This 9-day Turkmenistan highlights tour from Ashgabat<\/strong> brings together the country\u2019s major historical, cultural and natural attractions in one extensive circular journey.<\/p>\n Starting and ending in Ashgabat<\/strong>, the route travels west to the Caspian coast and the colourful cliffs of Yangykala Canyon<\/strong>, continues through the mountain village of Nokhur<\/strong> and the warm underground waters of Kow Ata<\/strong>, and then turns east towards the UNESCO-listed archaeological landscape of Ancient Merv<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The journey also reaches the Bronze Age site of Gonur Depe<\/strong> before continuing north by overnight train to Dashoguz. From there, explore UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench<\/strong> and cross the Karakum Desert to the Darvaza Gas Crater<\/strong>, where you will spend the night in a traditional Turkmen yurt or comfortable tent beneath the desert sky.<\/p>\n The itinerary combines hotels, two overnight train journeys, private road transport and off-road desert drives. It is designed for travellers who want to experience a broad cross-section of Turkmenistan within nine days, from the Caspian Sea and Kopet Dag Mountains to ancient Silk Road cities and the Karakum Desert.<\/p>\n Ashgabat \u2192 Turkmenbashi \u2192 Yangykala Canyon \u2192 Balkan Region \u2192 Nokhur \u2192 Kow Ata \u2192 Ashgabat \u2192 Ancient Merv \u2192 Mary \u2192 Gonur Depe \u2192 Bayramaly \u2192 Ashgabat \u2192 Dashoguz \u2192 Kunya-Urgench \u2192 Darvaza Gas Crater \u2192 Ashgabat<\/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 directly to your hotel for early check-in<\/strong>, allowing time for a comfortable rest after your night flight and a relaxed morning.<\/p>\n Enjoy a late breakfast after resting at the hotel.<\/p>\n Begin your exploration of Ashgabat<\/strong>, Turkmenistan\u2019s distinctive white-marble capital.<\/p>\n The private programme is fully flexible and can be adjusted according to your pace and interests.<\/p>\n Your guide can combine modern monumental architecture, landscaped parks, cultural attractions and sites connected with Turkmenistan\u2019s history and the Silk Road.<\/p>\n The day is arranged around your comfort, with breaks for a traditional lunch and a relaxed dinner at local restaurants.<\/p>\n Sample authentic Turkmen cuisine while exploring the capital.<\/p>\n Stay overnight at a hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before completing check-out.<\/p>\n Continue your private exploration of Ashgabat<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The route remains flexible, allowing the guide to adapt the programme according to your personal interests and any sights not covered on the first day.<\/p>\n Enjoy a traditional lunch during the day.<\/p>\n For the evening, choose an early dinner at a local restaurant or collect freshly prepared Turkmen takeaway dishes to enjoy on board the train.<\/p>\n At 17:50<\/strong>, board the overnight train from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Travel in a comfortable 4-berth compartment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Spend the night aboard the train.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Overnight train to Turkmenbashi.<\/p>\n Arrive at Turkmenbashi Railway Station at 08:05 AM<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Meet your private driver at the platform and refresh before beginning the day\u2019s programme.<\/p>\n Enjoy a short orientation tour of Turkmenbashi, the country\u2019s historic port city on the Caspian Sea<\/strong>.<\/p>\n See examples of pre-revolutionary architecture constructed from local Caspian limestone, visit the 1895 Moorish-style railway station<\/strong>, and enjoy coastal views.<\/p>\n An optional excursion to the nearby Awaza Sea Resort<\/strong> can be arranged upon request, subject to accessibility at the time of your visit.<\/p>\n Enjoy fresh Caspian seafood or a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n Leave Turkmenbashi and travel east through the desert towards the canyon region.<\/p>\n If time permits, make an optional stop at Gozli Ata<\/strong>, one of Turkmenistan\u2019s pilgrimage sites, located among striking white and pink cliff formations.