Turkmenistan Classic: 6 Days Private Door to Hell & Silk Road Journey

Tour Overview

Discover the ancient wonders of Turkmenistan on this 6-day classic Silk Road journey, from the stunning white marble capital of Ashgabat to the fiery Darvaza Gas Crater (the Door to Hell), the ancient Silk Road city of Merv (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the most important cities on the ancient Silk Road), the Parthian capital of Nisa, and the historic city of Konye-Urgench. Turkmenistan, a country in Central Asia, is home to some of the most important ancient Silk Road sites in the world, with its stunning desert landscapes, its ancient cities, and its unique culture.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Ashgabat & City Tour

Arrive at Ashgabat International Airport (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan). Transfer to your hotel. Explore Ashgabat, the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan, a stunning city famous for its white marble buildings, its golden statues, its wide boulevards, and its unique architecture (Ashgabat has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the highest density of white marble buildings in the world). Visit the Independence Monument (a stunning monument with its golden statue of Turkmenistan’s first president, Saparmurat Niyazov, on top of a giant tower, with stunning views of the city), the Neutrality Monument (a stunning arch monument with a golden statue of Niyazov that rotates to face the sun), the Presidential Palace, the various government buildings, and the beautiful white marble architecture. Visit the National Museum of Turkmenistan (with its excellent collection of artifacts from the ancient civilizations of Turkmenistan, including the Parthian, Seljuk, and Timurid periods, as well as exhibits on the modern history and culture of Turkmenistan). Visit the Carpet Museum (with its stunning collection of Turkmen carpets, including the largest hand-woven carpet in the world, a 300-square-meter carpet weighing over 1 ton). Visit the Ashgabat Market (the Russian Bazaar, a bustling market with its fresh produce, spices, textiles, crafts, and local food). Visit the nearby hills for stunning views of the city and the surrounding desert and mountains. Evening welcome dinner with Turkmen cuisine including shashlik (grilled meat skewers), plov (rice pilaf), manty (dumplings), fresh bread, and the famous Turkmen melons. Overnight in Ashgabat.

Day 2: Ashgabat to Darvaza (Door to Hell)

Morning drive from Ashgabat to Darvaza (approximately 3-4 hours), the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the Door to Hell (a stunning natural gas crater that has been burning continuously since 1971, when Soviet geologists accidentally set it on fire while drilling for gas, expecting it to burn out in a few days, but it has been burning for over 50 years). The Darvaza Gas Crater is approximately 70 meters in diameter and 20 meters deep, with its fiery flames burning day and night, creating a spectacular and otherworldly sight, especially at night. Along the way, visit the ancient Parthian capital of Nisa (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient capital of the Parthian Empire, founded in the 3rd century BC, with its stunning ruins, its beautiful temples, its royal tombs, and its famous collection of ivory rhytons (drinking horns) discovered at the site). Visit Nisa: explore the ancient ruins, visit the temples, the royal tombs, the various buildings, and the site museum. After visiting Nisa, continue to Darvaza. Upon arrival at Darvaza, visit the gas crater and enjoy the stunning sight of the burning flames. Visit the nearby desert and enjoy the beautiful desert scenery. After sunset, visit the crater at night for the most spectacular views, with the fiery flames illuminating the desert night. Camp overnight near the crater (in a traditional Turkmen yurt or tent), enjoying the unique experience of camping next to the Door to Hell. Evening dinner with Turkmen cuisine around the campfire. Overnight at Darvaza (yurt camp).

