4-Day Tour: Ashgabat, Ancient Merv, Darvaza, and Kunya-Urgench

Tour Programme

Day 1: Arrival in Ashgabat

Ashgabat — A Marble Oasis of the Future

• Arrival: Meet your local team at the city’s futuristic international airport and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the world’s cleanest city.

• Snow-White Majesty: A visit to the Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque — a magnificent white-marble structure where golden domes meet the azure sky.

• The Breath of Parthia: An excursion to Ancient Nisa (UNESCO). Walk through the halls of the royal fortress where the destinies of the ancient world were once decided.

• Heritage and Horses: At the National Museum, view the legendary ivory rhytons, and visit a stud farm to meet the Akhal-Teke horses — ‘celestial steeds’ with a golden metallic sheen beyond compare.

• City of Records: An evening tour of the monuments: the soaring Arch of Neutrality, the majestic Independence Park, and the Alem centre, home to the world’s largest indoor Ferris wheel.

• Overnight: Ashgabat.

Day 2: Ashgabat → Ancient Merv → Ashgabat

Merv — A Journey to the ‘Mother of the World’

• Early Departure: Travel east to the archaeological park of Ancient Merv (UNESCO).

• The Queen of the World: Explore one of the most significant metropolises of the Silk Road. You will see:

  • Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum: A masterpiece of medieval engineering with its famous ‘floating’ dome.

  • Tombs of the Companions: A sacred site featuring the exquisite architecture of the Timurid era.

  • Kyz-Kala: Unique ‘corrugated’ clay fortresses that guard the spirit of ancient caravans.

• Return: Transfer back to Ashgabat for a well-deserved rest at your hotel.

• Overnight: Ashgabat.

Day 3: Ashgabat → Darvaza

The Karakum — Path to the Fiery Abyss

• Morning Highlights: A visit to the Carpet Museum, housing a world-record-sized hand-woven carpet, and a stroll through the Russian Bazaar for the scents of exotic spices and vibrant local life.

• Into the Desert: In the afternoon, we venture deep into the legendary Karakum Desert.

• Desert Anomalies: Stops at the turquoise Water crater and the bubbling Mud crater.

• The Gates of Hell: Reach Darvaza by sunset. As the sun sinks behind the dunes, the roaring flames of the crater illuminate the desert, creating a truly otherworldly landscape.

• Overnight: The magic of the campfire and a night in an authentic yurt camp under a boundless starry sky.

Day 4: Darvaza → Kunya-Urgench → Dashoguz / Borders

Kunya-Urgench — Legacy of Great Khorezm

• Desert Sunrise: Breakfast under the first rays of the sun followed by a journey north.

• Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO): Explore the former capital of the Khorezmshah Empire. Marvel at the 60-metre Kutlug-Timur minaret and the intricate mosaics of the Turabek-Khanum mausoleum.

• Sacred Hill: Visit Kyrk Molla, a site steeped in local legend and pilgrimage.

• Departure Options:

  • Option 1 (Towards Nukus): A relaxed pace with a crossing at the Khojeyli border.

  • Option 2 (Towards Khiva): A dynamic route through Dashoguz to the Shavat border.

Available Departure Dates

28 March 2026 — 09:49

8 / 9 Places Available

1 person: $1,265

9 people: $567