3-Day Ashgabat City Tour: Old Nisa, Akhal-Teke Horses & Turkmenistan Highlights

3 days from $465 per person

3-Day Ashgabat Tour

This 3-day Ashgabat tour is a short, private introduction to Turkmenistan’s capital and the nearby ruins of Old Nisa. A practical short programme for travellers arriving and departing through Ashgabat. The route combines a city introduction with Old Nisa, one of Turkmenistan’s key historical sites.

Tour details

  • Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
  • Route: Ashgabat → Old Nisa → Ashgabat
  • Start and finish: Ashgabat International Airport
  • Accommodation: Hotel in Ashgabat, confirmed with the final quotation
  • Format: Private tour; group arrangements may be discussed for selected dates
  • Price: Price confirmed for your dates and group size. The final quote depends on the dates, number of travellers and confirmed services.

Programme

1/3 Day 1 — Arrival in Ashgabat

Meet your guide and driver at Ashgabat International Airport. Transfer to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is kept light so you can rest after the flight. If arrival time allows, a short introductory evening drive can be arranged.

2/3 Day 2 — Ashgabat city tour and Old Nisa

Visit Old Nisa, the former Parthian fortress and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue with sightseeing in Ashgabat, including selected monuments and city viewpoints according to the available time.

3/3 Day 3 — Departure from Ashgabat

Free time in the morning, subject to the departure schedule, followed by transfer to Ashgabat International Airport.

Included and not included

The exact included services are confirmed in the final quotation. Depending on the selected option, the programme may include airport transfers, hotel accommodation, guide services, transport and entrance tickets according to the itinerary.

International flights, visa fees, personal expenses and services not listed in the final quotation are not included.

Visa and booking

Visa and Letter of Invitation requirements depend on nationality and travel details. See our Turkmenistan visa information and contact us with your dates and nationality.

Contact Ashgabat Tour to confirm availability and the final itinerary.

Why choose this 3-day Ashgabat tour

This 3-day Ashgabat tour is built for travelers who only have a short window in Turkmenistan, whether as a stopover between flights or a quick add-on to a longer regional trip. Rather than rushing through a long list of sights, the itinerary focuses on two things done well: a proper introduction to Ashgabat’s white-marble monuments, and a half-day visit to Old Nisa, the fortified residence of the Parthian kings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just outside the capital. You travel privately with your own guide and driver, so timings can be adjusted around your flight schedule.

Ashgabat is known for its marble-clad government buildings, gold-topped monuments and wide, empty boulevards, and the city tour usually includes the Arch of Neutrality, the National Museum area and the Independence Monument, depending on opening hours on your travel dates. Old Nisa, about 18 km from the city center, preserves the mudbrick fortifications and ceremonial halls of what was once a major Parthian center; you can read more about its history and excavation on Wikipedia’s overview of Nisa.

Who this tour suits

This 3-day Ashgabat tour suits business travelers extending a trip by a weekend, transit passengers with a longer layover, and anyone who wants a low-commitment first taste of Turkmenistan before deciding whether to return for a longer desert and Silk Road itinerary. Because the pace is relaxed, it also works well for older travelers or families with limited walking capacity.

Visa and next steps

As with all our tours, you will need a Turkmenistan tourist visa and Letter of Invitation, arranged with our support based on your nationality and travel dates. Contact Ashgabat Tour to confirm availability for your dates and receive a written quote.

Ashgabat and Old Nisa in three days

This short private Turkmenistan tour is designed for travellers arriving and departing through Ashgabat International Airport. The programme combines the capital’s white-marble avenues and monuments with the archaeological landscape of Old Nisa, the former Parthian royal centre outside the city.

Depending on opening hours and flight times, sightseeing can include the Independence Monument, Neutrality Monument, Ertogrul Gazi Mosque, Russian Bazaar, panoramic city viewpoints and an Akhal-Teke horse farm. Your local guide adjusts the sequence around arrival and departure times, while the final quotation confirms the hotel, transport, entrance fees and visa-support services.

Who this Ashgabat tour is for

The route suits stopover visitors, business travellers adding a weekend, families and guests who want a comfortable introduction to Turkmenistan without long desert drives. Travellers who also want Darvaza should choose a four-day or longer itinerary.

Ashgabat after dark

Frequently asked

What to know before you book

Do I need a visa for Turkmenistan?
Yes. The visa is issued only against a letter of invitation (LOI), which we arrange. It takes 10–15 working days, so book 6–8 weeks ahead.
How much does the visa cost?
The consular fee is $110–130 and is paid by the traveller when the visa is issued, at the embassy or the border. It is not part of the tour price.
What do you need for the invitation?
A passport scan valid for at least six months, a photograph, a completed form and confirmed travel dates.
What does the price depend on?
Mostly on group size: the fixed cost of the guide and transport is shared between everyone, which is why the per-person price falls as the group grows.
Can I travel alone?
Yes. You can book a private tour for one, or join a guaranteed departure at the flat group rate, which is considerably cheaper.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Yes, until the tour is confirmed. Domestic flight and train schedules and border procedures affect the order of the days.
Group size 1 2 3 4 6 8 10 12 15
Price per person $1 080 $705 $630 $505 $460 $445 $410 $405 $380

Single supplement: $30

Prices are per person in a twin room, 3★ hotel. Medical insurance and the letter of invitation (LOI) are included. The consular fee of $110–130 is paid separately.

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