3-Day Tour: Kunya-Urgench & Burning Darvaza via Shavat
Route: Shavat – Dashoguz – Kunya-Urgench – Dashoguz – Izmukshir – Darvaza – Dashoguz – Shavat
A 3-day loop tour via Shavat: UNESCO Kunya-Urgench, Izmukshir Fortress, sunset and night at the burning Darvaza Crater, and a smooth return to the Shavat border
3
days
3
groups
2
options
Available Departure Dates
3 open groups
21.04.2026
00:00
3 / 4
seats
Available
1
person:
$911
4
people:
$491
19.05.2026
00:00
4 / 4
seats
Available
1
person:
$911
4
people:
$491
10.06.2026
00:00
4 / 4
seats
Available
1
person:
$911
4
people:
$491
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.
* Departure for Kunya-Urgench (approx. 95 km), the ancient capital of the Khorezm Shahs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
* Traditional lunch in Kunya-Urgench.
* Full guided tour of the historical park:
Kutlug-Timur Minaret (The tallest in Central Asia).
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum (Famous for its exquisite ceiling mosaic).
Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan.
Caravansaray Gate
* Return to Dashoguz.
* A short evening city tour of Dashoguz, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
* Overnight: Hotel in Dashoguz.
* Departure for Kunya-Urgench (approx. 95 km), the ancient capital of the Khorezm Shahs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
* Traditional lunch in Kunya-Urgench.
* Full guided tour of the historical park:
Kutlug-Timur Minaret (The tallest in Central Asia).
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum (Famous for its exquisite ceiling mosaic).
Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan.
Caravansaray Gate
* Return to Dashoguz.
* A short evening city tour of Dashoguz, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
* Overnight: Hotel in Dashoguz.
* 08:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel.
* Visit the Bai Bazaar. A great opportunity to experience local life.
* Drive to the ancient Izmukshir Fortress (approx. 25 km). Explore the impressive ruins of this Parthian-era fortress, also known as the birthplace of the great philosopher Al-Zamakhshari.
* Begin the journey to the Karakum Desert (~300 km). We will stop at roadside teahouses.
* 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.
* Visit the Bai Bazaar. A great opportunity to experience local life.
* Drive to the ancient Izmukshir Fortress (approx. 25 km). Explore the impressive ruins of this Parthian-era fortress, also known as the birthplace of the great philosopher Al-Zamakhshari.
* Begin the journey to the Karakum Desert (~300 km). We will stop at roadside teahouses.
* 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 departure for the return drive to Dashoguz.
* Farewell lunch in Dashoguz.
* Transfer to the Shavat Border Checkpoint (approx. 15-20 min).
* 03:00 PM: Assistance with border formalities for departure to Uzbekistan.
* End of Tour.
* Breakfast at the camp and departure for the return drive to Dashoguz.
* Farewell lunch in Dashoguz.
* Transfer to the Shavat Border Checkpoint (approx. 15-20 min).
* 03:00 PM: Assistance with border formalities for departure to Uzbekistan.
* End of Tour.
Accommodations
-
Dashoguz
(1 nights)
Standard: Hotel "Dashoguz" -
Darvaza
(1 nights)
Standard: Yurt Camp
