Discover Turkmenistan, one of Central Asia’s most mysterious and least-visited countries. From the white-marble capital of Ashgabat to the flaming gas crater of Darvaza, from the colorful Yangikala canyons to the ancient ruins of Merv and Kunya-Urgench, this trip blends nature, history, and surreal landscapes like nowhere else on Earth. Travel across deserts, mountains, and time itself — following the traces of ancient empires, Silk Road caravans, and nomadic traditions still alive today. Trip Highlights / What’s Special * Explore Ashgabat, the world’s most marble-covered city, with its futuristic skyline and Soviet echoes. * Visit Yangikala Canyons, known as the “Grand Canyon of Central Asia,” where the earth glows red at sunset. * Camp beside the Darvaza Gas Crater, the legendary “Door to Hell,” under a sky filled with stars. * Discover the UNESCO-listed ruins of Merv and Kunya-Urgench, once key Silk Road centers. * Meet the Akhal-Teke horses, the pride of Turkmenistan, in their native land. * Experience authentic village life in Nohur, surrounded by Kopet Dag mountains. NOTE: contact me for the tourist Visa procedures. Visa on arrival is not included and it costs 99 USD + 31 USD for a covide test. FLIGHTS: It's really important to take the same flight with Turkish airline to be in Ashgabat all together to start the tour. It's not allowed to go around Turkmenistan without a local guide and the entrance procedures at the airport are a bit tricky. The TK flight departs on Istanbul at 19.45 and arrives in Ashgabat at 7.45 am. The flight back from Ashgabat airport is at 4.15 am.
Hi, I’m Cristiano — an experienced tour leader and travel blogger who has spent years exploring remote corners of the world. My trips are designed for curious, open-minded travelers who love culture, history, and authentic human connections. Expect long road journeys, changing landscapes, desert nights, and a truly immersive experience. This is not a luxury tour — it’s an adventure filled with genuine encounters, fascinating stories, and the raw beauty of Central Asia.
The accommodations during the tour will vary among cozy hotel and basic structures: - Ashgabat: comfortable 3-star hotel (twin rooms) - Nohur: Traditional guesthouse (shared or twin rooms) - Yangikala: Pilgrimage guesthouse or canyon camping - Darvaza: Yurt camp with bedding provided - Mary: comfortable 3-star hotel (twin rooms) - Night train from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi
Was ist inbegriffen?
English-speaking guide and driver
All transport as per itinerary
Accommodation as per itinerary
Full board
Entrance fees to listed sites
Camping equipment at Darvaza
Invitation letter for the Visa
Deine Buchung beinhaltet kostenlosen Schutz vor Trip-Stornierung. Mehr erfahren
Hi guys, welcome to my page! I'm Cristiano, 46 years old from Italy. I'm a licenced tour leader with more than 15 years of experience.
Du kannst mit Cristiano chatten, sobald du deinen Platz reserviert hast.
Reiseverlauf
1
Ashgabat
Tag 1-2
Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport and transfer to the hotel. After that, we'll start our exciting city tour. Lunch at a local restaurant and drive to Bagyr village to explore Nisa fortress -the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings. UNESCO declared the fortress a World Heritage Site in 2007. Leaving Nisa we'll visit Ruhy Mosque Mosque, the biggest mosque in Central Asia, and the Mausoleum of the first President of Turkmenistan. Transfer to the train station to get on to the 17:40 train to Turkmenbashi. Dinner and overnight on the train.
2
Türkmenbaşy
Tag 2
The train arrives in Turkmenbashi at 08:05am. After the breakfast in a local eatery, we'll go to discover the main places of interest in the town: Japanese cemetery, Monument to the Gates of Asia, the bustling and vibrant local bazaar where we'll buy the food for Yangikala. After the visit of the city, we'll go to Avaza sea resort to have a swim in the Caspian Sea, weather permitting. Lunch at a local restaurant.
3
Yangykala Canyon
Tag 2-3
After lunch we'll drive to the stunning canyon of Yangykala. The word expression ”yangi kala” is translated from Turkmen as “fire fortresses”. Indeed, the sheer cliffs of white, yellow, ocher, purple and red colors, fancily carved by winds and rains, are very similar to the stone castles from a fantasy. Once, the bottom of the canyons was the bottom of an ancient sea. Our interesting day will finish in Gozli Ata pilgrimage site where we sleep in a house all together. Dinner. Overnight at Gozli Ata.
