Arrival at Shavat/Dashoguz border. After exiting Uzbekistan border use the shuttle transfer to get to Turkmenistan border. Meet your guide and complete arrival formalities (visa stamp, declaration form, customs, and PCR test). We get on our 4×4 SUVs and transfer to the Dashoguz for lunch.

After lunch we start our journey to the center of Karakum Desert to see the Darvaza gas crater, also known as “Gates of Hell” on the internet.

The road from Dashoguz till Darvaza is quite damaged, so be prepared for a road challenge.

With few short stops to stretch our legs and to take pictures of roaming camels in the desert we reach Darvaza before the sunset. Exploration of the site while nomad-style kebabs are being prepared for the dinner. Dinner at the sunset.

Overnight in tents or yurt (on availibility).

After breakfast at the camp we bid farewell to the flaming crater and head south to Ashgabat. En route make short sightseeing stops at Yerbent desert village to see the lifestyle of local semi-nomadic families and we will also see “bubbling water” and “bubbling sulfur-mud” craters.

Arrive in Ashgabat and hotel check-in. Free time until late afternoon.

After lunch we drive to one of the oldest parts of the city where we begin our walking tour starting at Ashgabat Park along Magtymguly Avenue. Magtymguly avenue is the oldest and main avenue in Ashgabat, crossing the city from northwest to southeast. Historically, it was called Mervskiy Avenue that ran through the entire city and then merged with the road leading to Merv/Mary. During USSR it was called Svoboda Avenue. Our professional tour guides will give you an insight of how the city was formed on one of the main streets now named after a Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly. We will take a walk to Magtymguly Square to see the monument which was erected in 1971 surrounded by the first fountains of the city. Continue to the Lenin Square passing by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Monument of Lenin is the only monument that stood the 1948 earthquake that completely destroyed the city. Continue to the “Russian Bazaar” (now known as “Gulistan”), one of the main bazaars of the city since Soviet times and city’s popular landmark. In this bazaar you can shop for dry fruits, sweetest fruits from the fields of Turkmenistan, melons and watermelons that the country is famous for. Also, here you can find nice souvenirs, traditional embroideries and Turkmen carpets. Right across the street through the tunnel we walk up to the monument of Ahal-Teke Horses, not too far from the president’s palace and the parliament. Duration of the walking tour – 3 hours.

Overnight in Ashgabat.

Breakfast at the hotel. We will spend the morning exploring modern part of Ashgabat and see landmarks from Independence period. But before the city tour we will visit the State Museum of History and Ethnography where you can take a close look at exclusive ancient artifacts and treasuries from different historical and archaeological sites of Turkmenistan.

Proceed to a city tour. Ashgabat is a city known for its striking white marble architecture and modern amenities. It offers a unique blend of cultural richness and contemporary comfort, making it an intriguing destination for tourists. The city features lush parks, vibrant markets, and a range of museums that showcase Turkmenistan’s history and traditions. With its clean, well-planned streets and welcoming atmosphere. The name of the city is translated from Persian as “the City of Love” and you will see why during this part of the tour. Our first stop will be the Park of Independence and its monuments. Continue to the Monument of Gigantic Book “Ruhnama” (translated from Turkmen as “the book of soul”, written by the first president of Turkmenistan). We will make a very short stop for pictures at the Monument of Constitution and Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center. Passing by all the ministry buildings we reach the 60-meter high Magtymguly Monument erected at the foothills of Kopetdag Mountains.

We end our tour by visiting one of the main highlights of Ashgabat city “the Monument of Neturality” with a 12-meter high golden statue of the first president of Turkmenistan on top of it.

After lunch transfer to Gaudan/Bajigiran border. Our guide will help you to go through border-crossing formalities. End of services!

Tour price information

Price per 1 pax in DBL/TWN + breakfast:

• 2 pax $590
• 3 pax $570
• 4 pax $495
• 5 pax $455

Single supplement: $30

Meals: expect to spend around $8-$12 per meal at local restaurants