ASHGABAT TOUR · GROUP TOURS
Khiva or Ashgabat. Your journey, with a local team.
A fixed group date, a day-by-day programme and a total quotation before payment. e-Visa included in the price; the migration fee (approximately $50 USD per person) is not included in the tour price and is paid separately. A border or airport meeting and options to continue across Central Asia.
NOVEMBER 2026
Guaranteed November tours
7 & 21 November · 5 or 8 days
Khiva via Shavat → Farap, or Ashgabat → Ashgabat.
Choose route and dateNEW YEAR 2027
New Year groups: enrollment open
29–30 December · 2–5 January · 5 or 8 days
Khiva via Shavat → Farap, or Ashgabat → Ashgabat.
Choose route and date
Tour Details
| Tour route | Dashoguz → Kunya-Urgench → Darvaza → Ashgabat → Gokdepe → Kow-Ata → Gyzylarbat → Yangykala → Turkmenbashi → Nokhur → Mary → Ancient Merv → Farap |
| Tour duration | 8 days / 7 nights |
| Tour price | Price confirmed for your dates and group size — the final price depends on the tour format (group or private) and, for group tours, on the number of travellers. |
| Tour type | Private or group route |
| Starting point | Dashoguz border area / northern Turkmenistan |
| Finish point | Farap border, Turkmenistan / Uzbekistan |
| Main highlights | Kunya-Urgench, Darvaza Gas Crater, Ashgabat, Old Nisa, Kow-Ata, Yangykala Canyon, Caspian Sea, Nokhur, Ancient Merv |
| Accommodation | Hotels, yurts or camping-style accommodation depending on the route |
| Visa support | Visa support for a Turkmenistan tourist visa included |
8-Day Turkmenistan Tour Highlights
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Border Crossing → Dashoguz → Kunya-Urgench → Darvaza
Arrive at the border by 09:00 for crossing. On the Turkmen side, your guide will meet you and assist with border procedures. The process usually takes about 1–2 hours, during which you may receive your visa if it was not issued earlier.
After crossing the border, continue to Dashoguz, the northernmost city of Turkmenistan. Lunch will be served at a restaurant with traditional dishes. After lunch, visit a local market with the guide to buy food products for dinner near the burning crater.
Continue to Old Urgench and visit the Old Urgench Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve. The excursion includes the Kutlug Timur Mausoleum, Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum, Tekesh Mausoleum, Il-Arslan Mausoleum, Atabek Caravanserai, and other historical monuments.
After the excursion, drive into the Karakum Desert for an overnight stay near the Darvaza Gas Crater. Upon arrival, settle into traditional Turkmen yurts and walk to the crater with your guide. In the evening, enjoy dinner cooked over a fire under the desert sky.
Overnight: yurt camp near Darvaza Gas Crater
Route: Border → Dashoguz → Kunya-Urgench → Darvaza
Distance: Dashoguz → Old Urgench: 93 km; Old Urgench → Darvaza: about 300 km
Time on the road: approximately 5.5–6.5 hours total driving time
Meals: lunch in Dashoguz, dinner near Darvaza
Day 2: Darvaza → Ashgabat → Old Nisa → Akhal-Teke Horses
After breakfast, transfer from the desert to Ashgabat, the white-marble capital of Turkmenistan. Ashgabat is known for its monumental architecture and modern city planning.
Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and take time to rest and shower after the desert overnight. Lunch will be arranged at a restaurant specializing in traditional Turkmen cuisine.
After lunch, enjoy a short excursion including Old Nisa, the ruins of the ancient Parthian capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a visit to Akhal-Teke horse stables to learn about the legendary Turkmen horse breed.
In the evening, dinner and rest at the hotel.
Overnight: hotel in Ashgabat
Route: Darvaza → Ashgabat → Old Nisa → Akhal-Teke horse stables
Distance: about 270 km
Time on the road: approximately 3.5–4 hours
Meals: breakfast at camp, lunch and dinner in Ashgabat
Day 3: Ashgabat City Tour
Begin the day with a deeper introduction to Ashgabat, the heart of white-marble Turkmenistan. Visit the National Museum to learn about the country’s history, culture, and art.
