This 5-day Turkmenistan tour from Bukhara to Khiva or Nukus<\/strong> is designed for travellers continuing their journey across Central Asia through Turkmenistan.<\/p>\n Enter the country through the Farap border<\/strong> and begin with an excursion to the historic Dayahatun Caravanserai<\/strong> before exploring Turkmenabat and the Amu Darya region. Continue west to UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv<\/strong>, one of the most important historical centres of the Silk Road.<\/p>\n The route then passes the medieval ruins of Abiverd<\/strong> and the historic Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque in Anau<\/strong> before reaching Ashgabat<\/strong>, where you will explore both ancient heritage and the capital\u2019s distinctive modern architecture.<\/p>\n Next, travel north through the Karakum Desert to the Darvaza Gas Crater<\/strong> for sunset, a traditional BBQ dinner and an overnight stay in a Turkmen yurt.<\/p>\n On the final day, continue across the desert to UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench<\/strong> and finish the tour at either the Shavat border for Khiva<\/strong> or the Hojaili border for Nukus<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Bukhara \u2192 Farap Border \u2192 Dayahatun Caravanserai \u2192 Turkmenabat \u2192 Amu Darya \u2192 Lebap Regional Museum \u2192 Green Bazaar \u2192 Amul Fortress \u2192 Mary \u2192 Ancient Merv \u2192 Abiverd Fortress \u2192 Anau \u2192 Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque \u2192 Ashgabat \u2192 Old Nisa \u2192 National Museum of History \u2192 Water Crater \u2192 Mud Crater \u2192 Darvaza Gas Crater \u2192 Kunya-Urgench \u2192 Shavat Border \/ Hojaili Border \u2192 Khiva \/ Nukus<\/strong><\/p>\n At approximately 09:00 AM<\/strong>, meet our team on the Turkmen side of the Farap (Alat) Border Checkpoint<\/strong>.<\/p>\n After completing border formalities, begin your journey through eastern Turkmenistan.<\/p>\n Travel north through the Lebap oasis along the historic route that once connected settlements of the Oxus, today known as the Amu Darya<\/strong>, with northern trading centres.<\/p>\n Explore the impressive ruins of Dayahatun Caravanserai<\/strong>, an important medieval monument dating from the Seljuk period.<\/p>\n The site offers an introduction to the region\u2019s historic role in long-distance trade across Central Asia.<\/p>\n Enjoy lunch en route.<\/p>\n Drive back towards Turkmenabat<\/strong>, passing local villages, agricultural landscapes and cotton fields.<\/p>\n If time permits, visit the Lebap Regional Museum<\/strong> to explore ethnographic and archaeological collections connected with the Amu Darya region.<\/p>\n Please note that this visit depends on the speed of the border crossing and available daylight, particularly during winter.<\/p>\n Visit the banks of the Amu Darya River<\/strong> in Turkmenabat and enjoy a short walk by one of Central Asia\u2019s most important rivers.<\/p>\n Check in at your hotel and enjoy a traditional dinner at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in Turkmenabat.<\/p>\n Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before continuing the journey.<\/p>\n Visit Turkmenabat\u2019s Green Bazaar<\/strong> for a brief introduction to everyday local life and the atmosphere of a traditional market.<\/p>\n Explore the mud-brick remains of Ancient Amul<\/strong>, historically known as Amul-Zemur and associated with the Silk Road routes along the Amu Darya.<\/p>\n Depart Turkmenabat and travel west towards Mary<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 250 km<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Enjoy lunch en route or a packed lunch during the journey.<\/p>\n Explore Ancient Merv<\/strong>, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the great historic cities of the Silk Road.<\/p>\n Visit the monumental 12th-century Seljuk mausoleum, one of the most recognisable structures within the archaeological park.<\/p>\n Explore the distinctive mud-brick fortresses with their characteristic corrugated walls, dating from approximately the 7th to 12th centuries.<\/p>\n Visit the sacred burial sites associated with the companions of the Prophet Muhammad.<\/p>\n See the remains of medieval public baths and an ancient desert water-storage system.<\/p>\n Explore the ancient citadels and enjoy broad views across the archaeological landscape.<\/p>\n After the tour, continue to Mary and check in at your hotel.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in Mary.<\/p>\n Enjoy breakfast in Mary before leaving for Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Several important historical sites can be visited on the way to the capital.<\/p>\n Stop at the ruins of Abiverd<\/strong>, a medieval city that once formed part of the regional trade network across southern Turkmenistan.<\/p>\n Visit the ruins of the Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque<\/strong> in Anau.<\/p>\n The 15th-century site is especially known for the remains of its decorative portal and distinctive dragon mosaics.<\/p>\n Continue to Ashgabat<\/strong> and begin a private city tour.<\/p>\n The programme is flexible and can be adapted according to arrival time, personal interests and your guide\u2019s recommendations.<\/p>\n The aim is to balance Turkmenistan\u2019s ancient history, cultural heritage and modern architecture.<\/p>\n Visit Old Nisa<\/strong>, part of the UNESCO-listed Parthian Fortresses of Nisa<\/strong> and an important centre associated with the Parthian Empire.