4 Days Turkmenistan Tour: Ashgabat, Darvaza Fire & UNESCO Heritages

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 pick you up at the exit.

After that, 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 back through the vast Karakum Desert and get back to Ashgabat (about 4-5 hours).

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.

In this afternoon, you will enjoy a half-day Ashgabat City Tour. 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, 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.)

Night Tour for Amazing Ashgabat:

In this evening, 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.

After breakfast, you will be escorted to the Ashgabat airport for your flight to Mary (312km, 40 minutes).

Upon arrival at Mary International Airport, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to Ancient Merv, located 33km northeast of Mary. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the oldest and best-preserved of the oasis-cities along the Silk Route in Central Asia. It has spanned over 4,000 years’ history. During the medieval period, its population exceeded one million, making it one of the largest cities in the world. It was known as the "Queen of the World" and the "Jewel of the Silk Road."

Within the vast 1,200-hectare archaeological park, you'll have the chance to observe all the constituent parts of this "wandering city." The site consists of a series of adjacent cities, roughly divided into the ancient (Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala), the medieval (Sultan Kala), and the post-medieval (Abdulla-Khan Kala and Bayram-Ali-Khan Kala). Besides these remnants, you'll also visit the 6th-9th century AD forts of Big and Little Kyz-Kalas, which are excellent examples of the so-called "corrugated Koshks." You'll also explore the splendid 12th-century mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammed ibn-Zeyd, which demonstrate exquisite Seljuk-period brickwork and architectural décor.

After sightseeing, we'll head back to Mary to visit the local Regional Museum. The museum presents a wide array of archaeological finds dating back from the 3rd millennium BC to the late 19th century. The collections come from both Ancient Merv and Bronze Age sites of the Margush region, as well as interesting ethnographic displays that reconstruct the daily lives of the local Turkmen population.

In the evening, take a return flight to Ashgabat (40 mins). Our driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, you will have some free time to explore Ashgabat. Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to your next destination or to return home. Your 4-day Turkmenistan tour concludes here. (Tip: Please inform us of your flight details so we can arrange your airport transfer accordingly.)

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!