The tour continues with Independence Park, the Arch of Neutrality, and the Ruhnama Monument. For lunch, stop at a local restaurant to try traditional Turkmen dishes and rest before the second part of the day.
In the afternoon, visit the Russian Bazaar, where you can buy souvenirs or take photos in traditional Turkmen clothing. Continue to the Wedding Palace and the large indoor Ferris wheel, two symbols of modern Ashgabat.
In the evening, enjoy a night drive around Ashgabat, when the city lights make the white-marble architecture especially impressive. Dinner at a restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Overnight: hotel in Ashgabat
Route: Ashgabat city sightseeing
Distance: city sightseeing route
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch and dinner in Ashgabat
Day 4: Ashgabat → Gokdepe → Kow-Ata → Lunar Landscapes → Gyzylarbat
Today the route continues to western Turkmenistan, where history, nature, and unusual landscapes come together.
The first stop is Gokdepe, a place connected with important and tragic pages of Turkmen history. Here you will learn about historical memory and events that shaped the national spirit.
Continue to Kow-Ata underground lake, one of the most unusual natural places near Ashgabat. Inside the cave, you can see the warm mineral lake, unusual cave formations, and, if desired, swim in the water.
Lunch will be arranged near Kow-Ata, where you can taste local shashlik. After lunch, continue to the Lunar Mountains of Turkmenistan, known for surreal landscapes that resemble the surface of another planet.
In the evening, transfer to Gyzylarbat for dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Overnight: hotel in Gyzylarbat
Route: Ashgabat → Gokdepe → Kow-Ata → Lunar Mountains → Gyzylarbat
Distance: Ashgabat → Gokdepe: 50 km; Gokdepe → Kow-Ata: 42 km; Kow-Ata → Gyzylarbat: about 90 km
Time on the road: approximately 3–3.5 hours total driving time
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch near Kow-Ata, dinner in Gyzylarbat
Day 5: Gyzylarbat → Balkanabat → Yangykala Canyon → Gozli-Ata
In the morning, travel toward Balkanabat. Visit the local market, where you can buy fresh products for dinner and experience the everyday life of the region.
Continue to Yangykala Canyon, one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in Turkmenistan. The colorful rock formations and unusual shapes create a dramatic scenery often compared to another planet.
After exploring the canyons, continue to the pilgrimage site of Gozli-Ata, known for its spiritual atmosphere and connection with local traditions.
In the evening, dinner will be prepared by the guide and driver in an authentic setting. Overnight in air-conditioned yurts under the starry sky.
Overnight: air-conditioned yurts near Yangykala / Gozli-Ata area
Route: Gyzylarbat → Balkanabat → Yangykala Canyon → Gozli-Ata
Distance: Gyzylarbat → Balkanabat: 184 km; Balkanabat → Yangykala: about 165 km
Time on the road: approximately 5–5.5 hours total driving time
Meals: breakfast, lunch or snacks en route, dinner prepared at camp
Day 6: Kemal-Ata → Turkmenbashi → Caspian Sea → Gyzylarbat
The morning begins with a visit to the pilgrimage site of Kemal-Ata, where people come from different parts of the country. This stop offers a chance to experience the spiritual atmosphere of Turkmenistan and local traditions.
Next, travel to Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea coast. Walk along the coast, enjoy the sea air, and take in the wide horizons of the Caspian region.
Lunch will be arranged at a restaurant with panoramic sea views, where you can enjoy Turkmen and seafood dishes while resting after the drive.
