3 Days Turkmenistan Highlights Tour (Dashoguz-Shavat Border Exit)

Hello friend, welcome to Turkmenistan! This fascinating country borders Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to the north and northeast. Among the five “Stans,” Turkmenistan offers you white-marble capital, the famous Door to Hell, and Silk Road relics. Get ready for a journey filled with mystery, surreal cityscapes, and glorious past.

Upon arrival at Ashgabat International Airport (ASB), your local guide and driver will be waiting to transfer you to your downtown hotel. (Tip: the airport is about 10 km northwest of Ashgabat, around 20-minute drive.)

Arrival Ideas to Ashgabat (Flights Available):

Many international flights connect to Turkmenistan, though not on a daily basis. You can fly nonstop to Ashgabat from cities such as Moscow (4h), Istanbul (4h 15m), London (7h 10m), Milan (6h 20m), Frankfurt (7h 5m), Dubai (2h 30m), Bangkok (6h 45m), Beijing (6h), Urumqi (3h 25m), Seoul (7h 40m), Ho Chi Minh City (8h 20m), Delhi (3h 40m), and Kuala Lumpur (8h 10m), and more. Tell us your departure city, and we’ll help you find the best flight options.

Ashgabat, the capital, is a pure white world, truly unique. It has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the city with the highest density of white marble buildings. More than 500 structures are decorated with shining marble. Your driver will take you on a ride through these white giants, making you feel as if you’ve entered film-like world, similar to The Truman Show. Today, begin your adventure in Ashgabat.

Half-day City Tour in Ashgabat:

If you arrive early, you will have time to explore Ashgabat this afternoon. First, you’ll visit the Horse Stables to see the national pride of Turkmenistan - the Akhal-Teke horses, often celebrated as some of the most beautiful horses in the world. Known as “heavenly horses,” they are famous for their distinctive metallic sheen. You can gently touch their silky coats and observe their shimmering, golden glow up close. (Optional Horse Riding: There is an additional fee if you wish to ride the horses.)

Later, you will also visit Gulistan Bazaar to experience vibrant local life. Wander through stalls filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, daily essentials, and even traditional Turkmen carpets. If you’d like, feel free to sample some local snacks or street food here.

AOT Specially Arranged Dinner in Ashgabat:

This evening, Asia Odyssey Travel invites you to enjoy a special dinner at the symbolic Tower Restaurant. Savor authentic local flavors while taking in the stunning night views of Ashgabat.

After dinner, continue with a night city tour to admire the beautifully illuminated landmarks of Ashgabat as you drive along the main avenues. Transfer back to your hotel for a good rest.

This morning, your local guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Leave the marble-white city of Ashgabat and head northwest to Old Nisa, the earliest capital of the Parthian Empire (3rd century BC, known in ancient China as Anxi). Today, it is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Built mainly of mud bricks, the ancient city has withstood over 2,000 years of erosion and earthquakes, yet its grand layout remains clearly visible. Walk through the site, explore the Pentagonal Fortress, offering sweeping views of the surrounding plains and the distant Kopet Dag Mountains. Visit the Square Hall, the core structure of the royal complex, and the Round Temple, believed to be linked to Zoroastrian fire worship or royal rituals. Old Nisa is also famous as the discovery site of the exquisite Nisa ivory rhytons (now housed in the National Museum of Ashgabat). Take some time to stroll along the outer mud-brick walls - for panoramic photos of this remarkable ancient capital.

After that, proceed to Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque (also Gypjak Mosque). The first sight comes to eye will be the massive golden dome - shimmering under the desert sun. It is the largest mosque in Central Asia, capable of accommodating 10,000 to 20,000 worshippers at a time. Built entirely from Turkmenistan’s signature white marble, the structure stands with four 91-meter minarets, symbolizing the country’s independence in 1991.

Its gleaming façade, grand golden dome, and towering minarets form a striking silhouette against the sky. Inside, you’ll find glittering chandeliers, intricate geometric designs, and inscriptions from both the Quran and the Ruhnama (“Book of the Soul”), written by Turkmenistan’s first president. (Dress Code Tips: (1) Men: Long trousers required; no shorts or sleeveless shirts. (2) Women: Headscarf required (to cover hair); long skirt or trousers that cover the ankles; sleeves must cover the wrists.)

Later, make a short visit to Derbent Village along the way to experience the traditional rural life of the Turkmen people.

In this afternoon, it's time to be transferred to the Darvaza Burning Gas Crater, a journey of 272km (4-5 hours). We'll travel through the Karakum Desert, with its moving sands and sparse vegetation. After turning off the main road, we'll begin an exciting eight-kilometer desert drive, which will bring us within a few hundred meters of the flaming crater. You've now arrived at the "Door to Hell"!

The crater was formed in 1971 when Soviet geologists were drilling for natural gas. The ground beneath their rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 60 meters and a depth of 20 meters. To prevent the release of poisonous gas, they decided to light it on fire, hoping it would burn itself out in a few days. The gas, however, is still burning today.

At daylight, the crater may seem like an ordinary hole in the ground, with a slight haze of smoke. We'll take a walk around the site while our barbecue dinner is being prepared. As dusk falls, the simple hole transforms into a spectacular "fire temple," creating an otherworldly atmosphere that will ignite your imagination. We'll finish the day with a taste of delicious nomadic food, with the flickering lights of the "eternal" fire.

Stay overnight in a traditional yurt camp. (Note: The camp provides basic, shared outdoor washing and toilet facilities.)

This morning, enjoy picnic-style breakfast at Darvaza in the desert. Afterward, drive north through the vast Karakum Desert to Kunya-Urgench (276 km, about 5 hours).

Located in northwestern Turkmenistan, Kunya-Urgench was once one of Central Asia’s most prosperous cities and the capital of the powerful Khwarazmian Empire. It reached its peak in the 11th–12th centuries as both a major Silk Road trade hub and a leading center of science, culture, and art in the Islamic world. Many renowned scholars worked here, making it a city to rival Bukhara and Samarkand. Today, what you see are ancient ruins (dating from the 11th to 16th centuries) scattered across the desert landscape, but the site is in fact recognized as an important UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 2005). It is a place where you can trace the diverse methods and decorative styles of Islamic architecture in Central Asia.

On arrival, begin your visit at the Kutlug-Timur Minaret, soaring 60 meters high and the tallest structure on site. Continue to the Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh (12th century), noted for its distinctive conical dome. Then explore the highlight of the complex, the Mausoleum of Turabeg Khanum (14th century), one of the most magnificent in the city. Take time to step inside and admire its breathtaking dome and intricate decorations. Also visit the Mausoleum of Il Arslan (12th century), where the square base and decorative brickwork reflect early Islamic architecture.

After the tour, you will be transferred to the Shavat–Dashoguz border crossing between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Complete customs and passport control procedures on both sides, then walk through the border zone to the exit.

Transfer Service to Uzbekistan:

If you prefer private vehicle transfer in Uzbekistan, we can arrange it in advance. After clearing the border, your local driver will meet you and transfer you to Khiva (about 60 km, about 1 hour).

Optional Extension:

Turkmenistan is part of a larger Central Asia tour. You can also cover other highlights in Uzbekistan (Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent), Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. We can tailor Central Asia tour based on your preferred duration and interests.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Turkmenistan tour. We look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure!