Turkmenistan

The Best Travel Destination for History Lovers!

A favorite choice for thousands of travelers

6 Days in Turkmenistan

Embark on an unforgettable adventure through Turkmenistan, where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes collide. This 6-day tour offers an immersive exploration of the country’s rich heritage, ancient ruins, and natural wonders.

A Journey to the Heart of Central Asia

From the stunning white marble city of Ashgabat to the mystical Nokhur village, and the surreal landscapes of Yangykala Canyons, each day reveals a new chapter in Turkmenistan’s hidden soul. Whether you’re marveling at the world’s largest handmade carpet, experiencing the unique desert life at Darvaza Crater, or swimming in the healing waters of the Kow-Ata Underground Lake, this journey promises unforgettable memories and stories to tell.

Turkmenistan Tour – Explore the World’s Most Mysterious Country

6 Days / 5 Nights Program Highlights

White Marble Ashgabat

City tour through the glimmering capital, including panoramic views, iconic landmarks, and Soviet heritage.

Akhal-Teke Horses & Turkmen Carpets

Visit a renowned stud farm and the Carpet Museum showcasing the world’s largest handmade carpet.

Cultural Immersion

Try your hand at baking and cooking

Yangykala & Yangysuw Canyons

Experience the surreal landscapes of “Mars and the Moon” in the Turkmen wild west.

Mystical Nokhur Village

Explore legends, the sacred plane tree, and unique tribal cemeteries in the remote Kopetdag mountains.

Kow-Ata Underground Lake

Swim in healing warm waters inside a natural limestone cave.

Bokurdak Village Life

Meet locals, learn traditional crafts in a semi-nomadic settlement.

Darvaza Gas Crater

Camp near the legendary “Gates of Hell” under the stars.

Hotel Descriptions

1. Sport Hotel

A modern hotel with a prime location in the city center, surrounded by a shopping mall and major landmarks. Offers decent service and a basic breakfast. Internet access is limited, with WhatsApp and other social media platforms blocked.

2. Nebitchi

Balkanabat – One of the best budget-friendly hotels in Balkanabat, located in the city center with restaurants nearby. Offers cozy rooms, good service, and a basic breakfast. Internet access is available but limited

3. Darvaza Yurt Camp

A traditional yurt stay near the Darvaza Gas Crater, providing a unique and authentic desert experience. Facilities are basic but reasonable. No internet or showers available.

Our tour package price

The cost of the tour package per person based on DBL/TWN room + breakfast:
From 1347$ p/p,

min group size 4 pax
Expect to spend around $8-$12 per meals at local restaurants.
Included Services

- Comfort A/C transportation:
SUVs for off-road trips (Yangykala, Nokhur, Darvaza)
Minivan/Bus for city tours
- Accommodation, see the options
- Visa support (Letter of Invitation)
- Water along the way
- Entrance fees to sites
- Photo and video camera fees at sites/museums
- English-speaking tour guide
- Registration of tourists staying over 3 days
- Meals as per itinerary
- Overnight train
Ashgabat-Turkmenbashi

Excluded Services

- Visa cost $55-$85 paid in cash on arrival
- PCR test cost $31 upon arrival (paid by each traveller)
- Migration duty charge $14
- Additional services in the hotel
- Tips to the guide and the driver (recommended)
- Personal expenses
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- International flights
- Travel insurance

Accomodation (city / hotels)

Day 1: Ashgabat Sport 4★ (early check-in)

Day 2: Darvaza Yurt stay. Basic facilities but reasonable.

Day 3: Ashgabat – Turkmenbashi Sleeper compartment (train)

Day 4: Balkanabat Nebitchi 3★

Day 5: Ashgabat Sport 4★

Day 6 Departure

About AYAN Travel

AYAN Travel is a leading inbound DMC for Turkmenistan and Central Asia, making this unique and often misunderstood destination accessible, safe, and unforgettable. We handle all logistics, from visa support and permits to guides and transport, so you can focus on the experience.

We offer premium yet authentic adventures, featuring Turkmenistan’s iconic sights like White-marble Ashgabat, Darvaza Gas Crater, and the Yangykala Canyons. Our tours also include authentic cultural experiences such as visiting local villages, bakeries, and craftspeople.

Common questions

Everything you need to know before you start your trip
What is the currency of Turkmenistan?

The currency of Turkmenistan is the Turkmenistan manat.

Do I need a visa to travel to Turkmenistan?

Yes, most travelers need a visa to enter Turkmenistan.

What is the best time of year to visit Turkmenistan?

The best time to visit Turkmenistan is during the spring and fall months, when the weather is mild.

What are some popular tourist attractions in Turkmenistan?

Popular tourist attractions in Turkmenistan include the ancient city of Merv, the Darvaza Gas Crater, and the capital city of Ashgabat.

Is it safe to travel to Turkmenistan?

Yes, Turkmenistan is generally a safe country to travel to.

What is the healthcare system like in Turkmenistan?

The healthcare system in Turkmenistan is limited, and visitors should have comprehensive travel insurance.

