Route: Khiva / Shavat Border – Dashoguz – Darvaza Gas Crater – Ashgabat – Turkmenbashi – Yangykala Canyon – Balkanabat – Nokhur – Kow Ata – Ashgabat – Ancient Merv – Turkmenabat – Farap Border / Bukhara
Tour Overview
This 5-day Turkmenistan highlights transit tour from Khiva to Bukhara combines one of the country’s most complete overland routes with a wide variety of landscapes, history and cultural experiences.
Enter Turkmenistan through the Shavat Border near Khiva and travel across the Karakum Desert to the legendary Darvaza Gas Crater, where you will spend the night in a traditional Turkmen yurt beside the burning crater.
Continue to Ashgabat before taking an early morning domestic flight to Turkmenbashi on the Caspian coast. From there, explore the dramatic red and pink formations of Yangykala Canyon, one of Turkmenistan’s most spectacular natural landscapes.
The journey then continues through the Balkan region to the mountain village of Nokhur and the warm underground waters of Kow Ata.
Return to Ashgabat before travelling east along the motorway to UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv, one of the great historical cities of the Silk Road.
Your journey finishes in eastern Turkmenistan with a transfer through Turkmenabat to the Farap–Alat Border, where you can continue towards Bukhara.
Day 1: Shavat Border – Dashoguz – Darvaza Gas Crater
10:00 AM – Meet at Shavat Border
After crossing from Uzbekistan, complete passport control and migration procedures at the Shavat Border.
Meet our local guide inside the main hall of the border terminal on the Turkmen side.
The border officers will contact our team while your entry formalities are being processed, and your guide will recognise you using the photograph provided in advance.
Dashoguz Stop
Drive to nearby Dashoguz for a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, visit the local bazaar, where you can experience everyday life in northern Turkmenistan and purchase snacks, fruit or supplies for the desert journey.
Journey Through the Karakum Desert
Leave Dashoguz and travel south towards the Darvaza Gas Crater.
The distance is approximately 300 km, with a driving time of around 4 to 4.5 hours.
Some sections of the route are rough and uneven, so expect a bumpy journey through the Central Karakum Desert.
Darvaza Gas Crater
Arrive at the burning crater around sunset.
As daylight fades, the flames become increasingly visible and illuminate the surrounding desert.
BBQ Dinner at the Yurt Camp
Enjoy a traditional open-air BBQ dinner freshly prepared by our team.
After dinner, spend time beside the crater and enjoy excellent opportunities for night photography under the desert sky.
Overnight in a Traditional Yurt
Spend the night in a traditional Turkmen yurt at the desert camp near the crater.
Overnight: Yurt camp at Darvaza.
Day 2: Darvaza – Water Crater – Mud Crater – Ashgabat
Optional Sunrise at Darvaza
Wake before sunrise for an optional return to the crater edge.
The early morning light creates a completely different desert atmosphere before the flames become less visible in daylight.
Breakfast and Departure
Enjoy breakfast at the camp before beginning the journey south towards Ashgabat.
The distance is approximately 270 km, with a driving time of around 3.5 hours.
Certain sections of the desert road are rough and uneven.
Water and Mud Craters
On the way to Ashgabat, stop briefly at the unusual Water Crater and Mud Crater.
These geological formations provide an interesting contrast to the burning Darvaza crater.
Lunch in Ashgabat
Upon arrival in the capital, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Ashgabat City Tour
Spend the afternoon exploring Ashgabat, known for its impressive white-marble architecture and monumental cityscape.
The sightseeing programme can be adapted to your interests and preferred pace, combining modern landmarks, historical monuments and cultural attractions.
Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 3: Ashgabat – Turkmenbashi – Yangykala Canyon – Balkan Region
Early Morning Flight to Turkmenbashi
Check out early and transfer to the airport for a domestic flight from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi, scheduled at approximately 06:20 AM.
Upon arrival at the Caspian coast, meet your driver.
Turkmenbashi and Caspian Coast
Enjoy a brief orientation tour of Turkmenbashi, one of Turkmenistan’s main coastal cities.
See examples of historic pre-revolutionary architecture built from local Caspian limestone and stop near the distinctive Moorish-style railway station dating from 1895.
