Description
On this 5-day group tour of Turkmenistan, you’ll have the chance to explore the ancient ruins of Merv, admire the medieval mausoleums and minarets in Kunya-Urgench, and visit Ashgabat’s unique attractions. Additionally, you’ll journey to the stunning Darvaza gas crater and experience the serene beauty of the Karakum desert. This tour is perfectly suited to combine with our Uzbekistan Group Tour or can be included as part of the broader Silk Road Group Tour, which covers five Central Asian countries and the South Caucasus region.
For those traveling solo or with a small group, we highly recommend joining our Turkmenistan Small Group Tour. Traveling as part of a group significantly enhances your chances of securing a Turkmenistan visa.
Period: from 2 April, 2025 to the end 4 October 2026
Group size: min 1-16 persons
Included in the price:
- Accommodation in double rooms with breakfast included throughout the tour
- Transportation across the tour, including transfers to and from airports and train stations
- Sightseeing tours with local English-speaking guides in each city
- Entrance fees for museums, mausoleums, and other attractions
- Economy class flight tickets for Ashgabat-Mary-Ashgabat, Dashoguz-Ashgabat
- Turkmenistan visa support letter
- Necessary camping equipment (sleeping bags, sleeping mats, pillows, dining table, and chairs)
- Camp-style dinner and breakfast at the Darvaza gas crater (on days 3-4)
- A tour leader who will accompany the travelers throughout the entire tour
Not included in the price:
- Additional hotel charges for extra services
- Consular fees for the Turkmenistan tourist visa
- Camera fees, which are charged separately by museums
- Travel insurance
- International flight tickets before and after the tour
- Full board (lunch and dinner)
- A 2 USD tax per night in Turkmenistan, to be paid directly to the hotel at checkout
- Turkmenistan migration tax of 14 USD
Accommodation:
- 3 nights in Ashgabat at a Sport Hotel
- 1 night in Darvaza
Shared yurts with the possibility of single accommodation in tents upon request
Tour itinerary
Arrival in Ashgabat
Upon arrival in Ashgabat, transfer to your hotel. Enjoy some free time. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Ashgabat – Mary – Ashgabat
In the morning, meet your group and transfer to the domestic airport for the 40-minute flight to Mary. Explore the ancient city of Merv, a key center of trade and craftsmanship along the Silk Road, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterward, return to Mary and visit the regional History Museum. In the evening, transfer to the airport for the 19:00 flight back to Ashgabat, arriving at 20:00. Transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Duration of sightseeing: 4-5 hours
Ashgabat – Darvaza Gas Crater
Begin your day early with a sightseeing tour of Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, recently recognized by the Guinness World Records for having the highest number of white marble buildings in any city globally. During the tour, you’ll visit the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Old Nisa and the Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum, one of Central Asia’s largest mosques. Explore the National Museum of History, the Monument of Neutrality, the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, the newly constructed Independence Park, and a local bazaar. The tour also includes a visit to the Akhalteke horse stables. In the afternoon, drive to the Darvaza gas crater in the Karakum Desert (280 km, 4 hours). Upon arrival, set up camp and enjoy a fire-cooked dinner near the burning crater. Overnight camping in tents.
Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench – Ashgabat
In the morning, depart from the gas crater and head to Kunya-Urgench. Explore the mausoleums of Turabek-Khanym, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmuddin-Kubra, and Sultan Ali. Visit the Kutlug Timur Minaret and Kyrk Molla Hill. Afterward, transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Ashgabat (ETD 20:10, ETA 21:00). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Ashgabat – Departure
Check out from the hotel before noon and transfer to Ashgabat International Airport. This concludes the tour.
Tour Map
Tour Gallery
Tour Prices
Price per person 1800 US$
Single supplement: US$ 150
Departures are guaranteed 100%, even if there is only one traveler.
Group size: 1-16 participants
Please be aware that the itinerary and prices may change due to alterations in airline and train schedules, currency changes, or other unforeseen circumstances.
We highly advise against purchasing airline tickets for tours in 2026 before consulting with your travel advisor.
Available tour booking dates
| From | To | Deadline | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, 2 Apr, 2025 | Sun, 6 Apr, 2025 | 11 Mar | US$ 1,800 |
| Wed, 23 Apr, 2025 | Sun, 27 Apr, 2025 | 1 Apr | US$ 1,800 |
| Wed, 21 May, 2025 | Sun, 25 May, 2025 | 29 Apr | US$ 1,800 |
| Wed, 11 Jun, 2025 | Sun, 15 Jun, 2025 | 20 May | US$ 1,800 |
| Wed, 13 Aug, 2025 | Sun, 17 Aug, 2025 | 22 Jul | US$ 1,800 |
| Wed, 27 Aug, 2025 | Sun, 31 Aug, 2025 | 5 Aug | US$ 1,800 |
| Wed, 10 Sep, 2025 | Sun, 14 Sep, 2025 | 19 Aug | US$ 1,800 |
| Wed, 1 Oct, 2025 | Sun, 5 Oct, 2025 | 9 Sep | US$ 1,800 |
| Wed, 1 Apr, 2026 | Sun, 5 Apr, 2026 | 10 Mar | US$ 1,800 |
| Wed, 22 Apr, 2026 | Sun, 26 Apr, 2026 | 31 Mar | US$ 1,800 |
| Wed, 20 May, 2026 | Sun, 24 May, 2026 | 28 Apr | US$ 1,800 |
| Wed, 10 Jun, 2026 | Sun, 14 Jun, 2026 | 19 May | US$ 1,800 |
| Wed, 12 Aug, 2026 | Sun, 16 Aug, 2026 | 21 Jul | US$ 1,800 |
| Wed, 26 Aug, 2026 | Sun, 30 Aug, 2026 | 4 Aug | US$ 1,800 |
| Wed, 9 Sep, 2026 | Sun, 13 Sep, 2026 | 18 Aug | US$ 1,800 |
| Wed, 30 Sep, 2026 | Sun, 4 Oct, 2026 | 8 Sep | US$ 1,800 |
