4-Day Turkmenistan Small Group Tour from Bukhara is an excellent opportunity to experience both the ancient and modern faces of this remarkable country in Central Asia. You’ll discover impressive monuments of the past built from clay and brick, stroll through dazzling neighborhoods of white marble and glass, and journey across the vast Karakum Desert to the hottest spot in the region – the Darvaza gas crater.
Your adventure begins in Bukhara, from where you’ll follow the ancient route of Silk Road caravans to reach the city of Mary. The next day, explore the majestic ruins of one of the world’s oldest cities, Merv, before continuing to Ashgabat, the marble-clad capital of Turkmenistan. On the third day, enjoy a morning tour of the modern city with its grand architecture, then travel to the Darvaza crater to witness the spectacular flames of a pit that has burned for over half a century and earned the ominous name “Door to Hell”. On the final day of this exciting tour, visit another historic site – the ancient city of Kunya-Urgench, which once rose on the banks of the mighty Amu Darya River. By evening, return to Uzbekistan to fly out of Urgench or continue your journey through Central Asia in Khiva.
If you’re seeking a short, captivating tour of Turkmenistan in the company of fellow travelers from around the world, our 4-Day Turkmenistan Small Group Tour from Bukhara is an outstanding choice. Check out the detailed itinerary, departure dates, and other tour details, and start planning your next adventure!
Day 1, We: Bukhara – Mary (Uzbekistan/ Turkmenistan)
At 11:00, meet the driver at your hotel in
Bukhara. Depart for the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border point, Farap-Alat (100 km, 1 h 30 min). Upon arrival, complete border formalities. After customs and passport control at both checkpoints, please proceed to the exit of the border control area, where our guide and driver will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name. Enjoy a short stop for lunch in Turkmenabat, then continue with a long drive to
Mary through the
Karakum Desert, passing routes once traveled by
Silk Road caravans. Transfer to your hotel in Mary for an overnight stay.
Day 2, Th: Mary – Ashgabat
After breakfast, meet your group and guide in the hotel lobby. Explore the ancient city of
Merv, a major center of international trade and crafts on the Silk Road, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Mary and visit the
History museum of the region. Transfer to the airport for the evening flight* to
Ashgabat at 19:00, arriving at 20:00. Transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
*Subject to availability and may be substituted with a transfer by bus.
Day 3, Fr: Ashgabat – Darvaza Gas Crater
Early in the morning, start the day with a sightseeing tour in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, recently noted by the Guinness Book of World Records for having more white marble buildings than any other city in the world. During the city tour, you will explore the archaeological site of
Old Nisa, included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, and the
Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum, one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. You will also visit the
National Museum of History, the
Monument of Neutrality,
Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, the newly built
Independence Park, and the bazaar. This intense and fascinating excursion also includes a stop at the
Akhalteke horse stables. In the afternoon, drive to the
Darvaza gas crater located in the middle of the
Karakum Desert (280 km, 4 h). Arrive at the crater and set up camp. Enjoy a delicious fire-cooked dinner near the burning gas crater. Overnight in tents.
Note: We'll travel in 4x4 vehicles across the rugged Karakum Desert. The route is unpaved, so expect a bumpy and thrilling ride – it's the only way to get to this incredible, remote location.
At the camp, we'll enjoy an authentic stay in yurts with basic, shared outdoor washing and toilet facilities, putting us right in the heart of the desert landscape.
Day 4, Sa: Darvaza Gas Crater – Kunya-Urgench – Shavat border point – Khiva/Urgench (Turkmenistan/ Uzbekistan)
In the morning, depart the gas crater and drive to
Kunya-Urgench. Visit the
mausoleums of Turabek-Khanym,
Sultan Tekesh,
Sultan Il Arslan,
Najmuddin-Kubra, and
Sultan Ali. Discover the
Kutlug Timur Minaret and
Kyrk Molla Hill. After lunch, drive to the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border point at Shavat-Dashoguz. Upon arrival, complete border formalities. After customs and passport control at both checkpoints, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. There, our guide or driver will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name. Meet your Uzbekistan driver and continue to Khiva (60 km, 1 h). Transfer to your hotel in
Khiva or to the airport in
Urgench. End of the 4-Day Turkmenistan Small Group Tour from Bukhara.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours
Price includes:
- Accommodation based on double room sharing throughout the tour, with breakfasts included;
- Transportation throughout the tour, including airport drop-off;
- Sightseeing with a local English-speaking guide;
- Entrance tickets to museums, mausoleums, and other sights;
- Economy class ticket for the flight from Mary to Ashgabat;
- Turkmenistan visa support letter;
- Utensils and necessary equipment for staying in tents (sleeping bags, sleeping mats, pillows, dining table, chairs);
- Camp-style dinner and breakfast at the Darvaza crater (days 3-4);
- Tour leader to escort travelers for the entire duration of the tour.
Price doesn't include:
- Charges in hotels for additional services;
- Consular fees for the Turkmenistan tourist visa – 55 USD;
- PCR express test – 33 USD (subject to change);
- Camera fees, charged separately by museums;
- Travel insurance;
- International flight tickets;
- Full board (lunch and dinner);
- A tax of 2 USD per night in Turkmenistan, paid to the hotel upon check-out;
- Turkmenistan migration tax – 14 USD.
Dates & Prices, per person
2025
Wed, 13 Aug - Sat, 16 Aug
Sold out
US$ 1,540
Wed, 27 Aug - Sat, 30 Aug
Sold out
US$ 1,540
Wed, 10 Sep - Sat, 13 Sep
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 24 Sep - Sat, 27 Sep
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 1 Oct - Sat, 4 Oct
Available
US$ 1,540
2026
Wed, 1 Apr - Sat, 4 Apr
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 22 Apr - Sat, 25 Apr
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 20 May - Sat, 23 May
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 10 Jun - Sat, 13 Jun
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 12 Aug - Sat, 15 Aug
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 26 Aug - Sat, 29 Aug
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 9 Sep - Sat, 12 Sep
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 23 Sep - Sat, 26 Sep
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 30 Sep - Sat, 3 Oct
Available
US$ 1,540
2027
Wed, 31 Mar - Sat, 3 Apr
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 21 Apr - Sat, 24 Apr
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 19 May - Sat, 22 May
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 9 Jun - Sat, 12 Jun
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 11 Aug - Sat, 14 Aug
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 25 Aug - Sat, 28 Aug
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 8 Sep - Sat, 11 Sep
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 22 Sep - Sat, 25 Sep
Available
US$ 1,540
Wed, 29 Sep - Sat, 2 Oct
Available
US$ 1,540
Single supplement: US$ 115
Please note that itinerary and prices are subject to change due to airline and train schedule changes, currency fluctuations and other unforeseeable events.
We strongly recommend NOT to purchase airline tickets for 2026 tours without discussing it with your travel consultant.
Accommodation
Shared
yurts / optional single accommodation in tents upon request
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