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DESERT, CANYONS & CAPITAL
5-Day Ashgabat, Darvaza, Yangykala & Kow-Ata Tour
A private 5-day route combining white-marble Ashgabat and Old Nisa, the striped cliffs of Yangykala Canyon in the western desert, a night by the Darvaza Gas Crater, and a swim in the warm underground lake of Kow-Ata.
Duration5 days / 4 nights
StartAshgabat
FinishAshgabat
FormatPrivate tour · Flexible dates
Detailed itinerary
Timing and the order of visits may be adjusted according to flight schedules, road conditions, season and border procedures.Day 1
1/5 Arrival in Ashgabat
International airport → Ashgabat
Meet your guide and driver after passport control, transfer to the hotel and rest after the flight. Depending on arrival time, a short evening drive and dinner can be arranged.
Day 2
2/5 Ashgabat, Old Nisa and Yangykala Canyon
Ashgabat → Old Nisa → Karakum Desert → Balkanabat → Yangykala Canyon
Visit Ashgabat and the ruins of Old Nisa in the morning, then cross the desert west toward Balkan province. Reach Yangykala Canyon in the late afternoon in time for the low sunset light on its striped cliffs, before continuing to overnight in Balkanabat.
Day 3
3/5 Yangykala to Darvaza
Balkanabat → Karakum Desert → Darvaza
A long crossing of the Karakum Desert east toward Darvaza. Arrive in the late afternoon, watch the Gas Crater as the light fades, have dinner by the fire and spend the night in the yurt camp.
Day 4
4/5 Darvaza, Kow-Ata and Ashgabat
Darvaza → Kow-Ata → Ashgabat
See the crater once more in daylight before breakfast at the camp. Drive back toward the capital, stopping at the Kow-Ata underground lake for an optional swim in the warm mineral water, then continue to Ashgabat for the evening.
Day 5
5/5 Free time and departure
Ashgabat → international airport
Breakfast at the hotel, free time according to your flight schedule, and transfer to the airport for departure.
Included and not included
Included
- Airport arrival and departure transfers
- Licensed local guide
- All programme transfers by road
- Three hotel nights (Ashgabat ×2, Balkanabat ×1)
- One yurt-camp night near Darvaza
- Twin-share accommodation
- Breakfasts in hotels and at the camp
- Dinner near Darvaza
- Programme excursions and main entrance tickets
- Visa support and LOI preparation
- Travel insurance
- Organisational support
Not included
- International flights
- Turkmenistan tourist visa
- Consular, border and airport fees
- Lunches and dinners except the Darvaza dinner
- Extra hotel services
- Optional excursions and activities
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Tips for the guide and driver
Important information before booking
- The route starts and finishes in Ashgabat
- The route includes two long desert crossings — to Yangykala and back to Darvaza
- One night is spent in a traditional yurt camp near Darvaza
- Bring swimwear and non-slip shoes for Kow-Ata
- Closed shoes are recommended for walking the Yangykala canyon ridges
- Day five timing depends on the international flight
Plan this route with Ashgabat Tour
Send us your nationality, dates and number of travellers to receive the exact quotation.
The mountain village of Nokhur
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 | $1 800 | $1 165 | $1 045 | $835 | $750 | $740 | $685 | $665 | $635 |
Single supplement: $70
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.