<\/p>\n Explore the National Museum of History<\/strong>, where collections include archaeological objects and artefacts connected with Nisa and other periods of Turkmenistan\u2019s ancient past.<\/p>\n The sightseeing programme can include additional landmarks depending on the time available.<\/p>\n Stay overnight at a hotel.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n After breakfast, continue your private exploration of Ashgabat<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The programme remains flexible and can be adapted to your interests and the sites already visited on Day 3.<\/p>\n Your guide will aim to show a balanced selection of historical, cultural and modern landmarks.<\/p>\n Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n Leave Ashgabat and travel north into the Karakum Desert<\/strong> towards Darvaza.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 270 km<\/strong>.<\/p>\n On the way, make short stops at the Water Crater<\/strong> and Mud Crater<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Arrive at the famous Darvaza Gas Crater<\/strong> towards sunset.<\/p>\n Watch the desert gradually darken as the glow from the crater becomes increasingly visible.<\/p>\n Enjoy a traditional BBQ dinner beside the crater.<\/p>\n After sunset, spend time taking photographs and experiencing the desert atmosphere under the night sky.<\/p>\n Stay overnight in a traditional Turkmen yurt<\/strong> at the crater campsite.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Darvaza yurt camp.<\/p>\n Wake early for an optional pre-dawn visit to the crater.<\/p>\n The morning light offers a different perspective and another opportunity for photographs.<\/p>\n Enjoy breakfast at the camp and then continue north towards Kunya-Urgench<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 260 km<\/strong> along the desert road.<\/p>\n Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Kunya-Urgench.<\/p>\n Explore Kunya-Urgench<\/strong>, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important historic centres of Khorezm.<\/p>\n See the impressive medieval Kutlug-Timur Minaret<\/strong>, one of the landmark monuments of Kunya-Urgench.<\/p>\n Visit the Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum<\/strong>, famous for its elaborate geometric ceiling decoration.<\/p>\n Explore these important medieval monuments associated with the Khorezmshah period.<\/p>\n See the preserved monumental portal connected with the ancient trading city.<\/p>\n After the Kunya-Urgench tour, continue to the most convenient border crossing for your onward journey in Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n Transfer to the Shavat border crossing<\/strong>, suitable for travellers continuing towards Khiva<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Transfer to the Hojaili border crossing<\/strong>, suitable for travellers continuing towards Nukus<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Our team will assist with departure and border formalities before you cross into Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n End of Tour Services<\/strong><\/p>\n This 5-day Bukhara to Khiva or Nukus via Turkmenistan tour<\/strong> combines Dayahatun Caravanserai, Turkmenabat, UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv, Ashgabat, Darvaza Gas Crater and Kunya-Urgench in one overland journey. Enter through the Farap border, cross the Karakum Desert, stay overnight in a traditional yurt at Darvaza, and finish at either the Shavat border for Khiva or Hojaili border for Nukus.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2214,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[111],"product_tag":[],"dts_route_point":[125,123,122,172,124,238,145,237,171,170,113,143,239,233,174,112,109,173],"class_list":["post-2209","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 Farap Border, Dayahatun and Turkmenabat<\/h2>\n
Meet at the Farap Border<\/h3>\n
Drive to Dayahatun Caravanserai<\/h2>\n
Dayahatun Caravanserai<\/h3>\n
Lunch<\/h3>\n
Return to Turkmenabat<\/h2>\n
Lebap Regional Museum<\/h3>\n
Amu Darya<\/h3>\n
Dinner and Overnight<\/h3>\n
Day 2 \u2013 Turkmenabat, Ancient Merv and Mary<\/h2>\n
Breakfast<\/h3>\n
Green Bazaar<\/h3>\n
Amul Fortress<\/h3>\n
Drive to Mary<\/h3>\n
Lunch<\/h3>\n
Ancient Merv Guided Tour<\/h2>\n
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar<\/h3>\n
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala<\/h3>\n
Askhabs Mausoleums<\/h3>\n
Ancient Hammam and Sardoba<\/h3>\n
Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala<\/h3>\n
Arrival in Mary<\/h3>\n
Day 3 \u2013 Mary, Abiverd, Anau and Ashgabat<\/h2>\n
Breakfast and Departure<\/h3>\n
Historical Stops Along the Route<\/h2>\n
Abiverd Fortress<\/h3>\n
Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque in Anau<\/h3>\n
Arrival in Ashgabat<\/h2>\n
Old Nisa<\/h3>\n
National Museum of History<\/h3>\n
Overnight in Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Day 4 \u2013 Ashgabat and Darvaza Gas Crater<\/h2>\n
Breakfast and Ashgabat City Tour<\/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<\/h3>\n
Overnight at Darvaza<\/h3>\n
Day 5 \u2013 Darvaza, Kunya-Urgench and Uzbekistan Border<\/h2>\n
Pre-Dawn Visit to Darvaza<\/h3>\n
Breakfast and Drive to Kunya-Urgench<\/h3>\n
Lunch in Kunya-Urgench<\/h3>\n
Kunya-Urgench Historical Tour<\/h2>\n
Kutlug-Timur Minaret<\/h3>\n
Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum<\/h3>\n
Mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and Il-Arslan<\/h3>\n
Caravanserai Gate<\/h3>\n
Border Transfer Options<\/h2>\n
Option A \u2013 Shavat Border<\/h3>\n
Option B \u2013 Hojaili Border<\/h3>\n
Border Formalities<\/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":"