Turkmenistan · UNESCO Heritage Sites

6-Day Ashgabat, Mary and Darwaza Tour with 3 UNESCO Sites

6 Days Round trip from Ashgabat Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Visit the 3 UNESCO Sites - Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, Ancient Merv & Kunya Urgench
02 Enjoy a ride on the indoor Ferris Wheel at the Alem Center
03 Marvel at the golden statue of the Neutrality Arch
04 Watch the fire bubbling inside the gas crater in Darwaza
05 Experience the culture of Turkmenistan at the bazaars in Mary and Ashgabat
06 See the beautiful Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque and the National Carpet Museum

Sign up for this tour and see the best of Ashgabat, including the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, the Monument of Ruhy Tagzym, the Neutrality Arch, and the Wedding Palace. Marvel at the unique gas crater of Darwaza, explore the National Carpet Museum, and visit Kunya Urgench in Dashoguz. You will also discover the Abiverd Settlement, the ruins of the Anau Mosque, and Ancient Merv, while experiencing local culture at the bazaars of Mary and Ashgabat.

Marvel at the unique gas crater of Darwaza, explore the National Carpet Museum, and visit Kunya Urgench in Dashoguz.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Premium

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

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

Languages Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Persian, Russian, Turkish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Ashgabat

Arrive in Ashgabat by air, either on the evening of day 1 or early morning of day 2, depending on the airline used, and transfer to the hotel.

Stay overnight.

Day 02

Ashgabat City Tour and Nisa

After breakfast, arrive at the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Take a ride on the indoor Ferris Wheel at the Alem Center.
Explore the ancient artefacts at the National History Museum of Ashgabat.
Enjoy time at the Neutrality Arch and Independence Park.
Visit the Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque.
Pay your respects at the Monument of Ruhy Tagzym for civilians who lost their lives in the 1948 earthquake.
Visit the Wedding Palace.

Stay overnight in a hotel.

Day 03

Journey to Mary via Anau and Abiverd

After breakfast, leave for Mary and visit the Anau Mosque ruins and Abiverd Settlement en route.
Arrive in Mary by lunchtime.
Transfer to Bayramaly (27 km) and visit the Ancient Merv UNESCO historical park, as well as the town center of Mary, its Russian Orthodox Church, and bustling bazaar, if time permits.

Stay overnight in the hotel.

Day 04

Flight to Ashgabat and Drive to Darwaza

Have an early breakfast at the hotel.
Take the morning flight to Ashgabat (ETD 0850h, ETA 0930h) and transfer to the city.
Shop at the Weekend Bazaar and then explore the National Carpet Museum.
Drive for 4 hours north in the afternoon to the Gas Crater of Darwaza and visit a desert village on the way.

Have a BBQ dinner and stay overnight in yurts.

Day 05

Kunya Urgench Excursion and Return to Ashgabat

Drive for 4 hours to Dashoguz for a visit to Kunya Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Take the evening flight back to Ashgabat (50 min) (ETD 2010h, ETA 2100h) and transfer to the city.

Stay overnight in the hotel.

Day 06

Departure from Ashgabat

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart on your international flight to the next destination.

Where this trip takes you

Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, Ancient Merv, Gas Crater of Darwaza

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Ashgabat 6 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Visa support (Letter of Invitation, State Registration, and Travel Pass)
Airport and train station transfers
Overland transport as per program: AC vehicles for 1-3 passengers in a regular sedan car; 4-7 passengers in a regular minibus; 1-4 passengers in a jeep
Accommodation in a twin-shared hotel room, including breakfast, in Mary at a 4-star hotel and at Ak Altyn in Ashgabat
Accommodation in yurts in Darwaza, including a sleeping mat, sleeping bag, pillow, and breakfast
Domestic airline tickets (economy seats, Boeing 737 aircraft)
Fixed meals (lunch and/or dinner) where such meals are otherwise unavailable
English-speaking local guide-interpreter services
Entrance fees to sites mentioned in the program
Bottled drinking water of 1.5L en route

What's Not Included

Turkmenistan tourist visa up to 10 days, from 85+4 USD per person, when obtained at Ashgabat Airport (subject to change and nationality-dependent)
Turkmenistan migration tax 10+4 USD per person, to be paid at Ashgabat Airport or any other point of entry into Turkmenistan territory (subject to change)
Meals not indicated in the program
Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks
Camera usage fees in historical parks and museums
Tips for local guides and drivers
Souvenirs and other personal items
All other charges and services not mentioned under "Included"

Know before you go

Supplementary ("comfort") services available for standard tours:

Fixed menu 3-course dinner in local cafes/restaurants (excluding soft/alcoholic drinks): 18 USD per dinner per person (optional)
Fixed menu 3-course lunch in local cafes/restaurants (excluding soft/alcoholic drinks): 16 USD per lunch per person (optional)

Important information for all travelers:

Carpet Museum is closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays.
National Museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Weekend Bazaar (aka Tolkuchka or Altyn Asyr Gundogar Bazaar) is best visited on Sundays, when there is an additional livestock section. From Monday to Wednesday and on Friday, this bazaar is closed, but other city bazaars are open (no photography is permitted).
Please bring only cash USD for your local expenses in Turkmenistan; no EURO and no credit cards.
Please be aware that a member of staff from our agency will need to take your original passport for several hours for registration.
Please be aware that various vehicles and drivers may be used during your tour, depending on the route section and the type of transport needed on that section.

Logistics