Introduction
This is a longer tour that covers all the main and some additional destinations in Turkmenistan with slower pase. It is ideal for family travelers. The transport is by car only.
The Destinations covered in this itinerary are;
- Darvaza Gas crater – Also called “The gates of Hell”,
- White marbled city of Ashgabat,
- Magnificent Canyons of Yangikala,
- One of the greatest Cities of the Islamic world and Silk road – Merv. First UNESCO site in Turkmenistan.
- The oldest civilization of the Central Asia Margush, which is contemprorary to the Ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia and Harappa.
- One of the greatest Cities in Medieval Central Asia Kunya Urgench, the capital of Khwarismian Empire.
- and others.
The tour will start at the Turkmenistan side of the border near Khiva, at Shavat. The tour will end at the border point of Farap, near Bukhara.
Itinerary
Day 1, Dashoguz/ Khiva – Kunya Urgench – Dashoguz.
- We will meet at the border of Shavat/ Dashoguz, on the Turkmenistan side, not far from Khiva which is in Uzbekistan.
- After the lunch we will head towards Kunya Urgench (100km, 1.5 hours by car), the great medieval city that was destroyed by the Mongolian Army.
- We will have a 2 hours tour of this UNESCO site of Kunya Urgench.
- Head back to Dashoguz city and check into a hotel.
- Overnight in Dashoguz.
Day 2, Dashoguz – Darvaza
- After the breakfast spend some free time in Dashoguz. We will see places likethe local bazaar and museum.
- 13:00, Have lunch in a restaurant in Dashoguz.
- 14:00, Head towards the Darvaza Gas Crater, also called “Gates of Hell”. (300km, 7 hours drive).
- 20:00, At around sunset reach the Gas Crater.
- Have some time around the Crater and also have a dinner with kebabs with chicken or lam or vegetables.
- Overnight at Darvaza in traditional Yurts.
Day 3, Darvaza – Ashgabat
- 07:00, After the breakfast head to Ashgabat.
- 12:00, Reach the capital city of Ashgabat, one of the most unusual and clean cities in the world.
- 13:00, Finsh checking into a hotel and have a lunch in a restaurant.
- 15:00, Start with the sightseeing of the Ashgabat city.
- 21:00, After the dinner in a restaurant return to the hotel.
- Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 4, Ashgabat – Turkmenbashi
- 07:00, After the breakfast, drive towards Turkmenbashi, small city on the coast of the Caspian Sea.
- On the way, we will visit the Akhalteke horse farm, Kow Ata cave with underground thermal lake and we will also visit Nokhur village – interesting village in the mountains of Kopetdag.
- Have lunch on the way.
- 18:00, Reach the Turkmenbashi city and have dinner in a restaurant. We will taste seafood from the Caspian Sea.
- Overnight in the Turkmenbashi city.
Day 5, Turkmenbashi – Yangikala – Ashgabat
- 07:00, After te breakfast head towards Yangikala (150km 3 hours drive), the most beautiful scenery of the entire Turkmenistan.
- 10:00, Reach the Yangikala Canyons and spend around 2 hours there.
- 12:00, Head towards Ashgabat via Balkanabat city, the regional capital.
- 15:00, Reach Balkanabat and have lunch in a restaurant.
- 16:00, Drive towards Ashgabat (500km, 7 hours drive)
- 23:00, Reach Ashgabat and check into a hotel.
- Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 6, Ashgabat – Merv
- 08:00, After the breakfast drive to Merv (350km, 4 hours drive, the road is very good)
- 12:00, Reach Merv and start sightseeing of the Medieval city, the first UNESCO site in Turkmenistan.
- 14:00, Finish with Merv sightseeing and continue towards Margush, to the city of a civilization that dates back to the 3rd millenia B.C. The ruins are located in the middle of the desert (150km, 2.5 hours drive)
- 16:30, Reach the Marguch civilization and start the sightseeing of the ruins.
- 18:00, After the Margush sightseeing head towards Mary city, the regional capital, (150 km, 2.5 hours drive)
- 20:30, Reach the city of Mary and check into a hotel.
- Overnight in the city of Mary.
Day 7, Merv – Turkmenabat/ Bukhara.
- 08:00, After the breakfast spend some time in the city of Mary. Visit Bazaar and Museum.
- 10:00, Head towards Turkmenabat, the second largest city in Turkmenistan, which is close to the border with Uzbekistan. (250km, 5 hours drive)
- 15:00, Have lunch in Turkmenabat.
- 17:00, Head towards the border crossing point “Farap”, close to Bukhara.
- Reach the Border with Uzbekistan.
- 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
