7-day tour of Turkmenistan: Merv, Ashgabat, Darvaza and Kunya-Urgench
The “Crossing the River Gates” tour is an in-depth route through Turkmenistan for travellers coming from Uzbekistan who want to see the country’s main historical, cultural and natural sites in a single trip. The programme begins at the Alat/Farap border crossing on the Bukhara side and ends at the Dashoguz/Shavat crossing with a convenient exit towards Khiva.
Over 7 days you will see Ancient Merv, white-marble Ashgabat, the ruins of Nisa, Akhal-Teke horses, the Karakum desert, the Darvaza gas crater with an overnight stay in a yurt and historic Kunya-Urgench. This is one of the best routes for a first introduction to Turkmenistan.
The Golden Route of Turkmenistan in 7 days
This tour connects the ancient cities of the Great Silk Road, the modern capital of Turkmenistan, and one of the most unusual natural locations in Central Asia — the Darvaza gas crater. The route is well suited for tourists who want to cross Turkmenistan between Bukhara and Khiva without being limited to a short transit.
What you will see on this tour
The program is designed to show Turkmenistan from different sides: ancient civilizations, Islamic architecture, Soviet heritage, modern Ashgabat, the Karakum desert and the country’s living culture.
Ancient Merv
One of the most important cities of the Great Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage site with fortresses, mausoleums and ancient settlements.
Ashgabat and Nisa
The white marble capital of Turkmenistan, museums, monuments, modern avenues and the ruins of Nisa — the former capital of the Parthian Empire.
Akhal-Teke horses
A visit to the equestrian complex in Geokdepe, where you can see the famous Akhal-Teke horses — one of the prides of Turkmenistan.
Darvaza — the Gates of Hell
A trip to the Karakum desert, sunset at the gas crater, dinner in the desert and an overnight stay in a traditional yurt camp.
Kunya-Urgench
Historical monuments of Khorezm: the Kutlug-Timur minaret, mausoleums, shrines and ancient architecture with a strong atmosphere of the East.
Departure to Khiva
Completion of the route in the north of Turkmenistan with departure through the Dashoguz/Shavat crossing towards Khiva.
The history of the route: from the Amu Darya to the Karakum desert
The route passes through territories where caravan roads, trade routes, cultures and states have intersected for centuries. The Amu Darya was an important natural border and at the same time a lifeline for the oasis cities, while Merv and Kunya-Urgench were major centers of trade, science and Islamic culture.
Today this route allows you to see Turkmenistan not only as a desert country but also as a land of ancient civilizations. The tour begins at the eastern border, passes through Mary and ancient Merv, then leads to Ashgabat, after which the route heads into the Karakum to Darvaza and ends at the historic Kunya-Urgench.
Day-by-day itinerary
Below is the basic tour programme. The route, hotels, meals and additional stops can be adapted to the dates, the composition of the group and the format of the trip.
Border crossing Alat/Farap — Mary
Arrival at the Farap border crossing from the Uzbek side. After passing entry formalities — meeting, transfer to Turkmenabat and onward travel to the city of Mary. In the evening, hotel accommodation and rest after the road.
Mary — Ancient Merv — Ashgabat
After breakfast, a trip to Bayramaly and a visit to the Historical Park of Ancient Merv. The program includes ancient settlements, fortresses, the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Gyz-Kala and other monuments. After the tour — lunch in a guest house with elements of Turkmen culture and a transfer to Ashgabat through the Karakum.
Ashgabat — Nisa — Geokdepe — Ashgabat
An introduction to the country’s history at a museum, a visit to the ruins of Old Nisa — the former capital of the Parthian Empire. After lunch, a trip to Geokdepe: Akhal-Teke horses, historical sites and a mosque. On the way — a visit to the complex in Kipchak.
Ashgabat — the white marble capital of Turkmenistan
A sightseeing tour of Ashgabat: wide avenues, monuments, modern buildings, the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, panoramic views of the city, Independence Park and other landmarks of the capital.
Ashgabat — Karakum Desert — Darvaza
In the morning, a walk through the old part of Ashgabat and a visit to the Russian Bazaar. After lunch, a transfer to the heart of the Karakum Desert to the Darvaza gas crater. On the way, stops are possible in Erbent and on the desert sections of the route. In the evening, accommodation at the yurt camp, dinner and a visit to the “Gates of Hell” crater.
Darvaza — Kunya-Urgench — Dashoguz
After breakfast at the camp, departure to Kunya-Urgench. On arrival — a tour of historical monuments: the Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum, the Kutlug-Timur Minaret, the Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Kyrk-Molla, the Il-Arslan Mausoleum and the shrines of Najm ad-Din al-Kubra. Then — a transfer to Dashoguz and hotel check-in.
Dashoguz — Shavat border crossing — Khiva
After breakfast, a transfer to the Turkmen-Uzbek border Dashoguz/Shavat. End of the program and onward departure toward Khiva.
Darvaza and a transfer through the Karakum
One of the brightest days of the programme is the trip from Ashgabat to the Karakum desert to the Darvaza gas crater. The route runs along asphalt roads and a section of desert off-road, so for safety and comfort suitable vehicles are used, including 4×4 on the desert section.
The best time to visit Darvaza is the evening. During the day tourists see the desert landscape, and after sunset the crater becomes especially impressive: the fire stands out brightly against the darkness, surrounded by the silence of the desert and the night sky.
- Transfer from Ashgabat to Darvaza
- Stops along the route through the Karakum
- Comfortable transport with a driver
- Accommodation in a yurt camp
- Dinner and an evening at the gas crater
What the organization of the tour includes
We can arrange a turnkey trip: from preparing the route and visa support to transport, accommodation, a guide and support throughout the program.
Accommodation along the route
Accommodation is selected according to the tour category and availability. In Ashgabat you can choose 3*, 4*, 5* or 5*+ hotels, while near Darvaza the program includes an overnight stay in a yurt camp.
Basic accommodation
- Mary — hotel 3*
- Ashgabat — 3* or 4* hotel
- Darvaza — yurt camp
- Dashoguz — 3* hotel
Enhanced comfort
- Ashgabat — 5* or 5*+ hotel
- Private transport
- VIP support along the route
- Flexible program to fit the client’s dates
Important information on the visa and entry
For most foreign tourists, a trip to Turkmenistan requires a visa and a letter of invitation. We help prepare the route, arrange a tourist invitation and explain the entry procedure through an airport or a border crossing.
Letter of invitation
An LOI usually requires a confirmed route, an application form, a copy of the passport and a passport-style photograph.
Visa on arrival
If you have an invitation, you can obtain a visa on arrival at the airport or at the border, if this is suitable for your citizenship and route.
Border formalities
At the border there may be a visa stamp, a declaration, customs inspection and medical requirements that are current on the date of travel.
FAQ — questions about the 7-day tour
We briefly answer the most frequent questions about the route Alat/Farap — Mary — Ashgabat — Darvaza — Kunya-Urgench — Dashoguz/Shavat.
We will select a 7-day route across Turkmenistan for your dates
Write to us about how many people are planning to travel, the travel dates, the point of entry and exit. We will prepare a programme, accommodation options and the terms of organising the tour.