4
Nokhur
Tag 3-4
After breakfast we'll drive to Nohur via Balkanabat (6hrs). On the way stop in Balkanabat for lunch. Short city tour. Arrival in Nohur and city walk. The village itself fills a small depression valley in the mountains of the Kopet Dag Range, and the houses are been built with local boulders cemented with mud. Apart from the main street through the middle of the town, the streets are so narrow that they only just fit a car between the high stone retaining walls on each side. The Nohkuri people who populate this remote mountain village are quite different to other Turkmen tribes. They live in a handful of villages in the mountainous border area spanning Turkmenistan and Iran. Nokhur is the largest village with just about two thousand people. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.
5
Ashgabat
Tag 4-5
Breakfast at the guesthouse and drive back to Ashgabat with a stop in Gokdepe region to visit a private horse stable. Get acquainted with the pride of Turkmens – famous Akhalteke horses. Lunch at a local café. Then drive to Arkadag – the new administrative center of Akhal velayat. The town was built in 2023 and has about 340 buildings that are all tiled with marble. Arrival in Ashgabat. City tour. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
6
Door to Hell
Tag 5-6
After breakfast, we'll start our day with the visit of the State Museum of Turkmenistan, which stores ancient artifacts found at the excavations of the settlements Nisa, Merv and Gonurdepe, collection of vintage Turkmen carpets, rare examples of national clothing, jewelries, and antique weapons. Stock up for Darvasa in Berkarar Mall. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon drive to Darvasa. On the way stop by Yerbent village. Located about 180km north of Ashgabat, the village was founded in 19th century and now it became one of the biggest villages in Karakum desert. The long day will end in Darvasa with stops at the Water and Mud Craters. The first one has neither fire nor a particularly pungent smell. Instead, it is partly filled with water, through which gas bubbles gently up. The second crater is deep, circular hole; a metal barrier surrounds this somewhat smaller crater. There is no fire here, though it too offers a strong smell of gas. To reach the flaming crater, a 4x4 is essential, as is a good driver who knows the route. The gas crater is roughly circular in plan, some 60m in diameter. Its floor crackles with hundreds of small fires, the flames fiercest around the edge. Enjoy the evening Gas Crater and have grilled vegetables and BBQ for dinner. Overnight in a yurt/tent.
7
Köneürgench
Tag 6
Breakfast at the camp. Then drive to Kunya-Urgench, (6 hours), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was once a glorious capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire and the biggest Muslim empire of the late 12th to early 13th centuries. Arrival and lunch at a local restaurant. Then have a close look at outstanding monuments of the medieval Khorezm. We will also visit the 14th century Mausoleum of TurabekKhanum, one of the best living examples of the architecture of its period.
8
Ashgabat
Tag 6-7
After visiting the magnificent Unesco site of Kunya-Urgench, we'll proceed to Dashoguz city (1.5hours). If we have time, we'll explore the city with a short tour. Dinner at a local restaurant and then we'll move to Dashoguz aiport to take a domestic flight to Ashgabat. Overnight at the hotel.
9
Mary
Tag 7-8
Breakfast at the hotel and visit to main tourist attractions in the capital: Memorial Complex, Artogrul Gazi mosque, Russian bazaar. Lunch at a local restaurant. Then drive to Mary (4 hours). Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
10
Ashgabat
Tag 8
early breakfast and drive to Bayramali, 30 km to the east of Mary, where the historical park Ancient Merv is located. Guided tour: Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Soltan Gala, Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum, Ibn Zeid Mausoleum. Lunch at a local restaurant. Drive towards Ashgabat (5 hrs). On the way stop at the ruins of Abiverd, a medieval town located on the Silk Road and Annau "Seyitjemaleddin Mosque". The major sight remaining for the visitors today is that of the ruins of the 15th century Seyit Jamal-ad-Din. Arrival and city tour in Ashgabat. Dinner at a local restaurant and transfer to Ashgabat International airport. End of the tour.
Tripzusammenfassung
Unterkunft
Hotel & Camping
8 Tage Trip
Ashgabat, Türkmenbaşy & 8 weitere
Transportmittel
Train, Car, Plane
Was ist nicht inbegriffen?
International flights
Visa & border fees (c. 135 USD)
Travel insurance
Personal expenses and tips
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Turkmenistan
Visit Unesco sites 
English-speaking guide and driver 
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International flights 
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