About This 5-Day Bukhara to Ashgabat Tour
This 5-day Turkmenistan tour from Bukhara to Ashgabat via Merv and Darvaza is an ideal continuation of a Central Asian Silk Road journey.
Enter Turkmenistan through the Farap border from Bukhara and begin with a cultural introduction to Turkmenabat. Continue to Mary and explore UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv, one of the great historical cities of the Silk Road.
The journey then leads to Ashgabat, where you will discover the capital’s distinctive white-marble architecture before travelling north into the Karakum Desert for an unforgettable night beside the Darvaza Gas Crater.
After sunrise in the desert, return to Ashgabat for further sightseeing and a final overnight stay. On the last day, enjoy a flexible programme in the capital before transferring to Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) for your departure.
This route is well suited to travellers arriving from Bukhara who want to combine Turkmenabat, Ancient Merv, Ashgabat and Darvaza before flying out of Turkmenistan.
Tour Route
Bukhara → Farap Border → Turkmenabat → Mary → Ancient Merv → Turkmen Ojagy → Mary → Ashgabat → Water Crater → Mud Crater → Darvaza Gas Crater → Ashgabat → Ashgabat International Airport (ASB)
Tour Highlights
- Enter Turkmenistan through the Farap border from Bukhara
- Explore Turkmenabat and Amul Fortress
- Visit the Lebap Regional History Museum
- Experience local life at the Green Bazaar
- Travel to Mary along the modern highway
- Discover UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv
- Visit the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
- Explore Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala
- See the Askhabs Mausoleums, Sardoba, Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala
- Experience traditional Turkmen culture at Turkmen Ojagy
- Meet Alabay dogs and Bactrian camels
- Try traditional Turkmen clothing
- Take part in a traditional bread-baking experience
- Visit the Mary State History Museum
- See the Pokrovskaya Church in Mary
- Explore Ashgabat on a flexible private city tour
- Visit the Water and Mud craters
- Watch sunset at the Darvaza Gas Crater
- Enjoy a traditional BBQ dinner
- Stay overnight in a Turkmen yurt
- Return to Ashgabat for additional sightseeing
- Finish the journey at Ashgabat International Airport
Day 1 – Farap Border, Turkmenabat and Mary
Meet at the Farap Border
At approximately 09:00 AM, meet our team on the Turkmen side of the Farap Border Checkpoint.
Our local team will assist with customs and immigration formalities before the journey begins.
Turkmenabat City Tour
After crossing the border, continue to Turkmenabat for a morning cultural programme.
Amul Fortress
Explore the historic remains of Amul Fortress, an ancient Silk Road site located near modern Turkmenabat.
Lebap Regional History Museum
Visit the Lebap Regional History Museum and discover collections connected with the history and culture of eastern Turkmenistan.
The museum displays archaeological finds, traditional carpets and other regional exhibits.
Lunch in Turkmenabat
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or traditional chaikhana.
Green Bazaar
Visit the lively Green Bazaar and experience the atmosphere of a local market.
Browse fresh produce and observe everyday life in Turkmenabat.
Drive to Mary
In the late afternoon, depart Turkmenabat and continue towards Mary along the modern highway.
Overnight in Mary
Check in at your hotel and rest after the journey.
Overnight: Hotel in Mary.
Day 2 – Ancient Merv, Turkmen Ojagy and Mary
Breakfast and Check-out
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and prepare for the day’s historical programme.
Ancient Merv Guided Tour
Explore Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the great historical centres of the Silk Road.
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
Visit the monumental 12th-century Seljuk mausoleum, one of the most recognisable structures within Ancient Merv.
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala
Explore the distinctive mud-brick fortresses with their characteristic corrugated walls, dating from approximately the 7th to 12th centuries.
Askhabs Mausoleums
Visit the sacred burial sites associated with the companions of the Prophet Muhammad.
Ancient Hammam and Sardoba
Discover the remains of medieval public baths and an ancient desert water-storage system.
Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala
Explore the ancient citadels and enjoy wide views across the archaeological landscape.
Turkmen Ojagy Ethnographic Experience
After the historical tour, visit the nearby Turkmen Ojagy complex for a traditional lunch and cultural programme.
Alabay Dogs and Camels
Meet Turkmen Alabay dogs and take photographs with Bactrian camels.
Traditional Turkmen Clothing
Try traditional costumes, including telpek hats and silver-decorated garments, for photographs inside a traditional yurt.
Bread-Baking Experience
Take part in a practical demonstration at a traditional tamdyr clay oven and learn how Turkmen chorek flatbread is prepared.
Mary City Tour
Continue with an afternoon cultural programme in Mary.
Mary State History Museum
Visit the Mary State History Museum, which houses archaeological and ethnographic collections connected with Ancient Merv and the Bronze Age civilisation of Margiana.
Pokrovskaya Church
Visit the historic Church of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary, a distinctive red-brick Orthodox church dating from around 1900.
Transfer to Ashgabat
In the evening, travel by road from Mary to Ashgabat.
The journey takes approximately 4 hours.
Overnight in Ashgabat
Check in at your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 3 – Ashgabat and Darvaza Gas Crater
Breakfast and Ashgabat City Tour
After breakfast, begin a private and flexible tour of Ashgabat.
Your guide will adapt the programme according to your schedule and personal interests.
Explore a combination of Turkmenistan’s history, cultural sites, monumental architecture and the capital’s characteristic white-marble cityscape.
Lunch
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Drive into the Karakum Desert
After lunch, leave Ashgabat and travel north into the Karakum Desert.
The journey to Darvaza covers approximately 270 km.
Water Crater and Mud Crater
On the way, make short stops at the Water Crater and Mud Crater.
These unusual geological features offer another perspective on the desert landscape.
Darvaza Gas Crater
Arrive at the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the Gates of Hell, towards sunset.
Watch the desert darken as the glow of the burning crater becomes increasingly visible.
BBQ Dinner
Enjoy a traditional BBQ dinner near the crater.
After dark, the crater offers especially impressive views and excellent opportunities for photography.
Overnight at Darvaza
Stay overnight in a traditional Turkmen yurt at the crater campsite.
Overnight: Darvaza yurt camp.
Day 4 – Darvaza and Return to Ashgabat
Breakfast and Optional Sunrise
Enjoy breakfast at the camp.
Travellers who wish to wake early can make an optional pre-dawn visit to the crater for sunrise and final photographs.
Drive to Ashgabat
Leave Darvaza and travel south through the Karakum Desert back to Ashgabat.
Continued Ashgabat City Tour
After arriving in the capital, continue your private exploration of Ashgabat.
The programme can be adapted to the places already visited on Day 3 and your remaining interests.
Your guide can include additional architectural landmarks, historical sites or cultural attractions.
Overnight in Ashgabat
Stay overnight at a hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 5 – Ashgabat and Departure
Breakfast and Flexible Morning
After breakfast, enjoy free time or continue your private sightseeing programme in Ashgabat.
The morning can be adapted to your international flight schedule and personal interests.
You may revisit favourite areas, explore additional city landmarks or simply enjoy some free time before departure.
Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport
Private transfer to Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) approximately 1.5–2 hours before your flight.
End of Tour Services
