About This 5-Day Bukhara to Khiva or Nukus Tour
This 5-day Turkmenistan tour from Bukhara to Khiva or Nukus is designed for travellers continuing their journey across Central Asia through Turkmenistan.
Enter the country through the Farap border and begin with an excursion to the historic Dayahatun Caravanserai before exploring Turkmenabat and the Amu Darya region. Continue west to UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv, one of the most important historical centres of the Silk Road.
The route then passes the medieval ruins of Abiverd and the historic Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque in Anau before reaching Ashgabat, where you will explore both ancient heritage and the capital’s distinctive modern architecture.
Next, travel north through the Karakum Desert to the Darvaza Gas Crater for sunset, a traditional BBQ dinner and an overnight stay in a Turkmen yurt.
On the final day, continue across the desert to UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench and finish the tour at either the Shavat border for Khiva or the Hojaili border for Nukus.
Tour Route
Bukhara → Farap Border → Dayahatun Caravanserai → Turkmenabat → Amu Darya → Lebap Regional Museum → Green Bazaar → Amul Fortress → Mary → Ancient Merv → Abiverd Fortress → Anau → Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque → Ashgabat → Old Nisa → National Museum of History → Water Crater → Mud Crater → Darvaza Gas Crater → Kunya-Urgench → Shavat Border / Hojaili Border → Khiva / Nukus
Tour Highlights
- Enter Turkmenistan through the Farap border from Bukhara
- Visit the medieval Dayahatun Caravanserai
- Explore Turkmenabat and the Amu Darya region
- Visit the Lebap Regional Museum
- Experience the atmosphere of Turkmenabat’s Green Bazaar
- Discover the ruins of Ancient Amul
- Explore UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv
- Visit the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
- See Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala
- Explore the Askhabs Mausoleums, ancient hammam and sardoba
- Visit Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala
- Stop at the medieval ruins of Abiverd
- Visit Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque in Anau
- Explore Ashgabat on a flexible private city tour
- Visit Old Nisa, part of the UNESCO-listed Parthian Fortresses of Nisa
- Discover the National Museum of History
- Travel through the Karakum Desert
- Visit the Water and Mud craters
- Watch sunset at the Darvaza Gas Crater
- Enjoy a traditional BBQ dinner
- Stay overnight in a Turkmen yurt
- Explore UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench
- Choose between Shavat for Khiva and Hojaili for Nukus
Day 1 – Farap Border, Dayahatun and Turkmenabat
Meet at the Farap Border
At approximately 09:00 AM, meet our team on the Turkmen side of the Farap (Alat) Border Checkpoint.
After completing border formalities, begin your journey through eastern Turkmenistan.
Drive to Dayahatun Caravanserai
Travel north through the Lebap oasis along the historic route that once connected settlements of the Oxus, today known as the Amu Darya, with northern trading centres.
Dayahatun Caravanserai
Explore the impressive ruins of Dayahatun Caravanserai, an important medieval monument dating from the Seljuk period.
The site offers an introduction to the region’s historic role in long-distance trade across Central Asia.
Lunch
Enjoy lunch en route.
Return to Turkmenabat
Drive back towards Turkmenabat, passing local villages, agricultural landscapes and cotton fields.
Lebap Regional Museum
If time permits, visit the Lebap Regional Museum to explore ethnographic and archaeological collections connected with the Amu Darya region.
Please note that this visit depends on the speed of the border crossing and available daylight, particularly during winter.
Amu Darya
Visit the banks of the Amu Darya River in Turkmenabat and enjoy a short walk by one of Central Asia’s most important rivers.
Dinner and Overnight
Check in at your hotel and enjoy a traditional dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel in Turkmenabat.
Day 2 – Turkmenabat, Ancient Merv and Mary
Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before continuing the journey.
Green Bazaar
Visit Turkmenabat’s Green Bazaar for a brief introduction to everyday local life and the atmosphere of a traditional market.
Amul Fortress
Explore the mud-brick remains of Ancient Amul, historically known as Amul-Zemur and associated with the Silk Road routes along the Amu Darya.
Drive to Mary
Depart Turkmenabat and travel west towards Mary.
The journey covers approximately 250 km.