Enjoy views of the Caspian Sea before continuing inland.
Optional Awaza Visit
An excursion to the nearby Awaza Sea Resort can be arranged on request, subject to access and local conditions at the time of travel.
Lunch
Enjoy a seafood or traditional lunch at a local restaurant.
Optional Gozli Ata Pilgrimage Site
If time allows, make a short detour to Gozli Ata, one of Turkmenistan’s important pilgrimage sites.
The shrine is surrounded by striking white and pink cliffs, creating a dramatic desert setting.
Yangykala Canyon
Continue off-road towards the spectacular Yangykala Canyon, approximately 160 km from Turkmenbashi.
Explore the vast canyon plateau and its dramatic red, pink and white limestone cliffs, formed from sediments of the ancient Tethys Ocean.
Enjoy time for walking, photography and panoramic views across the surrounding desert.
Drive to the Balkan Region
After exploring Yangykala, travel south towards your hotel in the Balkan region.
The drive takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
Depending on the season and weather, dinner may be served as a packed picnic near the canyon or at your hotel after arrival.
Overnight: Hotel in Balkanabat or another suitable location in the Balkan region, subject to availability.
Day 4: Balkan Region – Nokhur – Kow Ata – Ashgabat
08:30 AM – Departure
Leave your hotel and travel east along the road running parallel to the Kopet Dag Mountains.
Nokhur Mountain Village
Take a scenic detour into the mountains to visit the distinctive village of Nokhur.
Discover the village’s local traditions, mountain environment and unusual cemetery, where many graves are decorated with ibex horns.
Meet local residents and gain an insight into life in this remote mountain community.
Traditional Lunch
Enjoy a home-style lunch with a local family or at a local restaurant.
Access to Nokhur depends on weather and road conditions. In the event of snow, heavy rain or unsuitable mountain roads, an alternative lunch and programme will be arranged along the main route.
Kow Ata Underground Lake
Continue from Nokhur towards Kow Ata, approximately one hour away.
Descend into the limestone cave to reach the naturally warm underground lake.
The mineral-rich thermal water remains at approximately 35°C throughout the year, offering an unusual opportunity for a relaxing swim inside the cave.
Return to Ashgabat
Continue approximately 100 km back to Ashgabat.
The drive takes around 1.5 hours.
Dinner
Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in the capital.
Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 5: Ashgabat – Ancient Merv – Turkmenabat – Farap Border / Bukhara
07:30 AM – Departure from Ashgabat
Leave Ashgabat in the morning and travel east along the Ashgabat–Mary High-Speed Motorway.
The distance is approximately 360 km, with a driving time of around 3.5 to 4 hours.
Lunch in the Mary Region
Upon arrival in the Mary region, enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant in Mary or Bayramaly.
Ancient Merv Guided Tour
Continue to Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological complexes along the historic Silk Road.
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
Visit the magnificent Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, a 12th-century masterpiece of Seljuk architecture.
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala
Explore the distinctive Greater Kyz Kala and Lesser Kyz Kala, famous for their corrugated mud-brick walls.
Askhabs Mausoleums and Ancient Sardoba
Visit the sacred mausoleums associated with the companions of the Prophet Muhammad.
Nearby, see the remains of medieval public baths and the historic Sardoba, an ingenious system used to store water in the desert.
Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala
Explore the ancient settlements of Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala and enjoy panoramic views across the archaeological landscape.
Please note: Ancient Merv contains many additional ruins and smaller historical monuments. Extra sites can be explored depending on available time and your interests.
Drive to Turkmenabat
After completing the Merv tour, continue northeast along the Mary–Turkmenabat High-Speed Motorway.
The distance is approximately 240 km, with a driving time of around 2.5 hours.
Farewell Dinner in Turkmenabat
Upon arrival in Turkmenabat, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant before continuing to the border.
Farap–Alat Border Crossing
Drive approximately 40 km from Turkmenabat to the Farap–Alat Border, with a journey time of around 40 minutes.
Our team will assist you with Turkmen customs and departure immigration procedures in accordance with official border regulations.
After crossing into Uzbekistan, continue your onward journey towards Bukhara.
End of Tour Services.