Day 3: Darvaza to Merv (Ancient Silk Road City)

Morning visit the Darvaza Gas Crater in the daylight for a different perspective. Visit the nearby smaller gas craters (the Water Crater and the Mud Crater, two other gas craters in the area, one filled with water and one with bubbling mud). After visiting the craters, drive from Darvaza to Merv (approximately 3-4 hours), the ancient Silk Road city of Merv (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the most important cities on the ancient Silk Road, the capital of several empires including the Seleucid, Parthian, and Seljuk empires, and at one time the largest city in the world in the 12th century, with a population of over 500,000). Merv is famous for its stunning ancient ruins, including the remains of several ancient cities built on top of each other over a period of over 2,000 years. Upon arrival, visit the ancient ruins of Merv: explore the various ancient cities including Erk Kala (the oldest part, the ancient Bronze Age and Achaemenid city), Gyaur Kala (the ancient Parthian and Sassanian city, with its stunning ruins, its temples, its churches, and its famous Buddhist stupa), and Sultan Kala (the ancient Seljuk city, with its stunning ruins, its famous mausoleums, its mosques, and its beautiful architecture). Visit the famous Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar (a stunning 12th-century mausoleum, one of the most beautiful examples of Seljuk architecture, with its stunning dome and its beautiful decoration). Visit the Great Kyz Kala (the Maiden’s Castle, a stunning fortified palace with its unique architecture), the Little Kyz Kala, and the various other ancient sites. Visit the Merv Museum (with its collection of artifacts from the ancient city). Evening stay in Mary (the modern city near Merv). Dinner with Turkmen cuisine. Overnight in Mary.

Day 4: Merv to Konye-Urgench

Morning continue exploring the ancient ruins of Merv, visiting any sites you may have missed. Visit the nearby ancient sites and the beautiful surrounding desert. After lunch, drive from Merv to Konye-Urgench (approximately 4-5 hours), the ancient city of Konye-Urgench (Old Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient capital of the Khwarezmian Empire, one of the most important cities on the ancient Silk Road, with its stunning ruins, its beautiful mausoleums, its minarets, and its unique architecture). Konye-Urgench was founded in the 6th century and was a major center of learning and culture in the Islamic world, with famous scholars including Avicenna and Al-Biruni living and working there. Upon arrival, visit the ancient ruins of Konye-Urgench: explore the various ancient sites including the Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh (a stunning 12th-century mausoleum with its beautiful dome and decoration), the Mausoleum of Il Arslan (the oldest standing monument in Konye-Urgench, a beautiful 11th-century mausoleum), the Kutlug Timur Minaret (a stunning 14th-century minaret, one of the tallest minarets in Central Asia, at over 60 meters tall), the Turabek Khanum Mausoleum (a stunning 14th-century mausoleum with its beautiful mosaic decoration and its stunning dome), the various other mausoleums, mosques, and ancient sites. Visit the Konye-Urgench Museum (with its collection of artifacts from the ancient city). Evening stay in Konye-Urgench or the nearby city of Dashoguz. Dinner with Turkmen cuisine. Overnight in Konye-Urgench or Dashoguz.

Day 5: Konye-Urgench to Ashgabat

Morning continue exploring Konye-Urgench, visiting any sites you may have missed. Visit the nearby villages and the beautiful surrounding countryside. After lunch, fly or drive from Konye-Urgench/Dashoguz back to Ashgabat (approximately 1 hour flight or 6-7 hours drive). Upon arrival in Ashgabat, visit the nearby ancient site of Anau (a beautiful ancient city near Ashgabat, with its stunning ruins and its famous mosque). Visit the Anau Mosque (a beautiful 15th-century mosque with its stunning architecture and decoration). Visit the nearby hills for stunning views of Ashgabat and the surrounding area. Evening farewell dinner with Turkmen cuisine, reflecting on the incredible ancient Silk Road journey through Turkmenistan. Overnight in Ashgabat.

Day 6: Ashgabat & Departure

Morning free for last-minute exploration of Ashgabat or shopping for Turkmen products including carpets, textiles, jewelry, crafts, and local products. Visit the Carpet Museum or the Russian Bazaar for souvenirs. Visit the National Museum for a final look at the artifacts. After lunch, transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for your departure flight. Concluding your 6-day Turkmenistan classic Silk Road journey of the Door to Hell and ancient cities.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses