border – Merv – Yangykala – Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench
A complete week-long crossing of Turkmenistan designed for travelers arriving from Bukhara. Begin with the ancient civilization of Merv and Gonur Depe, continue to the white-marble capital Ashgabat, and journey west to the colorful Yangykala Canyons and the Caspian coast. Stand before the fiery Darvaza Gas Crater at night, then finish at UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench before exiting at the Shavat border into Uzbekistan. A full journey through Turkmenistan's history, culture, and nature.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Farab Border → Merv → Mary City
Cross into Turkmenistan at the Farab border and meet your guide. Drive to the ancient oasis city of Merv, one of the great cities of the Silk Road, to explore its sprawling ruins, fortresses, and mausoleums. Continue to the modern city of Mary for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2 — Mary City → Gonur Depe → Ashgabat
After breakfast, drive roughly 100 km to the ruins of the Margush civilization, also known as Gonur Depe, considered one of the most ancient civilizations in Central Asia. Explore the archaeological site, then drive on towards Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, with lunch en route at a local restaurant. Check in to your hotel and enjoy free time, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in Ashgabat.
Day 3 — Ashgabat → Yangykala Canyons → Turkmenbashi
Depart Ashgabat and drive towards the stunning Yangykala Canyons. Explore the colorful, layered rock landscapes before continuing to Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea coast. Check in to your hotel, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, and overnight in Turkmenbashi.
Day 4 — Turkmenbashi → Nokhur → Kow Ata → Ashgabat
Begin with a Turkmenbashi city tour until around 11:00, then start the long drive (approximately 600 km) back towards Ashgabat on a good road. En route, stop at the unique mountain village of Nokhur and the Kow Ata underground thermal lake and cave. Arrive back in Ashgabat in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5 — Ashgabat City Tour
Spend the full day discovering Ashgabat and its striking white-marble architecture and monuments. Visit key sites such as the National Museum and the Museum of Carpets, then the nearby ruins of Nisa, the first capital of the Parthian Empire, and the ruins of Anau. Depending on your interest, visit an Akhal-Teke horse farm, a local bazaar, or a shopping center, with lunch and dinner at restaurants in Ashgabat before overnighting in the city.
Day 6 — Ashgabat → Darvaza Gas Crater
Enjoy free time in Ashgabat until around 11:00, with a chance to visit the Russian Bazaar, then drive north towards the Darvaza Gas Crater (approximately 271 km) on a challenging road. Arrive in the late afternoon and spend time exploring the area around the spectacular burning crater, also known as the "Gates of Hell." Enjoy dinner at a nearby yurt camp, typically featuring kebabs, while your guide shares stories about the crater, and overnight in a yurt camp or tents at Darvaza.
Day 7 — Darvaza → Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO) → Shavat Border
After breakfast at Darvaza, drive north towards Dashoguz (approximately 300 km) on a very poor road that takes a significant amount of time. After a short stop in Dashoguz, continue to the historical site of Kunya-Urgench (about 94 km away) to explore the UNESCO World Heritage mausoleums and minarets. Finally, drive to the Shavat border crossing near Dashoguz and Khiva, complete border formalities, and cross into Uzbekistan, ending the tour in Turkmenistan.
- 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 time available; 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 on the tour (roughly no more than $10 per day, if any)
- Tips (tips are welcome)
13 STOPS
- 01Farab BorderDay 1
- 02Ancient MervDay 1
- 03MaryDay 1
- 04Gonur DepeDay 2
- 05AshgabatDay 2
- 06Yangykala CanyonsDay 3
- 07TurkmenbashiDay 3
- 08NokhurDay 4
- 09Kow-Ata LakeDay 4
- 10AshgabatDay 4
- 11Darvaza Gas CraterDay 6
- 12Kunya-UrgenchDay 7
- 13Shavat BorderDay 7
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- 7 Day Tour: Farab Border – Merv – Yangykala – Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
