7-Day Turkmenistan Tour: Ashgabat – Nisa – Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench – Yangykala – Merv
This is the most complete week-long journey across Turkmenistan, combining history, culture and natural wonders in a single trip. From the white-marble capital of Ashgabat you head north to spend a night in yurts beside the fiery Darvaza Gas Crater, the famous "Gates of Hell." The route continues to UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench, the Martian landscapes of the Yangykala Canyons and the Caspian shore at Turkmenbashi, with stops at the Kow-Ata underground thermal lake and the mountain village of Nokhur. The tour closes with the ancient Silk Road city of Merv, leaving you with an unforgettable seven-day adventure.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Bajgiran Border (Iran) – Ashgabat – Ancient Nisa
We meet you at the Bajgiran border with Iran and transfer about 45 km (around one hour) to Ashgabat. The day is devoted to the capital and the nearby UNESCO-listed Old Nisa Fortress, first capital of the Parthian Empire, along with the city's marble monuments and museums. Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 2 — Ashgabat – Darvaza
After breakfast you continue sightseeing in Ashgabat through the morning. In the early afternoon you depart for the Darvaza Gas Crater on a 3-5 hour drive across the Karakum Desert, arriving in time to settle into your yurts. You get a first look at the crater in daylight, then enjoy dinner by the campfire under a starry sky. After dark you witness the "Gates of Hell" glowing against the night before spending the night in traditional yurts.
Day 3 — Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench – Ashgabat
You watch the sunrise at the crater after breakfast in the desert, then drive about 400 km to Kunya-Urgench. Following lunch at a local restaurant, you take a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site, including the 60-meter Kutlug-Timur Minaret and the Turabek-Khanum and Il-Arslan mausoleums. In the evening you transfer to Dashoguz airport for a flight back to Ashgabat, where dinner and an overnight at a 3-star hotel await.
Day 4 — Ashgabat – Yangykala Canyon – Turkmenbashi
After an early breakfast you set off on the long drive towards the Yangykala Canyon, with lunch at a roadside restaurant en route and, time permitting, a quick stop at the Gozli Ata shrines. You reach Yangykala in the golden hour to admire its otherworldly, Martian-like landscapes. Afterwards you drive on to Turkmenbashi for dinner at a restaurant with sea views and an overnight at a hotel by the Caspian Sea.
Day 5 — Caspian Sea – Nokhur – Kow-Ata – Ashgabat
After breakfast you take a morning stroll along the promenade of the Avaza resort by the Caspian Sea before beginning the drive back towards Ashgabat. You stop for lunch in the picturesque mountain village of Nokhur, then visit the Kow-Ata underground cave to swim in its warm thermal lake at around 40°C. The day ends with dinner and an overnight at a 3-star hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 6 — Ashgabat – Ancient Merv – Ashgabat
After an early breakfast you transfer about 350 km to Mary, the gateway to ancient Merv. You take a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site, including the Erk-Kala fortress dating from the 3rd century BC, the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, the Kyz-Kala fortresses and the Ibn Zayd Mausoleum. After lunch in Mary you return to Ashgabat for dinner and an overnight at a 3-star hotel.
Day 7 — Ashgabat – Horse Riding – Bajgiran Border (Iran)
After breakfast you enjoy a final Ashgabat experience, including a visit to an Akhal-Teke horse farm to meet Turkmenistan's legendary golden horses. Following lunch you are 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 driver/guide expenses, including fuel, meals and accommodation
- All taxes
- The tour starts and ends at the Turkmenistan border
- 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 welcomed)
16 STOPS
- 01Bajgiran BorderDay 1
- 02AshgabatDay 1
- 03Old NisaDay 1
- 04AshgabatDay 2
- 05Darvaza Gas CraterDay 2
- 06Kunya-UrgenchDay 3
- 07AshgabatDay 3
- 08Yangykala CanyonsDay 4
- 09TurkmenbashiDay 4
- 10AwazaDay 5
- 11NokhurDay 5
- 12Kow-Ata LakeDay 5
- 13AshgabatDay 5
- 14Ancient MervDay 6
- 15AshgabatDay 7
- 16Bajgiran BorderDay 7
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
