3-Day Turkmenistan Essentials: Ashgabat, Crater & UNESCO Transit
Route: Ashgabat Airport – Ashgabat – Darvaza – Konye-Urgench – Shavat or Khojeyli Border
An ideal 3-day itinerary from Ashgabat to Uzbekistan. Enjoy a comprehensive city tour of the capital, an overnight camping experience at the Darvaza Gas Crater, and exploration of the ancient ruins of Konye-Urgench. Includes flexible transfer to the Shavat (Khiva) or Khojeyli (Nukus) borders.
3
days
0
groups
0
options
There are currently no available dates for this tour. Contact us for a private tour.
What is included
- Letter of Invitation (LoI) for Turkmenistan visa and assistance with mandatory registration of foreign visitors.
- Accommodation in standard hotel rooms: twin rooms shared by same-gender guests; double rooms for couples; single rooms arranged when needed (other room categories on request).
- Private transport and English-speaking guide for the days and routes specified in your itinerary.
- All expenses of your driver and guide, including fuel, meals, accommodation, meeting you at the border and seeing you off at the border.
- Daily breakfasts during the tour.
- Dinner and overnight in a yurt at the Darvaza gas crater and at Gozli Ata (if included in your itinerary).
- Entrance fees and photography permits for museums and attractions visited with your guide.
- Travel insurance.
- All local taxes and mandatory service charges for services included in the tour.
- The tour usually starts and ends at the Turkmenistan side of the border (other pick-up or drop-off points can be arranged on request).
What is not included
- Visa and other border fees are not included. The visa can be obtained either at the embassy or at the border.
- International flights and any transport to/from Turkmenistan at the start and end of the tour.
- Meals not included in the program (estimated 3–8 USD per meal per person, depending on the location and restaurant).
- Personal expenses (e.g. souvenirs, laundry, minibar) and tips for guides/drivers (optional but appreciated).
- Drones (not allowed in Turkmenistan).
- Entrance fees. meal costs and photo fees at the Turkmen Ojagy Ethnographic Complex (if included in your itinerary).
Tour program
* Morning Arrival: Meet and greet at the Ashgabat International Airport and transfer to the city.
* Ashgabat City Tour: A flexible program tailored to your arrival and departure times. The final itinerary depends on your personal preferences, your guide’s professional advice, and the time available in your schedule. We will visit as many landmarks as possible, ensuring a perfect balance of history, culture, and modern architecture.
* Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
* Ashgabat City Tour: A flexible program tailored to your arrival and departure times. The final itinerary depends on your personal preferences, your guide’s professional advice, and the time available in your schedule. We will visit as many landmarks as possible, ensuring a perfect balance of history, culture, and modern architecture.
* Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
* After breakfast Ashgabat City Tour: A flexible program tailored to your arrival and departure times. The final itinerary depends on your personal preferences, your guide’s professional advice, and the time available in your schedule. We will visit as many landmarks as possible, ensuring a perfect balance of history, culture, and modern architecture.
* Lunch at a local restaurant.
* Departure from Ashgabat heading North into the Karakum Desert (approx. 270 km).
* En route stops at the Water Crater and Mud Crater.
* Arrival at the Darvaza Gas Crater ("Gates of Hell").
* Sunset photography followed by a BBQ Dinner near the burning crater. The view is most spectacular after dark.
* Overnight: Stay in a traditional Turkmen Yurt at the crater campsite.
* Lunch at a local restaurant.
* Departure from Ashgabat heading North into the Karakum Desert (approx. 270 km).
* En route stops at the Water Crater and Mud Crater.
* Arrival at the Darvaza Gas Crater ("Gates of Hell").
* Sunset photography followed by a BBQ Dinner near the burning crater. The view is most spectacular after dark.
* Overnight: Stay in a traditional Turkmen Yurt at the crater campsite.
* A pre-dawn sunrise visit to the crater for a different perspective and final photos.
* Breakfast at the camp and direct drive from Darvaza to Kunya-Urgench via the desert highway (approx. 260 km)..
* Lunch at a local restaurant in the town of Kunya-Urgench.
* Guided Tour of the Historical Park (UNESCO):
Kutlug-Timur Minaret: The tallest minaret in Central Asia.
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum: Famous for its exquisite and unique ceiling mosaic.
Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan: Iconic architectural landmarks of the Khorezmshah era.
Caravansaray Gate: Viewing the preserved monumental portal of the ancient city.
* Border Transfer (Upon Request):
Option A (Shavat Border): Transfer to the Shavat crossing (Best for Khiva).
Option B (Hojaili Border): Transfer to the Hojaili crossing (Best for Nukus).
* Assistance with border formalities and crossing into Uzbekistan.
* End of Tour.
* Breakfast at the camp and direct drive from Darvaza to Kunya-Urgench via the desert highway (approx. 260 km)..
* Lunch at a local restaurant in the town of Kunya-Urgench.
* Guided Tour of the Historical Park (UNESCO):
Kutlug-Timur Minaret: The tallest minaret in Central Asia.
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum: Famous for its exquisite and unique ceiling mosaic.
Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan: Iconic architectural landmarks of the Khorezmshah era.
Caravansaray Gate: Viewing the preserved monumental portal of the ancient city.
* Border Transfer (Upon Request):
Option A (Shavat Border): Transfer to the Shavat crossing (Best for Khiva).
Option B (Hojaili Border): Transfer to the Hojaili crossing (Best for Nukus).
* Assistance with border formalities and crossing into Uzbekistan.
* End of Tour.
