Introduction
This 4-day tour is just enough to visit the main tourist sites of Turkmenistan, including the Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the “Gate to Hell.” We have also added a very interesting and not so well known destination, Gonur Depe, the oldest civilization in Central Asia.
Itinerary
Day 1, Khiva – Darvaza
- We will be waiting for you at the border point between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in Shavat, which is near Khiva and Urgench.
- Proceed to the nearby city and the capital of the region Dashoguz.
- 14:00 Have a lunch and head towards Darvaza Gas Crater, also called “Gates of Hell”, (300km, 6 hrs).
- 20:00 Reach the Darvaza Gas Crater, and have a walk around it for 30 mins or so.
- 21:30 Have a dinner by the Darvaza, prepared with local ingredients and wood, called Saksaul.
- 23:00 Have another walk around the Burning Hole of Darvaza with no limit of time.
- Overnight by Darvaza in tents or yurts.
Day 2, Darvaza – Ashgabat
- 07:00 After the light breakfast at the Darvaza proceed towards Ashgabat. On the way stop by two other craters called; Water and Mud craters, and any desert village for cup of coffee and taking some photos of the local life.
- 13:00 Reach Ashgabat and have lunch at a restaurant.
- 14:30 Start with sightseeing tour of Ashgabat city, one of the most beautiful and unusual cities in the world.
- 19:30 Check in a hotel.
- 20:30 Have a dinner.
- Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 3, Ashgabat – Mary (Merv)
- 08:00 After the breakfast head towards Merv and Margush archeological sites. (450km, 6 hours drive, including inside the desert)
- Have lunch at a local restaurant on the way.
- 14:00, Start the sightseeing of the Ancient Margush civilization, the city of Gonur Depe.
- 15:00, Head towards the Merv ruins, (2 hours drive)
- 17:00, Reach the Merv ruins and start sightseeing of the Merv. (1.5hrs)
- Check-in a hotel in Mary, the regionalcapital.
- Overnight in Mary.
Day 4, Mary – Bukhara.
- 08:00 Check-out from the hotel and head towards Turkmenabat city, second largest city in Turkmenistan and the one that is close to the border with Uzbekistan.
- 12:00 Reach Turkmenabat city and have lunch in a restaurant.
- After the lunch we are ready to go to the border with Uzbekistan at Farab town (close to Bukhara).
- 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
