Turkmenistan Fixed Date Group Tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included. $70 deposit, balance in cash at the start of the tour.
Turkmenistan Fixed Date Group Tour Highlights
Join our Fixed-Date Group Tour and discover the highlights of Turkmenistan, from the Uzbekistan border near Bukhara to the border close to Khiva. There is also an option to arrive and depart from Ashgabat Airport.
Explore the ancient Silk Road city of Merv, admire the spectacular white-marble capital of Ashgabat, and visit a local Akhal-Teke horse farm to learn about Turkmenistan’s legendary horse breed. Experience the unforgettable Darvaza Gas Crater, known as the “Door to Hell,” and spend a night under the stars in the Karakum Desert.
This 4-day journey combines ancient history, unique culture, impressive architecture and extraordinary desert landscapes – an ideal introduction to Turkmenistan for travellers continuing their journey through Central Asia.
- Merv – the “Queen of the World”, an ancient Silk Road capital with fortresses and mausoleums spanning two millennia
- Ashgabat – the white-marble capital, named in the Guinness Book of Records
- Akhal-Teke horses – visit a stable of Turkmenistan’s national pride
- Darvaza Gas Crater – the “Door to Hell” at night, with a BBQ dinner and an overnight in a desert yurt camp
Difficulty: Easy No hiking and no altitude – only short walks at the sights. Long drives of 4–5 hours (250–360 km) on most days, partly by 4x4 to the crater, and one night in a simple yurt camp/tent at Darvaza.
Guaranteed departures
Every date runs as scheduled. Same price on all departures.
Guaranteed tour dates 2026
| Dates | Days | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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Guaranteed tour dates 2027
| Dates | Days | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| – Available | Fri – Mon | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Fri – Mon | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
|
| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
|
| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
|
| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
|
| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $510 |
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Tour Itinerary
Our representative will meet you at the Turkmen/Uzbek border "Alat" at 9:00. Transfer to Merv (253km, 5h) to meet the group. Optional: arrive at Ashgabat International Airport and transfer to Mary to meet the group. Explore ancient Merv – the "Queen of the World", once one of the most important capitals of Islam alongside Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. Sightseeing includes Greater Kyz Gala and Lesser Kyz Gala (VI-VII c.), the Complex of Askhabs (VIII-XIV c.), Erk Gala (VI BC), Gyaur Gala (IV BC), the Hoja Yusup Hamadani complex, Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, and Muhamed Ibn Zeid Mausoleum. After sightseeing, drive to Mary and see the city's main downtown buildings, the bazaar and the Russian Orthodox church, time permitting. Overnight in Mary.
Merv
- Alat / Farap border control → Mary (253 km)
Overnight: Mary (Hotel)
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, drive to Ashgabat. Upon arrival, visit to Horse Stable to see the national pride of Turkmen people – Akhalteke horses, the nicest horses in the world. 5000 years ago, Turkmens began to breed Akhalteke horses. The World's unique breed was never mixed with other breeds. Such illustrious Emperors like Alexander the Great and Darius I desired to own Ahalteke horses. There are beautiful horses on the farm. Per superstition, every sick person who touches an Ahalteke horse will get well soon. Afternoon, you will have an Ashgabat city tour. In 2013, the Guinness Book of Records named Ashgabat a "white marbled city" – here you can see the biggest number of structures in the world made out of white marble. You will see the Wedding Palace, the modern "Yildyz" Hotel, the Ferris Wheel, the Constitution Monument, the Arch of Neutrality, the Monument and Park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazi Mosque, and Ashgabat Sports and Housing facilities. Overnight at the Hotel.
Ashgabat
- Mary → Ashgabat (360 km)
Overnight: Ashgabat (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time till noon. Afternoon, drive to Darvaza Burning Gas Crater (276km, 4h). The crater is also called "The Door to Hell". The area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 60 m and 20 m. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today. In the evening, watch the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater. BBQ dinner at Gas Crater.
