8 Day Comprehensive Tour of Turkmenistan
Discover Turkmenistan in all its diversity: the gleaming marble city of Ashgabat, ancient cities, vast deserts, mountain canyons and the Caspian Sea coast. Over 8 days you explore the country's key historical and cultural landmarks, visit unique natural sites and truly feel the spirit of the land. An overnight stay in a yurt beside the fiery Darvaza gas crater leaves unforgettable memories, while an experienced guide ensures comfort and safety throughout. This tour is ideal for travelers who value comfort, authentic experiences and a rich, well-designed itinerary.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Border – Dashoguz – Kunya-Urgench – Darvaza Gas Crater
Arrive at the border by 09:00, where your guide assists with all crossing and visa formalities (usually 1–2 hours). Continue to Dashoguz for lunch with traditional cuisine and a market stop to buy food for dinner at the crater. Then explore the Kunya-Urgench (Old Urgench) Historical and Cultural Reserve, including the mausoleums of Kutlug-Timur, Turabek-Khanum, Tekesh and Il-Arslan and the Atabek Caravanserai. In the afternoon drive across the Karakum Desert to the burning Darvaza Gas Crater, where you stay overnight in traditional yurts with a campfire dinner under a star-filled sky.
Day 2 — Darvaza – Ashgabat
After breakfast, depart for Ashgabat, the white-marble capital that holds the Guinness World Record for the highest concentration of marble buildings. On arrival, check into the hotel and enjoy lunch at a restaurant specializing in traditional Turkmen cuisine. In the afternoon, a short sightseeing tour takes in Old Nisa and the famous Akhal-Teke horse stables. Dinner and overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 3 — Ashgabat – the Heart of White Marble
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the capital, starting at the National Museum to learn about the country's history, culture and art. Stroll through Independence Park, photograph the Arch of Neutrality and admire the Ruhnama Monument. After lunch, visit the lively Russian Bazaar for souvenirs, then the elegant Wedding Palace (ZAGS) and the world's largest indoor Ferris wheel. In the evening, enjoy a drive through Ashgabat by night, when the marble city sparkles with lights. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 — Gokdepe – Kow-Ata Underground Lake – Lunar Mountains – Gyzyl-Arbat
Travel west, first to Gokdepe, a town linked to one of the most heroic chapters of Turkmen history, with important monuments and memorials. Continue to the Kow-Ata Underground Lake, a subterranean wonder with stalactites and warm mineral water that stays around 33°C year-round, where you can swim. After a shashlik lunch near the lake, head to the surreal Lunar Mountains, whose colors and shapes resemble another planet and are perfect for walks and photography. In the evening, drive to Gyzyl-Arbat for dinner and an overnight hotel stay.
Day 5 — Balkanabat – Yangykala Canyons – Gozli-Ata – Overnight in Yurts
Drive to Balkanabat and visit a local market for fresh products and a taste of everyday regional life. Continue to the spectacular Yangykala Canyons, whose dramatic multicolored cliffs were shaped when the ancient Tethys Ocean and the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Gulf retreated, leaving landscapes that seem to belong to another planet. Then visit the pilgrimage site of Gozli-Ata with its intriguing history and spiritual atmosphere. In the evening, the guide and driver prepare a hearty dinner, and you spend the night in air-conditioned yurts beneath a star-filled sky.
Day 6 — Kemal-Ata – Turkmenbashi & the Caspian Sea – Gyzyl-Arbat
Begin at the pilgrimage site of Kemal-Ata, a place to experience the spiritual traditions and rituals preserved for centuries. Travel to Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea coast for a walk along the seafront, with fresh sea breeze and endless horizons. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant with panoramic sea views and fresh Turkmen and seafood dishes. In the afternoon, drive to Gyzyl-Arbat for an overnight hotel stay.
Day 7 — Nokhur Mountain Village – Mary
Travel to Nokhur, a small settlement hidden in the Kopetdag Mountains and famous for its picturesque nature and the unique centuries-old traditions of its people. Explore local landmarks including the ancient cemetery and colorful village streets, and walk along mountain trails for stunning views and photographs. After a full day, continue to Mary for an overnight hotel stay and dinner, sharing the day's impressions with your guide.
Day 8 — Ancient Merv (UNESCO) – Farap Border with Uzbekistan
Visit ancient Merv, one of the largest cities of Central Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a key stop on the Great Silk Road. During the excursion you see historic monuments, the ruins of palaces and mosques, ancient city walls and mausoleums that reveal the grandeur of civilizations that flourished here thousands of years ago. After lunch at a local restaurant, drive to the Farap border crossing, where your guide assists with all formalities and the tour concludes.
- All transfers: sedan-type vehicle for 1–3 people, minivan for 4–5 people
- Accommodation in double rooms, breakfast included
- Russian-speaking guide / guide-driver throughout Turkmenistan
- Sightseeing program along the entire route
- Entrance tickets to attractions according to the itinerary
- All equipment for the overnight camp near the Darvaza Gas Crater (sleeping bags, mats, pillows, dining table, chairs), including camp-style dinner and breakfast
- Visa support for the Turkmenistan tourist visa (USD 90)
- Personal travel insurance covering accidental incidents
- Full board (lunches and dinners)
- Hotel fees for additional services
- Consular fees for the Turkmenistan tourist visa and migration tax (USD 155)
- Border taxes (USD 50)
- Tips (not included but appreciated: USD 10 per person for the guide and the driver separately)
17 STOPS
- 01DashoguzDay 1
- 02Kunya-UrgenchDay 1
- 03Darvaza Gas CraterDay 1
- 04AshgabatDay 2
- 05GokdepeDay 4
- 06Kow-Ata LakeDay 4
- 07GyzylarbatDay 4
- 08BalkanabatDay 5
- 09Yangykala CanyonsDay 5
- 10Gozli AtaDay 5
- 11TurkmenbashiDay 6
- 12AwazaDay 6
- 13GyzylarbatDay 6
- 14NokhurDay 7
- 15MaryDay 7
- 16Ancient MervDay 8
- 17Farab BorderDay 8
No reviews yet — be the first to leave one.
Leave a review
THIS ROUTE
Drop a short note. A curator replies within one working day with available departures, a draft day-by-day and a fixed quote.
- Tour
- 8 Day Comprehensive Tour of Turkmenistan
- Reply
- Within 1 working day
- Office
- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
