Turkmenistan · UNESCO Heritage Sites

7-Day Turkmenistan Heritage Tour with Darvaza Camp and UNESCO Sites

7 Days Round trip from X9JF+FC8 Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Nissa, Ancient Merv, and Ancient Kunyaurgench
  • 02 Visit the National Museum of Turkmenistan and Ashgabat's monumental city landmarks
  • 03 See the ancient fortress of Amul and the mausoleum of Astana Baba en route to Koytendag
  • 04 Discover Koytendag's natural wonders, including Kyrk Gyz Cave, dinosaur footprints, and Umbar Dere Waterfall
  • 05 Spend the night beside the blazing Darvaza Gas Crater in the Karakum Desert

Spend an unforgettable week exploring the historical sites, archaeological ruins, and national monuments of Ashgabat, Turkmenabad, and Dashoguz. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Nissa, Ancient Merv, and Ancient Kunyaurgench, along with landmarks such as the Monument of Ashgabat and Gulistan bazaar. Travel through Koytendag's natural attractions, including Umbar Dere Waterfall and the dinosaur footprint plateau. The journey also includes a memorable night at the edge of the Darvaza Gas Crater in the Karakum Desert.

The journey also includes a memorable night at the edge of the Darvaza Gas Crater in the Karakum Desert.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Budget
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Ashgabat, Dasoguz, Kunya Urgench, Turkmenabat, Kerki, Mari, Bayramali, Karakum Desert, Darvaza
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Ashgabat City Tour and Historic Landmarks

  • Meet the group at the International Airport of Ashgabat.

  • Transfer to the hotel and have breakfast.

  • Set off on a city tour with your Turkmen tour guide, visiting places of interest:

    • National Museum of Turkmenistan

    • State Historical Reserve "Nissa" (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

    • International Equestrian Complex

  • Have lunch and then continue the tour:

    • Park of Independence

    • Arch of Neutrality

    • Monument of Ashgabat

    • Indoor Ferris Wheel "Alem"

    • "Gulistan bazaar", also known as the "Russian bazaar"

  • Drive back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

2
Day 02

Flight to Turkmenabad and Journey to Koytendag

  • Transfer to the airport after breakfast to catch the flight to Turkmenabad.

  • Meet your Turkmenabad tour guide at the airport.

  • Visit the ancient fortress "Amul".

  • Drive to Koytendag (6-7 hours). On the way, visit the mausoleum of Astana Baba and have lunch in Kerki.

  • Arrive at the touristic base of "Koytendag" in Koyten village.

  • Transfer to the guest accommodation and enjoy some time on your own.

Dinner and overnight stay at the touristic base.

3
Day 03

Koytendag Natural Wonders

  • Have breakfast and then visit the local natural places of interest:

    • Gorge and cave Kyrk Gyz

    • Plateau of Dinosaurs (the biggest place of dinosaur footprints)

    • Umbar Dere Waterfall

  • Have lunch and spend some time on your own.

Dinner and overnight stay at the touristic base.

4
Day 04

Return to Turkmenabad and Drive to Mary

  • After breakfast, drive back to Turkmenabad.

  • Have lunch and proceed to Mary (280 km, 3-3.5 hours).

  • Arrive at the hotel accommodation for an overnight stay.

5
Day 05

Ancient Merv Excursion and Transfer to Ashgabat

  • Visit the Museum of Ethnography of Mary Region.

  • Drive to Bayramali (30 km).

  • Tour the State Historical Reserve "Ancient Merv" - the "Queen of the World," which was one of the important capitals of Islam alongside Bagdad, Cairo, and Damask.

  • Drive back to Mary.

  • Transfer to Ashgabat (350 km). On the way, make short stops in Abiverd to see the ruins of the Seyidjemalettin Mosque.

  • Move to the hotel accommodation for an overnight stay.

6
Day 06

Dashoguz, Ancient Kunyaurgench, and Darvaza Camp

  • After breakfast, transfer to the airport and catch the flight to Dashoguz.

  • Upon arrival, drive to Kunyaurgench (105 km).

  • Visit the State Historical Reserve "Ancient Kunyaurgench" - a huge complex with ruins and monuments in modern Kunyaurgench. Famous scientists such as Ali Biruni and Avicenna worked here. The city fought back against the army of Genghis Khan, but from that period only a couple of architectural monuments and buildings remained. Still, several significant parts of the monuments have been explored and studied. This place is still holy for Muslims.

  • Drive to Darvaza. The Gas Crater at Darvaza is located in the middle of the Karakum Desert, and it is a huge burning hole with flames. The light of the flames can be seen many kilometres away. Explore the place.

  • Dinner (barbecue) and overnight stay at a tented camp.

7
Day 07

Return to Ashgabat and Departure

  • Drive to Ashgabat (250 km).

  • Transfer to the International Airport of Ashgabat.

End of the tour.

Nissa, Ancient Merv, Ancient Kunyaurgench, Darvaza Gas Crater

Where this trip takes you

Nissa, Ancient Merv, Ancient Kunyaurgench, Darvaza Gas Crater

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from X9JF+FC8 9 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Invitation

  • Registration

  • International flights (Ashgabat - Kuala-Lumpur)

  • Domestic flights

  • Accommodation (twin or double)

  • Camping tents with sleeping bags

  • Turkmen guide

  • Comfortable transport

  • Meals (FB) during the whole route

  • Entrance fees

  • All transfers

  • Daily 1.5 lt water

  • Fees for using cameras at monuments

  • Insurance

What's Not Included

  • Visa fee

  • Migration tax (12$ + 2$)

Know before you go

  • Merv was most prosperous during the 11th-12th centuries, when it was the capital of the Great Seljuk Empire. The empire stretched from the Amu Darya River to the Mediterranean Sea. Seljuk Merv occupied more than 640 hectares and was one of the most prosperous cities of that period. It attracted scientists and traders from across the Islamic world. However, Merv could not resist the Mongol assaults in 1221 and was destroyed along with its marvellous monuments and invaluable libraries. The ruins of Ancient Merv spread across more than 70 sq m, far beyond the first city district.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
X9JF+FC8, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Tour start
X9JF+FC8, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 7 days finish where they began, in X9JF+FC8.

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Starting from

USD 1,210 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,210.00 — $1,322.00
Double Sharing $1,210.00 — $1,322.00

When

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