This 6-day Turkmenistan highlights tour from Ashgabat Airport<\/strong> is a circular journey combining the country\u2019s most impressive desert landscapes, historic cities, mountain villages and cultural experiences.<\/p>\n Starting and ending at Ashgabat International Airport (ASB)<\/strong>, the route first takes you north into the Karakum Desert for an unforgettable evening beside the Darvaza Gas Crater<\/strong>.<\/p>\n After returning to Ashgabat, take a domestic flight to the Caspian coast and continue towards the dramatic Yangykala Canyon<\/strong>, where red, pink and white limestone formations reveal the ancient seabed of the Tethys Ocean.<\/p>\n The journey then continues through the Balkan region to the mountain village of Nokhur<\/strong> and the naturally warm waters of Kow Ata Underground Lake<\/strong>.<\/p>\n On the final part of the tour, travel east from Ashgabat to UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv<\/strong>, one of the great cities of the Silk Road, and enjoy an ethnographic experience at Turkmen Ojagy<\/strong> before returning to Ashgabat for departure.<\/p>\n This itinerary is ideal for travellers who want to experience Darvaza, Yangykala, Nokhur, Kow Ata, Ashgabat and Ancient Merv<\/strong> within one comprehensive six-day journey.<\/p>\n Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) \u2192 Ashgabat \u2192 Darvaza Gas Crater \u2192 Water Crater \u2192 Mud Crater \u2192 Ashgabat \u2192 Turkmenbashi \u2192 Awaza (optional) \u2192 Gozli Ata (optional) \u2192 Yangykala Canyon \u2192 Balkan Region \u2192 Nokhur \u2192 Kow Ata \u2192 Ashgabat \u2192 Ancient Merv \u2192 Turkmen Ojagy \u2192 Mary \u2192 Ashgabat \u2192 Ashgabat International Airport (ASB)<\/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 in the arrivals area and recognise you using the photograph provided in advance.<\/p>\n Transfer to a local restaurant for breakfast and time to refresh after your flight.<\/p>\n Begin with a morning introduction to Ashgabat<\/strong>, often known for its distinctive white-marble architecture.<\/p>\n Explore some of the capital\u2019s monumental buildings, broad avenues and landscaped parks.<\/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 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 drive may be bumpy.<\/p>\n Arrive at the spectacular Darvaza Gas Crater<\/strong> towards sunset.<\/p>\n Watch the desert gradually darken as 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 dark, spend time near the crater and enjoy photography beneath the desert stars.<\/p>\n Stay overnight in a traditional Turkmen yurt or comfortable tent campsite<\/strong> near the crater.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Darvaza campsite.<\/p>\n Travellers who wish to wake early can visit the crater before sunrise and experience the changing morning light over the desert.<\/p>\n Enjoy breakfast at the yurt camp before beginning the journey south towards Ashgabat.<\/p>\n The return journey covers approximately 270 km<\/strong> and takes around 3.5 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Some sections of the road may again be rough and uneven.<\/p>\n On the way, stop at the Water Crater<\/strong> and Mud Crater<\/strong> for short visits and photographs.<\/p>\n These unusual natural features provide another perspective on the geology of the Karakum Desert.<\/p>\n Enjoy lunch after arriving back in the capital.<\/p>\n Spend the afternoon exploring any Ashgabat landmarks, museums or local bazaars that were not covered on the first day.<\/p>\n This is also a convenient opportunity to purchase souvenirs.<\/p>\n Stay overnight at a hotel.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Check out early and transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for the 06:20 AM domestic flight to Turkmenbashi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Meet your driver after arrival at Turkmenbashi Airport.<\/p>\n Enjoy a short orientation tour of Turkmenbashi<\/strong>, an important port city on the Caspian Sea.<\/p>\n See examples of pre-revolutionary architecture constructed from local Caspian limestone and stop by the historic 1895 Moorish-style railway station<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Enjoy views of the Caspian coastline.<\/p>\n An excursion to the nearby Awaza Sea Resort<\/strong> can be arranged upon request, depending entirely on whether the area is open and accessible to visitors at the time of travel.<\/p>\n Enjoy a fresh seafood or traditional lunch at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n Leave Turkmenbashi and travel east through the desert.<\/p>\n If time permits, make a short visit to Gozli Ata<\/strong>, one of Turkmenistan\u2019s important pilgrimage sites, located among striking white and pink rock formations.<\/p>\n Continue off-road towards Yangykala Canyon<\/strong>, approximately 160 km from Turkmenbashi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Explore the dramatic canyon plateau and its vast red, pink and white limestone formations, created from the ancient floor of the Tethys Ocean.<\/p>\n After exploring the canyon, continue south towards your hotel in the Balkan region.<\/p>\n The journey takes approximately 2\u20132.5 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Depending on season and weather conditions, dinner may be arranged as a packed picnic on the canyon rim or served warm after arrival at your destination.<\/p>\n Stay at a hotel in the Balkan region<\/strong>, either in Balkanabat or another suitable transit location depending on availability.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in the Balkan region.<\/p>\n At approximately 08:30 AM<\/strong>, depart the hotel and travel east along the road running parallel to the Kopet Dag Mountains.<\/p>\n Take a scenic detour into the mountains towards Nokhur<\/strong>, an isolated village known for its distinctive local traditions.<\/p>\n Visit the unusual local cemetery decorated with ibex horns<\/strong>, meet local residents and experience the atmosphere of the mountain community.