Discover Turkmenistan on our 5-Day Turkmenistan Small Group Tour from Bukhara, where you’ll be joined by fellow thrill-seekers. This tour features the ruins of ancient cities, the modern architecture of the capital Ashgabat, a drive across the endless Karakum Desert, and an overnight stay in its heart, close to the mesmerizing wonder of the Darvaza gas crater.
The journey begins in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, from where you’ll travel to the city of Mary. The next day, explore the traces of the great city of Merv, revived several times over its three-thousand-year history before eventually being abandoned. On the third day, take in all the most fascinating sights of the capital Ashgabat, and after lunch head into the desert to witness hundreds of tongues of flame dancing at the bottom of a vast crater after sunset, then spend the night in yurts under a starry sky. The fourth day is devoted to the ancient city of Kunya-Urgench, deserted by its inhabitants after the Amu Darya River changed course. The fifth and final day will be your farewell to this mysterious country.
Check out the detailed itinerary for the 5-Day Turkmenistan Small Group Tour from Bukhara and add it to your grand tour of Central Asia.
Tour itinerary:
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
*Subject to availability and may be substituted with a transfer by bus.
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.
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 tickets for flights Mary-Ashgabat and Dashoguz-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 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
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.
