Turkmenistan · UNESCO Heritage Sites

4-Day History Tour in Turkmenistan with Darvaza and Ancient Merv

4 Days Round trip from Dashoguz Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Visit the Karakum Desert and see the State Historical Reserve of Ancient Kunyaurgench
02 Proceed to the Darvaza Gas Crater and marvel at its ever-burning flames
03 Enjoy the rural experience of Yerbent village and explore the bazaars of Ashgabat
04 Walk through magnificent museums and catch a glimpse of the famous Amul Fortress

Set out on an amazing journey through the Karakum Desert and the beautiful cities of antiquity and modernity in Turkmenistan. Visit some of the country's best landmarks, including Ancient Kunyaurgench, the Darvaza Gas Crater, Gulistan Bazar, and Yerbent village, a testament to the former nomadic life of Turkmen tribes. Explore the National Museum of Turkmenistan, the Museum of Ethnography of Mary Region, and other remarkable sites with your expert tour guide on this 4-day adventure.

Set out on an amazing journey through the Karakum Desert and the beautiful cities of antiquity and modernity in Turkmenistan.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Ashgabat, Dasoguz, Kunya Urgench, Turkmenabat, Mari, Bayramali, Darvaza

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Dashoguz, Kunya Urgench and Darvaza Gas Crater

Meet your Turkmenistan tour guide at the Dashoguz border after passing customs and migration control.
Have lunch in a local cafe.
Drive to Kunya Urgench (105 km) and visit the State Historical Reserve of Ancient Kunyaurgench, a huge complex with ruins and monuments in modern Kunya Urgench. Famous scientists such as Ali Biruni and Avicenna worked here, and this city fought back against the army of Genghis Khan.
Transfer to the Darvaza Gas Crater (250 km, 5-6 hours), located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. It is a huge burning hole with long flames, and the light of the flames is visible many kilometres away.

Dinner (barbecue) and overnight at a tent camp.

Day 02

Darvaza to Ashgabat via Yerbent Village

Have breakfast and drive to Ashgabat (250 km). On the way, stop at Yerbent village, a very colourful and vivid example of the former nomadic life of Turkmen tribes.
Check in at the hotel and have lunch.
Later, visit places of interest such as the National Museum of Turkmenistan, the State Historical Reserve of Nissa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Memorial Complex in Kypchak village.
Also explore parks and squares, as well as Gulistan Bazar, also known as the Russian Bazar.
Have dinner and return to the hotel.

Day 03

Ashgabat to Mary and Ancient Merv

Transfer to the airport and take a flight to Mary.
Have breakfast and drive to Bayramali (30 km). Tour the State Historical Reserve of Ancient Merv - the "Queen of the World" - which was one of the important capitals of Islam alongside Bagdad, Cairo, and Damask. Merv was most prosperous during the 11th-12th centuries, when it was the capital of the Great Seljuk Empire. This empire stretched from the Amudarya River to the Mediterranean Sea.
Drive back to Mary and have lunch.
Visit the Museum of Ethnography of Mary Region.
Reach your hotel accommodation.
Enjoy dinner with a folk show.

Day 04

Mary, Turkmenabat and Farap Border

Have breakfast and drive to Turkmenabat (280 km, 4 hours) with your Turkmenistan tour guide.
Visit the ancient fortress of Amul.
Have lunch and drive to the Farap border (45 km) across the Amu Darya River.
Pass customs and migration control - end of the tour.