This 4-day Khiva to Bukhara via Turkmenistan overnight train tour<\/strong> combines the Karakum Desert, Darvaza Gas Crater, Ashgabat and Turkmenabat in one convenient overland transit route between Uzbekistan\u2019s historic cities.<\/p>\n Enter Turkmenistan through the Shavat border near Khiva<\/strong> and travel across the Central Karakum Desert to the famous Darvaza Gas Crater<\/strong>, where you will spend the night in a traditional Turkmen yurt.<\/p>\n The following day, continue south towards Ashgabat<\/strong>, stopping at the Water and Mud craters before exploring the capital\u2019s distinctive white-marble architecture.<\/p>\n Day three provides additional time to discover Ashgabat before boarding the 19:50 overnight train to Turkmenabat<\/strong>. On the final day, explore local life in Turkmenabat, visit the Green Bazaar and Amul Fortress, stop beside the Amu Darya River and continue to the Farap border<\/strong> for your onward journey to Bukhara.<\/p>\n This route is ideal for travellers who want to connect Khiva and Bukhara through Turkmenistan<\/strong> while combining desert landscapes, city sightseeing and an overnight train journey.<\/p>\n Khiva \u2192 Shavat Border \u2192 Dashoguz \u2192 Darvaza Gas Crater \u2192 Water Crater \u2192 Mud Crater \u2192 Ashgabat \u2192 Overnight Train \u2192 Turkmenabat \u2192 Amu Darya River \u2192 Farap Border \u2192 Bukhara<\/strong><\/p>\n At approximately 10:00 AM<\/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 formalities, the border officers will contact our team. Your guide will enter the terminal and recognise you using the photograph provided in advance.<\/p>\n Travel to Dashoguz<\/strong> for a traditional local lunch.<\/p>\n Afterwards, visit the local bazaar to experience everyday life and purchase fruit, snacks or other supplies for the desert journey.<\/p>\n Leave Dashoguz and travel south 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 drive may be bumpy in places.<\/p>\n Arrive at the spectacular Darvaza Gas Crater<\/strong> towards sunset.<\/p>\n As daylight fades, the glow of the burning crater becomes increasingly dramatic against the surrounding desert.<\/p>\n Enjoy a traditional open-air BBQ dinner freshly prepared by our team at the yurt camp.<\/p>\n After dark, spend time near the crater and enjoy excellent opportunities for night photography beneath the desert sky.<\/p>\n Stay overnight 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 Enjoy the changing morning light and see the flames before sunrise over the Karakum Desert.<\/p>\n Enjoy breakfast at the yurt 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 sections of the desert road remain rough and uneven, so 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 features provide another perspective on the diverse landscapes of the Karakum Desert.<\/p>\n Upon arrival in the capital, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n After lunch, begin your guided exploration of Ashgabat<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Discover the city\u2019s signature white-marble architecture, historical monuments and cultural sites at a pace adapted to your interests.<\/p>\n Stay overnight at a hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n After breakfast at the hotel, continue your personalised exploration of Ashgabat<\/strong> with your guide.<\/p>\n The programme is designed to cover the remaining major landmarks, cultural sites and architectural highlights at a comfortable pace throughout the morning and afternoon.<\/p>\n Pause during the sightseeing programme for a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n Continue exploring Ashgabat during the afternoon, with the route adjusted according to your interests and the places already visited on Day 2.<\/p>\n Before departure, choose between a comfortable sit-down dinner at an Ashgabat caf\u00e9 or restaurant, or prepare takeaway food and travel snacks for the overnight train journey.<\/p>\n Transfer to Ashgabat Railway Station<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Board the overnight train to Turkmenabat<\/strong>, departing at 19:50<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Accommodation is provided in a comfortable 4-berth compartment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Spend the night aboard the train.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Overnight train to Turkmenabat.<\/p>\n Arrive in Turkmenabat at 09:30 AM<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Meet your private driver at the railway station and take time to refresh before beginning the day\u2019s programme.<\/p>\n Explore Turkmenabat with a flexible programme based on your pace, interests and your guide\u2019s recommendations.<\/p>\n Possible stops include:<\/p>\n Visit the city\u2019s lively main market and experience the atmosphere of a traditional Central Asian bazaar.<\/p>\n You can observe everyday local life and sample regional Lebap snacks.<\/p>\n Explore the historic mud-brick ruins of Amul Fortress<\/strong>, located on the outskirts of Turkmenabat.<\/p>\n The site reflects the city\u2019s long-standing role on the ancient Silk Road.<\/p>\n Take a short driving tour through central Turkmenabat to see modern monuments, streets and examples of local architecture.<\/p>\n Enjoy a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant and sample regional specialities.<\/p>\n After lunch, continue towards the border and make a scenic photo stop beside the Amu Darya River<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The river is one of Central Asia\u2019s major waterways and an important geographical feature of eastern Turkmenistan.<\/p>\n Continue to the Farap Border Checkpoint<\/strong>, approximately 40 km from Turkmenabat<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Upon arrival at the border terminal, our team will escort you and assist with Turkmen customs and departure immigration formalities in accordance with official border regulations.<\/p>\n After completing the border crossing, continue your journey towards Bukhara<\/strong>.<\/p>\n End of Tour Services<\/strong><\/p>\n This 4-day Khiva to Bukhara via Turkmenistan overnight train tour<\/strong> connects two of Uzbekistan\u2019s historic cities through Darvaza, Ashgabat and Turkmenabat. The journey includes a yurt night beside the Darvaza Gas Crater, sightseeing in Ashgabat, an overnight train to Turkmenabat, visits to the Green Bazaar and Amul Fortress, and an Amu Darya photo stop before crossing the Farap border to Bukhara.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2124,"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-2119","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-misc","first","instock","shipping-taxable","product-type-simple"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTour Route<\/h2>\n
Tour Highlights<\/h2>\n
\n
Day 1 \u2013 Shavat Border, Dashoguz and Darvaza Gas Crater<\/h2>\n
Meet at the Shavat Border<\/h3>\n
Dashoguz Stop<\/h3>\n
Drive Across the Karakum Desert<\/h3>\n
Darvaza Gas Crater<\/h3>\n
BBQ Dinner and Evening at Darvaza<\/h3>\n
Overnight at Darvaza<\/h3>\n
Day 2 \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
Ashgabat City Tour<\/h3>\n
Overnight in Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Day 3 \u2013 Full Ashgabat Tour and Overnight Train to Turkmenabat<\/h2>\n
Breakfast and Continued Ashgabat Tour<\/h3>\n
Lunch<\/h3>\n
Afternoon Sightseeing<\/h3>\n
Dinner Options<\/h3>\n
Transfer to Ashgabat Railway Station<\/h3>\n
Overnight Train<\/h3>\n
Day 4 \u2013 Turkmenabat, Amu Darya and Farap Border<\/h2>\n
Arrival in Turkmenabat<\/h3>\n
Flexible Turkmenabat City Tour<\/h2>\n
Green Bazaar<\/h3>\n
Amul Fortress<\/h3>\n
City Orientation and Photo Stops<\/h3>\n
Lunch<\/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":"