<\/p>\n Enjoy a traditional home-cooked lunch with a local family or at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n Please note that access to Nokhur depends on road and weather conditions. During winter snow or heavy rain, an alternative lunch stop will be arranged.<\/p>\n Continue from the mountains towards Kow Ata Underground Lake<\/strong>, approximately one hour away.<\/p>\n Descend into the limestone cave and enjoy the opportunity to swim in the naturally warm, mineral-rich sulfur water.<\/p>\n The water temperature remains around 35\u00b0C throughout the year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Travel approximately 100 km<\/strong> back to Ashgabat.<\/p>\n The drive takes around 1.5 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Stay overnight at a hotel.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in Ashgabat.<\/p>\n Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out.<\/p>\n Leave Ashgabat in the morning and travel east along the modern high-speed motorway.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 360 km<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Stop at a roadside restaurant for a fresh, warm breakfast during the journey.<\/p>\n Explore Ancient Merv<\/strong>, one of the great historic cities of the Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n Visit the monumental 12th-century Seljuk mausoleum, known for its impressive double-dome construction.<\/p>\n Explore the distinctive mud-brick fortresses with characteristic corrugated walls, dating approximately from the 7th to 12th centuries.<\/p>\n Visit sacred burial sites associated with the companions of the Prophet Muhammad.<\/p>\n Also see the nearby medieval public baths and historic desert water-storage system known as a Sardoba<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Explore the ancient citadels and enjoy panoramic views across the vast archaeological area.<\/p>\n Additional smaller ruins within Ancient Merv can be explored upon request, depending on available time and personal interest.<\/p>\n After the historical tour, visit the nearby Turkmen Ojagy<\/strong> complex for a traditional lunch and cultural programme.<\/p>\n Meet Turkmen Alabay dogs<\/strong> and take photographs with Bactrian camels.<\/p>\n Try traditional Turkmen costumes, including telpek hats<\/strong> and silver-decorated garments, for photographs inside a yurt.<\/p>\n Take part in a practical demonstration using a traditional tamdyr clay oven<\/strong> and learn how Turkmen chorek flatbread<\/strong> is prepared.<\/p>\n Enjoy a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n Stay overnight at a hotel.<\/p>\n Overnight:<\/strong> Hotel in Mary.<\/p>\n Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Mary and check out.<\/p>\n Depart Mary and travel west along the modern high-speed motorway towards Ashgabat.<\/p>\n The journey covers approximately 360 km<\/strong> and takes around 3.5\u20134 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Arrive in Ashgabat and enjoy a farewell lunch at a city restaurant.<\/p>\n Depending on your international flight schedule, enjoy a flexible final drive through the capital.<\/p>\n Visit any remaining architectural landmarks, cultural sites or photogenic locations that were not covered earlier in the tour.<\/p>\n Private transfer to Ashgabat International Airport (ASB)<\/strong> for your international departure.<\/p>\n End of Tour Services<\/strong><\/p>\n This 6-day Turkmenistan highlights tour from Ashgabat<\/strong> combines Darvaza Gas Crater, Yangykala Canyon, Nokhur, Kow Ata and UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv in one circular journey. The route also includes Ashgabat, Turkmenbashi, the Balkan region and Turkmen Ojagy, with a domestic flight to the Caspian coast and a final return to Ashgabat International Airport.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2238,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[111],"product_tag":[],"dts_route_point":[125,132,123,122,234,124,145,131,141,130,143,139,142,140,127,154],"class_list":["post-2236","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 Arrival in Ashgabat and Darvaza Gas Crater<\/h2>\n
Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport<\/h3>\n
Breakfast and Airport Transfer<\/h3>\n
Ashgabat Orientation Tour<\/h2>\n
Lunch<\/h3>\n
Drive into the Karakum Desert<\/h2>\n
Darvaza Gas Crater<\/h3>\n
BBQ Dinner<\/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
Afternoon Ashgabat City Tour<\/h2>\n
Overnight in Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Day 3 \u2013 Turkmenbashi, Yangykala Canyon and the Balkan Region<\/h2>\n
Morning Flight to Turkmenbashi<\/h3>\n
Turkmenbashi and Caspian Coast<\/h2>\n
Optional Awaza Visit<\/h3>\n
Lunch<\/h3>\n
Drive towards Yangykala Canyon<\/h2>\n
Optional Gozli Ata Stop<\/h3>\n
Yangykala Canyon<\/h2>\n
Drive to the Balkan Region<\/h3>\n
Overnight<\/h3>\n
Day 4 \u2013 Nokhur, Kow Ata and Ashgabat<\/h2>\n
Morning Departure<\/h3>\n
Nokhur Mountain Village<\/h2>\n
Traditional Lunch<\/h3>\n
Kow Ata Underground Lake<\/h2>\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 Check-out<\/h3>\n
Drive to the Mary Region<\/h3>\n
Breakfast En Route<\/h3>\n
Ancient Merv Guided Tour<\/h2>\n
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar<\/h3>\n
Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala<\/h3>\n
Askhabs Mausoleums and Ancient Sardoba<\/h3>\n
Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala<\/h3>\n
Turkmen Ojagy Ethnographic Experience<\/h2>\n
Alabay Dogs and Camels<\/h3>\n
Traditional Turkmen Clothing<\/h3>\n
Bread-Baking Experience<\/h3>\n
Dinner in Mary<\/h3>\n
Overnight in Mary<\/h3>\n
Day 6 \u2013 Mary, Ashgabat and Departure<\/h2>\n
Breakfast and Check-out<\/h3>\n
Return to Ashgabat<\/h3>\n
Farewell Lunch<\/h3>\n
Final Ashgabat Sightseeing<\/h2>\n
Airport Transfer and Departure<\/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":"