7 Days Turkmenistan Adventure Tour: Door to Hell, Canyon Hiking & Dinosaur Plateau

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. Along the way, you’ll pass the Wedding Palace, designed in the shape of an octagonal star and certified as the world’s largest star-shaped building. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy a good rest today.

If you arrive early in this morning, you will have half-day city tour in Ashgabat. 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.)

After seeing the architecture marvels, enjoy your city walk exploration. Begin at the Neutrality Monument, a striking 75-meter-high, tripod-shaped arch built in 1998 to symbolize Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality and its commitment to peace and goodwill. From its viewing platform, enjoy sweeping panoramas of the capital.

Next, stroll through Independence Park, home to statues of poets, philosophers, and national heroes, and marvel at the soaring Independence Monument, a 118-meter masterpiece built to commemorate Turkmenistan’s independence in 1991.

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.

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.

Afterward, enjoy some free time to wander the site at your own pace. Later, transfer to Daşoguz Airport for your evening flight to Ashgabat (about 50 minutes).

Travel Tip: Daşoguz Airport is southeast of Kunya-Urgench, about 107 km away, requiring 1.5–2 hour drive.

Upon arrival in Ashgabat, transfer to your hotel for overnight.

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.

On this day, you will be transferred to Ashgabat Airport for morning flight to Turkmenbashi (about 1 hour). Turkmenbashi is located on the northern shore of Krasnovodsk Bay, backed by semi-desert landscapes and facing the vast Caspian Sea.

Upon arrival, transfer from Turkmenbashi to the stunning Yangi Kala Canyon (also Yangykala Canyon, about 180 km, 3 hours). “Yangi Kala” means “Fire Fortresses” in Turkmen - a name that perfectly describes its dramatic cliffs of red, pink, orange, and white rock glowing like burning castles at sunset. Millions of years ago, this area lay beneath the ancient Paratethys Sea; tectonic uplift and erosion shaped today’s breathtaking canyon.

You will travel by 4WD vehicle through the desert, driving along the canyon rim. Stop at the famous “Crocodile Mouth” viewpoint, a rock platform resembling an open jaw and offering panoramic canyon views. Walk among the towering vertical cliffs, whose layered rock formations resemble ancient fortress walls and towers. Tip: The best seasons to visit are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October), when temperatures are comfortable (20–25°C).

Later, visit Gozli Ata Temple (about 65 km, 2 hours), a revered Sufi shrine dating to the early 14th century. Surrounded by red and pink cliffs, the white complex feels like a hidden spiritual sanctuary.

After the visit, transfer back to Turkmenbashi Airport (about 170 km, 2 hours 15 minutes) for your flight to Ashgabat. Enjoy a good rest upon arrival in Ashgabat.

This morning, you will be escorted to Ashgabat Airport for a flight to Kerki (about 1 hour), the fastest gateway to eastern Turkmenistan. Kerki serves as the main transit point to the Koytendag Mountains and the famous Dinosaur Plateau.

Upon arrival, transfer to the Dinosaur Plateau (about 191km, 3-4 hours), located within the Koytendag Nature Reserve on the western slopes of the Koytendag Range. This extraordinary site contains one of the world’s largest and best-preserved collections of dinosaur footprints.

On the limestone surface, you will see approximately 2,500-3,000 clearly visible dinosaur tracks dating back to the Late Jurassic period (around 150 million years ago). The footprints range from 20 to 70 cm in length, with some reaching nearly 90 cm. Stride lengths of up to 1.5-2 meters suggest massive dinosaurs standing 8-12 meters tall. Four distinct track lines are visible - three from adult dinosaurs and one likely from a juvenile - allowing you to trace their walking paths as if time stood still.

Afterward, enjoy a guided hike through colorful canyons and along the dramatic ridges of the Koytendag Mountains.

Lunch and dinner will be served at a mountain camp.

After breakfast, you will be escorted to Kerki Airport for your flight back to Ashgabat. Upon arrival, enjoy some free time to explore Turkmenistan’s dazzling capital, famous for its white-marble architecture and grand avenues.

Next, visit Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque (also known as Gypjak Mosque). The first sight that greets you is its massive golden dome shimmering under the desert sun. As the largest mosque in Central Asia, it can accommodate 10,000–20,000 worshippers at a time. Built entirely of Turkmenistan’s signature white marble, the mosque features four 91-meter-high minarets, symbolizing the country’s independence in 1991. Inside, admire glittering chandeliers, intricate geometric patterns, and inscriptions from both the Quran and the Ruhnama (“Book of the Soul”).

Dress Code Tips:

• Men: Long trousers required; no shorts or sleeveless shirts.
• Women: Headscarf required; long skirt or trousers covering the ankles; sleeves covering the wrists.

Later, pay a visit to Gulistan Bazaar, where you can experience vibrant local life among stalls selling fresh produce, spices, daily goods, and traditional Turkmen carpets. Feel free to sample local snacks if you wish.

Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to your next destination or to return home. Your 7-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!