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How Many Days to Spend in Turkmenistan? 3-10 Days
Choosing the right length for your Turkmenistan itinerary depends on how much of the Silk Road you're trying to conquer.
After years of leading groups through the Karakum Desert, I've seen that travelers generally fall into 4 camps based on their curiosity and time.
If you're on a quick mission, 3 days is enough to hit the "Big Three": Ashgabat, the flaming Darvaza Crater, and Ancient Merv.
For a more relaxed pace that adds the northern history of Kunya-Urgench, 5 days is the sweet spot.
If your heart is set on nature, 7 days allows you to reach the "Grand Canyon of Central Asia"—Yangykala Canyon—and the legendary Dinosaur Plateau in Koytendag.
Finally, true explorers should go for the 10-day deep dive to experience the Kova-Ata Underground Lake, the mountain culture of Nohur Village, and a remote night at Lena Camp.
How to Pick Your Turkmenistan Itinerary? A Comparison Table
To help you choose at a glance, here is a comparison of the routes we've perfected using the best transport connections and local timing.
| Duration | Pace | Best For | Entry / Exit | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Days | Fast | Quick Highlights | Ashgabat / Ashgabat | Ashgabat, Darvaza Crater, Akhal-Teke Stables, Ancient Merv |
| 5 Days | Steady | Classic Sightseeing | Ashgabat / Ashgabat | + Kunya-Urgench |
| 7 Days | Active | Nature & History | Ashgabat / Ashgabat | + Yangykala Canyon, Dinosaur Plateau, Lena Camp |
| 10 Days | Relaxed | Deep Divers | Farap Border / Ashgabat | + Kova-Ata Lake, Nohur Village |
3 Days Turkmenistan Itinerary: Ashgabat, Darvaza Crater, Ancient Merv
This is our most efficient route, designed to show you the heart of the country in just a long weekend. You'll fly in and out of the capital, Ashgabat, making it the easiest plan to fit into a larger Central Asia trip.
- Pace: Fast and exciting—every hour counts!
- Best For: Travelers wanting to see the "must-sees" with limited time.
- Connections: Includes a round car trip between Ashgabat and Darvaza, plus a round flight between Ashgabat and Mary.
- Where to Stay: Comfortable hotels in Ashgabat and a cozy yurt camp under the desert stars at Darvaza.
| Destination | Duration | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Ashgabat | 1 Day | Neutrality Monument, National Museum, Independence Monument, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, Akhal-Teke Horse Stables, Gulistan Bazaar |
| Darvaza | 1 Day | Darvaza Gas Crater (Door to Hell), traditional yurt camp, sunset desert BBQ |
| Mary | 1 Day | Ancient Merv (UNESCO site via round flight), Mary History Museum |
Day 1: Ashgabat to the Gates of Hell
Your 3-day Turkmenistan itinerary starts the moment you land in the capital.
We'll spend the morning exploring a city that feels like a futuristic film set. Visit the towering Neutrality Monument and the National Museum to see treasures from the old Silk Road.
By the afternoon, we leave the white marble behind and head into the vast Karakum Desert. We'll reach the Darvaza Gas Crater just as the sun sets.
There's nothing like the roar of the "Door to Hell" at night! We'll enjoy a desert BBQ and sleep in a traditional yurt right near the glowing flames.
Day 2: Desert Sunrise and the Golden Horses
Wake up to a quiet desert sunrise before we drive back toward Ashgabat. This afternoon is all about the soul of the country.
We'll visit the Akhal-Teke Horse Stables to meet the legendary "Golden Horses." Their metallic coats literally glow in the sun! We'll also stop by the beautiful Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and wander through the Gulistan Bazaar.
It's the best place to grab some local snacks or a fresh Turkmen melon before tucking into a comfy hotel bed for the night.
Day 3: The Silk Road and Ancient Merv
On your final day, we skip the long, bumpy 5-hour drive and take a quick round flight to Mary.
We'll spend the day at Ancient Merv, a massive UNESCO site. This place was once the largest city in the world! Walking among the giant mud-brick walls and the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum feels like stepping back 800 years in time.
After a quick visit to the Mary History Museum, we'll fly back to the capital for a farewell dinner and your flight home.
5 Days Turkmenistan Itinerary: Kunya-Urgench
This is our most popular route. It gives you a little more breathing room to soak in the atmosphere. It is a loop that starts and ends in the white-marble capital.
- Pace: Steady and well-balanced.
- Best For: First-time visitors and history buffs.
- Connections: We maximize your time with round flights to Mary (Merv) and a flight from Dashoguz back to Ashgabat, cutting out over 12 hours of driving.
