3-Day Farap, Merv, Ashgabat & Darvaza Tour
Travel across Turkmenistan on a 3-day cross-border route from the Farap border to Ancient Merv, Ashgabat, Darvaza Gas Crater, Kunya-Urgench, and Dashoguz. This tour combines UNESCO World Heritage sites, desert landscapes, Ashgabat city highlights, Akhal-Teke horses, and an overnight stay in traditional yurts near the famous “Gates of Hell”.
Tour Details
| Tour route | Farap → Ancient Merv → Ashgabat → Darvaza → Kunya-Urgench → Dashoguz border |
| Tour duration | 3 days / 2 nights |
| Tour type | Private tour |
| Starting point | Farap border, Uzbekistan / Turkmenistan |
| Finish point | Dashoguz border |
| Main highlights | Ancient Merv, Ashgabat, Old Nisa, Akhal-Teke horses, Darvaza Gas Crater, Kunya-Urgench |
| Accommodation | Hotel in Ashgabat and yurt camp near Darvaza |
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Farap → Ancient Merv → Ashgabat
The route begins at the Farap border between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Your licensed guide will meet you on the Turkmen side and assist with border and visa formalities.
After crossing the border, continue toward Ancient Merv, one of the largest cities of the Great Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In different historical periods, Merv was an important administrative, trade, and cultural center of Central Asia.
During the visit, you will see the main monuments of the archaeological complex, including Erk-Kala, Gyaur-Kala, Sultan-Kala, the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, and the Greater and Lesser Kyz-Kala. These sites help show the long history and former scale of this legendary Silk Road city.
Lunch will be arranged at a restaurant near the archaeological complex. After the excursion, transfer to Ashgabat. Dinner at a restaurant in Ashgabat and overnight at the hotel.
Overnight: hotel in Ashgabat
Route: Farap border → Ancient Merv → Ashgabat
Distance: Farap → Merv: 260–280 km; Merv → Ashgabat: about 350 km
Time on the road: approximately 9–11 hours total driving time
Meals: lunch near Merv, dinner in Ashgabat
Day 2: Ashgabat → Darvaza Gas Crater
After breakfast at the hotel, start a sightseeing tour of Ashgabat. The program includes Old Nisa, the ruins of the ancient capital of the Parthian Kingdom and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You will also visit the Akhal-Teke horse stables to learn about the legendary horse breed, one of the symbols of Turkmenistan. The city tour continues with the Independence Monument, the Arch of Neutrality, and other important landmarks of the capital.
A visit to the Russian Bazaar is also included. Here guests can buy souvenirs and purchase food products for dinner in Darvaza.
After lunch at a restaurant serving traditional cuisine, continue into the Karakum Desert to the Darvaza Gas Crater, which has been burning for more than half a century. Along the way, enjoy the desert landscapes and the possibility of seeing camels.
Upon arrival, explore the area around the crater. Dinner will be cooked over a fire, followed by overnight in traditional Turkmen yurts under the starry sky of the Karakum Desert.
Overnight: yurt camp near Darvaza Gas Crater
Route: Ashgabat → Old Nisa → Ashgabat sightseeing → Karakum Desert → Darvaza
Distance: Ashgabat → Darvaza: about 260 km
Time on the road: approximately 4–5 hours
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch in Ashgabat, dinner at Darvaza
Day 3: Darvaza → Kunya-Urgench → Dashoguz Border
After breakfast at the Darvaza yurt camp, travel to the northern part of Turkmenistan to visit Kunya-Urgench, one of the most important historical centers of Central Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During the excursion, you will see the Mausoleum of Turabek Khanum, the Mausoleum of Tekesh, the Mausoleum of Il-Arslan, and the Kutlug-Timur Minaret, which is one of the tallest minarets in Central Asia.
After the visit to Kunya-Urgench, continue to Dashoguz for lunch. In the afternoon, proceed to the border. Your guide will stay with you until the end of the Turkmen side and assist with the crossing.
Finish: Dashoguz border
Route: Darvaza → Kunya-Urgench → Dashoguz border
Distance: Darvaza → Kunya-Urgench: about 270 km; Kunya-Urgench → Dashoguz: about 100 km
Time on the road: approximately 5–6.5 hours total driving time
Meals: breakfast at the yurt camp, lunch in Dashoguz
Included
- Invitation letter to Turkmenistan
- Licensed guide throughout the route
- Transport throughout the route
- Overnight in yurts near Darvaza
- Dinner and breakfast in Darvaza
- Hotel accommodation in Ashgabat with breakfasts included, double occupancy
- Entrance tickets to all visited sites along the route
- Visit to Akhal-Teke horse stables
- Personal travel insurance
Not Included
- Visa cost at the border and related taxes
- Full board, except dinner and breakfast in Darvaza
- Additional hotel services
- International flights before and after the tour
- All expenses not specified under included services
- Tips for guides and drivers, approximately $10–15 per day each, 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.
