5 Days itinerary, Ashgabat – Darvaza – Ashgabat – Merv (Mary) – Ashgabat.

by | Apr 11, 2025 | English, From Ashgabat, Itineraries, Popular

Ashgabat & Beyond: Darvaza Crater and the Caspian Sea’s Yangikala Canyons

Escape the ordinary with an Ashgabat adventure to the Darvaza Gas Crater and the stunning Yangikala Canyons near the Caspian Sea! This tour balances exploration and relaxation, allowing ample time to soak in the beauty of Turkmenistan’s natural and urban landscapes.

Itinerary

Day 1, Ashgabat – Darvaza

  • Meet you at the Ashgabat International Airport in the night.
  • Proceed to a hotel in Ashgabat.
  • Rest at the hotel until 12:00.
  • 12:00, We will have lunch at a restaurant in Ashgabat.
  • 14:00, Start driving to the Darvaza Gas Crater, the “Gates of Hell”, (300km, 5 hours drive)
  • 19:00, Reach the Darvaza Gas Crater and have some free time there.
  • 20:00, Have a dinner prepared locally. Usually it is Kebab made of chicken, beef or vegetables.
  • 21:00, Have more time at the Crater with your guide. He will tell you the story of this place.
  • Overnight at Darvaza in Turkmen traditional Yurts, or tents.

Day 2, Darvaza – Ashgabat

  • 08:00, After breakfast we will head back to Ashgabat. On the way we will visit two more craters, about the same size as the Darvaz gas crater: the Mud Crater and the Water Crater. Especially interesting is the Water Crater, where water of beautiful turquoise color fills the crater.
  • On the way we will stop several times for taking photos of camels and sheep, as well as small village.
  • 13:00, We will reach Ashgabat and have lunch at a restaurant.
  • 15:00, Start with Sightseeing of the Ashgabat city with all main attraction destinations.
  • 20:00, Have dinner at a local traditional restaurant.
  • 22:00, Check-in in a hotel
  • Overnight in Ashgabat.

Day 3, Ashgabat – Turkmenbashi

  • 08:00, After lunch drive towards Turkmenbashi city on the Caspian Sea (600km)
  • On the way we will visit Kow-Ata, underground warm lake inside a huge cave. You can swim there if you wish to. We will also visit a beautiful village in the mountains of Kopetdag, called Nokhur.
  • 15:00, Have lunch at a restaurant at the city of Balkanabat. It is the capital of this region.
  • 17:00, Reach the city of Turkmenbashi and have a sightseeing of the city and of the cost of the Caspian Sea, Avaza resort.
  • Overnight in a hotel on the shore of the Caspian Sea in the city of Turkmenbashi.

Day 4, Turkmenbashi – Yangikala – Ashgabat

  • 08:00, After the breakfast head towards the beautiful Canyons of Yangikala.
  • 11:00, Reach Yangikala Canyons and explore these places for 3 hours.
  • 14:00, Finish with the sightseeing of the place and head towards the Ashgabat City. We will have a lunch on the way at restaurant.
  • 22:00, Reach the Ashgabat city and check-in the hotel.
  • Overnight in Ashgabat.

Day 5, Ashgabat – International Aripor

  • 09:00, After the breakfast have a free time in Ashgabat city enjoying it slowly.
  • Overnight in Ashgabat.
  • Early in the morning of the next day you will have an international flight from Ashgabat.
  • End of Tour!!.

Note: All citizens of the world need to obtain a visa to visit Turkmenistan. This process has recently become easier. Click Here for Visa Information

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