Darvaza Gas Crater, Karakum Desert
- Ashgabat → Darvaza Gas Crater (276 km)
Overnight: Darvaza Gas Crater (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Picnic-style breakfast. After breakfast, drive to the Turkmen/Uzbek border checkpoint to cross into Uzbekistan. Optional: drive back to Ashgabat. Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport or to the hotel for an additional night.
- Darvaza Gas Crater → Shavat border control
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Price
Group Tour Price
Single room supplement: $65
What's included
Included
- Letter of Invitation (LOI) - State Registration, Travel Pass
- Accommodation in DBL/Twin room: Sport hotel (1 night), Mary Hotel (1 night), Yurt camp/Tent (1 night, incl. sleeping mats, sleeping bags, pillows, light)
- Escort guide services
- Transportation as per program (AC regular road vehicles and 4x4 where terrain requires)
- Entrance fees as per program
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel, BBQ dinner at Darvaza
- 5L water per person per day
- Travel tax
Not included
- International flights
- Cost of Turkmen visa and border fees (70-100 USD)
- PCR test (40 USD)
- Meals: lunch and dinner (about 10 USD per meal, except BBQ dinner at Darvaza)
- Transfers on the Uzbekistan side: Bukhara to Farap border, Shavat border to Khiva
- Medical insurance
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Payment for photo and video at particular sights or museums
- Services not shown in the program
- Single supplement - 65 USD per solo traveller (applies if you prefer a single room or no roommate of the same gender can be found)
Where you'll stay
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Night 1
Mary
Mary Hotel or similar
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Night 2
Ashgabat
Sport Hotel or similar
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Night 3
Darvaza Gas Crater
Darvaza yurt camp or similar
Border crossings & arrival
Khiva border (Shavat / Dashoguz)
Open from 9 am to 6 pm, lunch break 13:00–14:00. Transport drops you off near the Uzbek border buildings, where you are stamped out of Uzbekistan. There is a 1 km walk to the Turkmen customs building (no shared vehicle). After the walk, PCR tests are taken and your LOI is checked to issue the visa. The visa fee depends on nationality, plus a customs fee of 10–14 USD (together no more than 100 USD). Then you are stamped in, fill out the customs declaration and pass customs formalities. The Turkmen guide meets you here and assists you; the vehicle waits about 150 m from the building.
Bukhara border (Farap / Alat)
Open 24 hours, lunch break 13:00–14:00. Transport drops you off near the Uzbek border buildings, where you are stamped out of Uzbekistan. A 300 m walk takes you to the customs gate, from where a shared minivan (1 USD) takes you to the Turkmen side (1 km). After the PCR test you change to a Turkmen minivan (also 1 USD) for the 1.5 km drive to the Turkmen customs building, where the Turkmen guide meets you. On arrival you will be asked for your LOI. The visa fee depends on nationality, plus a customs fee of 10–14 USD (together no more than 100 USD). Then you are stamped in, fill out the customs declaration and pass customs formalities. The vehicle waits for you outside the building.
Ashgabat airport
On arrival, follow the “Luggage” or “Exit” signs. First you take a PCR test – ask the airport staff where to go. Then pay for the test and the visa fee at the cashier and keep the receipt, you need it for the visa. Payment is in US dollars: the test costs about 40 USD (subject to change) and the visa fee is about 55–75 USD depending on nationality, plus a 10–14 USD customs fee. Bring small USD notes in good condition, as change may be limited. Then go to the Migration / Visa Service with your letter of invitation (LOI), valid passport and payment receipts; the visa is pasted into your passport.
Please note: if other guests also join the group tour from Ashgabat, you will need to wait for them before departing for Mary to meet the group at the start of the tour. We always advise arriving early on those dates – most flights arrive at Ashgabat Airport early in the day.
Visa & invitation letter (LOI)
A visa is required for all international visitors to Turkmenistan. To obtain a tourist visa you need a Letter of Invitation (LOI) approved by the Migration Service of Turkmenistan, submitted by a licensed tour operator in the country. More details on our Turkmenistan visa page. When you book a tour with Central Asia Guide, we always arrange the invitation letter, and the visa is issued on arrival at the land borders or Ashgabat airport.
