This 3-day Turkmenistan transit tour from Ashgabat to Khiva or Nukus via Darvaza and Kunya-Urgench<\/strong> connects Ashgabat International Airport with Uzbekistan through either the Shavat or Hojaili border crossing.<\/p>\n The journey begins with a flexible private exploration of Ashgabat<\/strong>, where modern white-marble architecture meets the wider history of the Silk Road. On the second day, travel north across the Karakum Desert, stopping at the unusual Water and Mud craters before reaching the Darvaza Gas Crater<\/strong> for sunset, a traditional BBQ dinner and an overnight stay in a Turkmen yurt or comfortable tent.<\/p>\n The final day continues north through the desert to Kunya-Urgench<\/strong>, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its medieval monuments. After exploring the historical park, continue to your preferred border crossing for onward travel to Khiva, Urgench, Nukus or Muynak<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This itinerary is well suited to travellers who want to cross Turkmenistan overland from Ashgabat to Uzbekistan<\/strong> while combining Ashgabat, Darvaza and Kunya-Urgench in one compact three-day route.<\/p>\n Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) \u2192 Ashgabat \u2192 Water Crater \u2192 Mud Crater \u2192 Darvaza Gas Crater \u2192 Kunya-Urgench \u2192 Shavat Border (Khiva \/ Urgench) or Hojaili Border (Nukus \/ Muynak)<\/strong><\/p>\n Upon arrival at Ashgabat International Airport (ASB)<\/strong>, complete customs and immigration formalities.<\/p>\n Our guide or driver will meet you at the arrival gate and recognise you using your photograph.<\/p>\n Transfer to a restaurant for breakfast and a short refresh before beginning the day\u2019s programme.<\/p>\n Begin exploring Ashgabat<\/strong>, the capital of Turkmenistan and a city known for its distinctive white-marble architecture.<\/p>\n Your private tour is flexible and can be adjusted to your pace and personal interests.<\/p>\n The programme can combine monumental architecture, modern avenues, cultural sites and places connected with the history of Turkmenistan and the Silk Road.<\/p>\n The day is planned at a comfortable pace with breaks for lunch and dinner at local restaurants.<\/p>\n You can sample Turkmen and regional cuisine while continuing your exploration of the capital.<\/p>\n Stay overnight at a hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n After breakfast, continue your private exploration of Ashgabat<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Your guide can adapt the morning programme according to your interests, combining cultural heritage, modern architecture and local sights.<\/p>\n Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n In the afternoon, leave Ashgabat and travel north into the Karakum Desert<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The journey towards Darvaza covers approximately 270 km<\/strong> and takes around 3.5 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 On the way to Darvaza, make short stops at the Water Crater<\/strong> and Mud Crater<\/strong>.<\/p>\n These unusual desert features offer an additional glimpse into the distinctive geological landscape of the Karakum.<\/p>\n Arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater<\/strong>, also known as the Door to Hell<\/strong>, towards sunset.<\/p>\n As daylight fades over the desert, the glow of the burning crater becomes increasingly visible.<\/p>\n Enjoy a traditional open-air BBQ dinner prepared by our team at the campsite.<\/p>\n After nightfall, spend time near the crater and enjoy opportunities for viewing and photography beneath the desert sky.<\/p>\n Stay overnight in a traditional Turkmen yurt or comfortable tent campsite<\/strong> near the crater.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Darvaza yurt or tent camp.<\/p>\n Travellers who wish to wake early can make an optional pre-dawn visit to the crater.<\/p>\n See the glow of the flames in the changing morning light before sunrise over the Karakum Desert.<\/p>\n Enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast at the camp before beginning the journey north towards Kunya-Urgench<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The drive covers approximately 260 km<\/strong> and takes around 4\u20134.5 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Kunya-Urgench was an important centre of historic Khorezm and is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n Explore the principal 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 in Kunya-Urgench<\/strong> before continuing towards the Uzbekistan border.<\/p>\n Depending on your onward itinerary, choose the most convenient crossing.<\/p>\n Travel south via Dashoguz<\/strong> to the Shavat border crossing.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 130 km<\/strong> and takes around 2 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This option is suitable for travellers continuing towards 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 Upon arrival at your selected border terminal, our team will escort you and assist with Turkmen customs and departure immigration formalities in accordance with official border permit regulations.<\/p>\n After crossing into Uzbekistan, continue independently towards your chosen destination.<\/p>\n End of Tour Services<\/strong><\/p>\n This 3-day Ashgabat to Khiva or Nukus tour via Darvaza and Kunya-Urgench<\/strong> combines Ashgabat, the Karakum Desert, a yurt overnight beside the Darvaza Gas Crater and the UNESCO-listed monuments of Kunya-Urgench. The journey finishes at either the Shavat border for Khiva and Urgench or the Hojaili border for Nukus and Muynak.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":837,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[111],"product_tag":[],"dts_route_point":[125,123,122,124,113,229],"class_list":["post-2074","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 Arrival and Ashgabat City Highlights<\/h2>\n
Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport<\/h3>\n
Breakfast and Airport Transfer<\/h3>\n
Private Ashgabat City Tour<\/h3>\n
Meals and Leisure<\/h3>\n
Overnight in Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Day 2 \u2013 Ashgabat, Karakum Desert and Darvaza Gas Crater<\/h2>\n
Morning Ashgabat City Discovery<\/h3>\n
Lunch<\/h3>\n
Drive into the Karakum Desert<\/h3>\n
Water Crater and Mud Crater<\/h3>\n
Darvaza Gas Crater<\/h3>\n
BBQ Dinner and Desert Evening<\/h3>\n
Overnight near Darvaza<\/h3>\n
Day 3 \u2013 Darvaza, Kunya-Urgench and Uzbekistan Border<\/h2>\n
Optional Sunrise at Darvaza<\/h3>\n
Breakfast and Drive to Kunya-Urgench<\/h3>\n
Kunya-Urgench Historical Tour<\/h3>\n
\nSee one of the most impressive surviving medieval minarets in Central Asia.<\/p>\n
\nVisit the historic mausoleum known for its elaborate geometric ceiling decoration.<\/p>\n
\nExplore two important medieval monuments distinguished by their characteristic conical domes.<\/p>\n
\nSee a surviving reminder of Kunya-Urgench\u2019s role along historic Silk Road trading routes.<\/p>\nLunch in Kunya-Urgench<\/h3>\n
Border Transfer Options<\/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 Exit<\/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":"