Classic Turkmenistan 6 days / 5 nights
Discover Turkmenistan on a tour of Ashgabat's white marble buildings, UNESCO sites Old Nisa and Ancient Merv, and the stunning Darvaza Gas Crater. Explore historic districts, vibrant bazaars, and ancient ruins along the Silk Road. Experience village life and camp by the "Gates of Hell" in the Karakum desert, blending culture, history, and natural wonders.
Tour Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Tour languages: default – Spanish/English, other languages on availability
Ports of entry and exit: Ashgabat International Airport
Route: Ashgabat – Gokdepe – Ahgabat – Mary – Ashgabat – Bokurdak – Darvaza – Ashgabat
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ashgabat
Arrive at Ashgabat International Airport with Turkish Airlines at 02:00 or 07:00 AM. You’ll be greeted and transferred to hotel for an early check-in.
We will spend the morning learning about the history of Turkmenistan. First, drive to Bagir village to explore the ruins of the UNESCO-listed Old Nisa Fortress, the ancient capital of the Parthian Empire. Wander through its atmospheric ruins, set against the picturesque Kopet-Dag Mountains.
Return to the city and visit the State Museum of History and Ethnography to see ancient artifacts and treasures from Turkmenistan’s rich history.
After lunch, we will explore the capital city. Ashgabat – translated from Persian as “the City of Love” welcomes it’s visitors with its striking white marble architecture and modern amenities.
Continue to the Bagt Koshgi (Palace of Happiness) for a panoramic city view, including the striking Yyldyz Hotel. Drive through Ashgabat’s lavish avenues, passing key landmarks like the Ruhyyet Palace, Parliament, and Olympic City. Stop at Berkarar Mall, one of the city’s largest and liveliest malls, for lunch and a short break.
Drive through modern Ashgabat, famed for its white marble buildings. We will drive along the Archabil highway to highlight the most iconic landmarks of the city: the Monument of Constitution, Alem Ferriss Wheel (also included in the Book of Guinness World Records as the biggest indoor ferris wheel) – 60-meter high monument of Magtymguly (the greatest Turkmen poet), and the Monument of Neutrality topped with a golden statue of the first president. End the tour at the Park of Independence and the Monument of the Gigantic Book “Ruhnama”.
Enjoy a welcome dinner with panoramic vews of the city.
Accommodation: in hotel
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 2: Ashgabat – Geokdepe (ca. 50 km, about 1 hour drive) – Ashgabat – Mary (evening flight)
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before exploring two of Turkmenistan’s most treasured symbols—Akhal Teke horses and Turkmen carpets, known as “the wings and the soul” of the Turkmen people.
Check out and drive to Gokdepe village to visit the Geokdepe stud-farm to see the magnificent Ahal Teke horses. On the way we will make a photo stop at Arkadag, a newly built smart city at the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains, showcasing modern architecture and eco-friendly innovations. On arrival to Geokdepe we will be warmly greeted by Ashir-aga, the owner of the stud-farm. Ride, feed, and photograph these unique creatures, known for their exceptional speed and ancient heritage. Geokdepe was also the site of a fierce battle between the Russian Empire and the Teke tribe during Russia’s conquest of Central Asia.
On the way to Ashgabat we will make a stop at an impressive complex in Kipchak town to see the biggest mosque of Turkmenistan “the Spiritual Mosque of Turkmenbashi” and “the family mausoleum of the first president”.
After lunch, visit the Carpet Museum showcasing the biggest handmade carpet in the world recorded in the Book of Guinnes World Records in 2003 and the smallest ever carpet intented to carry keys. (closed on SUN)
16:00 transfer to the airport for an evening flight to Mary, departing at 17:55.
Arrive in Mary at 18:35 and transfer to the hotel. Take an evening walk to a local restaurant for dinner or opt to dine at the hotel restaurant.
Overnight: in hotel
Meals: breakfast
Day 3. Mary – Ashgabat (ca. 350 km, about 3 hrs drive)
After breakfast and check-out, we’ll drive 40 minutes to Bayramaly village to explore Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as “The Queen of Cities.” Our tour will include landmarks like,
- Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum (the last Sultan of the Great Seljuk Empire)
- Yusuf Hamadani Mosque (Yusuf Hamadani was one of the most influencial Sufi masters whose teachings spread across Central Asia)
- Erk gala (was founded in the 6th century BCE; in the 3rd century BCE it became the citadel for the larger Hellenistic city of Antiochia/Margiana)
- Sultan gala (built in between 800-1400 AD, Sultan–Kala offers to explore the mudbrick work of Seljuk fortifications)
- Great and Small Gyz kala (7th-12th centuries), known as “Ladies Fortress”. One of the most well-preserved fortresses made from mud bricks.