- Where to Stay: 3 nights in Ashgabat hotels and one adventurous night in a desert yurt at the crater.
| Destination | Duration | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Ashgabat | 2.5 Days | Neutrality Monument, National Museum, Independence Monument, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque |
| Mary | 1 Day | Ancient Merv (UNESCO site via round flight), Mary History Museum |
| Darvaza | 1 Day | Darvaza Gas Crater (Door to Hell), traditional yurt camp, sunset desert BBQ |
| Kunya-Urgench | 0.5 Day | Kutlug-Timur Minaret, Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh, Mausoleum of Turabeg Khanum, Mausoleum of Il Arslan |
Ashgabat: The Marble City (Day 1, 3, & 5)
You'll have plenty of time to soak in the capital's unique vibe.
Day 1 is for settling in and seeing the grand Independence Monument. On Day 3 morning, we visit the National Museum to see Silk Road treasures. We wrap up on Day 5 with the golden statues and the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque before your flight.
Mary: The Heart of Merv (Day 2)
On Day 2, we take a quick round flight to the oasis of Mary. This day is dedicated to Ancient Merv, a UNESCO site that was once the "Queen of the World."
You'll explore 2,500 years of history, from the high walls of the Kyz Kala fortress to the towering Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum.
Darvaza: Night at the "Door to Hell" (Day 3)
In the afternoon of Day 3, we trade the marble for the sand and drive into the Karakum Desert.
We reach the Darvaza Gas Crater just as it begins to glow against the dark sky. You'll enjoy a campfire BBQ and sleep in a traditional yurt right on the edge of the crater.
Kunya-Urgench: Northern Ruins (Day 4)
On Day 4, we wake up in the desert and head north to Kunya-Urgench, the former heart of the Khorezm Empire.
You'll see the Kutlug-Timur Minaret (the tallest in Central Asia) and the stunning tiles of the Turabeg Khanum Mausoleum.
To keep things easy, we take a flight from Dashoguz back to Ashgabat that evening.
Turkmenistan Itinerary for 7 Days: Yangi Kala Canyon, Dinosaur Plateau
Want to see the colors of the earth?
This week-long Turkmenistan itinerary covers the "Big Three". Also, stretch to the colorful Yangi Kala Canyon of the west and the remote eastern Dinosaur Plateau where dinosaur footprints are frozen in stone.
- Pace: Active and immersive.
- Best For: Nature photographers, hikers.
- Connections: We maximize your time with 3 round domestic flights (Ashgabat to Mary, Turkmenbashi, and Kerki). We also use private 4WD vehicles for the desert stretches.
- Where to Stay: Ashgabat hotels, yurt camp nearby the crater, and Lena Camp in the Koytendag mountains.
| Destination | Duration | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Ashgabat | 2 Days | Neutrality Monument, National Museum, Independence Monument, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, Akhal-Teke Horse Stables, Old Nisa, Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, Gulistan Bazaar |
| Darvaza | 1 Day | Darvaza Gas Crater, traditional yurt camp, sunset desert BBQ |
| Kunya-Urgench | 0.5 Day | UNESCO Ruins, Kutlug-Timur Minaret |
| Mary | 1 Day | Ancient Merv (UNESCO site via round flight), Mary History Museum |
| Turmenbashi | 1 Day | Yangi Kala Canyon, Gozli Ata Temple (round flight) |
| Kerki | 1.5 Days | Koytendag Nature Reserve (round flight), Dinosaur Plateau, Hiking |
Ashgabat: The Marble Heart (Day 1 & 7)
We start on Day 1 with a visit to the Akhal-Teke Horse Stables to see the famous "Golden Horses." As the sun sets, we take a Night City Tour to see the white marble monuments glowing under thousands of LED lights.
Before you leave on Day 7, we'll visit the massive Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque and grab last-minute souvenirs at the Gulistan Bazaar.
Darvaza & Kunya-Urgench: Fire & History (Day 2-3)
On Day 2, we visit the UNESCO-listed fortress of Old Nisa before driving deep into the desert in our 4WD vehicles. You'll spend the night in a traditional yurt right next to the roaring Darvaza Gas Crater.
On Day 3, we head north to the ruins of Kunya-Urgench to see the tallest minaret in Central Asia before flying back to Ashgabat.
Mary & Turkmenbashi: Silk Road & Canyons (Day 4-5)
Day 4 is a quick round flight to Mary to explore Ancient Merv, a city that was once the "Queen of the World."
On Day 5, we fly west to the Caspian coast.
We'll take 4WDs into Yangykala Canyon, where the striped pink and red rock walls look like a landscape from Mars. We'll also visit the Gozli Ata Temple, one of the country's holiest pilgrimage sites.