After lunch, return to Gyzylarbat for dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Overnight: hotel in Gyzylarbat
Route: Yangykala area → Kemal-Ata → Turkmenbashi → Gyzylarbat
Distance: Yangykala → Turkmenbashi: about 160 km; Turkmenbashi → Gyzylarbat: about 356 km
Time on the road: approximately 6.5–7 hours total driving time
Meals: breakfast, lunch by the Caspian Sea, dinner in Gyzylarbat
Day 7: Nokhur Mountain Village → Mary
Today the route heads to Nokhur, a mountain settlement in the Kopet Dag range. The region is known for its picturesque nature, mountain atmosphere, and traditions preserved by local residents.
In Nokhur, visit local sights, old cemeteries, and colorful streets. A walk through the village and mountain surroundings allows you to experience a different side of Turkmenistan, away from the desert and city landscapes.
After the excursion, transfer to Mary. Upon arrival, check in at a comfortable hotel, have dinner, and rest after the long journey.
Overnight: hotel in Mary
Route: Gyzylarbat / Ashgabat region → Nokhur → Mary
Distance: Nokhur area: about 130 km from Ashgabat; long transfer onward to Mary
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch en route, dinner in Mary
Day 8: Ancient Merv → Farap Border
Today visit Ancient Merv, one of the largest historical cities of Central Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Merv was an important stop on the Great Silk Road and still preserves the atmosphere of the ancient East.
During the excursion, see historical monuments, ruins of palaces and mosques, ancient walls, and mausoleums that show the importance of this legendary city through different periods of history.
After the morning excursion, lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant, where you can try Turkmen cuisine and rest before the final transfer.
In the afternoon, transfer to the border with Uzbekistan via Farap. The tour officially ends with the border crossing, and the guide will assist with procedures at the checkpoint.
Finish: Farap border
Route: Mary → Ancient Merv → Farap border
Distance: about 250–300 km
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch near Merv
View more Turkmenistan tours, read our Darvaza travel tips, or contact Ashgabat Tour to customize this route.
Included
- All transfers: 1–3 persons by sedan-type car, 4–5 persons by minivan
- Accommodation in double rooms with breakfasts included
- Russian-speaking guide or guide-driver in Turkmenistan
- Excursion program throughout the route
- Entrance tickets to sights according to the route
- Necessary equipment for staying near Darvaza, including sleeping bags, mats, pillows, dining table, and chairs
- Camping dinner and breakfast near Darvaza
- Visa support for a Turkmenistan tourist visa
- Personal accident travel insurance
Not Included
- Full board, including lunches and dinners unless specified
- Hotel fees for additional services
- Consular fees for tourist visas and Turkmenistan migration fee
- Border taxes
- Tips for guides and drivers, optional but appreciated
Interested in This Tour?
Send us your travel dates, number of travelers, nationality, and preferred route. We will help you confirm availability, prepare the itinerary, and guide you through the next steps.
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The steppe around ancient Merv
Frequently asked
What to know before you book
Do I need a visa for Turkmenistan?
How much does the visa cost?
What do you need for the electronic visa?
What does the price depend on?
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Can the itinerary be changed?
| Group size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person | $2 925 | $1 780 | $1 640 | $1 315 | $1 155 | $1 145 | $1 065 | $1 020 | $975 |
Single supplement: $100
Prices in USD per person for the selected group size, with twin accommodation. Turkmenistan e-Visa is included in the tour price. The migration fee is not included in the tour price: approximately $50 USD per person, paid separately.
Scheduled departures
| Date | Price | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13.11.2026 — 20.11.2026 | $1 170 | Open for booking runs from 4 travellers | |
| 27.11.2026 — 04.12.2026 | $1 170 | Open for booking runs from 4 travellers | |
| 11.12.2026 — 18.12.2026 | $1 170 | Open for booking runs from 4 travellers | |
| 25.12.2026 — 01.01.2027 | $1 170 | Open for booking runs from 4 travellers | |
| 08.01.2027 — 15.01.2027 | $1 170 | Open for booking runs from 4 travellers | |
| 22.01.2027 — 29.01.2027 | $1 170 | Open for booking runs from 4 travellers |
