4-Day Turkmenistan Odyssey: Kunya-Urgench, Darvaza Crater & Ancient Amul
$1,154.00
Route: Shavat Border → Kunya-Urgench → Darvaza → Ashgabat → Amul → Farap Border
A Journey Through the Ages: From Shavat to Amul
Witness the incredible contrasts of Turkmenistan on this captivating four-day expedition. Behold the sheer scale of the ancient mausoleums in Kunya-Urgench, feel the desert’s heat at the Darvaza Crater, and indulge in the luxury of the modern, white-marble capital. The journey reaches its grand finale at Amul — a historic fortress where the legacy of the Great Silk Road caravans truly comes to life.
Tour programme
Day 1: Shavat → Kunya-Urgench → Darvaza
From the Shadows of Ancient Empires to the ‘Gates of Hell’
Your adventure begins at dawn at the Shavat border. Our first destination is the majestic Kunya-Urgench—a city of legends where turquoise-domed mausoleums and the sky-piercing Kutlug-Timur Minaret whisper tales of the Khorezmshah Empire’s former glory. You will ascend the sacred Kyrk Molla hill to touch living history at one of the region’s most revered pilgrimage sites.
As the sun dips towards the horizon, we venture deep into the desert heart. We head for Darvaza, a place that knows neither silence nor darkness. You will spend the night in a cosy yurt camp right at the edge of the flaming abyss, watching the roaring fires of the ‘Gates of Hell’ dance beneath a vast, starlit canopy.
Day 2: Darvaza → Ashgabat
Karakum Sunrises and White-Marble Grandeur
Begin your morning with a fresh cup of tea as the first rays of light paint the dunes in liquid gold. En route to the capital, we shall discover hidden natural wonders—the Water and Mud craters, tucked away amongst the rolling sands.
By midday, Ashgabat emerges—a record-breaking city of pure white marble. You will behold the world’s largest handmade carpet, a masterpiece of intricate craftsmanship, and stroll through futuristic parks towards golden monuments. The day reaches its crescendo at the ‘Alem’ centre, where the evening lights transform the city into an ocean of shimmering gold.
Day 3: Ashgabat → Night Train to Turkmenabat
Parthian Heritage and the Romance of the Rails
Today, we journey to the very origins of civilisation at the Old Nisa fortress, once the proud capital of the mighty Parthian Empire. You will visit the monumental Gypjak Mosque and meet the legendary ‘Heavenly Horses’—the Akhal-Tekes—whose breathtaking grace has captivated the world for millennia.
After the vibrant bustle of the Russian Bazaar, filled with the scents of exotic spices and sweet melons, a touch of evening magic awaits. To the rhythmic chime of the night train, we shall cross the desert, venturing eastwards towards the rising sun.
Day 4: Turkmenabat → Farap
Silk Road Secrets by the Amu Darya
The morning finds us in Turkmenabat. Here, amongst the ruins of the ancient Amul fortress, you will feel the lingering spirit of the Great Silk Road caravans that trod this path centuries ago. After exploring the regional museum and the city’s charming streets, we shall stand upon the banks of the mighty Amu Darya—the legendary river that has breathed life into this land since time immemorial.
Your odyssey concludes at the ‘Farap’ border, but the magic of Turkmenistan—its fires, its sands, and its boundless hospitality—will remain with you forever.
Available Departure Dates
28 March 2026 — 09:30
6/9 Places Available
1 person: $1,154
9 people: $518
