This 3-day Turkmenistan round-trip from Bukhara<\/strong> combines UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv, an overnight stay in Ashgabat, a sleeper train to Turkmenabat and a cultural visit to the Lebap region before returning to Uzbekistan through the Farap Border.<\/p>\n Enter Turkmenistan from Bukhara via the Farap Border<\/strong> and travel across the Karakum region to Ancient Merv<\/strong>, one of the most important Silk Road cities in Central Asia. After exploring its main monuments, continue along the modern motorway to Ashgabat for an overnight stay.<\/p>\n On the second day, discover the white-marble architecture and cultural landmarks of the capital before boarding the overnight train to Turkmenabat.<\/p>\n The final day includes a flexible city programme in Turkmenabat, with visits to Gok Bazaar<\/strong>, the ruins of Amul Fortress<\/strong> and the Amu Darya River<\/strong>, before returning to the Farap Border for your onward journey to Bukhara.<\/p>\n This route is well suited to travellers based in Bukhara who want to explore southern and eastern Turkmenistan and return to Uzbekistan without continuing towards Iran, Khiva or Nukus.<\/p>\n Bukhara \/ Farap Border \u2192 Ancient Merv \u2192 Mary \u2192 Ashgabat \u2192 Overnight Train \u2192 Turkmenabat \u2192 Amu Darya River \u2192 Farap Border \/ Bukhara<\/strong><\/p>\n At approximately 09:00<\/strong>, meet our local guide inside the main hall of the Farap 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 completing the border formalities, depart the terminal and travel southwest through the Karakum region towards the Merv oasis.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 250 km<\/strong> and takes around 3.5\u20134 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Stop in Mary<\/strong> for a traditional local lunch before continuing to the archaeological complex.<\/p>\n Explore Ancient Merv<\/strong>, one of the most important historic cities of the Silk Road and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n During the visit, see the main monuments of the archaeological park.<\/p>\n Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar<\/strong> Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala<\/strong> Askhabs Mausoleums and Ancient Sardoba<\/strong> Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala<\/strong> Additional smaller historical sites within the park may also be visited upon request, depending on the available time.<\/p>\n After completing the Merv programme, continue towards Ashgabat<\/strong> along the modern high-speed motorway.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 360 km<\/strong> and takes around 3.5\u20134 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Arrive in Ashgabat in the evening and enjoy a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n Stay overnight at a hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and complete check-out before beginning the day\u2019s programme.<\/p>\n Explore Ashgabat<\/strong>, the capital of Turkmenistan and a city known for its distinctive white-marble architecture.<\/p>\n Your private guided programme is flexible and can be adapted to your preferred pace and interests.<\/p>\n The route can combine monumental architecture, cultural sites and locations connected with the wider history of Turkmenistan and the Silk Road.<\/p>\n Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant during the day.<\/p>\n The programme is designed with comfortable breaks between visits, allowing enough time to explore the city without unnecessary rush.<\/p>\n After lunch, continue discovering the capital\u2019s architectural landmarks and cultural sites with your guide.<\/p>\n Before departure, enjoy a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n Transfer to Ashgabat Railway Station<\/strong> and board the overnight sleeper 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 at Turkmenabat Railway Station at 09:30<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Meet your private driver at the platform and take some time to refresh before starting the day\u2019s programme.<\/p>\n Enjoy a flexible morning programme designed around your pace and interests.<\/p>\n Possible highlights include the following.<\/p>\n Visit Gok Bazaar<\/strong> and experience the atmosphere of a traditional oriental market.<\/p>\n Explore stalls with regional products, spices and dried fruits while observing everyday life in Turkmenabat.<\/p>\n Visit the historic ruins of Amul-Gala<\/strong>, an ancient Silk Road citadel that once linked Merv, Bukhara and Khorezm.<\/p>\n Walk among the surviving earthwork ramparts and learn more about the region\u2019s historic role in long-distance trade.<\/p>\n Take a driving tour through the city centre to see modern avenues, central squares and architectural landmarks of eastern Turkmenistan.<\/p>\n Enjoy a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant and sample regional dishes.<\/p>\n After lunch, depart Turkmenabat and travel northeast towards the Uzbekistan border.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 45 km<\/strong> and takes around 45 minutes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Stop beside the Amu Darya River<\/strong> for photographs before continuing to Farap.<\/p>\n Arrive at the Farap Border Control Terminal<\/strong>.<\/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 This 3-day Turkmenistan round-trip from Bukhara<\/strong> combines UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv, Ashgabat, an overnight train to Turkmenabat and a cultural visit to the Lebap region. Enter through the Farap Border, explore Merv and the capital, then return to Bukhara via Turkmenabat and the Amu Darya River.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1792,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[111],"product_tag":[],"dts_route_point":[125,172,145,143,174,109,173],"class_list":["post-2015","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 Farap Border, Ancient Merv and Ashgabat<\/h2>\n
Meeting at Farap Border<\/h3>\n
Transfer to Ancient Merv<\/h3>\n
Lunch in Mary<\/h3>\n
Guided Tour of Ancient Merv<\/h3>\n
\nVisit the monumental 12th-century Seljuk mausoleum, recognised for its impressive architecture and double-dome structure.<\/p>\n
\nExplore the distinctive corrugated mud-brick fortresses dating from the 7th to 12th centuries.<\/p>\n
\nSee the historic mausoleum complex together with an ancient desert water-storage structure.<\/p>\n
\nDiscover the remains of massive ancient citadels overlooking the broader archaeological landscape of Merv.<\/p>\nDrive to Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Evening and Dinner in Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Overnight in Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Day 2 \u2013 Ashgabat City Tour and Overnight Train to Turkmenabat<\/h2>\n
Breakfast and Check-out<\/h3>\n
Ashgabat City Highlights<\/h3>\n
Lunch and Leisure<\/h3>\n
Continue Exploring Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Dinner<\/h3>\n
Overnight Train to Turkmenabat<\/h3>\n
Day 3 \u2013 Turkmenabat, Amul Fortress, Amu Darya and Farap Border<\/h2>\n
Arrival in Turkmenabat<\/h3>\n
Flexible Turkmenabat City Tour<\/h3>\n
Gok Bazaar<\/h3>\n
Amul Fortress Ruins<\/h3>\n
Turkmenabat City Centre<\/h3>\n
Lunch in Turkmenabat<\/h3>\n
Amu Darya River Stop<\/h3>\n
Farap Border Checkpoint<\/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":"