This 7-day Turkmenistan tour from Uzbekistan is a private, fully guided cross-border journey that begins at the Farap border crossing and ends at Dashoguz, taking travelers through Ancient Merv, Ashgabat, Yangykala Canyon and the Darvaza Gas Crater in one continuous route.
Why choose this 7-day Turkmenistan tour from Uzbekistan
Crossing into Turkmenistan overland from Uzbekistan is one of the most efficient ways to see the country’s Silk Road highlights without doubling back on your route. This 7-day Turkmenistan tour from Uzbekistan links two border points, Farap in the east and Dashoguz in the north, so you never retrace your steps. Along the way you will visit the ruins of Ancient Merv, once one of the largest cities on the Silk Road, before continuing to the white-marble capital Ashgabat, the dramatic red cliffs of Yangykala Canyon, and the Darvaza Gas Crater, known locally as the “Door to Hell.”
What you’ll see along the route
Each stop on this itinerary was chosen to show a different side of Turkmenistan. Ancient Merv offers fortresses and mausoleums that date back more than a thousand years. Ashgabat contrasts that history with marble architecture, wide boulevards and monumental fountains. Yangykala Canyon, sometimes called the “Grand Canyon of Turkmenistan,” is a striking landscape of layered red, yellow and white rock formed by an ancient seabed. The Darvaza Gas Crater, a burning natural gas field in the middle of the Karakum Desert, is best seen at night when the flames are most visible, and most itineraries include camping nearby. You can read more about the region’s history on Wikipedia’s overview of the Silk Road.
Who this tour suits
This route works well for travelers who are entering Central Asia through Uzbekistan and want to continue into Turkmenistan without flying or returning to their starting point. It also suits photographers and history enthusiasts who want dedicated time at Merv and Darvaza rather than a rushed one-day stop. Because the tour is private, the daily pace, overnight stops and time spent at each site can be adjusted around your interests.
Visa and border crossing
We help with your Turkmenistan electronic visa (e-Visa) application, including completing the form, preparing documents and guidance throughout the process. We coordinate the visa paperwork in advance of your trip and confirm the exact border procedure for the Farap and Dashoguz crossings once we know your nationality and travel dates.
Best time to travel
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are generally the most comfortable seasons for this route, avoiding the extreme summer heat of the Karakum Desert and the coldest winter nights near Darvaza. Browse our full range of itineraries on the Turkmenistan tours page, or contact us with your preferred dates and nationality to confirm availability and receive a written quote for this 7-day Turkmenistan tour from Uzbekistan.
UZBEKISTAN BORDER ROUTE
7-Day Farap – Merv – Yangykala – Darvaza – Dashoguz Tour
A cross-border programme entering through Farap and finishing at the Dashoguz border, with confirmed services and final arrangements agreed before booking.
Route at a glance
- Farap border → Merv
- Merv → Ashgabat
- Ashgabat → Yangykala
- Yangykala → Darvaza
- Darvaza → Dashoguz border
Important: The exact daily sequence, border arrangements, available services and final quotation are confirmed after we receive nationality, dates and group size.
What can be arranged
- Border meeting and assistance at the agreed entry and exit points
- Licensed local guide and private transport according to the confirmed programme
- Accommodation, sightseeing and desert arrangements according to the quotation
- e-Visa application assistance
Price and booking
The tour starts from US$890 per person. The final price may be lower depending on the number of travellers, travel dates and whether the trip is private or a group route. We confirm the exact services and total price before booking.
e-Visa application assistance
We help with your Turkmenistan electronic visa (e-Visa) application, including completing the form, preparing documents and guidance throughout the process. We confirm the applicable steps for the selected programme before submission.
Ready to plan this route?
Send your nationality, preferred dates and number of travellers. We will check availability and prepare the route quotation.
Request this 7-day routeSeven-day Turkmenistan route from Farap to Dashoguz
This point-to-point itinerary is designed for travellers continuing from Bukhara toward Khiva. It starts at the Farap border, crosses the Silk Road landscapes of Ancient Merv, visits the white-marble capital Ashgabat, reaches the multicoloured cliffs of Yangykala Canyon and returns through the Karakum Desert for an overnight near Darvaza Gas Crater.
The northern part of the journey continues toward Kunya-Urgench and Dashoguz, avoiding unnecessary backtracking. The programme combines archaeology, modern architecture, western desert scenery and a night beside the burning crater in one private route.
Places included in the itinerary
Farap border, Turkmenabat, Mary, Ancient Merv, Ashgabat, Old Nisa, Turkmenbashi or the western transport connection, Yangykala Canyon, Karakum Desert, Darvaza, Kunya-Urgench and Dashoguz. Exact transport, hotel and camp arrangements are confirmed for the selected dates.
Western Turkmenistan, the Caspian shore
Travel conditions
What the price covers
Included in the price
- airport meet-and-greet in Ashgabat and all transfers on the itinerary
- licensed English-speaking guide
- 3★ hotels, twin rooms
- all ground transport including the 4×4 to the Darvaza crater
- daily breakfasts and the meals listed in the itinerary
- entrance fees to the listed sites
- e-Visa application assistance
- medical insurance for the whole tour
- 24/7 support in Ashgabat
Not included
- international flights
- Visa fees and payment instructions are confirmed before applying.
- lunches and dinners other than those listed
- optional excursions and extra services
- personal expenses and souvenirs
- tips for the guide and driver, at your discretion
Frequently asked
What to know before you book
Do I need a visa for Turkmenistan?
How much does the visa cost?
What documents are needed for e-Visa?
What does the price depend on?
Can I travel alone?
Can the itinerary be changed?
| Group size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person | $2 520 | $1 520 | $1 405 | $1 110 | $965 | $960 | $885 | $845 | $800 |
Single supplement: $85
Prices are per person in a twin room, 3★ hotel. We help with your Turkmenistan electronic visa (e-Visa) application, including completing the form, preparing documents and guidance throughout the process. Visa fees and payment instructions are confirmed before applying.
