7 Day Tour: Turkmenbashi – Yangykala – Ashgabat – Darvaza – Merv – Farab
Cross Turkmenistan from the Caspian Sea to the Amu Darya on this week-long west-to-east journey. Marvel at the multicolored Yangykala Canyons, explore the white-marble capital Ashgabat, spend a night in a yurt beside the blazing Darvaza Gas Crater, and walk through the Silk Road ruins of ancient Merv. The tour begins at Turkmenbashi port after the ferry from Baku and ends at the Farab border crossing toward Bukhara.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Arrival in Turkmenbashi
Meeting at Turkmenbashi port after the arrival of the ferry from Baku. Transfer to your hotel in Turkmenbashi, set on the shore of the Caspian Sea. The rest of the day is free for rest and getting acquainted with the city. Overnight at a hotel in Turkmenbashi.
Day 2 — Turkmenbashi → Yangykala Canyons → Kov Ata → Nohur → Ashgabat
After breakfast, depart for the stunning Yangykala Canyons, famous for their multicolored rock formations. From there, drive toward the capital, Ashgabat, stopping along the way at the underground thermal lake of Kov Ata and the picturesque mountain village of Nohur. Arrive in Ashgabat in the evening and check in at your hotel. Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 3 — Ashgabat → Darvaza Gas Crater
After breakfast, begin a sightseeing tour of Ashgabat, one of the most unusual white-marble cities in the world, visiting its main landmarks. In the afternoon, drive north to the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, known as the Gates of Hell, arriving shortly before sunset to enjoy the spectacular view of the burning pit. Enjoy dinner and free time at the crater while the guide shares stories about this place. Overnight in yurts or tents near the Darvaza crater.
Day 4 — Darvaza → Ashgabat
After breakfast at the yurt camp, set off back toward Ashgabat. Along the way, visit the bubbling Water and Mud craters and stop in a desert village where goats and camels are raised. Arrive in Ashgabat in the afternoon, check in at your hotel, and enjoy free time in the city. Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 5 — Ashgabat (full day)
Spend a full day exploring Ashgabat with visits to the city's main landmarks and most interesting districts. Discover its grand monuments, fountains, and gleaming marble architecture at a relaxed pace. Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 6 — Ashgabat → Merv → Mary
After breakfast, drive east to the ancient city of Merv, one of the greatest cities of the Silk Road. Visit Gyz-Gala, the Askhab mausoleums, the ancient fortresses of Gyaur-Kala and Erk-Kala, and the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar. In the evening, enjoy dinner in the nearby regional capital of Mary. Overnight at a hotel in Mary.
Day 7 — Mary → Turkmenabat → Farab (departure)
After breakfast, depart from the Mary and Merv region toward Turkmenabat, the second-largest city of Turkmenistan, with lunch en route. In the afternoon, arrive at the Farab border checkpoint between Turkmenabat and Bukhara. Complete border formalities and depart from Turkmenistan.
- 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, and accommodation, transfer to the meeting point at the border, and farewell 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 tour 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 others as per the tour (roughly no more than $10 per day if any)
- Tips (tips are welcomed)
10 STOPS
- 01TurkmenbashiDay 1
- 02Yangykala CanyonsDay 2
- 03NokhurDay 2
- 04AshgabatDay 2
- 05Darvaza Gas CraterDay 3
- 06AshgabatDay 4
- 07Ancient MervDay 6
- 08MaryDay 6
- 09TurkmenabatDay 7
- 10Farab BorderDay 7
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- 7 Day Tour: Turkmenbashi – Yangykala – Ashgabat – Darvaza – Merv – Farab
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