Lunch
Enjoy lunch en route or a packed lunch during the journey.
Ancient Merv Guided Tour
Explore Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the great historic cities of the Silk Road.
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
Visit the monumental 12th-century Seljuk mausoleum, one of the most recognisable structures within the archaeological park.
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
See the remains of medieval public baths and an ancient desert water-storage system.
Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala
Explore the ancient citadels and enjoy broad views across the archaeological landscape.
Arrival in Mary
After the tour, continue to Mary and check in at your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Mary.
Day 3 – Mary, Abiverd, Anau and Ashgabat
Breakfast and Departure
Enjoy breakfast in Mary before leaving for Ashgabat.
Historical Stops Along the Route
Several important historical sites can be visited on the way to the capital.
Abiverd Fortress
Stop at the ruins of Abiverd, a medieval city that once formed part of the regional trade network across southern Turkmenistan.
Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque in Anau
Visit the ruins of the Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque in Anau.
The 15th-century site is especially known for the remains of its decorative portal and distinctive dragon mosaics.
Arrival in Ashgabat
Continue to Ashgabat and begin a private city tour.
The programme is flexible and can be adapted according to arrival time, personal interests and your guide’s recommendations.
The aim is to balance Turkmenistan’s ancient history, cultural heritage and modern architecture.
Old Nisa
Visit Old Nisa, part of the UNESCO-listed Parthian Fortresses of Nisa and an important centre associated with the Parthian Empire.
National Museum of History
Explore the National Museum of History, where collections include archaeological objects and artefacts connected with Nisa and other periods of Turkmenistan’s ancient past.
The sightseeing programme can include additional landmarks depending on the time available.
Overnight in Ashgabat
Stay overnight at a hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat.
Day 4 – Ashgabat and Darvaza Gas Crater
Breakfast and Ashgabat City Tour
After breakfast, continue your private exploration of Ashgabat.
The programme remains flexible and can be adapted to your interests and the sites already visited on Day 3.
Your guide will aim to show a balanced selection of historical, cultural and modern landmarks.
Lunch
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Drive into the Karakum Desert
Leave Ashgabat and travel north into the Karakum Desert towards Darvaza.
The journey covers approximately 270 km.
Water Crater and Mud Crater
On the way, make short stops at the Water Crater and Mud Crater.
Darvaza Gas Crater
Arrive at the famous Darvaza Gas Crater towards sunset.
Watch the desert gradually darken as the glow from the crater becomes increasingly visible.
BBQ Dinner
Enjoy a traditional BBQ dinner beside the crater.
After sunset, spend time taking photographs and experiencing the desert atmosphere under the night sky.
Overnight at Darvaza
Stay overnight in a traditional Turkmen yurt at the crater campsite.
Overnight: Darvaza yurt camp.
Day 5 – Darvaza, Kunya-Urgench and Uzbekistan Border
Pre-Dawn Visit to Darvaza
Wake early for an optional pre-dawn visit to the crater.
The morning light offers a different perspective and another opportunity for photographs.
Breakfast and Drive to Kunya-Urgench
Enjoy breakfast at the camp and then continue north towards Kunya-Urgench.
The journey covers approximately 260 km along the desert road.
Lunch in Kunya-Urgench
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Kunya-Urgench.
Kunya-Urgench Historical Tour
Explore Kunya-Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important historic centres of Khorezm.
Kutlug-Timur Minaret
See the impressive medieval Kutlug-Timur Minaret, one of the landmark monuments of Kunya-Urgench.
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum
Visit the Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum, famous for its elaborate geometric ceiling decoration.
Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan
Explore these important medieval monuments associated with the Khorezmshah period.
Caravanserai Gate
See the preserved monumental portal connected with the ancient trading city.
Border Transfer Options
After the Kunya-Urgench tour, continue to the most convenient border crossing for your onward journey in Uzbekistan.
Option A – Shavat Border
Transfer to the Shavat border crossing, suitable for travellers continuing towards Khiva.
Option B – Hojaili Border
Transfer to the Hojaili border crossing, suitable for travellers continuing towards Nukus.
Border Formalities
Our team will assist with departure and border formalities before you cross into Uzbekistan.
End of Tour Services