<\/p>\n Continue your off-road journey across the desert plateau towards Yangykala Canyon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The journey from Turkmenbashi covers approximately 165 km<\/strong> and takes around 2.5\u20133 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Explore the dramatic red, pink and pale limestone formations, which reveal layers of the ancient seabed of the Tethys Ocean.<\/p>\n Please note that reaching the canyon plateau involves rough off-road sections.<\/p>\n Depending on the season and weather conditions, enjoy a packed picnic dinner in the canyon landscape or a warm dinner after reaching your destination.<\/p>\n Continue south from the canyon towards your hotel in the Balkan Region<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The drive covers approximately 169 km<\/strong> and takes around 2\u20132.5 hours<\/strong> to the nearest suitable hub.<\/p>\n Stay at a hotel in Balkanabat or another nearby transit hub<\/strong>, depending on availability.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in the Balkan Region.<\/p>\n After breakfast, leave your hotel and travel east along the road running parallel to the Kopet Dag Mountains<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Take a mountain detour to visit Nokhur<\/strong>, an isolated village known for its distinctive local traditions.<\/p>\n Visit the unusual cemetery decorated with ibex horns, meet local residents and enjoy a traditional home-cooked lunch.<\/p>\n The mountain road includes steep serpentine sections. Access depends on favourable weather and road conditions.<\/p>\n Continue towards the famous Kow Ata Underground Lake<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The drive from Nokhur covers approximately 71 km<\/strong> and takes around 1.1 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Descend into the limestone cave and enjoy the opportunity to swim in naturally warm, mineral-rich sulphur waters that remain at approximately 35\u00b0C throughout the year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Continue the final 89 km<\/strong> to Ashgabat, a journey of approximately 1.2 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Enjoy dinner at a recommended local restaurant in the capital.<\/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.<\/p>\n Leave Ashgabat via the modern high-speed motorway towards the Mary region.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 367 km<\/strong> and takes around 4 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Explore Ancient Merv<\/strong>, a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological park and one of the major historic centres along the Silk Road.<\/p>\n Visit the monumental 12th-century Seljuk mausoleum with its distinctive double-dome structure.<\/p>\n Explore the striking mud-brick fortresses, known for their characteristic corrugated walls and dating from the 7th to 12th centuries.<\/p>\n Visit the sacred burial sites and see the traditional desert water-storage system.<\/p>\n Explore the massive ancient citadels and enjoy views across the archaeological landscape.<\/p>\n Additional smaller historical sites within the archaeological park can be visited upon request, depending on available time.<\/p>\n Visit the nearby Turkmen Ojagy<\/strong> complex for a cultural programme and traditional lunch.<\/p>\n Meet Turkmen Alabay dogs and take photographs with Bactrian camels.<\/p>\n Try on traditional Turkmen telpek hats and silver-adorned garments inside a traditional yurt.<\/p>\n Learn how traditional chorek<\/strong> flatbread is prepared in a tamdyr clay oven<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Continue approximately 30 km<\/strong> to Mary city centre.<\/p>\n Enjoy dinner at a recommended local restaurant before checking into your hotel.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in Mary.<\/p>\n Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Mary and complete check-out.<\/p>\n Travel northeast from Mary into the Karakum Desert towards Gonur Depe<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 100 km<\/strong> and takes around 2.5 hours<\/strong>, including rough off-road desert sections.<\/p>\n Explore the archaeological site associated with the ancient Kingdom of Margush<\/strong> and the Bronze Age.<\/p>\n Visit excavation areas including royal tombs, fire and water temples, and ancient residential quarters.