6 Day Turkmenistan Tour | Ashgabat, Merv & Darvaza

Ashgabat arrival - Ashgabat - Mary - Ashgabat - Dashoguz - Kunya Urgench - Darvaza - Ashgabat |

all the year around | days: 6| nights: 5

Ashgabat International Airport

Ashgabat

Independence Monument

Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar

Darvaza crater

Discover the highlights of Turkmenistan on this 6-day tour, combining ancient Silk Road history, unique landscapes, and the modern capital of Ashgabat. Explore the white-marble city of Ashgabat, the UNESCO-listed ruins of Ancient Merv and Kunya-Urgench, and the impressive Darvaza Gas Crater in the heart of the Karakum Desert. Experience an unforgettable desert night at a traditional yurt camp and discover the fascinating history and culture of Turkmenistan.

Excursion

Ashgabat arrival

Arrival in Ashgabat.

Your driver will meet you holding a sign with 'YOUR NAME'. Transfer to the hotel.

Meet with a company representative who will provide a tour package, and you will have the opportunity to discuss the details of the program.

Resting time.

Overnight.

Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing in Ashgabat visiting:

- Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Independence Park with Monument of Independence (it's a 118m column that consider the highest building in the country),

- Neutrality Arch - a unique composition that rotates slowly after the sun;

- National Museum with exposition from Ancient Merv and Nissa.

-Turkmenbashi Mosque – Mausoleum. It is considered the biggest in Central Asia (10 thousands of people). There are beautiful fountains and garden near the mosque.

- A trip to ancient Nissa (18km from Ashgabad) that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the ancient city (the date of foundation of the I millennium BC).

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Ashgabat – Mary – Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Mary (350 km, 4 hrs). En route, visit the 15th-century ruins of Seyitjemalledin Mosque (Anau) and the ancient Silk Road trading post of Abiward.
In the afternoon, explore Ancient Merv, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site that was a major center of international trade and crafts located on the Silk Road. Visit the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Kyz Kala, Erk Kala, Gyaur Kala, and the Askhabs and Hamadani complexes.
In the evening, transfer to Mary Airport for a flight to Ashgabat. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Ashgabat – Dashoguz – Kunya Urgench – Darvaza

In the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Dashoguz (580 km, 50 min). Upon arrival, drive to Kunya Urgench – the ancient capital of the Khorezm Empire (120 km, 1 h. 30 min). Start sightseeing at the Kunya Urgench historical site: mausoleums of Turebek-Khanym, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmad-din-Kubra, Sultan Ali. Discover the Kutlug Timur Minaret and Kyrk Molla Hill. In the afternoon, drive to the Darvaza gas crater located in the middle of the Karakum Desert (8 km, across sand dunes). Arrive at the crater and set up at the yurt camp. Enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater. Overnight in yurts.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Meals: dinner

Note: At Darvaza camp, you will be accommodated in a yurt, or there is an option to have 1- or 2-person tents. In both cases, toilets and basic washing facilities are outside.

Darvaza – Ashgabat

After a camp-style breakfast, depart for Ashgabat. If it is Sunday, visit the Sunday Bazaar outside of Ashgabat. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, explore the archaeological site of Old Nissa (included in the UNESCO World Heritage list) and visit the remains of the Anau Mosque. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport.

Transfer to the airport for a morning/midday departure flight.

End of the tour.

Included

Visa support to Turkmenistan (Letter of invitation, registration);
Transport: all transfers according to the program and transport specifications depending on road conditions: comfortable tourist class transport with air conditioning, as per group - a regular sedan car ( 1- 3 passengers), minivan ( 4- 13 passengers), minibus/bus ( more than 13 passengers) ;
Certified English-speaking guide;
Meals: breakfast at hotels ; camp-style breakfast and BBQ dinner in Darwaza camp;

Not included

*
Air tickets for international flights;
*
E/visa to Uzbekistan (if necessary), visa to Turkmenistan from 85+4 USD and migration tax per person 10+4 USD (the cost of visa and tax may vary);
*
VAT, personal/medical insurance, personal expenses and any other services not listed under "Included".

Accommodation:

Ashgabat
Ak Altyn
Darwaza
Darwaza yurt camp

Book it

To send us a tour request, please fill out and submit the booking form. Please fill in all required fields marked with an asterisk (*)

Notes

- Check-in 14.00, check-out time 11.00. No early check-in/ late check-out is included unless indicated;

- Please note that the tour price does not include seasonal VAT 15 %, VAT can be added to the basic tour price.

- Please note that the drivers do not speak English or can speak only basic English;

- All the changes in the basic itinerary, the timing for transfers depending on the international flight departure/arrival time are to be discussed and pre-agreed;

- Please note that the train trip/s can be replaced for transfer/s by car depending on train tickets availability and trains schedule;

- After the date of publication, any changes in the hotels, air/train ticket prices, tax increase, and exchange rate fluctuation may influence the tour prices;

- Anur Tour is not responsible for the force majeure occasions (weather conditions during the tour, repairing-reconstructing works at some parts of roads, government restrictions).