The Great Turkmenistan Loop: 5-Day Expedition from Darvaza to Merv
Route: Shavat - Darvaza - Ashgabat - Yangykala Canyons - Gozli Ata - Caspian Sea (Awaza) - Nokhur - Kow-Ata - Arkadag - Ancient Merv - Farap
The ultimate 5-day Turkmenistan odyssey. Cross from the Shavat border to the Farap border, witnessing the Darvaza 'Gates of Hell,' the fiery Yangykala Canyons, the Caspian Sea, the hidden village of Nokhur, and the UNESCO ruins of Ancient Merv. A comprehensive journey through history and nature.
5
days
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groups
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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
* 10:00 AM: Meet and greet at the Turkmen side of the Shavat Border Checkpoint.
* Short drive to Dashoguz for a traditional lunch and a visit to the local market (shopping for supplies/snacks for the desert).
* Begin the journey to Darvaza (~300 km, 5 hours). The route crosses the Central Karakum Desert.
* Arrival at the Darvaza Gas Crater ("Gates of Hell"). Experience the sunset over the desert as the crater’s glow begins to intensify.
* Traditional BBQ Dinner served at the campsite. Spectacular nighttime viewing of the burning crater—the best time for photography.
* Overnight: Stay in a traditional Turkmen Yurt or tent campsite.
* Short drive to Dashoguz for a traditional lunch and a visit to the local market (shopping for supplies/snacks for the desert).
* Begin the journey to Darvaza (~300 km, 5 hours). The route crosses the Central Karakum Desert.
* Arrival at the Darvaza Gas Crater ("Gates of Hell"). Experience the sunset over the desert as the crater’s glow begins to intensify.
* Traditional BBQ Dinner served at the campsite. Spectacular nighttime viewing of the burning crater—the best time for photography.
* Overnight: Stay in a traditional Turkmen Yurt or tent campsite.
* Breakfast at the camp and optional pre-dawn sunrise visit to the crater for final photos.
* Drive from Darvaza to Ashgabat.
* En route: Short photo stops at the Water and Mud Craters. Experience these unique natural desert bubbles before leaving the Karakum sands.
* Arrival and 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.
* Drive from Darvaza to Ashgabat.
* En route: Short photo stops at the Water and Mud Craters. Experience these unique natural desert bubbles before leaving the Karakum sands.
* Arrival and 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.
* Depart Ashgabat for a long but scenic drive across the desert toward the Balkan region.
* Drive to Yangykala: The route takes you through the heart of western Turkmenistan. We will stop for a quick lunch in the town of Balkanabat.
* Yangykala Canyon (UNESCO Tentative List): Arrive in the late afternoon. This is the best time for photography as the "Fire Fortresses" turn deep orange and red.
* Sunset at the Canyons: Watch the sunset over one of Central Asia's most spectacular natural wonders.
* Transfer to Gozli Ata: A short drive to the nearby pilgrimage site.
* Overnight: Gozli Ata Pilgrim House. (Authentic, simple shared accommodation—a unique cultural experience).
* Drive to Yangykala: The route takes you through the heart of western Turkmenistan. We will stop for a quick lunch in the town of Balkanabat.
* Yangykala Canyon (UNESCO Tentative List): Arrive in the late afternoon. This is the best time for photography as the "Fire Fortresses" turn deep orange and red.
* Sunset at the Canyons: Watch the sunset over one of Central Asia's most spectacular natural wonders.
* Transfer to Gozli Ata: A short drive to the nearby pilgrimage site.
* Overnight: Gozli Ata Pilgrim House. (Authentic, simple shared accommodation—a unique cultural experience).
* Morning at Gozli Ata: Visit the sacred mausoleum and the unique tribal cemetery in the morning light.
* Drive to Turkmenbashi & Awaza: A 2.5-hour drive to the Caspian coast. A light morning walk along the Caspian Sea promenade and the modern "white-marble" coastal resort zone.
* Drive East toward the Mountains: Begin the journey back toward Ashgabat.
* Nokhur Mountain Village: Continue into the Kopetdag Mountains to explore the famous village, its goat-horn cemetery, and local silk-weaving traditions.
* Kow-Ata Underground Lake: Stop for a visit to the thermal sulfur lake hidden 60 meters underground. You can take an optional swim in the naturally warm water (36°C) regardless of the outside temperature.
* Arkadag City: Arrive in Turkmenistan’s newly built "Smart City." Check-in at Merkaw Hotel and enjoy a stroll through the perfectly illuminated city center.
* Overnight: Hotel in Arkadag
* Drive to Turkmenbashi & Awaza: A 2.5-hour drive to the Caspian coast. A light morning walk along the Caspian Sea promenade and the modern "white-marble" coastal resort zone.
* Drive East toward the Mountains: Begin the journey back toward Ashgabat.
* Nokhur Mountain Village: Continue into the Kopetdag Mountains to explore the famous village, its goat-horn cemetery, and local silk-weaving traditions.
* Kow-Ata Underground Lake: Stop for a visit to the thermal sulfur lake hidden 60 meters underground. You can take an optional swim in the naturally warm water (36°C) regardless of the outside temperature.
* Arkadag City: Arrive in Turkmenistan’s newly built "Smart City." Check-in at Merkaw Hotel and enjoy a stroll through the perfectly illuminated city center.
* Overnight: Hotel in Arkadag
* Early departure from Arkadag heading to Mary/Merv.
* Traditional lunch in a local restaurant in Mary or Bayramaly.
* Full Guided Tour of Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar: A 12th-century Seljuk masterpiece, once the largest building in the Islamic world.
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala: The iconic "corrugated" mud-brick desert fortresses (7th–12th centuries).
Askhabs Mausoleums: Visit the sacred burial sites of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Al-Hakim ibn Jabir and Buraidah ibn Al-Husaib).
Ancient Hammam & Sardoba: Discover the remains of medieval public baths and the sophisticated water storage systems of the desert.
Erk Kala & Gyaur Kala: Climb the ancient citadels for a panoramic view of the vast archaeological park.
* Long-distance drive via Turkmenabat towards the border.
* Arrival at Farap Border Checkpoint.
* End of Tour
* Traditional lunch in a local restaurant in Mary or Bayramaly.
* Full Guided Tour of Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar: A 12th-century Seljuk masterpiece, once the largest building in the Islamic world.
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala: The iconic "corrugated" mud-brick desert fortresses (7th–12th centuries).
Askhabs Mausoleums: Visit the sacred burial sites of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Al-Hakim ibn Jabir and Buraidah ibn Al-Husaib).
Ancient Hammam & Sardoba: Discover the remains of medieval public baths and the sophisticated water storage systems of the desert.
Erk Kala & Gyaur Kala: Climb the ancient citadels for a panoramic view of the vast archaeological park.
* Long-distance drive via Turkmenabat towards the border.
* Arrival at Farap Border Checkpoint.
* End of Tour
