7-Day Turkmenistan Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Turkmenistan tour itineraries

Compiled by

NinaTurkmenistan travel expert at TourRadar

• 6 Day Turkmenistan Itinerary, incl. Ashgabat and Darvaza

  This 6-day adventure takes you through 4 key cities: Ashgabat, Mary, Darvaza, and Dashoguz. The route includes UNESCO treasures like Ancient Merv and Kunya Urgench Historical Park. Nights are split between the 4-star Sport Hotel, Mary Hotel, and an unforgettable desert camping experience at the Darvaza gas crater.

  

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  • Day 1

    Ashgabat Arrival

    Your first glimpse of Turkmenistan will be the striking white marble buildings at Ashgabat International Airport. Budget extra time for customs clearance since entry procedures can be slow. Make sure you have your Letter of Invitation ready. The trip to central Ashgabat takes about 20 minutes outside of rush hour.

    
  • Day 2

    Ashgabat & Ancient Nissa

    Get to Nissa fortress ruins by 8:30 AM to beat the heat. You'll need a hat and water since there's little shade at this 2,000-year-old Parthian site. Head back to Ashgabat to visit the National History Museum. A recent visitor put it well: "The white marble city feels surreal - like Las Vegas meets North Korea. The indoor Ferris wheel in the Alem Center is bizarre but fascinating."

    
  • Day 3

    Mary & Ancient Merv

    The drive to Mary takes 4 hours through the Karakum Desert. Plan your bathroom breaks carefully since stops are limited. You'll want 3-4 hours to explore Ancient Merv properly. Wear sturdy shoes for the uneven ground at the archaeological site. Stop by the local bazaar in Mary for a real look at daily life beyond Ashgabat's shiny exterior.

    
  • Day 4

    Darvaza Gas Crater

    Fly back to Ashgabat in the morning before the 4-hour drive to Darvaza. Pack warm clothes since desert nights get cold in any season. The "Door to Hell" crater looks most impressive after dark when the flames light up the night sky. Your camp will be basic but the night sky is spectacular. Pack some snacks since dinner is simple grilled food.

    
  • Day 5

    Kunya Urgench

    The journey to Kunya Urgench shows you remote desert scenery. Plan 2-3 hours to explore this UNESCO site. Notice the detailed brick patterns on the 60-meter Gutlug-Timur minaret. Your afternoon flight back to Ashgabat offers great views over the Karakum Desert.

    
  • Day 6

    Departure

    Book an afternoon flight if possible since morning traffic in Ashgabat can be unpredictable. Give yourself 2 hours for airport procedures since leaving can be as complex as arriving.

    

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• 4 Day Turkmenistan Itinerary, incl. Mary and Ashgabat

  The route spans 6 fascinating cities in 4 days across Turkmenistan. Highlights range from the Sultan Sanjar mausoleum in Merv to the impressive 60-meter Darvaza crater, with 4-star lodging throughout. Your expert guides showcase the world's largest carpet, ancient Islamic capitals, and striking marble monuments, maintaining perfect 5.0 ratings.

  

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  • Day 1

    Turkmenabat to Mary

    Start your day early at the Uzbek-Turkmen Alat border crossing by 9 AM for border procedures. Drive to ancient Merv a UNESCO site once called the "Queen of the World." You'll need 2-3 hours to explore the main structures including the Sultan Sanjar mausoleum and Kyz Gala fortresses. A recent visitor shared: "The sheer scale of ancient Merv is mind-blowing - bring a hat and water as there's limited shade among the ruins."

    
  • Day 2

    Mary to Ashgabat

    Take the 4-hour drive to Ashgabat Turkmenistan's unique capital city. Spend your afternoon touring the city that holds the world record for most white marble buildings. The Wedding Palace and Constitution Monument are must-see spots but plan outdoor activities for later in the day when it's cooler. Important note: Ask your guide about photo rules in Ashgabat since restrictions are strict.

    
  • Day 3

    Ashgabat to Darvaza

    Visit an Akhal-Teke horse farm in the morning to see Turkmenistan's famous golden horses. The 5-hour drive to Darvaza is rough but the reward is worth it. The burning gas crater known as the "Door to Hell" looks best after dark. Bring warm clothes for the desert night. You'll sleep at a camp near the crater for the best views. One visitor said: "Watching the eternal flames of Darvaza under a star-filled desert sky was absolutely unforgettable."

    
  • Day 4

    Darvaza to Dashoguz

    Have breakfast outdoors then travel 270km to Kunya Urgench a key Silk Road site. The Kutlug Timur Minaret stands 60 meters tall and is the highlight here. Set aside 2-3 hours for the archaeological site before heading to the Turkmen-Uzbek border. Plan your border crossing for morning or early afternoon since the process can take time.

    

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• 4 Days in Turkmenistan, incl. Ashgabat and Darvaza

  The tour winds through 3 major cities: Ashgabat, Mary, and Darvaza, featuring 8 remarkable sites. Travelers will see the UNESCO-listed Nissa fortress, ancient Merv ruins, and the burning Gas Crater. Comfortable 4* Sport Hotel accommodations and multilingual expert guides speaking 7 languages make this tour exceptional, with costs around $290 per day.

  

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  • Day 1

    Ashgabat

    Plan to arrive early in Ashgabat to make the most of your first day. Start with a morning trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nissa fortress, located 18km outside the city. Visit early to avoid the intense desert heat. One traveler noted: "The in-depth knowledge our guide shared about the Parthian history made these ancient ruins come alive." Spend your afternoon exploring Ashgabat's modern architecture including the Wedding Palace and Constitution Monument. A tip for photographers: Pack a wide-angle lens since the white marble buildings are massive and difficult to photograph.

    
  • Day 2

    Mary & Ancient Merv

    Catch an early flight to Mary (about 1 hour) before driving 32km to ancient Merv. You'll need 4-5 hours to properly explore the ruins including the Greater Kyz Gala and Sultan Sanjar mausoleum. The site is large with minimal shade so wear good walking shoes and bring plenty of water. The return drive to Ashgabat takes about 5 hours over 360km. Pack some snacks and entertainment for the journey back.

    
  • Day 3

    Darvaza Gas Crater

    Begin your day at the Carpet Museum in Ashgabat where you can see the world's largest handwoven carpet. The 268km drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater takes roughly 4 hours through desert terrain. Plan to arrive in late afternoon to experience the "Door to Hell" at sunset and after dark. One visitor shared: "The sight of the eternally burning crater against the desert night sky was absolutely surreal - no photo can do it justice." Remember to pack warm clothes as desert nights get quite cold.

    
  • Day 4

    Kow-Ata & Horse Farms

    For your final day drive 107km to Kow-Ata's underground lake. The water stays between 33-37°C making it perfect for swimming. Bring water shoes to navigate the slippery limestone. Your afternoon takes you to the Akhal-Teke horse farm near Gokdepe. These horses are a national treasure and offer great photo opportunities. Allow 2-3 hours to return to Ashgabat airport considering possible traffic.

    

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