Tours From Ashgabat

Tours from Ashgabat can be customized according to your travel dates, group size, preferred destinations, and available time in Turkmenistan.

What to See on a Tour from Ashgabat

Ashgabat is one of the most unusual capitals in Central Asia, a city of white marble buildings, wide boulevards and gilded domes, listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the highest concentration of white marble architecture in the world. A private city tour usually covers the Independence Monument, the Neutrality Arch, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, the vast Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque in Kipchak, the Ashgabat National Museum of History and the colourful Altyn Asyr bazaar on the edge of the city.

Day Trips and Overnight Routes from Ashgabat

Most travellers combine the capital with short trips into the surrounding desert and mountains. The Darvaza Gas Crater, known as the Gates of Hell, lies about four hours north through the Karakum Desert and is best seen after dark from a desert camp. Kow-Ata underground lake, a warm sulphur lake inside a cave, sits on the road to the Iranian border and works well as a half-day excursion. The ruins of Old Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former Parthian royal residence, are only 18 km from the city centre. Longer routes continue to the mountain village of Nokhur and to Mary and Ancient Merv, once one of the largest cities on the Silk Road. Ancient Merv itself is also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and travellers who continue that far usually combine it with a night in Mary before returning to Ashgabat or crossing onward to Turkmenabat.

Best Time to Travel and How Tours Are Organised

Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) offer the most comfortable weather for desert and mountain routes, while summer temperatures in the Karakum Desert can exceed 45 degrees Celsius. All our tours from Ashgabat are private: a licensed English or Russian speaking guide, a driver and a 4×4 or minivan are assigned to your group only, so the itinerary can be adjusted to your pace and interests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa for a tour from Ashgabat?

Yes. Most nationalities need a Letter of Invitation approved by the State Migration Service before travelling. We prepare the LOI for every guest, and full details are on our Turkmenistan visa page.

Can tours from Ashgabat start on any date?

Yes, all itineraries are private and depart on the dates you choose, including for single travellers.

How long should I stay in Turkmenistan?

Four days cover Ashgabat, Darvaza and Kow-Ata, while six to eight days allow adding Old Nisa, Nokhur and Ancient Merv.

View all Turkmenistan tours, read our Darvaza travel tips, or contact Ashgabat Tour to plan a private route from Ashgabat.