Turkmenistan 4 days tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Turkmenistan 4 days tour Highlights
Cross from Uzbekistan into Turkmenistan on this 4-day private tour, which starts at the Hojeili border near Nukus and ends in Ashgabat. Turkmenistan blends modern extravagance, ancient history and natural wonders. On the first day you explore the UNESCO-listed mausoleums and the Kutlug Timur Minaret of Konye-Urgench, a well-preserved Silk Road city, and then drive across the Karakum Desert to the burning Darvaza Gas Crater, which you see by day and at night before sleeping in a yurt next to it.
In the white-marble capital Ashgabat you visit the National Museum of History, the Arch of Neutrality and Independence Park and, time permitting, see the city's night illuminations. The next day takes you to Old Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage fortress and one of the earliest capitals of the Parthian Empire, to the Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia, and to the Halk Hakydasy memorial complex. Along the way you meet the warm hospitality and rich traditions of the Turkmen people, with your letter of invitation for the visa and an English-speaking Turkmen guide arranged for you.
Difficulty: Easy Short walks at the sights. A land border crossing on foot (1.5 km neutral zone, waits of up to 1–2 hours and thorough searches), a 270 km drive (4–5 hours) through the desert to Darvaza and one night in a simple shared yurt.
Tour Itinerary
In the morning, drive from Nukus to the Hojeili border point (80–100 km, about 1.5 hours). Be at the border at 9:00 when it opens and go through the formalities at both checkpoints, then cross the 1.5 km neutral zone (a minibus is available for 1 USD per car). With your letter of invitation you get your Turkmenistan visa at the border. Please note: depending on the number of people waiting, the border crossing can take up to one or two hours, and be prepared to be thoroughly searched. On the Turkmen side of the border, meet your Turkmen guide and driver and transfer to Konye-Urgench (UNESCO World Heritage; 20 km, about 30 minutes). Visit the mausoleums of Turabek Khanum, Sultan Tekesh and Il Arslan and discover the Kutlug Timur Minaret. In the afternoon, drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater in the middle of the Karakum Desert (270 km, 4–5 hours) and see the burning crater by day and at night. Camp dinner and overnight in yurts (two people per yurt).
Konye-Urgench, Karakum Desert, Darvaza Gas Crater
- Nukus → Konye-Urgench (110 km)
- Konye-Urgench → Darvaza Gas Crater (270 km)
Overnight: Darvaza Gas Crater (Yurt camp)
Meals: Dinner
After a camp-style breakfast, drive to Ashgabat via the water crater and the Erbent desert community. Arrive in Ashgabat around noon, check in at the hotel (at or after 14:00) and have some rest during the midday heat after the long and bumpy ride of the past day. In the afternoon, take a short sightseeing tour of Ashgabat (3–4 hours) with the National Museum of History, the Arch of Neutrality and Independence Park. Drive back through the New City area of Ashgabat and enjoy its night illuminations (if the timing coincides). Overnight at the hotel.
Ashgabat
- Darvaza Gas Crater → Ashgabat
Overnight: Ashgabat (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, drive to the Old Nisa fortress (UNESCO World Heritage), the earliest of the Parthian Empire's capitals. Set in an atmospheric area on an irregular pentagonal hill at the foot of the Kopet-Dag Mountains, Old Nisa is a beautiful landmark. The 14-hectare fort holds two partly excavated complexes of Parthian-period structures (3rd century BC – 3rd century AD), identified as a royal residence and a temple complex. Continue to the Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. Then drive back to Ashgabat, stopping on the way at the National Memorial Complex "Halk Hakydasy" with its WWII and earthquake memorials, and spend some time there. Overnight at the hotel.
Nisa, Ashgabat
- Ashgabat → Nisa
- Nisa → Ashgabat
Overnight: Ashgabat (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Share this tour privately
Travelling alone or as a couple? Join other travellers who want to take this tour privately, or post your own request. The private price per person drops as the group grows.
No open requests for this tour yet. Post the first one and we'll show it here and on the group requests page.
What's included
Included
- Visa support (letter of invitation, state registration, travel pass)
- Road transport in private air-conditioned vehicles (regular or SUV/4WD)
- Accommodation in a shared yurt at Darvaza (2–4 people per yurt) and a shared double/twin hotel room in Ashgabat, including breakfast
- BBQ dinner at Darvaza
- English-speaking guide-interpreter
- Entrance fees as per program
- Photo camera fee at the Konye-Urgench historical park
- Bottled water, 1.5 liters per person per day
- Porter services
Not included
- Turkmenistan tourist visa, from 55 USD per person when obtained at a land border (subject to change; depends on nationality)
- Turkmenistan migration tax, 10 + 4 USD per person, paid at the land border (subject to change)
- COVID-19 PCR tests on arrival and/or departure, 33 USD per person per test (subject to change)
- Tourist fee of 2 USD per person per night, charged by the hotel at departure (obligatory)
- Photo/video fees at Nisa and the National Museum
- Tips for the local guide(s) and driver(s)
- Souvenirs and other personal items
- All other charges and services not mentioned under "Included"
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
-
Night 1
Darvaza Gas Crater
Darvaza yurt camp or similar
-
Nights 2–3
Ashgabat
Hotel in Ashgabat or similar
Good to know
- Money: Bring cash in US dollars only for your local expenses in Turkmenistan; euros and credit cards are not accepted.
