7 Day Turkmenistan Tour: Ashgabat – Yangykala – Turkmenbashi – Awaza – Nokhur – Merv – Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench
This seven-day journey takes you from the Caspian Sea to the Karakum sands, from canyon rims to mountain villages, and through the heart of Turkmen culture. You meet the legendary Akhal-Teke horses, watch the sunset over the colorful Yangykala Canyons, and spend a magical night beside the burning Darvaza Gas Crater. Along the way you ride camels across the desert and explore the UNESCO heritage sites of Merv and Kunya-Urgench. From the white-marble capital of Ashgabat to the tranquil Caspian coast at Awaza, it is an authentic and complete crossing of Turkmenistan's most diverse landscapes.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Ashgabat → Yangykala (via Akhal-Teke Horse Farm)
You are met at Ashgabat International Airport for a warm welcome and short briefing before setting off on the long drive (about 600 km) toward the Yangykala Canyons. On the way you visit the famous Akhal-Teke Horse Farm, home to Turkmenistan's most prized stallions and winners of international competitions, where you can see the horses up close and enjoy a short ride. After a quick market stop to pick up lunch boxes eaten on the road, you continue to reach Yangykala around 18:20 in time for sunset, trekking among the colorful rock formations. Dinner is served outdoors with chicken shashlik and traditional pilaf cooked over the fire, and you spend the night in yurts at Gozli Ata near the base of the canyon.
Day 2 — Yangykala → Turkmenbashi (Krasnovodsk) → Awaza
After breakfast at Gozli Ata you drive to Turkmenbashi (Krasnovodsk), the first city on the Caspian Sea, founded by the Russian Empire. A sightseeing tour covers the old port, local landmarks, and the city center, followed by lunch at the Tolkun Restaurant on a seaside terrace overlooking the Caspian, with fresh fish and traditional local dishes. You then continue 20 km to the modern resort area of Awaza for a relaxing walk along the promenade and the tranquil seaside atmosphere. Dinner is at a restaurant in Awaza, and you overnight at the Charlak Hotel in Turkmenbashi.
Day 3 — Turkmenbashi → Balkanabat → Nokhur → Kow-Ata → Ashgabat
After breakfast at the Charlak Hotel you depart toward Ashgabat, stopping in Balkanabat for lunch at a local restaurant. You then continue to the mountain village of Nokhur, famous for its ancient traditions and stone-built homes, where the people have preserved a unique mountain culture reminiscent of Afghanistan's remote settlements. Next you visit the Kow-Ata Underground Lake, where you can swim in its warm, mineral-rich waters. You reach Ashgabat in the evening for dinner at a national restaurant and overnight at the Bagt Kosgi Hotel.
Day 4 — Ashgabat → Merv (Mary)
After breakfast you drive to the ancient city of Merv (about 400 km, five hours), with lunch near the ruins. You then explore Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, Erk Kala, Gyaur Kala, the Small and Large Kyz Kala, and the Askhab Mausoleums. In the evening you arrive in Mary for dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the Margush Hotel.
Day 5 — Mary → Ashgabat (City Tour)
After breakfast you drive back to Ashgabat (350 km, five hours) along the newly built modern highway, the best in Turkmenistan. On arrival you have lunch followed by a city tour that includes Nisa, the UNESCO-listed ruins of the first capital of the Parthian Empire, and the Ashgabat Olympic City built for the 2017 Asian Games. You also see the Neutrality Arch, the Monument of Independence, and the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque. Dinner is at a restaurant in the evening and you overnight at the Bagt Kosgi Hotel.
Day 6 — Ashgabat → Darvaza Gas Crater
After breakfast you have free time until lunch, then visit Tolkuchka (Altyn Asyr) Bazaar, Central Asia's largest open-air market, the National Museum of Turkmenistan, and the Turkmen Carpet Museum, along with modern shopping centers such as Berkarar or Ashgabat Mall. After lunch you drive toward the world-famous Darvaza Gas Crater, the so-called Gates of Hell, stopping for photos of Karakum Desert landscapes, villages, and camel herds. You arrive around 18:30–19:00 in time for sunset, enjoying the glowing fire pit and a camel ride that recalls the ancient Silk Road. Dinner is grilled meat and tea cooked on-site under the stars, and you spend the night in yurts at the Darvaza Yurt Camp.
Day 7 — Darvaza → Kunya-Urgench → Khiva (Uzbekistan)
You wake early to watch the sunrise over the burning crater, then drive after breakfast toward Dashoguz (about six to seven hours). After lunch in Dashoguz you visit Kunya-Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Kutlug-Timur Minaret, the Turabek Khanum Mausoleum, the Najm al-Din al-Kubra Mausoleum, the Kyrk Molla Fortress, and other historical monuments. By 17:00 you reach the Uzbekistan border near Khiva, where you receive assistance with the crossing and the tour ends.
- 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 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 will see everything possible within the time available; 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)
15 STOPS
- 01AshgabatDay 1
- 02Yangykala CanyonsDay 1
- 03TurkmenbashiDay 2
- 04AwazaDay 2
- 05TurkmenbashiDay 3
- 06BalkanabatDay 3
- 07NokhurDay 3
- 08Kow-Ata LakeDay 3
- 09AshgabatDay 3
- 10Ancient MervDay 4
- 11MaryDay 4
- 12AshgabatDay 5
- 13Darvaza Gas CraterDay 6
- 14Kunya-UrgenchDay 7
- 15KhivaDay 7
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