8 Days Turkmenistan Tour: Eastern & Central Turkmenistan & White Marble City (Slow-paced)

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. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy a good rest today.

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 renowned Dinosaur Plateau.

Upon arrival, stop in Kerki for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, continue your journey through Turkmenistan’s dramatic desert and mountain landscapes toward Koytendag.

Upon arrival, check in at the cozy Lena Camp. Enjoy dinner under the starry sky and relax overnight in this remote natural setting.

After breakfast, set out on an exciting journey through the dramatic landscapes of Kugitang (Koytendag), one of Turkmenistan’s most remarkable natural regions. Today is dedicated to exploring its diverse natural wonders, including deep canyons, mysterious caves, paleontological sites, and pristine mountain scenery.

Highlights of the day include Kyrkgyz Gala, the spectacular Waterfall Canyon, the enigmatic Hashimauk Cave, the scenic Koytin Lake, and the famous dinosaur footprint site, where prehistoric tracks have been preserved in limestone for millions of years.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the great outdoors, surrounded by untouched nature and mountain views.

After a full day of exploration, return to Lena Camp for dinner and a restful overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart from Lena Camp and travel back to the city of Kerki. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then transfer to the railway station to board your train to Mary.

The evening train journey offers a comfortable way to cross the desert landscapes, with dinner served on board. Arrival in Mary is scheduled around 22:00.

Upon arrival, check in your Hotel in Mary for overnight stay and rest.

After breakfast, our guide and 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.

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, it is time to explore the stunning city highlights and striking architectures of Ashgabat. Start your day at the Neutrality Monument. Built in 1998, this 75-meter-high, tripod-shaped arch symbolizes Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, power, and commitment to peace and goodwill.

Next, you'll move to the National Museum of Turkmenistan. This magnificent museum is one of the largest in Central Asia. Its striking exterior is a huge white marble building with unique blue dome, golden statues, and grand colonnades. Magnificent and beautiful! With a collection of over 500,000 items, there's plenty to explore. You can view archaeological finds from important Silk Road sites like Nisa, Merv, and Gonur Depe. See ancient artifacts such as coins, weapons, fine pottery, and gold jewelry. Be sure to see the museum's prized treasure: the ancient rhytons. You'll also see traditional clothing and other exhibits that capture the national spirit.

Later, you'll see the Independence Monument within Independence Park. This beautiful park is home to many statues of Turkmen poets, thinkers, and national heroes. You can also marvel at the 118-meter monument, which was built to commemorate Turkmenistan's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

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 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.)

Specially Arranged Dinner & Night Tour of Ashgabat

In the evening, enjoy a specially arranged banquet dinner accompanied by a folkloric show, featuring performers in traditional costumes. Each guest will also receive a small souvenir as a warm local gesture.

After dinner, continue with a night city tour of Ashgabat. Drive along the main avenues to admire the city’s spectacularly illuminated landmarks, showcasing its iconic white-marble architecture and grand monuments. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel for a comfortable overnight rest.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time to further explore Ashgabat. Visit Altyn Asyr Oriental Bazaar, one of the largest and most spectacular open-air markets in Central Asia. From above, the bazaar resembles a giant Turkmen carpet, with concentric circles and radial layouts.

Explore leisurely and you’ll find almost everything here - from camels, carpets, and traditional clothing to spices, household goods, electronics, and even cars. It’s the perfect place to experience local life and pick up unique souvenirs.

Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight or return home. Your 8-day Turkmenistan tour concludes here. (Tip: Please share your flight details in advance 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!