TURKMENISTAN TOUR: DASHOGUZ BORDER-ASHGABAT
Start:
DASHOGUZ BORDER
End:
ASHGABAT
Type tour:
3 DAYS // 2 NIGHTS
Payments:
Pay later
About tour
A "Dashoguz Border-Kunya Urgench-Darvaza-Ashgabat" tour is a popular route for travelers exploring Turkmenistan, often done in a few days. It's a journey that combines ancient history, a stunning natural phenomenon, and the country's futuristic capital.
Itinerary
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Your trip typically starts at the Shavat-Dashoguz border crossing, often after traveling from Khiva, Uzbekistan. Once you clear the border formalities, you'll meet your Turkmen guide and be driven to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kunya Urgench. This is the ancient capital of the Khorezm Empire and is a must-see for history buffs. You'll spend the day exploring the historical monuments, including: The Kutlug Timur Minaret, one of Central Asia's tallest minarets. The beautiful Mausoleum of Turabek Khanum, a masterpiece of 14th-century architecture. Other mausoleums and ruins, such as those of Sultan Tekesh and Sultan Il Arslan, which offer a glimpse into the city's past as a major center on the Silk Road. After a lunch at a local cafe, you'll head south into the Karakum Desert. The journey is a key part of the experience, as you travel across the vast, arid landscape in a 4x4 vehicle. The highlight of the day is arriving at the Darvaza Gas Crater, famously known as the "Door to Hell." You'll have time to see the crater in the light of day before witnessing its true spectacle at night. As the sun sets, the fiery pit becomes a mesmerizing sight, its flames dancing against the dark desert sky. You'll enjoy a dinner, often a fire-cooked meal, and spend the night in a traditional yurt camp under the stars.
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After breakfast at the camp, you'll take one last look at the flaming crater before beginning the drive to Ashgabat, the capital city of Turkmenistan. On the way, some tours may make stops at the nearby mud and water craters. Upon arrival in Ashgabat, you'll be struck by the stark contrast between the desert and the city's futuristic architecture. Known for its endless white marble buildings, golden monuments, and grand boulevards, Ashgabat is a city unlike any other. Your tour will include a sightseeing program that may feature: Independence Park and the Monument of Independence. The Neutrality Arch, topped with a golden statue of former president Saparmurat Niyazov. The National Museum of Turkmenistan, which houses a vast collection of artifacts. The Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, which resembles Istanbul's Blue Mosque. The Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum, a massive mosque complex and the final resting place of Niyazov.
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Transfer to the Ashgabat International Airport for flight to next destination
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