About This Bukhara to Khiva via Turkmenistan Tour
This 3-day Bukhara to Khiva via Turkmenistan tour offers an efficient overland route across the country while combining several of Turkmenistan’s most important cultural and natural highlights.
Starting at the Farap Border from Bukhara, the journey continues to UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv before an overnight sleeper train from Mary to Ashgabat. From the capital, travel north through the Karakum Desert, visit the Water and Mud craters and spend the night near the glowing Darvaza Gas Crater.
On the final day, continue across the desert to Kunya-Urgench, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, before exiting Turkmenistan towards Khiva via Shavat or Nukus via Khojeili.
This route is particularly suitable for travellers crossing Central Asia overland who want to combine Bukhara, Turkmenistan and western Uzbekistan within one continuous journey.
Route
Bukhara / Farap Border → Ancient Merv → Mary → Overnight Train → Ashgabat → Darvaza Gas Crater → Kunya-Urgench → Shavat Border (Khiva) / Khojeili Border (Nukus)
Tour Highlights
- Cross from Bukhara into Turkmenistan through the Farap Border
- Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ancient Merv
- Travel overnight from Mary to Ashgabat by sleeper train
- Discover the white-marble landmarks of Ashgabat
- Cross the Karakum Desert and visit the Water and Mud craters
- Watch the evening glow of the Darvaza Gas Crater
- Spend the night in a traditional Turkmen yurt or comfortable tent
- Visit UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench
- Continue to Khiva via Shavat or Nukus via Khojeili
Day 1 – Farap Border, Ancient Merv and Overnight Train to Ashgabat
Farap Border Meeting
At approximately 09:00, meet our local guide inside the main hall of the Farap Border Control Terminal on the Turkmen side.
While you complete immigration and passport procedures, the border officers will contact our team. Your guide will then enter the terminal and meet you directly using your photograph for identification.
Transfer from Farap to Ancient Merv
After completing the border formalities, depart the terminal and travel southwest through the Karakum Desert region towards the Merv oasis.
The journey covers approximately 380 km and takes around 3.5–4 hours.
Lunch in Mary
Stop in Mary for a traditional local lunch before continuing to the archaeological site.
Guided Tour of Ancient Merv
Explore Ancient Merv, one of the most important historical cities along the Silk Road and today a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological park.
During the visit, discover:
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
Visit this remarkable 12th-century Seljuk monument, recognised for its monumental architecture and double-dome structure.
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala
Explore the distinctive corrugated mud-brick fortresses dating from the 7th to 12th centuries.
Askhabs Mausoleums and Ancient Sardoba
See the historic mausoleum complex and an ancient desert water-storage structure.
Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala
Discover the remains of the enormous ancient citadels overlooking the wider archaeological landscape of Merv.
Additional minor historical sites within the park may also be visited on request, depending on the available time.
Mary City Drive and Dinner
Return to Mary for a brief orientation drive through the city centre.
In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight Train from Mary to Ashgabat
Transfer to Mary Railway Station and board the overnight sleeper train to Ashgabat.
Departure: 23:20
Spend the night aboard the train in a comfortable 4-berth compartment.
Overnight: Overnight train from Mary to Ashgabat.
Day 2 – Ashgabat, Karakum Desert and Darvaza Gas Crater
Arrival in Ashgabat
Arrive at Ashgabat Railway Station at 08:05.
Meet your private driver at the platform and transfer for breakfast.
Ashgabat City Highlights
Begin the morning with a private tour of Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan and a city widely known for its striking white-marble architecture.
The programme is flexible and can combine the city’s modern monuments with sites connected to Turkmenistan’s wider Silk Road history.
Lunch in Ashgabat
Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant before leaving the capital.
Drive into the Karakum Desert
In the afternoon, depart Ashgabat and travel north into the Karakum Desert.
The journey to the Darvaza area covers approximately 270 km and takes around 3.5 hours.
Please note that some sections of the road are rough and uneven, so parts of the journey may be bumpy.
Water Crater and Mud Crater
On the way through the desert, stop briefly at the Water Crater and Mud Crater.
These stops offer an opportunity to see unusual geological features of the Karakum Desert before continuing towards Darvaza.
Darvaza Gas Crater
Arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the Door to Hell, towards the evening.
Watch the desert landscape change around sunset as the flames become increasingly visible against the darkening surroundings.
BBQ Dinner and Desert Evening
Enjoy a traditional open-air BBQ dinner prepared by our team at the campsite.
After nightfall, return to the crater area for views and photography beneath the desert sky.
Overnight Near Darvaza
Stay overnight in a traditional Turkmen yurt or comfortable tent campsite near the crater.
Overnight: Darvaza Gas Crater camp.
Day 3 – Darvaza, Kunya-Urgench and Border Transfer to Khiva or Nukus
Optional Darvaza Sunrise
Travellers who wish to wake early can make an optional pre-dawn visit to the crater.
See the remaining glow of the flames as morning light gradually spreads across the Karakum Desert.
Breakfast and Drive to Kunya-Urgench
Return to the camp for breakfast before beginning the journey north towards Kunya-Urgench.
The drive covers approximately 390 km and takes around 5.5 hours.
Some sections of the desert road are rough and uneven, so the journey can be bumpy in places.
Kunya-Urgench was once an important capital of the Khorezm Empire and is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kunya-Urgench Historical Tour
Explore the main monuments of the archaeological park.
Kutlug-Timur Minaret
See the towering medieval minaret, one of the most recognisable monuments of Kunya-Urgench.
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum
Visit the historic mausoleum known for its elaborate geometric ceiling decoration.
Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan
Discover two important medieval monuments distinguished by their characteristic conical domes.
Caravanserai Gate
See a surviving reminder of the historic Silk Road trading routes that once crossed the region.
Lunch in Kunya-Urgench
Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the border.
Continue to Khiva or Nukus
The final border transfer can be selected according to your onward journey in Uzbekistan.
Option A – Shavat Border for Khiva or Urgench
Travel south via Dashoguz to the Shavat Border Crossing.
The journey is approximately 130 km and takes around 2 hours.
This option is suitable for travellers continuing towards Khiva or Urgench.
Option B – Khojeili Border for Nukus or Muynak
Travel north to the nearby Khojeili–Kunya-Urgench Border Crossing.
The journey is approximately 35 km and takes around 45 minutes.
This option is suitable for travellers continuing towards Nukus or Muynak.
Border Formalities and Departure
Arrive at your selected border terminal.
Our team will escort and assist you with the Turkmen customs and departure immigration procedures in accordance with official border regulations.
End of Tour Services
