Introduction
This is a short itinerary adapted from a 2 days Khiva – Darvaza – Khiva tour, so that you have enough time to see the Famous UNESCO site Kunya Urgench. The tour can be reversed where you overnight in Dashoguz on the second night and visit Kunya Urgench.
Itinerary
Day 1, Khiva / Dashoguz – Kunya Urgench – Dashoguz
- We will meet you at the border called “Shavat” on the Turkmenistan side. The time of the meeting depends on you. It usually takes 15-20 mins to cross the Uzbekistan side, and 1-2 hours to cross the Turkmenistan side. You will need to find a transport on your own to go from Khiva or Urgench to Turkmenistan border. You can arrange it with your hotel. The price for the car is roughly 30$, could be more.
- After we met with you, we will have a lunch in the Dashoguz city in a restaurant.
- Drive to the ruins of the medieval city of Kunya Urgench. (100 km, 1.5 hours drive), the capital of the medieval Khwarasmian empire. It is famous for having been destroyed by the Mongol army.
- At the Kunya Urgench have the sightseeing for about 2 hours.
- Drive back to the Dashoguz city (100km, 1.5 hrs)
- Overnight in the Dashoguz city, in a hotel.
Day 2, Dashoguz – Darvaza
- 10:00, After the breakfast you will have a sightseeing of the Dashoguz city including museum and Bazaar.
- 13:00, Have lunch in a restaurant.
- 14:30, Departure towards Darvaz gas crater (300 km, 6-7 hours drive). A famous crater that attracts thousands of tourists to Turkmenistan. A peculiar hole in the middle of the desert, which has been burning for 54 years.
- 20:30, Reach the Darvaza, which is also called “Gates of Hell”, and spend some time around it.
- 21:30, Have a dinner with locally prepared kebabs.
- 22:30, Go to the crater again (400 meters, 5 minutes walk) and spend as much time as you want.
- Overnight at Darvaza in local Turkmen Yurts or Camping Tents.
Day 3, Darvaza – Dashoguz
- 07:00, After the breakfast head back towards Dashoguz city (300km, 6-7 hours drive).
- 14:00, Reach Dashoguz and have some lunch in a restaurant.
- 16:00, Go to the Uzbekistan border (Shavat).
- End of Tour.
