This 3-day Turkmenistan transit tour from Khiva to Khiva or Nukus<\/strong> combines the Karakum Desert, Darvaza Gas Crater, Ashgabat and UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench in one compact circular journey.<\/p>\n Enter Turkmenistan through the Shavat Border<\/strong> and travel across the Central Karakum Desert to the Darvaza Gas Crater<\/strong>, where you will spend the night in a traditional Turkmen yurt. The following day, continue south to Ashgabat, stopping at the Water and Mud craters before exploring the capital\u2019s distinctive white-marble architecture.<\/p>\n In the evening, board an overnight sleeper train from Ashgabat back to Dashoguz. On the final day, travel to Kunya-Urgench<\/strong> to explore its medieval monuments before continuing to Uzbekistan through either the Shavat Border for Khiva and Urgench or the Hojaili Border for Nukus and Muynak.<\/p>\n This route is particularly suitable for travellers based in Khiva who want to explore Turkmenistan and return to western Uzbekistan without continuing towards Bukhara or Iran.<\/p>\n Khiva \/ Shavat Border \u2192 Dashoguz \u2192 Darvaza Gas Crater \u2192 Ashgabat \u2192 Overnight Train \u2192 Dashoguz \u2192 Kunya-Urgench \u2192 Shavat Border (Khiva) \/ Hojaili Border (Nukus)<\/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, the 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, take a short drive to Dashoguz<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Enjoy a traditional local lunch before visiting the local bazaar. Here, you can experience the atmosphere of the city and purchase snacks or supplies before travelling into the desert.<\/p>\n Begin the drive towards Darvaza through the Central Karakum Desert<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The journey 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 the journey may be bumpy in places.<\/p>\n Arrive at the remarkable Darvaza Gas Crater<\/strong>, also known as the Door to Hell<\/strong>, towards sunset.<\/p>\n As daylight fades across the Karakum Desert, the flames become increasingly visible against the darkening landscape.<\/p>\n Enjoy a traditional open-air BBQ dinner freshly prepared by our team at the yurt camp.<\/p>\n After nightfall, return to the crater area for evening views and photography as the flames glow 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 visit to the crater before sunrise.<\/p>\n See the remaining glow of the flames as the first morning light spreads across the surrounding desert.<\/p>\n Return to camp for breakfast, pack your belongings 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 parts of the journey may be bumpy.<\/p>\n On the way to Ashgabat, make short stops at the Water Crater<\/strong> and Mud Crater<\/strong>.<\/p>\n These unusual geological sites offer another perspective on the natural landscape of the Karakum Desert.<\/p>\n Upon arrival in the capital, enjoy a lunch break before starting the city tour.<\/p>\n Explore Ashgabat<\/strong> with a guided programme adapted to your pace.<\/p>\n Discover the capital\u2019s characteristic white-marble architecture, historic monuments and cultural sites while learning more about modern Turkmenistan.<\/p>\n Before departure, take a flexible dinner break.<\/p>\n Your guide can arrange a 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 sleeper train to Dashoguz.<\/p>\n Departure:<\/strong> 20:30<\/p>\n Spend the night aboard the train in a comfortable 4-berth compartment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Overnight train from Ashgabat to Dashoguz.<\/p>\n Arrive in Dashoguz at 08:45<\/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 continuing the programme.<\/p>\n Depart Dashoguz and travel towards Kunya-Urgench<\/strong>, approximately 100 km<\/strong> away.<\/p>\n The journey takes around 1.5\u20132 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Kunya-Urgench was once an important capital of the Khorezm Empire and is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n Explore the main monuments of the historical park with your guide.<\/p>\n Kutlug-Timur Minaret<\/strong> Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum<\/strong> Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan<\/strong> Caravanserai Gate<\/strong> Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant before continuing towards your selected border crossing.<\/p>\n The final border transfer can be selected according to your onward journey in Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n Travel south via Dashoguz to the Shavat Border Crossing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 130 km<\/strong> and takes around 2 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This option is suitable for travellers continuing to Khiva or Urgench<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Travel north to the nearby Hojaili\u2013Kunya-Urgench Border Crossing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 35 km<\/strong> and takes around 45 minutes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This option is suitable for travellers continuing towards Nukus or Muynak<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Arrive at your selected border terminal.<\/p>\n Our team will escort and assist you with Turkmen customs and departure immigration procedures in accordance with official border regulations.<\/p>\n End of Tour Services<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This 3-day Turkmenistan transit tour from Khiva to Khiva or Nukus<\/strong> combines the Darvaza Gas Crater, Ashgabat, an overnight train to Dashoguz and UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench. Enter through the Shavat Border, cross the Karakum Desert, explore the capital and return north before continuing to Khiva or Nukus.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1975,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[111],"product_tag":[],"dts_route_point":[125,123,122,124,105,113,67],"class_list":["post-1973","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
Stop in Dashoguz<\/h3>\n
Journey Across the Karakum Desert<\/h3>\n
Darvaza Gas Crater<\/h3>\n
BBQ Dinner and Desert Evening<\/h3>\n
Overnight at Darvaza<\/h3>\n
Day 2 \u2013 Darvaza, Ashgabat and Overnight Train to Dashoguz<\/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<\/h3>\n
Overnight Train to Dashoguz<\/h3>\n
Day 3 \u2013 Dashoguz, Kunya-Urgench and Border Transfer to Khiva or Nukus<\/h2>\n
Arrival in Dashoguz<\/h3>\n
Drive to Kunya-Urgench<\/h3>\n
Kunya-Urgench Historical Tour<\/h3>\n
\nSee one of the most prominent medieval minarets in Central Asia and a defining landmark of Kunya-Urgench.<\/p>\n
\nVisit this historic mausoleum, particularly known for its elaborate geometric ceiling decoration.<\/p>\n
\nDiscover two important medieval monuments characterised by their distinctive conical domes.<\/p>\n
\nSee a surviving reminder of the trade routes that once connected Kunya-Urgench with the wider Silk Road network.<\/p>\nLunch in Kunya-Urgench<\/h3>\n
Continue to Khiva or Nukus<\/h2>\n
Option A \u2013 Shavat Border for Khiva or Urgench<\/h3>\n
Option B \u2013 Hojaili Border for Nukus or Muynak<\/h3>\n
Border Formalities and Departure<\/h3>\n
No dates scheduled yet. Contact us to request a private tour or specific date.<\/strong><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"