What is the dress code in Turkmenistan?

The dress code in Turkmenistan is conservative, and visitors should dress modestly.

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Today we will explore the capital city. Ashgabat – translated from Persian as “the City of Love” welcomes it’s visitors with its striking white marble architecture and modern amenities.

12:00 PM – First, visit the State Museum of History and Ethnography to see ancient artifacts and treasures from Turkmenistan’s rich history.

Then drive to Bagir village to explore the ruins of the UNESCO-listed Old Nisa Fortress, the ancient capital of the Parthian Empire. Wander through its atmospheric ruins, set against the picturesque Kopet-Dag Mountains.

Visit Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, dedicated to Turkmenistan’s heroes and victims of WWII, the Geokdepe Battle, and the 1948 earthquake. Explore its three captivating halls with dramatic dioramas and poignant exhibits.

Continue to Bagt Koshgi (Palace of Happiness) for a panoramic city view, including the striking Yyldyz Hotel. Drive through Ashgabat’s lavish avenues, passing key landmarks like the Ruhyyet Palace, Parliament, and Olympic City. Stop at Berkarar Mall, one of the city’s largest and liveliest malls, for lunch and a short break.

Modern Ashgabat: Drive through modern Ashgabat, famed for its white marble buildings. We will drive along the Archabil highway to highlight the most iconic landmarks of the city: the Monument of Constitution, Alem Ferriss Wheel (also included in the Book of Guinness World Records as the biggest indoor ferris wheel) – 60-meter-high monument of Magtymguly (the greatest Turkmen poet), and the Monument of Neutrality topped with a golden statue of the first president. End the tour at the Park of Independence and the Monument of the Gigantic Book “Ruhnama”.

Enjoy a welcome dinner with a panoramic view of the city.

Accommodation: Overnight in Ashgabat
Meals: breakfast, dinner

 

On the way to Ashgabat, we will make a stop at an impressive complex in Kipchak town to see the biggest mosque of Turkmenistan “the Spiritual Mosque of Turkmenbashi” and “the family mausoleum of the first president”.

 Later we hop into our trusty 4×4 SUVs and make our way north to the Central Karakum desert. Today, we’re off to see the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as “the Gates of Hell.”

“Gates of Hell”: Next, we head to Darvaza, stopping to see bubbling water and sulfur-mud craters on the way.

Arriving at Darvaza. As the sun sets, enjoy a nomadic-style dinner with grilled kebabs and traditional tea, surrounded by the tranquil desert under a starlit sky — and let yourself be carried away by the soulful singing of a bakhshi, performing by the campfire and accompanying himself on the dutar, a traditional two-stringed instrument. Witness the stunning fiery crater, a sight that fascinates travelers worldwide.

Overnight in traditional yurts (600 m away from the crater, we can walk or drive on our cars).

Accommodation: AYAN Travel yurt camp (3 beds in a yurt)
MEALS: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Afternoon, visit the Carpet Museum showcasing the biggest handmade carpet in the world recorded in the Book of Guinnes World Records in 2003 and the smallest ever carpet intended to carry keys.

Next, explore the old part of the city from soviet times.

We will visit the Russian Bazaar (now called “Gulistan”), a bustling market offering seasonal fruits, traditional crafts, and souvenirs. We’ll also explore Lenin Square, home to the city’s only surviving monument from the 1948 earthquake, before heading to Ashgabat Park, the city’s busiest amusement park. (Walking tour distance – 1 km, about 1-hour walk including stops)

Transfer to the railway station. Train to Turkmenbashi departs at 5:40 pm (arrival 08:00 next day)

 Overnight: sleeper compartment

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

After lunch, drive to Yangykala canyons. Also known as the ‘Grand Canyons of Central Asia’ Yangikala means “fiery fortress”, which consists of white, pink and orange limestone formations, stunning vistas, and the fascinating ‘crocodile’s mouth’ rock formations; so amazing that we cannot break away from their sight, and the landscape situated beneath our feet.

First we will also visit Yangykala Canyons and then Kemal ata canyon with animal shaped spheroids.

Transfer to Balkanabat and accommodate in the hotel around 8 pm.

 Overnight: Overnight in Balkanabat

Meals: breakfast, lunch

The village is perched on the slopes of the Kopet Dag mountain range, providing a serene and idyllic setting for visitors seeking a peaceful escape from the bustling city life. It is the first place you must see if you are interested in places isolated from the modern life. Exploration of the site on arrival:

  • Kyz Bibi shrine
  • The Great Chinar Tree
  • The Tribal Cemetery with Ram Horns

Lunch in a guest house with a local family.


Later we head east to Kov Ata Underground Lake. (70km, 1 hr)

The Kov-Ata Underground Lake is a captivating limestone cave in Turkmenistan. Filled with warm mineral water, it offers a unique swimming experience. With healing properties and stunning cave formations, it attracts visitors seeking relaxation and natural beauty.

PM we arrive at Ashgabat

Accommodation: Overnight in Ashgabat
Meals: breakfast, lunch