Kerki: The Land of Dinosaurs (Day 6-7)
We take a round flight east to Kerki for the most remote part of the trip on Day 6.
We'll hike into the Koytendag Nature Reserve to reach the legendary Dinosaur Plateau. Standing on a surface marked with over 400 prehistoric footprints is a feeling you can't describe!
We'll stay at the cozy Lena Camp in the mountains before catching a final flight back to the capital for your departure.
Turkmenistan Itinerary for 10 Days: Kova-Ata Lake, Nohur Village
This is for the traveler who wants to see every corner. We start at the Uzbekistan border and work our way through the mountains to the sea.
- Pace: Relaxed and thorough.
- Best For: Travelers entering from Uzbekistan (Farap border) who want a "slow travel" experience.
- Connections: We minimize the heavy driving with domestic flights (Kerki to Ashgabat, Turkmenbashi to Ashgabat, and a round flight to Mary).
- Where to Stay: A mix of Ashgabat hotels, the remote Lena Camp in the eastern mountains, and a desert yurt at the crater.
| Destination | Duration | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Ashgabat | 4.5 Days | Kova-Ata Underground Lake, Nohur Village, National Museum of Fine Arts, Altyn Asyr Oriental Bazaar, National Carpet Museum, Local Village (Bahardok or Erbent) |
| Darvaza | 1 Day | Darvaza Gas Crater, traditional yurt camp, sunset desert BBQ |
| Mary | 1 Day | Ancient Merv (UNESCO site via round flight), Mary History Museum |
| Turmenbashi | 1 Day | Yangi Kala Canyon, Gozli Ata Temple (round flight) |
| Kerki | 1.5 Days | Koytendag Nature Reserve (round flight), Dinosaur Plateau, Hiking |
Kerki: The Eastern Frontier (Day 1-3)
Your journey begins at the Farap border. We drive straight to the Koytendag Mountains, the most rugged and greenest part of the country.
You'll stay at the cozy Lena Camp and spend 2 days hiking to the Dinosaur Plateau to see hundreds of prehistoric footprints frozen in stone.
We'll also explore deep limestone canyons and hidden mountain caves before catching a flight from Kerki to the capital.
Ashgabat: The Marble World (Day 3-5 & 8-10)
You have 4.5 days to uncover the mysteries of the "White Marble City." Beyond the grand monuments, we take deep dives into local culture.
Day 4 is for the ancient UNESCO ruins of Old Nisa and the famous Akhal-Teke horses.
Day 5 takes us out to the Kova-Ata Underground Lake for a warm sulfuric swim in a cave, followed by a visit to the stone houses of Nohur Village.
On your final days, we visit the National Carpet Museum and the massive Altyn Asyr Oriental Bazaar to find handmade silks and rugs.
Turkmenbashi: Canyons & The Caspian (Day 6)
We take a flight to the Caspian coast for a day of incredible landscapes.
We'll drive 4WDs into Yangykala Canyon, where the striped pink and red rock walls look like a landscape from another planet.
We also visit Gozli Ata, one of the most respected pilgrimage sites in the country, tucked into the colorful cliffs. We fly back to Ashgabat that evening.
Mary: Echoes of the Silk Road (Day 7)
A quick round flight takes us to the oasis of Mary.
We spend the day at Ancient Merv, a sprawling UNESCO site that was once the "Queen of the World." You'll walk through 2,500 years of history and see the massive mud-brick fortresses and the towering Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum.
Then, we fly back to the capital.
Darvaza: The Burning Heart (Day 8-9)
We leave the marble behind and drive deep into the Karakum Desert.
We'll stop at local desert villages like Erbent to see traditional life before reaching the Darvaza Gas Crater. Watching the "Door to Hell" roar under a blanket of stars is the ultimate finale.
We'll enjoy a desert BBQ and sleep in a traditional yurt before heading back to Ashgabat for your farewell dinner.
Connections for Turkmenistan Itinerary: Domestic Flights vs. Driving
Turkmenistan is large, and its roads are famously bumpy. While driving is an adventure, domestic flights are the ultimate time-savers, turning an 8-hour desert haul into a 40-minute hop!
Most of our travelers choose a mix: they drive the scenic routes (like Ashgabat to Darvaza) and fly the long stretches to maximize their sightseeing time.
| Route | Transport Mode | Travel Time | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashgabat to Mary | Flight / Drive | 40 min / 5-6 hours | 350 km |
| Ashgabat to Dashoguz | Flight / Drive | 50 min / 8-9 hours | 580 km |
| Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi | Flight / Drive | 1 hour / 7-8 hours | 560 km |
| Ashgabat to Kerki | Flight / Drive | 1 hour / 10+ hours | 800 km |
| Ashgabat to Darvaza | 4WD Drive Only | 3.5 - 4 hours | 270 km |
Best Time to Plan a Turkmenistan Itinerary
Turkmenistan is a land of extremes. To avoid the scorching desert sun or the biting winter winds, timing is everything!
