About This 3-Day Turkmenistan Tour from Ashgabat
This 3-day Turkmenistan highlights tour from Ashgabat via Kunya-Urgench and Darvaza combines the country’s white-marble capital, UNESCO-listed medieval heritage and the landscapes of the Karakum Desert in one compact circular journey.
Starting and ending at Ashgabat International Airport (ASB), the tour begins with a flexible exploration of Ashgabat before an early domestic flight north to Dashoguz.
From there, travel to Kunya-Urgench, once an important centre of the Khorezm region and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After exploring its medieval monuments, continue across the Central Karakum Desert towards the Darvaza Gas Crater, where you will spend the night in a traditional Turkmen yurt.
On the final day, return south to Ashgabat with stops at the Water and Mud craters. After lunch, continue exploring any remaining sights in the capital before transferring to the airport for your international departure.
This itinerary is particularly suitable for travellers with limited time who want to combine Ashgabat, Kunya-Urgench and Darvaza in a three-day circular route.
Route
Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) → Ashgabat → Dashoguz → Kunya-Urgench → Dashoguz → Darvaza Gas Crater → Water Crater → Mud Crater → Ashgabat → Ashgabat International Airport (ASB)
Tour Highlights
- Start and finish at Ashgabat International Airport
- Explore Ashgabat’s distinctive white-marble architecture
- Take a domestic flight from Ashgabat to Dashoguz
- Visit UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench
- See the Kutlug-Timur Minaret and Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum
- Cross the Central Karakum Desert
- Watch sunset at the Darvaza Gas Crater
- Spend the night in a traditional Turkmen yurt
- Visit the Water Crater and Mud Crater
- Return to Ashgabat for final sightseeing and airport transfer
Day 1 – Ashgabat City Highlights
Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport
Upon arrival at Ashgabat International Airport (ASB), complete customs and immigration formalities.
Our guide or driver will meet you at the arrival gate and recognise you using your photograph.
Breakfast and Transfer
Transfer to a restaurant for breakfast and a short refresh before beginning the day’s programme.
Ashgabat City Tour
Begin exploring Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan and a city known for its distinctive white-marble architecture.
Your private tour is flexible and can be adapted to your pace and interests.
The programme can combine monumental architecture, broad avenues, cultural sites and locations connected with the wider history of Turkmenistan and the Silk Road.
Lunch and Leisure
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant during the city tour.
Comfortable breaks are built into the programme so that you can explore Ashgabat at a relaxed pace.
Continue Exploring Ashgabat
Spend the afternoon discovering more of the capital’s architectural landmarks and cultural sites.
Dinner
Enjoy a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant and sample traditional Turkmen or regional cuisine.
Overnight in Ashgabat
Stay overnight at a hotel in Ashgabat.
Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 2 – Dashoguz, Kunya-Urgench and Darvaza Gas Crater
Early Morning Flight to Dashoguz
Transfer to Ashgabat Domestic Airport for the early morning flight to Dashoguz.
Approximate departure: 06:00
Upon arrival, meet your driver and begin the journey towards Kunya-Urgench.
Drive to Kunya-Urgench
Travel approximately 100 km from Dashoguz to Kunya-Urgench.
The journey takes around 1.5–2 hours.
Kunya-Urgench was once an important centre of the historic Khorezm region and is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kunya-Urgench Historical Tour
Explore the main monuments of the historical park with your guide.
Kutlug-Timur Minaret
See one of the most impressive medieval minarets in Central Asia and a defining landmark of Kunya-Urgench.
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum
Visit this historic mausoleum, known for its elaborate geometric ceiling decoration.
Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan
Explore two significant medieval monuments distinguished by their characteristic conical domes.
Caravanserai Gate
See a surviving reminder of Kunya-Urgench’s role along the historic Silk Road trading routes.
Lunch and Bazaar Visit in Dashoguz
Return to Dashoguz and enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.
Afterwards, visit the local bazaar, where you can experience everyday city life and purchase fresh fruit, snacks or other supplies for the desert journey.
Journey Across the Karakum Desert
Depart Dashoguz and begin the drive south towards Darvaza through the Central Karakum Desert.
The journey covers approximately 300 km and takes around 4–4.5 hours.
Please note that some sections of the road are rough and uneven, so parts of the journey may be bumpy.
Darvaza Gas Crater
Arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the Door to Hell, towards sunset.
As daylight fades across the desert, the flames become increasingly visible against the surrounding landscape.
BBQ Dinner and Desert Evening
Enjoy a traditional open-air BBQ dinner freshly prepared by our team at the yurt camp.
After nightfall, spend time near the crater and enjoy opportunities for viewing and photography beneath the desert sky.
Overnight at Darvaza
Spend the night in a traditional Turkmen yurt at the crater camp.
Overnight: Darvaza yurt camp.
Day 3 – Darvaza, Desert Craters and Return to Ashgabat
Optional Sunrise at Darvaza
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 Departure
Return to the camp for breakfast, pack your belongings and begin the journey south towards Ashgabat.
The drive covers approximately 270 km and takes around 3.5 hours.
Some sections of the desert road are rough and uneven, so the journey may be bumpy in places.
Water Crater and Mud Crater
On the way to Ashgabat, make short stops at the Water Crater and Mud Crater.
These unusual geological features offer another perspective on the natural landscape of the Karakum Desert.
Lunch in Ashgabat
Upon arrival in the capital, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Final Ashgabat Sightseeing
Spend the afternoon exploring any remaining landmarks, museums or local bazaars that were not included on the first day.
The programme can be adapted to your available time and interests, including time for souvenir shopping.
Airport Transfer
Depending on your international flight schedule, enjoy a private transfer to Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) for departure.
End of Tour Services