- Mohammad ibn Zayd Mausoleum (the leader of the Shia movement against the Abbasid Caliphate)
Return to Mary and visit “Pokrovskaya” Russian Orthodox Church, built in the 1990s. One of Turkmenistan’s most beautiful religious landmarks, the church features intricate architecture and deep spiritual significance.
After lunch, visit the Mary History Museum, where you’ll delve deeper into the rich history and artifacts of Ancient Merv and Gonur depe, further consolidating your understanding of this remarkable site.
Transfer to Ashgabat (about 3.5-hour drive) via newly constructed highway. With 2 possible pit stops we arrive in Ashgbat by the evening.
After dinner, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: in hotel
Meals: breakfast
Day 4. Ashgabat – Darvaza (ca. 270 km, about 4-hour drive)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we are going to visit one the main attractions of Turkmenistan known as “the Gates of Hell”. We will drive the heart of the Karakum Desert.
Spend the morning exploring the old part of the city from soviet times. First, visit Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, dedicated to Turkmenistan’s heroes and victims of WWII, the Geokdepe Battle, and the 1948 earthquake. Explore its three captivating halls with dramatic dioramas and poignant exhibits.
Following that, we’ll take a walking tour of Ashgabat’s Soviet-era landmarks. We start at the Ashgabat Cotton Mill named after S.A. Niyazov, featuring the Clock Tower that survived 1948 earquake that completely destroyed the city. Walk up to the Turkmen State Circus built in 1979-1984, which was abolished during the reign of the first president and then reoconstructed and reopened in 2009. We continue along Magtymguly Avenue, formerly known as Mervskiy Avenue in Tsarist times and Svoboda Avenue during the Soviet era. We will visit the Russian Bazaar (now called “Gulistan”), a bustling market offering seasonal fruits, traditional crafts, and souvenirs. We’ll also explore Lenin Square, home to the city’s only surviving monument from the 1948 earthquake, before heading to Ashgabat Park, the city’s busiest amusement park. (walking tour distance – 2.5 km, about 2 hour walk including stops)
Aftter lunch, we head to Darvaza, stopping to see bubbling water and sulfur-mud craters on the way.
Note: the first 180 km (2 hours) of the road is good, but the next 80 km is bumpy road and the last 8 km is off-road.
Arriving at Darvaza, marvel at the crater before enjoying a special dinner with nomad-style kebabs. Watch the sunset over the desert as you sip traditional tea traditionally prepared in “tunche” pot.
Overnight: yurt stay, basic facilities but reasonable
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 5. Darvaza – Ashgabat (ca. 270 km, about 4 hrs drive)
Wake up to breakfast at the camp, take one last look at the mesmerizing flaming crater, and then we’ll head back to Ashgabat.
The rest of the day is your’s to relax or continue exploring the city at your leisure.
Overnight: in hotel
Meals: breakfast
Day 6. Departure
After midnight, check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your international flight. This marks the end of our journey. Safe travels!
NOTE: the domestic flights schedule is subject to possible change.
Tour price information
The cost of the tour package per person based on DBL/TWN room + breakfast:
| Group size | Hotel Option 1 | Hotel option 2 | Hotel option 3 |
| 1 pax | $1,837 | $1,909 | $1,935 |
| 2 pax | $1,216 | $1,296 | $1,380 |
| 3 pax | $1,137 | $1,216 | $1,299 |
| 4 pax | $1,049 | $1,133 | $1,210 |
| 5 pax | $1,040 | $1,120 | $1,200 |
| 6 pax | $993 | $1,073 | $1,153 |
| SGL sup. | $140 | $155 | $170 |
| H/B | $55 | $55 | $55 |
| F/B | $85 | $85 | $85 |
- Comfort A/C transportation:
- Toyota Sienna or sedan for transfers and city tours
- Buses for groups
- 4WD SUV for Darvaza trip
- Hotel accommodation + breakfast
- Accommodation in yurt in Darvaza
- Visa support (LOI)
- Water along the way
- Entrance fees to sites and museums
- Spanish/English-speaking tour guide
- Registration of tourists staying over 3 days
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary
- Domestic flight (economy class): Ashgabat – Mary
- Visa cost $55-$85 paid in cash on arrival, USD only
- Rapid covid test cost $33 upon arrival (paid by each traveler)
- Migration duty $14 p/p (paid at the border on arrival)
- Additional services in the hotel
- Tips to the guide and the driver (recommended)
- Photo and video camera fees at sites/museums
- Beverages + alcohol
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- International flights
- Travel insurance
ACCOMMODATION
| City | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 |
| Ashgabat | Sport 3* | Archabil 4* | Divan 5* |
| Mary | Margush 3* | ||
| Darvaza | Yurt stay. Basic facilities but reasonable. Capacity: up to 4 pax |
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Hotel information and pictures, see: https://ayan-turkmenistan.travel/hotel