☛ Spring (Mid-March to May): The absolute best time. The desert is in bloom, the weather is a perfect 20°C to 30°C, and the Nowruz (New Year) celebrations in March are magical.
☛ Autumn (September to November): The second best window. The summer heat has faded, and the markets are overflowing with the country's famous melons.
Best Time to Visit Turkmenistan: Weather Yearly & Travel Tips 2026
Turkmenistan Itinerary Packing List
I've put together a list to keep you comfortable through both the hot desert days and the chilly mountain nights.
| Category | Item | Why You Need It |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing (Day) | Lightweight, breathable fabrics | To stay cool during the hot desert and city walks. |
| Clothing (Night) | Thermal base layers or thick fleece | Desert and mountain temperatures drop fast after sunset. |
| Outerwear | Windproof jacket or light puffer | Essential for the mountain breezes in Koytendag. |
| Footwear | Sturdy hiking boots (broken in) | For the uneven terrain at the Dinosaur Plateau and canyons. |
| Footwear | Moisture-wicking & wool socks | To prevent blisters during the day and keep toes warm at night. |
| Sun/Weather | SPF 50+, Polarized sunglasses, Hat | The sun is incredibly intense in the Karakum Desert. |
| Gear | High-capacity Power Bank | Charging outlets are non-existent in yurt camps and Lena Camp. |
| Hydration | Filtered water bottle | To ensure you have clean drinking water in remote areas. |
| Hygiene | Wet wipes & Travel towel | "Dry showers" are often necessary when camping at Darvaza. |
| Health | Personal First-Aid & Meds | Access to pharmacies is very limited once you leave Ashgabat. |
Pro Tip: Turkmenistan is a conservative country. While hiking, standard outdoor gear is fine, but in Ashgabat and near mosques (like Gozli Ata), keep your shoulders and knees covered!
More FAQs about Turkmenistan Itinerary
Q: Is Turkmenistan open for tourism? Yes! Turkmenistan reopened its borders in 2023. You just need a guided tour and a Letter of Invitation (LOI).
Q: Is Turkmenistan worth visiting? Absolutely. From the "Door to Hell" to the marble capital, there is nowhere else on Earth like it.
Q: Is Turkmenistan expensive to visit? It is mid-range. Since you must book a guided tour, you'll pay for a car, driver, and guide, but we offer group tours to keep costs down.
Q: How to visit Turkmenistan? You must book through a registered travel agency (like us!) to get your LOI and Turkmen Visa.
Q: Is it safe to travel to Turkmenistan? Very. Crime against tourists is almost non-existent. However, you must follow local laws and stay with your guide.
Is Central Asia Safe to Travel? My Honest Research
Q: Why is Turkmenistan the least visited country? Strictly due to its rigorous visa process, which keeps the crowds away and the experience authentic.
Q: Can you travel independently in Turkmenistan? Not really. Outside of Ashgabat, you must be accompanied by a licensed guide.
Q: What to do in Turkmenistan? Explore the Darvaza Crater, the marble monuments of Ashgabat, the ruins of Merv, and the colorful Yangykala Canyons.
Q: Can I use credit cards in Turkmenistan? Rarely. Turkmenistan is a cash-only economy (USD is best). Bring crisp, new bills.
Q: Is there Wi-Fi in Turkmenistan? Available in big hotels, but it is slow and many social media sites are blocked.
Q: Can you drink or smoke in Turkmenistan? Alcohol is available in restaurants and hotels. Smoking is prohibited in all public outdoor spaces; only smoke in designated areas.
Book with Asia Odyssey Travel: The Best Turkmenistan Travel Agency
Asia Odyssey Travel is a Turkmenistan-registered travel agency dedicated to making this mysterious destination accessible.
We handle your Letter of Invitation (LOI) and Turkmenistan Visa with a high success rate, ensuring your entry is stress-free.
Whether you prefer a customized private Turkmenistan Tours or budget-friendly Turkmenistan Group Tours (2-16 people), we have options to fit your style.
We offer specialized themed adventures, including Ashgabat City Tours and Darvaza Gas Crater Tours.
For those looking to conquer the Silk Road, we provide seamless travel across all 5 major "Stans"—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Would you like me to check the departure dates for our group tours or provide a customized quote for your private expedition?
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