7-Day Turkmenistan Tour: From Merv to Ashgabat

Bukhara → Alat/Farap checkpoint → Mary → Ancient Merv

The first day of the tour begins with crossing the border between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan at the Alat/Farap checkpoint, where the group is met by a Turkmen guide. After completing border formalities, the group travels to the city of Mary, with a sightseeing program along the way.

On the way you visit Ancient Merv is one of the largest and most important cities of the Great Silk Road. The tour takes place within the UNESCO-protected historical park. Accompanied by a guide, you'll explore the main architectural complexes and ruins of ancient settlements: Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Soltan Gala, as well as the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, religious complexes of Askhaba, Yusup Hamadani and Ibn Zeid.

In its heyday, Merv rivaled the largest cities of the Islamic world—Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus. A walk through its ruins offers a rare opportunity to grasp the scale and significance of this ancient metropolis. After the tour, transfer to Mary, check into a hotel, and relax.

Mary → Ashgabat

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll depart for Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. The journey will take you through the country's picturesque regions, with stops at significant historical sites associated with the region's ancient civilizations.

Along the way, you'll stop at the ruins of the ancient city of Abivard (Abi-Ward), one of the centers of the Sassanid era. Archaeological excavations show that the city occupied a significant territory and played an important role in the region's trade and governance. Next, you'll visit the village of Annau, home to the ruins of the 15th-century Seyit Jamal ad-Din Mosque, an important monument of Islamic architecture.

Upon arrival in Ashgabat, check into your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the capital, during which you'll explore its main avenues, monuments, and white marble architecture. The city is especially stunning at night, thanks to its illuminated buildings and wide avenues.

Ashgabat and its surroundings

After breakfast, you'll embark on a tour of the Ashgabat area, home to some of Turkmenistan's most significant historical and cultural sites. Your first stop is Ancient Nisa, the former capital of the Parthian Empire and a sanctuary of the Parthian kings. The tour takes you through this archaeological complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Next, you'll visit the Ruhy Mosque and the mausoleum of Turkmenistan's first president in the village of Kipchak—a large-scale religious memorial complex that plays a significant role in the country's modern history. The program then continues with a trip to a stud farm, where you'll meet Akhal-Teke horses, the national pride of Turkmenistan.

The farm offers a traditional tea party and a short demonstration program, during which you can see these legendary horses in action and learn about the intricacies of their breeding. In the afternoon, transfer to the train station and travel according to the itinerary.

Balkanabat → Yangykala → Balkanabat

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we begin our journey toward the Yangykala Canyons—one of Turkmenistan's most impressive and little-known natural sites. The road winds through desert and mountain landscapes, gradually revealing fantastic views often compared to those of Mars or Venus.

Yangykala, which translates as "fire fortresses," is a system of multicolored canyons with sheer walls shaped by wind and time. Time is reserved for walks, photography, and lunch in the open air with panoramic views. This is one of the most exciting and "expeditionary" days of the tour.

After visiting the canyons, the route continues to the Gozli-Ata shrine, a pilgrimage site associated with 14th-century Sufi teachings. On the way back to Balkanabat, you'll stop in Mollakar, where you can bathe in the salt river and enjoy the natural mud, renowned for its healing properties. In the evening, return to the hotel and relax.

Balkanabat → Nokhur → Kov-Ata → Ashgabat

After breakfast, you'll head towards Ashgabat, stopping at some of the country's most picturesque and authentic sites. Your first stop is the mountain village of Nokhur, located in a picturesque valley of the Kopetdag Mountains near the Iranian border.

During your walk through Nokhur, you'll discover the way of life of the locals, whose houses are built from natural materials using traditional techniques. The village is known for its distinctive customs, a cemetery containing mountain goat horns, and a unique culture that has remained virtually unchanged for centuries.

The route then continues to the underground lake of Kov-Ata. Inside the cave is a warm mineral lake with a constant water temperature of around 33–37°C, where you can swim if you wish. After visiting Kov-Ata, transfer to Ashgabat, check into a hotel, and relax.

Darvaza Gas Crater (Gates of Hell)

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll head north into the Karakum Desert to one of the planet's most enigmatic natural features—the Darvaza gas crater, known as the Gates of Hell. En route, you'll stop at the Russian Bazaar in Ashgabat, where you can purchase souvenirs and local goods before heading into the desert.

The journey takes us through the endless sands of the Karakum Desert, one of the world's largest deserts. The Darvaza Crater is a giant crater filled with burning natural gas. The fire has burned here for decades, creating a truly fantastic spectacle.

Upon arrival, you'll be able to admire the crater during the day and after dark, when it's particularly impressive. In the evening, a picnic will be organized near the crater, along with time for strolling, photography, and relaxing under the stars. The night is spent in the desert near Darvaza, making this day a true expedition experience.

Darvaza → Kunya-Urgench → Shavat checkpoint → Uzbekistan

After breakfast in the desert, we depart from the Darvaza region toward northern Turkmenistan. The drive through desert landscapes allows you to once again appreciate the country's vastness and rugged beauty. Along the way, you'll head to one of the region's most important historical sites, Kunya-Urgench.

In Kunya-Urgench, you'll visit the architectural monuments of a medieval city that was once the capital of a powerful state and an important hub on the Silk Road. The tour includes mausoleums and minarets dating back to the 11th–14th centuries. After the tour, you'll travel to the Shavat border crossing, cross the border, and transfer to Urgench or Khiva in Uzbekistan. This concludes your tour of Turkmenistan.