8-Day Turkmenistan Tour: Farab to Shavat via Merv, Ashgabat, Yangykala & Darvaza
Cross Turkmenistan from end to end on this 8-day overland adventure between the Farab and Shavat borders. Walk through the Silk Road ruins of ancient Merv and Old Nisa, marvel at the white-marble splendor of Ashgabat, watch the sun set over the rainbow cliffs of Yangykala Canyon, and spend a night beside the fiery Darvaza gas crater. Mountain villages, the Caspian coast, traditional yurt camps, and the ancient monuments of Kunya-Urgench complete an unforgettable journey.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Farab Border – Dayahatyn Caravanserai – Turkmenabat
Our guide meets you at the Farab border at 09:00 and assists with all visa and entry formalities (about 1.5–2 hours with your Letter of Invitation). We then drive to the medieval Dayahatyn Caravanserai, a peaceful Silk Road site near the Amu Darya River, where you explore the ruins and enjoy a Turkmen-style picnic lunch. Back in Turkmenabat, a short city tour includes Amul Fortress and Druzhba Park, with the Lebap Regional Museum if time allows. Overnight at Yupek Yoly Hotel in Turkmenabat.
Day 2 — Turkmenabat – Ancient Merv (UNESCO) – Mary
After breakfast we drive about 3 hours to Ancient Merv, one of the greatest Silk Road cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You explore key monuments including Kyz Kala, Gyaur Kala, Erk Kala and the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar. We then stop at the "Gadymy Turkmen Ojagy" cultural site for a traditional Turkmen lunch, where you can meet Ahal-Teke horses, camels and the famous Alabai dogs, try on traditional outfits, and even ride a camel. Overnight at Margush Hotel in Mary.
Day 3 — Mary – Ashgabat – Old Nisa (UNESCO) – Night City Tour
We take the fast highway to Ashgabat (about 3 hours) and enjoy lunch at a national Turkmen restaurant. Sightseeing begins at Old Nisa, the important Parthian-era UNESCO site, followed by the National Museum of Turkmenistan and its rich historical exhibits. In the evening we tour the illuminated white-marble capital, visiting the Independence Monument, the Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center, and other landmarks. Overnight at Bagt Koshgi Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 4 — Ashgabat – Gokdepe – Kow Ata – Nokhur – Gyzylarbat
Today we travel west through the scenic Kopetdag Mountains. We visit the Gokdepe Fortress and Memorial, then descend into the Kow Ata Underground Lake, a cave lake with warm mineral water around +41°C year-round (swimming optional). Next is Nokhur, an authentic mountain village known for its unusual cemetery decorated with ram horns and its giant chinar (plane) trees. By evening we reach Gyzylarbat (Serdar). Overnight at Chinar Hotel.
Day 5 — Gyzylarbat – Turkmenbashi – Avaza – Yangykala Canyon – Gozli-Ata
In the morning we drive about 2 hours to Turkmenbashi on the Caspian coast and enjoy lunch with sea views at the Tolkun Restaurant. We spend around 1.5 hours at the Avaza tourist zone, walking along the shore and relaxing by the sea. In the afternoon we head to the spectacular Yangykala Canyon, arriving before sunset to catch its glowing colors. Dinner and overnight in traditional yurts at the Gozli-Ata Yurt Camp under wide desert skies.
Day 6 — Gozli-Ata – Ashgabat – Gypjak Mosque – Magtymguly Monument
After an early breakfast at the camp we drive back toward Ashgabat (about 5–6 hours with short stops), arriving around 14:00 for a half-day city program. We visit the grand Gypjak Mosque (Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque) with its massive dome, stroll through the modern Berkarar Shopping and Entertainment Center, and admire the Magtymguly Monument, especially beautiful in the evening lights. If time allows we add more panoramic points and illuminated avenues. Overnight at Bagt Koshgi Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 7 — Ashgabat – Russian Bazaar – Darvaza Gas Crater
We start at the lively Russian Bazaar (Tolkuchka), perfect for souvenirs, Turkmen sweets and dried fruits, followed by lunch in the city and an optional visit to the 2017 Olympic Complex. Around 14:00 we set off by 4WD into the Karakum Desert toward Darvaza, passing the water and mud craters along the way. We arrive in the evening at the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, the "Gates of Hell," to watch the sunset and see it glow in the darkness. BBQ dinner near the crater and overnight at the Darvaza Yurt Camp.
Day 8 — Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench – Dashoguz – Shavat Border
Wake up in the desert and enjoy breakfast with a final view of the Darvaza area. We then drive to Kunya-Urgench, an ancient UNESCO city rich in Silk Road heritage, for about 1.5 hours of sightseeing including the towering Kutlug Timur Minaret, the beautiful Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum and the Mausoleum of Najm ad-Din al-Kubra. After lunch in Dashoguz we transfer to the Shavat border, where the tour ends with crossing assistance into Uzbekistan toward Khiva.
- Invitation letter support and foreigner registration in Turkmenistan
- Accommodation in standard rooms
- Ashgabat city tour
- Transport and guide
- Meals at Darvaza and the yurt night stay at Darvaza
- All breakfasts
- All driver/guide expenses, including gasoline, meals, accommodation, transfer to the meeting point at the border, and farewell at the border
- Entrance fees to museums and sites as per the tour (roughly no more than $10 per day, if any)
- 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
- Visa and other fees at the border (usually no more than $110 per person)
- Meals ($3–8 per meal per person)
- Tips (tips are welcomed)
20 STOPS
- 01Farab BorderDay 1
- 02TurkmenabatDay 1
- 03Ancient MervDay 2
- 04MaryDay 2
- 05AshgabatDay 3
- 06Old NisaDay 3
- 07AshgabatDay 4
- 08GokdepeDay 4
- 09Kow-Ata LakeDay 4
- 10NokhurDay 4
- 11GyzylarbatDay 4
- 12TurkmenbashiDay 5
- 13AwazaDay 5
- 14Yangykala CanyonsDay 5
- 15Gozli AtaDay 5
- 16AshgabatDay 6
- 17Darvaza Gas CraterDay 7
- 18Kunya-UrgenchDay 8
- 19DashoguzDay 8
- 20Shavat BorderDay 8
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