<\/p>\n Drive back from the desert plateau to Bayramaly<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The journey takes approximately 1.5\u20132 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Enjoy a relaxed Turkmen lunch at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n Join the high-speed motorway and travel west towards Ashgabat.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 367 km<\/strong> and takes around 4 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Arrive in Ashgabat and enjoy an early evening dinner at a local restaurant or collect freshly prepared takeaway food for the train.<\/p>\n Transfer directly to Ashgabat Railway Station<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Board the overnight train to Dashoguz, departing at 20:30<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Travel in a comfortable 4-berth compartment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Overnight train to Dashoguz.<\/p>\n Arrive in Dashoguz at 08:45 AM<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Meet your private driver at the railway station and refresh before starting the day.<\/p>\n Travel approximately 96 km<\/strong> to Kunya-Urgench<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The journey takes around 1.5 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 main monuments of the archaeological park.<\/p>\n See one of the most impressive surviving medieval minarets in Central Asia.<\/p>\n Visit the historic mausoleum known for its intricate geometric ceiling decoration.<\/p>\n Explore two important medieval monuments distinguished by their conical domes.<\/p>\n See a surviving reminder of Kunya-Urgench\u2019s role along the historic Silk Road trade routes.<\/p>\n Enjoy a traditional lunch in Kunya-Urgench or Dashoguz<\/strong>, depending on the chosen route.<\/p>\n Visit a local bazaar to purchase fresh fruit and snacks for the desert camp.<\/p>\n Travel south through the Karakum Desert towards Darvaza<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Depending on the selected route:<\/p>\n The drive takes around 4\u20135 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Some sections of the desert road are rough and uneven, making parts of the journey bumpy.<\/p>\n Arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater<\/strong>, also known as the Door to Hell<\/strong>, towards sunset.<\/p>\n Watch the flames become increasingly visible as darkness falls over the desert.<\/p>\n Enjoy a traditional open-air BBQ dinner prepared by our team at the campsite.<\/p>\n After dark, spend time near the crater beneath the desert sky.<\/p>\n Stay 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 take a pre-dawn walk to the crater.<\/p>\n Experience the changing morning light over the Karakum Desert while the flames remain visible.<\/p>\n Enjoy breakfast at the camp before beginning 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 road sections are rough and uneven, so the drive may be bumpy in places.<\/p>\n Make short stops at the Water Crater<\/strong> and Mud Crater<\/strong> on the way to Ashgabat.<\/p>\n These unusual geological features offer another perspective on the landscapes of the Karakum Desert.<\/p>\n Enjoy lunch after returning to the capital.<\/p>\n Spend the afternoon on a flexible programme.<\/p>\n Visit any remaining attractions, browse local bazaars for souvenirs and carpets, or relax at your own pace.<\/p>\n Enjoy the evening at leisure and have dinner at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n Stay overnight at a hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel.<\/p>\n Spend the morning resting, using the hotel facilities or packing at your own pace.<\/p>\n Complete standard hotel check-out by 12:00 PM<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Your luggage will be loaded into our private vehicle, which will remain available for the rest of the day.<\/p>\n Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n Spend the remaining afternoon according to your preferences. You may walk through city parks, relax at a local caf\u00e9 or visit any final attractions with your driver and guide.<\/p>\n Enjoy an early farewell dinner at a recommended local restaurant in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Depending on your flight schedule, the meal timing can be adjusted.