Crossing the River Gate
Overview: Combined Uzbekistan + Turkmenistan tour.
Duration: 6 days/ 5 nights
Route: Buhara/Farap – Mary – Ashgabat – Darvaza – Kunya Urgench – Dashoguz/Khiva
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Buhara/Farap – Mary
Meet your guide at Farap border and complete arrival formalities. Drive to Bayramali (240 km, approximately 4 hour drive) to visit Ancient Merv. Highlights of the tour:
- Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum (the last Sultan of the Great Seljuk Empire)
- Erk gala (was founded in the 6th century BCE)
- Great and Small Gyz kala (7th-12th centuries), known as “Ladies Fortress”
After the tour we drive to Mary for overnight (30 km, 30 minute drive).
Overnight in Margush or Mary hotel.
Day 2: Mary – Ashgbat (flight)
Morning flight to Ashgabat. Highlights of the day:
- Tolkuchka bazaar, a very famous Sunday market where people come from all corners of Turkmenistan for trade (THUR, SAT, SUN).
Return to Ashgabat for hotel check-in and 1-2 hour of leisure.
PM we will explore Ashgabat, translated from Persian as “the City of Love”. Highlights of the tour:
- “Bagt Koshgi” the Wedding Palace platform on the hill with panoramic view of the city
- Monument of Neutrality and Independence Monument
- Monument to the giant book of Ruhnama
Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 3: Ashgabat – Gokdepe – Ashgabat
Morning drive to Bagir village (15 km). Highlights of the day:
- The ruins of Old Nisa Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The earliest of Parthian Empire capitals (III c. BC – III c. AD)
- National Museum of History
- Arkadash stud farm where you will have a chance to see, feed and ride the unique breed of Turkmen Ahal-Teke horses
Overnight in Ashgabat
Day 4: Ashgabat – Bokurdak – Darvaza
Later morning check out and drive to Darvaza gas crater (270 km, 4 hours), internationally known as “Door to Hell”. En route stop at Bokurdak village to see the lifestyle of local semi-nomadic families. On the way to Darvaza we will also see “bubbling water” and “bubbling sulfur-mud” craters. Exploration of the site, dinner and overnight in tents/yurts.
Overnight in tents, wild camping.
Day 5: Darvaza – Kunya Urgench – Dashoguz
Breakfast at camp and drive 6 hours to Kunya Urgench. Be prepared for the road challenge for the next few hours. The road from Kunya Urgench to Darvaza is quite damaged but our experienced drivers have strong wheels to handle it.
Kunya Urgench (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – once a glorious capital of the medieval Khorezshah Empire, the biggest Muslim empire of the late 12 and early 13 centuries. Highlights of the day:
- 14-century mausoleum of Turabek Hanum, one of the best examples of the architecture of its period
- Minaret of Kutlug Timur
- Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh
- Najmeddin Kubra and Piryar Wali shrines
- Drive to Dashoguz (2 hrs) and hotel check-in
Overnight in Dashoguz hotel.
Day 6: Dashoguz – Shavat/Derparture
Breakfast and transfer to Shavat the border. Complete border crossing formalities. End of services.
Tour price information
Tour price per 1 pax on the bases of TWN/DBL room accommodation + breakfast.
- 2 pax – $1,395
- 3 pax – $1,230
- 4 pax – $1,090
- 5 pax – $990
- Comfort A/C transportation
- Accommodation 3*
- Visa support (LOI – Letter of Invitation)
- Water along the way
- Entrance fees to sites
- Tour-guide
- Dinner and breakfast in Darvaza
- Visa cost/migration services $50-$100 paid in cash on arrival
- PCR test cost $33 upon arrival
- 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
- H/B or F/B meals