8-Day Complete Turkmenistan Discovery Tour (Khiva to Farab)
An unforgettable eight-day journey across Turkmenistan, entering from Uzbekistan near Khiva and exiting at the Farab border. You stand before the blazing Darvaza Gas Crater, the legendary "Gates of Hell," explore the white-marble capital Ashgabat, and marvel at the dramatic Yangykala Canyons above the Caspian. Along the way you discover UNESCO World Heritage sites at Kunya-Urgench, Nisa, and ancient Merv, with nights in a desert yurt, mountain villages, and comfortable hotels.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1 — Kunya-Urgench – Dashoguz – Darvaza
Meet at the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border and complete the crossing formalities, arriving in Kunya-Urgench around midday. Enjoy lunch at a traditional Turkmen restaurant before exploring the ancient monuments and archaeological sites of Old Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Then drive across the Karakum desert via Dashoguz to the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, the burning "Gates of Hell." Enjoy a photography session at the fiery crater, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in a desert yurt.
Day 2 — Darvaza – Ashgabat
After breakfast at the Darvaza crater site, drive south to the white-marble city of Ashgabat. Stop for lunch with traditional cuisine along the way. Visit the UNESCO-listed ruins of Old Nisa, an ancient Parthian capital, and the famous Akhal-Teke horse stables. Check into your hotel to rest before dinner and an overnight stay in the city.
Day 3 — Ashgabat City Tour
Spend a full day sightseeing in the gleaming white-marble capital. Visit the National Museum, Independence Park, the Arch of Neutrality, the Ruhnama Monument, and the Wedding Palace. In the evening, enjoy a scenic drive around the illuminated city before an overnight stay in your Ashgabat hotel.
Day 4 — Ashgabat – Gyzylarbat
Drive to the town of Gokdepe, about 40-45 km from Ashgabat, to visit its grand mosque. Continue to the underground thermal lake of Kov-Ata for a memorable stop. Afterwards, drive on to Gyzylarbat for an overnight stay at a local hotel.
Day 5 — Yangykala Canyons – Gozli-Ata
Set off in the morning to the city of Balkanabat, stopping at a local market for dinner supplies. Continue to the breathtaking Yangykala Canyons, whose layered cliffs glow in shades of red, pink, and white. Visit the Gozli-Ata pilgrimage site, then enjoy a dinner prepared by your guide and driver. Spend the night in air-conditioned rooms at the Gozli-Ata site.
Day 6 — Yangykala – Turkmenbashi – Gyzylarbat
Begin with a morning visit to the Kemal-Ata pilgrimage site, then drive to the coastal city of Turkmenbashi. Walk along the shore of the Caspian Sea and enjoy lunch with a sea view. In the afternoon, drive back to Gyzylarbat for an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7 — Gyzylarbat – Nokhur – Mary
Drive in the morning to Nokhur, a remote mountain village in the Kopetdag mountains about 120-130 km from Ashgabat. Explore its unique flora, fauna, and age-old traditions, and visit the local attractions. Afterwards, drive on to Mary via Ashgabat for an overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 8 — Merv – Turkmenabat – Farab Border
Visit the ancient city of Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the great cities of the Silk Road, with its impressive historical monuments. After a lunch break, drive in the afternoon to the Uzbekistan border at Farab, where the tour concludes with the border crossing.
- Invitation letter support and foreigner registration in Turkmenistan
- Accommodation in standard rooms
- Ashgabat city tour
- Transport and guide
- Meals at Darvaza and an overnight yurt stay at Darvaza
- All breakfasts
- All expenses of the driver and guide, including fuel, meals, and accommodation, plus transfer to the meeting point at the border and farewell 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, and the tour 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)
- Entrance fees to museums and sites (roughly no more than $10 per day, if any)
- Tips for drivers and guides (tips are welcome)
15 STOPS
- 01Kunya-UrgenchDay 1
- 02DashoguzDay 1
- 03Darvaza Gas CraterDay 1
- 04AshgabatDay 2
- 05GyzylarbatDay 4
- 06Yangykala CanyonsDay 5
- 07Gozli AtaDay 5
- 08Yangykala CanyonsDay 6
- 09TurkmenbashiDay 6
- 10GyzylarbatDay 6
- 11NokhurDay 7
- 12MaryDay 7
- 13Ancient MervDay 8
- 14TurkmenabatDay 8
- 15Farab BorderDay 8
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- Ashgabat · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 TMT
