The Classic Turkmen Trio: Darvaza, Ashgabat, and Ancient Merv
Uncover the soul of Turkmenistan on this classic tour from Khiva, Uzbekistan! Journey to the Darvaza Gas Crater, the mesmerizing ‘Gates of Hell’, explore the gleaming white marble metropolis of Ashgabat, and delve into the ancient city of Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage site. With an extra day in Ashgabat, immerse yourself in the city’s captivating landmarks.
Itinerary
Day 1, Khiva – Dashoguz – Darvaza
- Meet you at the border with Uzbekistan near Khiva and Urgench.
- After the lunch in a restaurant at Dashoguz, we will start our journey to Darvaza (300km, 7 hours drive). The road is being repaired, so it takes time to pass it.
- 19:00 Arrival to the Darvaza Gas Crater, also called the “Gates of Hell” and have some free time around the Crater.
- 20:00 Dinner at the nearby Yurt camp (400 meters apart). At the dinner we usually have kebabs from beef, chicken or vegetables.
- 21:00 You will have more time at the Darvaza Burning crater with the guide, and he will tell you all the stories related to the Darvaza.
- Overnight at Darvaza in Yurts or tents.
Day 2, Darvaza – Ashgabat
- 08:00 After the breakfast at Darvaza we will continue driving towards Ashgabat (300km, 5 hours drive), the capital city of Turkmenistan. On the way we will visit another two craters, namely Water Crater and Mud Crater. We will also stop by a village on the way in the middle of the desert where they keep goats and camels.
- 13:00 Lunch at a restaurant in Ashgabat.
- 15:00 Check-in a hotel and then have a free time in the city of Ashgabat.
- 20:00 Have dinner in a traditional restaurant in Ashgabat.
- Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 3, Ashgabat
- 09:00 After the breakfast we will start with sightseeing of the Ashgabat city, one of the most unusual cities in the world. The city has a Guinness World Record for being the city with most white marbled building in the world. All the cars are also white and clean. The buildings are not just white they are quite beautiful as well.
- 14:00 Lunch in a restaurant.
- 15:00 Continue with sightseeing of the city. We will see all the main destinations of Ashgabat including National Museum, Museum of Carpets, several Monuments, Ruins of Nisa (the first capital of the Parthian Empire) and ruins of Anau, Akhalteke horse Farm, bazaar, shopping center etc.
- 21:00 Dinner at a restaurant.
- Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 4, Ashgabat – Merv (Mary city)
- 09:00 After the breakfast at the hotel we will drive towards Merv (400km, 4 hours drive) the ancient great city of the Silk Road, and one of the most magnificent cities of the Persian times and Islam period.
- 13:00 Lunch in a restaurant near Merv city.
- 15:00 Start with the sightseeing of the Merv city. We will see the main destinations such as Gyz-Gala, Askhabi mausoleums, ancient castles of Gyaur Kala and Erk Kala, and the tallest building of its time the mausoleum of Soltan Sanjar and other places.
- 19:00 Dinner at a restaurant in the city of Mary, the regional capital.
- 20:00 check-in a hotel.
- Overnight in Mary City.
Day 5, Merv – Margush – Turkmenabat – Bukhara
- 07:00 After the breakfast head towards Margush civilization ruins (100km, 2 hrs drive). The modern name of the city is Gonur Depe. At the end of the trip we will be driving inside the desert called Karakum.
- 09:00 Start with the Sightseeing of the Gonur Depe ruins. Gonur Depe is the most ancient civilization in the entire Central Asia. There are many interesting findings from this place in the museum in Ashgabat, including golden figurines.
- 11:00 Finish with the sightseeing of the Margush Civilization and head towards the border with Uzbekistan near Bukhara. We will have lunch on the way.
- 17:00 Reach the border crossing point called Farab near the second largest city of Turkmenistan, Turkmenabat.
- End of the 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
