The Wonders of Turkmenistan

Duration: 7 Days | 6 Nights
Destination: Ashgabat - Nisa - Mary - Merv - Darvaza - Kunya-Urgench - Dashoguz
Departure & Return Locations: Ashgabat International Airport / Ashgabat International Airport

Turkmenistan is one of the least-visited countries in the world, and one of the strangest. This week covers the marble capital of Ashgabat, the Parthian fortress of Nisa, the Silk Road city of Merv, a night camping beside the burning Darvaza gas crater in the Karakum Desert, the medieval monuments of Kunya-Urgench, and Akhal-Teke horses. Private touring with your own English-speaking guide, with visa support and the domestic flight included.

Day 1: Ashgabat - Nisa - Gypjak - Ashgabat
Your guide meets you at Ashgabat International Airport. After lunch, tour the capital’s parks, monuments and white-marble landmarks, then visit Old Nisa, the UNESCO-listed citadel of the Parthian kings, and the Gypjak Mosque and mausoleum of Turkmenistan’s first president.
Overnight: hotel, Ashgabat

Day 2: Ashgabat - Abiverd - Mary (B)
Visit the State Museum of Turkmenistan, whose nine halls hold finds from Nisa, Merv and Gonur Depe – Parthian ivory rhytons, Margiana seals, Buddhist artefacts, antique carpets and an 820 kg meteorite. Then drive east to Mary, stopping at Anau to see the ruins of the 15th-century Seyit Jamal-ad-Din Mosque and at the ancient Sassanid city of Abiverd.
Overnight: hotel, Mary

Day 3: Mary - Merv - Ashgabat (B)
Explore Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage), for over 2,000 years one of the great cities of the Silk Road. Its 1,200 ha archaeological park includes the 12th-century mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammad ibn Zayd. Then visit the Mary Regional Museum, with jewellery, carpets, a furnished yurt and artefacts from Merv and Margush. Return to Ashgabat.
Overnight: hotel, Ashgabat

Day 4: Ashgabat - Darvaza (B/D)
After lunch, head north through the Karakum Desert, stopping in a small nomadic village to see traditional Turkmen life. Arrive at the Darvaza gas crater and see it by daylight and again after dark, when the burning crater is at its most dramatic. Dinner and overnight at the camp under the desert stars.
Overnight: yurt camp, Darvaza

Day 5: Darvaza - Kunya-Urgench - Dashoguz - Ashgabat (B)
Drive north to Kunya-Urgench, capital of Khorezm in the 10th–12th centuries, to see the mausoleums of Najm al-Din al-Kubra, Turabek Khanum, Il-Arslan and Tekesh, and the Kutlug Timur minaret, the tallest in Central Asia. City tour of Dashoguz, then an evening flight back to Ashgabat.
Overnight: hotel, Ashgabat

Day 6: Ashgabat (B)
Visit the Tolkuchka bazaar for carpets, silver jewellery and souvenirs, then drive to a horse farm to meet the Akhal-Teke, Turkmenistan’s famous golden horses, with a short show and traditional tea. In the evening, a short tour to see the city’s illuminated monuments.
Overnight: hotel, Ashgabat

Day 7: Ashgabat - Departure (B)
Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for your onward flight.

Tour Price
• Price shown is per person, twin share, for a private tour with an English-speaking guide, based on 2 travellers and 3-star hotels.
• Choose your group size (2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 travellers) and hotel category above – the per-person price falls as the group grows, and 4-star hotels are available as an upgrade.
• Single supplement available – contact us for pricing.
• Rates valid for travel until 31 October 2027.
• All prices displayed are subject to availability and can be withdrawn or varied without notice.
• Prices are guaranteed once your booking is confirmed by us and paid in full by the due date.
• Itineraries are subject to change due to road, weather and local conditions.

Inclusions:
• 6 nights’ accommodation: Ashgabat – Senagatchy or Mizan (3-star) / Sport (4-star) or similar, 4 nights; Mary – Margush (3-star) / Mary (4-star) or similar, 1 night; Darvaza – yurt camp (2 per yurt), 1 night
• Daily breakfast, plus dinner at the Darvaza camp
• Domestic flight Dashoguz – Ashgabat
• Private transport throughout, including airport transfers
• Visa support (letter of invitation)
• English-speaking guide
• Entrance fees to all museums in the itinerary
• Mineral water during the tour

Exclusions:
• International flights
• Turkmenistan visa fee
• Migration tax (approx. US$20) and PCR test (approx. US$30), payable on arrival
• Other lunches and dinners (half board or full board can be added – contact us)
• Camera fees at monuments
• Early check-in
• Travel insurance
• Tips and personal expenses
• Anything not specifically mentioned in the inclusions

Please note:
• Turkmenistan visas are issued against a letter of invitation, which needs time to process – book well in advance.
• Amounts shown in US$ are payable locally and may change.
• Camping at Darvaza is basic.
• The Dashoguz – Ashgabat flight time may change.
• We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.

Please refer to our Standard Booking Conditions for booking terms and conditions.