- Passport: A member of our local partner’s staff needs to take your original passport for several hours for registration.
- Vehicles: Different vehicles and drivers may be used during the tour, depending on the route section and the type of transport needed.
- Museum opening days: The National History Museum and the Fine Arts Museum are closed on Tuesdays; the National Carpet Museum is closed on Saturday afternoons and on Sundays.
- Weekend Bazaar: The Tolkuchka (Altyn Asyr Gundogar) Bazaar is best visited on Sundays, when it has an additional livestock section. It is closed on Mondays to Wednesdays and on Fridays, but the other city bazaars are open (no photography permitted).
- Photo fees at historical sites and museums: Nisa (UNESCO) about 3 USD per camera, Carpet Museum about 4 USD per photo, Fine Arts Museum about 14 USD per camera, National Museum about 14 USD per camera.
Turkmenistan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Turkmenistan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Turkmenistan before booking. For Turkmenistan most tourists require a letter of invitation and a visa based on it.
The official currency is the manat. Most shops and restaurants take cash only, so carry your money in cash, preferably new US dollar notes.
Cards and ATMs
A Visa card works for payments or cash withdrawals in some hotels and banks, but most ATMs only accept local Turkmen cards.
Exchanging money
US dollars are easy to exchange throughout the country, but euros only in Ashgabat, and euro notes are not widely accepted. Exchange money legally at banks, and only as much as you expect to spend: manat cannot be changed back into dollars. The official rate is fixed at 3.50 manat to the US dollar; there is no fixed rate for euros.
Keep a reserve
A cash reserve for unexpected situations is wise anywhere in Central Asia, and especially in Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan is a safe country as long as you stay within the law; overstepping it can have unpleasant consequences.
Staying safe
- Carry identification with you at all times while travelling around the country.
- Wear a money belt, keep an eye on your belongings, avoid poorly lit streets at night and do not use unofficial taxis when travelling alone.
Photography and internet
- Photographing military zones, transport hubs and government buildings is prohibited by law. People may also be sensitive about being photographed without consent.
- Several social media apps and websites are blocked and cannot be used without a VPN.
- Drones are in practice banned.
Laws and customs
- Avoid public displays of affection. Homosexuality is illegal. Relationships with Turkmen women are best avoided, as they can lead to fines and deportation.
- Avoid talking about politics, human rights, religion, or criticising the president, the country or its people.
- During Ramadan, the Muslim holy month whose dates move each year, eating, drinking, smoking and chewing gum in public are forbidden in daylight hours, as are loud music, dancing, revealing clothing and swearing in public.
- Smoking is banned in all public places except designated smoking areas. Possessing or using illegal drugs can mean a long prison sentence.
Earthquakes
Turkmenistan is prone to earthquakes, mostly tremors, though stronger ones occasionally occur.
All international visitors need a visa for Turkmenistan.
Letter of invitation
A tourist visa requires a letter of invitation (LOI) approved by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, applied for by a licensed tour operator in the country.
Booking with us
When you book a tour with Central Asia Guide, we always arrange the letters of invitation, and the visa is issued on arrival at the land borders or Ashgabat airport.
The best times to visit Turkmenistan are March to June, when the sun shines and temperatures are pleasant, and September to November. Spring is especially lovely, with a short burst of delicate flowers and green landscapes.
Summer
Turkmenistan's dry continental climate makes it one of the hottest places in Central Asia. July and August are the least favourable months, with temperatures in Ashgabat reaching 50°C. Most of the main sights are in the treeless desert, but the Caspian coast is usually milder than inland and suits summer travel.
Winter
Cold weather arrives in December, with temperatures below 0°C, occasional frosts down to −20°C and snow in parts of the country.
Medical services in Turkmenistan are rudimentary at best. Make sure your insurance covers unforeseen medical situations, including repatriation.
Food and water
To avoid traveller's diarrhoea, drink only bottled, filtered or boiled water, and do not use tap water for brushing your teeth or for ice. Avoid ice cream. Choose meat and fish that are thoroughly cooked and served hot, cook vegetables and peel fruit.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations against diphtheria, hepatitis A and tetanus are advisable.
Medical care
If you need urgent medical care, contact your travel insurer straight away. Check the rules for travelling with medicines before you go.
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