5-Day Khiva to Darvaza, Ashgabat & Merv Tour

Travel from Khiva into Turkmenistan on a 5-day cross-border tour through Dashoguz, Darvaza Gas Crater, Ashgabat, Kow-Ata, Nokhur, Mary, Ancient Merv, and the Farap border. This route combines desert landscapes, city sightseeing, local cuisine, mountain scenery, Silk Road history, and one of the most important UNESCO heritage sites in Central Asia.

Tour Details

Tour route	Khiva → Dashoguz → Darvaza → Ashgabat → Kow-Ata → Nokhur → Mary → Ancient Merv → Farap border
Tour duration	5 days / 4 nights
Tour type	Private or group route
Starting point	Khiva, Uzbekistan
Finish point	Farap border / transfer to Bukhara if required
Main highlights	Darvaza Gas Crater, Ashgabat, Kow-Ata, Nokhur, Mary, Ancient Merv

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Khiva → Shavat / Dashoguz Border → Darvaza

In the morning, transfer from Khiva to the Shavat — Dashoguz border. After passing the Uzbek side of the border, guests will be met on the Turkmen side by a guide who will assist with the necessary formalities.

After crossing the border, continue to Dashoguz for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, stop at a local market or shop to buy products for dinner in the desert and get a first impression of local everyday life.

Then travel into the Karakum Desert to the Darvaza Gas Crater, known as the “Gates of Hell”. Upon arrival, guests will be accommodated in a yurt camp and take an introductory walk to the crater.

In the evening, dinner will be prepared at the camp with shashlik and grilled vegetables. After dinner, guests can approach the crater again to enjoy the view of the burning crater in the darkness.

Overnight: yurt camp near Darvaza Gas Crater

Route: Khiva → Shavat / Dashoguz border → Dashoguz → Darvaza

Meals: lunch in Dashoguz, dinner at the yurt camp

Day 2: Darvaza → Karakum Craters → Yerbent → Ashgabat

After breakfast at the yurt camp, depart toward Ashgabat. On the way, visit two more natural sites in the Darvaza area: the mud crater and the water crater. These places show different natural features of the Karakum Desert and provide interesting photo opportunities.

Continue to the village of Yerbent, where guests can taste camel milk and learn more about life in the desert area.

By lunchtime, arrive in Ashgabat. Check in at the hotel, take a shower, change clothes, and rest after the overnight stay in the desert.

After a short rest, lunch will be arranged at a traditional restaurant in Ashgabat. The main dish will be Turkmen pilaf inside a pie, served with salads and first courses.

After lunch, begin the Ashgabat sightseeing program. Visit the Independence Monument, the Arch of Neutrality, the largest indoor Ferris wheel, and other monuments and architectural ensembles of the capital.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at one of Ashgabat’s restaurants. The final point of the day will be a visit to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking evening Ashgabat.

Overnight: hotel in Ashgabat

Route: Darvaza → mud crater → water crater → Yerbent → Ashgabat

Meals: breakfast at the yurt camp, lunch and dinner in Ashgabat

Day 3: Arkadag → Kow-Ata → Nokhur → Mountain Rest

After breakfast, leave Ashgabat toward Kow-Ata via the city of Arkadag. On the way, guests will see modern urban districts and the natural landscapes of the Kopet Dag foothills.

The first main stop of the day is the underground lake Kow-Ata, one of the most unusual natural places in Turkmenistan. Guests can descend into the cave, see the underground lake, and, if desired, swim in the warm mineral water.

After visiting Kow-Ata, lunch will be arranged at a place known for local shashlik, salads, and other dishes.

Then continue to the mountains of Nokhur. Guests will get acquainted with the village of Nokhur, its atmosphere, traditions, and mountain way of life. The route then continues higher into the mountains, where beautiful views of the surroundings open up.

A stop at a mountain camp will be arranged in a picturesque place. Guests will enjoy traditional-style rest and a master class in preparing a national dish, such as gazanlama or traditional pilaf. Live traditional music with dutar performance will also be arranged.

After dinner prepared together with the guests, return to Ashgabat.

Overnight: hotel in Ashgabat

Route: Ashgabat → Arkadag → Kow-Ata → Nokhur → Ashgabat

Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch near Kow-Ata, dinner during the mountain rest program

Day 4: Ashgabat → Bazaar → Mary

After breakfast, visit one of Ashgabat’s city bazaars. Guests can buy souvenirs, sweets, dried fruits, spices, local handicrafts, and other keepsakes from Turkmenistan.

After the bazaar, drive toward the city of Mary. The transfer takes several hours, with stops for rest along the way.

Upon arrival in Mary, lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant. After lunch, enjoy a light walk around the city, including the city market, the old Orthodox church if available for viewing, and the main streets of Mary.

This day is intentionally calmer so guests can rest after the previous busy days and prepare for the visit to Ancient Merv.

After the walk, check in at the hotel, enjoy free time, dinner, and overnight in Mary.

Overnight: hotel in Mary

Route: Ashgabat → city bazaar → Mary

Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch in Mary, dinner in Mary

Day 5: Ancient Merv → Bayramaly → Turkmenabat → Farap Border

After breakfast, go on an excursion to Ancient Merv, one of the most important historical centers of the Great Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During the excursion, guests will see ancient settlements, fortress walls, mausoleums, and architectural monuments that help imagine the scale of this legendary city. For centuries, Merv was a major cultural, trade, and scientific center of the region.

The program includes the main sites of the historical complex: the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, Erk-Kala and Gyaur-Kala, Greater and Lesser Gyz-Kala, the Askhab complex, and other monuments of Ancient Merv.

After the excursion, lunch will be arranged in Bayramaly.

After lunch, continue toward Turkmenabat. Upon arrival, guests will have an early dinner with a traditional Turkmen pie and other local dishes.

After dinner, continue to the Farap border. After passing the Turkmen side of the border, the tour ends. If necessary, a transfer to Bukhara can then be arranged.

Finish: Farap border / transfer to Bukhara if required

Route: Mary → Ancient Merv → Bayramaly → Turkmenabat → Farap border

Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch in Bayramaly, early dinner in Turkmenabat

What Can Be Included

Border meeting on the Turkmen side
Guide assistance during the route
Transport according to the program
Yurt camp accommodation near Darvaza
Hotel accommodation in Ashgabat and Mary
Meals according to the agreed program
Excursions and sightseeing according to the itinerary
Assistance with travel planning and border route coordination

Good to Know

This tour starts from Khiva and crosses into Turkmenistan via the Shavat / Dashoguz border.
The tour can finish at the Farap border with onward transfer to Bukhara if required.
Border crossing procedures and timing may vary.
Visa and LOI requirements should be confirmed before the trip.
The route can be adjusted depending on travel dates, group size, and border arrangements.

Interested in This Tour?

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