<\/p>\n Private transfer to Ashgabat International Airport (ASB)<\/strong> will be arranged approximately 3 hours before your scheduled international departure<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Our team will assist with luggage and airport entry formalities.<\/p>\n End of Tour Services<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This 9-day Turkmenistan highlights tour from Ashgabat<\/strong> combines the Caspian coast, Yangykala Canyon, Nokhur, Kow Ata, UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv, Gonur Depe, Kunya-Urgench and the Darvaza Gas Crater. The circular route includes two overnight train journeys, private road transport, off-road desert drives, hotel stays and a yurt or tent overnight near Darvaza.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2082,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[111],"product_tag":[],"dts_route_point":[125,144,132,123,122,153,124,105,145,131,129,141,113,130,143,139,142,140,127,154],"class_list":["post-2080","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-misc","first","instock","shipping-taxable","purchasable","product-type-simple"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nRoute<\/h2>\n
Tour Highlights<\/h2>\n
\n
Day 1 \u2013 Arrival and Ashgabat City Discovery<\/h2>\n
Night Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport<\/h3>\n
Early Hotel Check-In and Rest<\/h3>\n
Late Breakfast<\/h3>\n
Private Ashgabat City Tour<\/h3>\n
Lunch and Dinner<\/h3>\n
Overnight in Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Day 2 \u2013 Ashgabat and Overnight Train to Turkmenbashi<\/h2>\n
Breakfast and Hotel Check-Out<\/h3>\n
Extended Ashgabat Discovery<\/h3>\n
Lunch and Evening Meal<\/h3>\n
Transfer to Ashgabat Railway Station<\/h3>\n
Overnight Train<\/h3>\n
Day 3 \u2013 Turkmenbashi, Caspian Coast and Yangykala Canyon<\/h2>\n
Arrival in Turkmenbashi<\/h3>\n
Turkmenbashi and Caspian Sea Highlights<\/h3>\n
Lunch<\/h3>\n
Drive Towards Yangykala Canyon<\/h3>\n
Optional Gozli Ata Visit<\/h3>\n
Yangykala Canyon<\/h3>\n
Dinner<\/h3>\n
Drive to the Balkan Region<\/h3>\n
Overnight in the Balkan Region<\/h3>\n
Day 4 \u2013 Nokhur, Kow Ata and Return to Ashgabat<\/h2>\n
Morning Departure<\/h3>\n
Nokhur Mountain Village<\/h3>\n
Kow Ata Underground Lake<\/h3>\n
Return to Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Dinner<\/h3>\n
Overnight in Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Day 5 \u2013 Ancient Merv and Turkmen Ojagy<\/h2>\n
Breakfast and Hotel Check-Out<\/h3>\n
Drive from Ashgabat to the Mary Region<\/h3>\n
Ancient Merv Guided Tour<\/h3>\n
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar<\/h4>\n
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala<\/h4>\n
Askhabs Mausoleums and Ancient Sardoba<\/h4>\n
Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala<\/h4>\n
Turkmen Ojagy Ethnographic Experience and Lunch<\/h3>\n
Alabay Dogs and Camels<\/h3>\n
Traditional Dress Experience<\/h3>\n
Bread-Baking Experience<\/h3>\n
Drive to Mary<\/h3>\n
Dinner and Overnight<\/h3>\n
Day 6 \u2013 Gonur Depe and Overnight Train to Dashoguz<\/h2>\n
Breakfast and Hotel Check-Out<\/h3>\n
Off-Road Expedition to Gonur Depe<\/h3>\n
Return to Bayramaly<\/h3>\n
Traditional Lunch<\/h3>\n
Drive to Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Dinner and Railway Station Transfer<\/h3>\n
Overnight Train to Dashoguz<\/h3>\n
Day 7 \u2013 Kunya-Urgench and Darvaza Gas Crater<\/h2>\n
Arrival in Dashoguz<\/h3>\n
Drive to Kunya-Urgench<\/h3>\n
Kunya-Urgench Historical Tour<\/h3>\n
Kutlug-Timur Minaret<\/h4>\n
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum<\/h4>\n
Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan<\/h4>\n
Caravanserai Gate<\/h4>\n
Lunch and Market Stop<\/h3>\n
Drive to Darvaza<\/h3>\n
\n
Darvaza Gas Crater<\/h3>\n
BBQ Dinner<\/h3>\n
Overnight at Darvaza<\/h3>\n
Day 8 \u2013 Darvaza, Desert Craters and Ashgabat<\/h2>\n
Optional Sunrise Experience<\/h3>\n
Breakfast and Departure<\/h3>\n
Water Crater and Mud Crater<\/h3>\n
Lunch in Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Final Ashgabat Discovery<\/h3>\n
Evening and Dinner<\/h3>\n
Overnight in Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Day 9 \u2013 Leisure in Ashgabat and Departure<\/h2>\n
Breakfast and Leisure Morning<\/h3>\n
Hotel Check-Out<\/h3>\n
Lunch and Flexible Afternoon<\/h3>\n
Farewell Dinner<\/h3>\n
Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport<\/h3>\n