After you book, we reserve your spot and apply for the LOI a couple of months before your arrival. It takes about 2 weeks to be issued; we email it to you as soon as we receive it. Print it out and take it with you – you need it to get your visa at the border or airport.
To apply for the LOI we need:
- Passport copy
- Passport-size photo
- Filled application form
- Tour deposit payment
Money & costs
The official currency of Turkmenistan is the manat. A Visa card can be used for payments or cash withdrawals in some hotels and banks, but most ATMs only accept local Turkmen cards, and most shops and restaurants are cash only. Carry your funds in cash, preferably in new US dollars – euro notes are not widely accepted. Damaged USD notes are not always accepted, and change may not be available in smaller businesses or even at the borders.
US dollars can be exchanged throughout Turkmenistan, euros readily only in Ashgabat. Exchange money legally at banks and only change what you expect to spend, as manat cannot be converted back to dollars. The official exchange rate is fixed at 3.50 manat for 1 US dollar (October 2026); there is no fixed rate for euros. Keeping a cash reserve is wise anywhere in Central Asia, but especially in Turkmenistan.
Safety & local rules
Turkmenistan is a safe country as long as you respect the law. 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. Also note:
- Always carry identification while travelling around the country.
- Be careful with photography: military zones, transport hubs and government buildings may not be photographed by law, and people may not want to be photographed without their consent.
- Several social media apps and websites are blocked in the country (at least without a VPN).
- Avoid public displays of affection; homosexuality is illegal. Relationships with Turkmen women may lead to fines and deportation.
- Avoid discussing politics, human rights, religion, or criticising the president, the country or its people.
- During Ramadan, the 30-day holy month for Muslims, eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public during daylight hours is forbidden, as are loud music, dancing, revealing clothing and public swearing.
- Smoking is prohibited in all public areas except designated smoking areas. Possession or use of illegal drugs can lead to a long prison sentence.
- Turkmenistan is prone to earthquakes – mainly tremors, occasionally stronger.
- Drones are in practice banned in Turkmenistan.
Health
To prevent traveller’s diarrhoea, do not drink non-bottled, unfiltered or unboiled water, and do not use tap water for brushing teeth or ice. Avoid ice cream, choose thoroughly cooked meat and fish served hot, and boil vegetables and peel fruit before eating.
Up-to-date vaccinations against diphtheria, hepatitis A and tetanus are advisable. Make sure your travel insurance covers unforeseen medical situations including repatriation – medical services in Turkmenistan are basic at best. In an emergency, contact your travel insurance provider straight away. Check any restrictions on travelling with your medication.
Best time to go
Turkmenistan has a dry continental climate and is one of the hottest regions of Central Asia. In July and August temperatures in Ashgabat can reach 50°C, so summer departures are very hot. Most of the main sights lie in the treeless desert; the Caspian Sea coast is generally milder than the inland regions.
From December the weather turns cold, with temperatures below 0°C, occasional frosts down to –20°C and snowfall in parts of the country. The best periods to visit are March to June, with sunshine and pleasant temperatures, and September to November. Spring is especially beautiful, with a short burst of flowers and green landscapes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Turkmenistan?
Yes, most foreign visitors need a visa to enter Turkmenistan.
What is needed to get a tourist visa to Turkmenistan?
You need a valid Letter of Invitation (LOI) issued by the Migration Service of Turkmenistan. When you receive the LOI, print it out and bring it with you – it is exchanged for the visa on arrival.
How long does it take to process the Letter of Invitation (LOI)?
The LOI usually takes about 2 weeks.
Is a PCR test required for entry to Turkmenistan?
A PCR test is conducted on arrival as part of government policy. It is mandatory under local regulations.
Can I travel independently in Turkmenistan (without a tour)?
No. Independent travel is not allowed – tourists must travel with a licensed tour operator or have a pre-arranged itinerary (accommodation, transport, etc.).
Are any activities restricted on a Turkmenistan tourist visa?
The following activities are not allowed on a tourist visa:
- Engaging in business activities
- Visiting manufacturing factories
- Going to a local person’s private home
- Taking photos of police officers or security personnel
Download the itinerary
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.
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