This 3-day Khiva to Bukhara via Turkmenistan tour by night train<\/strong> connects western Uzbekistan with Bukhara through a varied journey across Turkmenistan.<\/p>\n Starting at the Shavat Border<\/strong>, travel through Dashoguz and cross the Karakum Desert to the Darvaza Gas Crater<\/strong>, where you will spend the night in a traditional Turkmen yurt. The following day, continue to Ashgabat, visit the Water and Mud craters and explore the capital\u2019s distinctive white-marble architecture before boarding an overnight train to Turkmenabat.<\/p>\n On the final day, discover selected sights of Turkmenabat and the historic Lebap region, stop beside the Amu Darya River<\/strong>, and continue to the Farap Border<\/strong> for your onward journey to Bukhara.<\/p>\n This route is well suited to travellers crossing Central Asia overland who want to combine Darvaza, Ashgabat and a classic overnight train journey while travelling from Khiva to Bukhara.<\/p>\n Khiva \/ Shavat Border \u2192 Dashoguz \u2192 Darvaza Gas Crater \u2192 Ashgabat \u2192 Overnight Train \u2192 Turkmenabat \u2192 Farap Border \/ Bukhara<\/strong><\/p>\n At approximately 10:00<\/strong>, meet our local guide inside the main hall of the Shavat Border Control Terminal<\/strong> on the Turkmen side.<\/p>\n While you complete migration and passport procedures, border officers will contact our team. Your guide will then enter the terminal and meet you directly using your photograph for identification.<\/p>\n After leaving the border area, take a short drive to Dashoguz<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Enjoy a traditional local lunch and visit the local bazaar, where you can experience the atmosphere of the city and purchase snacks or supplies before travelling into the desert.<\/p>\n Begin the journey towards Darvaza, crossing the Central Karakum Desert<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The drive covers approximately 300 km<\/strong> and takes around 4\u20134.5 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Please note that some sections of the road are rough and uneven, so parts of the journey may be bumpy.<\/p>\n Arrive at the spectacular Darvaza Gas Crater<\/strong>, sometimes known as the Door to Hell<\/strong>, towards sunset.<\/p>\n As daylight fades across the desert, the flames become increasingly visible against the surrounding landscape.<\/p>\n Enjoy a traditional open-air BBQ dinner freshly prepared by our team at the camp.<\/p>\n After dark, the glowing crater offers excellent opportunities for evening viewing and photography beneath the desert sky.<\/p>\n Spend the night in a traditional Turkmen yurt<\/strong> at the crater camp.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Darvaza yurt camp.<\/p>\n Travellers who wish to wake early can make an optional pre-dawn visit to the crater.<\/p>\n See the final glow of the flames as morning light gradually spreads across the Karakum Desert.<\/p>\n Return to the yurt camp for breakfast, pack up and begin the journey south towards Ashgabat<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The route covers approximately 270 km<\/strong> and takes around 3.5 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Some sections of the desert road are rough and uneven, so the drive may be bumpy in places.<\/p>\n On the way to the capital, make short stops at the Water Crater<\/strong> and Mud Crater<\/strong>.<\/p>\n These unusual geological features offer another perspective on the landscape of the Karakum Desert.<\/p>\n Upon arrival in Ashgabat, enjoy a lunch break before beginning the city tour.<\/p>\n Explore Ashgabat<\/strong>, the capital of Turkmenistan, with a guided city programme adapted to your pace.<\/p>\n Discover the city\u2019s characteristic white-marble architecture together with historical monuments and cultural sites.<\/p>\n Before departure, take a flexible dinner break.<\/p>\n Your guide can arrange a sit-down meal at a local caf\u00e9 in Ashgabat or help you prepare a light dinner and snacks to take aboard the train, depending on your preference.<\/p>\n Transfer to Ashgabat Railway Station<\/strong> and board the overnight train to Turkmenabat.<\/p>\n Departure:<\/strong> 19:50<\/p>\n Spend the night aboard the train in a comfortable 4-berth compartment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Overnight train from Ashgabat to Turkmenabat.<\/p>\n Arrive in Turkmenabat at 09:30<\/strong> after the overnight train journey from Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Meet your private driver at the railway station and take some time to refresh before beginning the day\u2019s programme.<\/p>\n The morning programme can be adapted to your pace, interests and the recommendations of your guide.<\/p>\n Depending on your preference, you can choose from the following local highlights.<\/p>\n Visit the city\u2019s main market and experience the atmosphere of a traditional regional bazaar.<\/p>\n Explore local products, sample Lebap snacks and observe everyday life in Turkmenabat.<\/p>\n Visit Amul Fortress (Amul-Gala)<\/strong>, the remains of an ancient Silk Road stronghold located on the outskirts of the city.<\/p>\n Walk through the historic mud-brick ruins and learn about the area\u2019s role along the old trade routes.<\/p>\n Alternatively, enjoy a driving tour through central Turkmenabat with stops at selected modern monuments and examples of local architecture.<\/p>\n Enjoy a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant and sample regional dishes before continuing towards the border.<\/p>\n After lunch, stop beside the Amu Darya River<\/strong>, the largest river in Central Asia, as you continue towards Farap.<\/p>\n Take time for photographs before proceeding to the border.<\/p>\n Drive approximately 40 km<\/strong> from Turkmenabat to the Farap Border Checkpoint<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Upon arrival at the terminal, our team will escort and assist you through the Turkmen customs and departure immigration procedures in accordance with official border regulations.<\/p>\n End of Tour Services<\/strong><\/p>\n Travel from Khiva to Bukhara via Turkmenistan<\/strong> on this 3-day transit route combining the Darvaza Gas Crater<\/strong>, Ashgabat, an overnight train to Turkmenabat and the Amu Darya River. Enter through the Shavat Border, cross the Karakum Desert, explore the capital and continue to Bukhara via the Farap Border.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1966,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[111],"product_tag":[],"dts_route_point":[125,123,122,172,124,105,174,112,109,173],"class_list":["post-1964","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-misc","first","instock","shipping-taxable","product-type-simple"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nRoute<\/h2>\n
Tour Highlights<\/h2>\n
\n
Day 1 \u2013 Shavat Border, Dashoguz and Darvaza Gas Crater<\/h2>\n
Meeting at Shavat Border<\/h3>\n
Dashoguz Stop<\/h3>\n
Drive Across the Karakum Desert<\/h3>\n
Darvaza Gas Crater<\/h3>\n
BBQ Dinner at the Yurt Camp<\/h3>\n
Overnight at Darvaza<\/h3>\n
Day 2 \u2013 Darvaza, Ashgabat and Overnight Train to Turkmenabat<\/h2>\n
Optional Sunrise at Darvaza<\/h3>\n
Breakfast and Departure for Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Water Crater and Mud Crater<\/h3>\n
Lunch in Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Ashgabat City Tour<\/h3>\n
Flexible Dinner Options<\/h3>\n
Overnight Train to Turkmenabat<\/h3>\n
Day 3 \u2013 Turkmenabat, Amu Darya and Farap Border<\/h2>\n
Arrival in Turkmenabat<\/h3>\n
Flexible Turkmenabat City Tour<\/h3>\n
Green Bazaar<\/h3>\n
Amul Fortress<\/h3>\n
City Orientation and Photo Stops<\/h3>\n
Lunch in Turkmenabat<\/h3>\n
Amu Darya River Photo Stop<\/h3>\n
Transfer to Farap Border<\/h3>\n
No scheduled departure dates are currently available. Contact Darwaza Travel to request a private tour or choose your preferred travel date.<\/strong><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"