Turkmenistan · Geological Wonders

6-Day Turkmenistan Tour with Darvaza Crater and Ancient Merv

6 Days Round trip from Ашхабад Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Witness the fiery spectacle of the Darvaza Gas Crater in the Karakum Desert
02 Explore Ashgabat's white-marble landmarks and UNESCO-listed Old Nisa fortress
03 Shop at the vibrant Altyn Asyr Bazaar, one of the largest markets in Turkmenistan
04 Swim in the healing waters of the underground Kow-Ata lake
05 Visit a private Akhal-Teke horse farm in Gökdepe with a horse show and tea party
06 Discover the UNESCO World Heritage fortresses of ancient Old Merv

Experience Turkmenistan's rich history and natural wonders on a 6-day journey through Ashgabat, Darvaza, Nohur, and Mary. Explore Ashgabat's white-marble landmarks and UNESCO-listed Old Nisa, shop at the vibrant Altyn Asyr Bazaar, and witness the spectacular Darvaza Gas Crater in the Karakum Desert. The tour also includes the healing waters of Kow-Ata, rural life in the Kopet-dag mountains, a visit to a private Akhal-Teke horse farm, and the ancient UNESCO World Heritage fortresses of Old Merv.

Only in the dark is the full beauty of this phenomenon revealed.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Ashgabat, Mari, Darvaza

Languages Azerbaijani, English, Russian, Turkish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrive in Ashgabat International Airport

Landing in Ashgabat International Airport. Obtaining a visa at the Airport and paying in cash in American dollars there
After receiving your visa at the Airport, you will take the COVID test there (at the Airport), which costs $35$. Pay in cash in American dollars. Claim baggage. Be prepared that all these procedures will take you about 2 hours. The tour guide will meet you with the ASMAN TRAVEL signboard in the meeting area.
Transfer to the Sport (4*)hotel, check-in, and short rest. The Ashgabat City Tour starts with the historical monument, the “Old Nisa” fortress, the capital of the Parthians—empire (since 2007, under the protection of UNESCO). The tour with a professional guide is one hour long after excursions in Old Nisa fortress, a sightseeing tour of Ashgabat, a «Health” trail in the mountains, a monument to Neutrality and a monument to Independence, a Ferris wheel, Wedding palace, TV tower and other attractions of the city. The whole city is dressed in expensive white marble.
Visit the State Museum of History
20:00 – Evening visit to one of the city's shopping and entertainment centres – Berkarar, Arkach etc.
23:00 - on the way to the hotel, a trip through the city at night to see the colour illumination. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02

Ashgabat to Darwaza

08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 – Visit Turkmen Carpet Museum.
11:00 – Visit Turkmenbashy Ruhy mausoleum and mosque.
13:00—Drive to the oriental (and exotic) bazaar “Altyn Asyr” to shop and buy souvenirs.
If you're looking for a truly authentic shopping experience in Ashgabat, look no further than Altyn Asyr Bazaar. Located in the outskirts of the city, this bustling market is the largest in Turkmenistan and the fifth-largest in Central Asia. With its vibrant atmosphere, historical significance, and unique architectural features, Altyn Asyr Bazaar is a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike. The market is particularly busy selling a large number of goods including handicrafts, jewelry, animals, food, and other products.
In addition, you can buy traditional Turkmen clothes. Local ateliers create unique men's and women's clothing in a single copy, which has no analogues.
15:00 – Trip to Darvaza – Gas Crater, a huge flaming crater located 270 km (5 hours) north of Ashgabat. On the way to Darwaza, visit the village of Erbent or Bahardok to observe the rural life of Turkmen people. The word "oasis" becomes less and less appropriate as the village is taken over by the sands of the Karakum Desert. Soon, it will be swallowed whole. Continue with moving to the Water, Clay, and Gas Crater.
In the evening, enjoy the spectacular and fascinating view of the Gas Crater. Visit the Gas Crater. In order to truly enjoy this end of the world, it is best to arrive at the Gate before the sunset. Only in the dark is the full beauty of this phenomenon revealed. Powerful gas exhausts at various intervals emit huge tongues of red-blue flame, several meters upward, creating the illusion of something unreal, otherworldly. People have always been attracted by the light of fire and everything unusual, but this action gives rise to new feelings of something supernatural.
Staying in a camp with tasty catering—dinner at a picnic style—is the perfect way to enjoy this highlight.
Observe the fantastic view of the crater during daylight and at night, feel the heat, and listen to the sound that this giant oven creates.
Overnight at the camp.

Day 03

Darvaza to Ashgabat

06:00 – Breakfast at the camp.
07:00 – Return to Ashgabat (4 hours).
11:00 – Arrival in Ashgabat.
11:00 - 14:00 – Drive to Gökdepe to visit a private Akhal-Teke horse farm. Watch a short horse show, have a tea party, and take photos and videos.
16:00 – Excursion to the Arkadag city.
18:00 – Return to Ashgabat, passing through Gypjak Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque and mausoleum.
20:00 – Evening tour of Ashgabat, visit the night illumination and one of the shopping and entertainment centres.
23:00 – Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04

Ashgabat – Kow-Ata – Nokhur – Ashgabat

08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 – Drive to the underground lake “Kow-Ata” (90 km west of Ashgabat - 1.5 hours). In the depths, 60 meters from the entrance to the cave of Kopetdag mountains, there is a lake with healing water that emits warm steam. Swimming in this water has a beneficial effect on the body and can help cure many diseases.
12:00 – Drive to Nohur, a mountain village (90 km from the cave - 1.5 hours).
High in the Kopet-dag mountains, the village of Nohur and neighbouring towns are located on the steep sides of the mountain valleys and are different from other Turkmenistan regions. Surrounded by mountains, the village provides a unique opportunity to walk in nature and discover a deep rural lifestyle. Explore the place.
17:00 – Return to Ashgabat.
20:00—Evening visit to one of the city's shopping and entertainment centres, such as Berkarar or Arkach.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05

Ashgabat to Mary – Ashgabat

08.00 – Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit the historical monuments of the Old Merv fortresses (UNESCO WORLD HERİTAGE). Guided tour: Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, İbn Zeid Mausoleum etc.
Visit the State Museum of history and ethnography of Mary province and Mary city regional mosque.
Return to Ashgabat by car on the highway.
23.00 – Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06