Turkmenistan Tours - Best Itineraries, Prices, Departures
Turkmenistan’s remote and enigmatic nature only heightens its allure for the curious and daring traveler. Wander the crowded aisles of lively bazaars as one of the few foreigners among a sea of Turkmen shoppers. Discover Darvaza Gas Crater’s fiery splendor accentuated by the eerie stillness of the Kyzylkum Desert. Journey to no-man’s land to roam the half-buried ruins of Merv and Gonur Depe, once populous cities that now lie desolate and mysterious.
Turkmenistan Tours are off-the-beaten-path quests to one of the most isolated nations on earth. Visit underground lakes, burning craters, marble cities and some of the oldest settlements on earth in a land that challenged even the most seasoned warriors and merchants of old. Whether you’re looking for an extension tour from Uzbekistan, a short historical excursion or a cross-country expedition, Turkmenistan Tours offer a plethora of options for the adventurous desert traveler.
Highlights of Our Turkmenistan Tours
- Ashgabat – The City of White Marble: Marvel at the grandeur of Ashgabat, the capital city known for its extravagant marble buildings, grandiose monuments, and the impressive Independence Park. Visit the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, the largest in Central Asia, and the National Museum of History and Ethnography.
- The Ancient City of Merv: Step back in time at Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest and most significant Silk Road cities. Wander through the ancient ruins, including the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum and the Great Kyz Kala.
- The Darvaza Gas Crater: Experience the otherworldly sight of the Darvaza Gas Crater, often referred to as the "Door to Hell." This natural gas field has been burning for decades, creating a mesmerizing and eerie spectacle in the heart of the Karakum Desert.
- Yangykala Canyon: Discover the breathtaking beauty of Yangykala Canyon, with its striking red, pink, and yellow rock formations. This hidden gem offers stunning views and a sense of untouched wilderness.
- Kunya-Urgench: Explore the ancient city of Kunya-Urgench, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire the towering Kutlug Timur Minaret, the Turabek Khanum Mausoleum, and other well-preserved architectural wonders.
Most Popular Turkmenistan Tours
Turkmenistan Group Tours (5)
Darvaza Gas Crater Group Tour from Khiva
Turkmenistan’s ‘Gates of Hell’, a.k.a. the Darvaza Gas Craters, is one of Central Asia’s rarest sites, and this burning natural gas reservoir leaves an unforgettable impression upon all who see their flames in the lonely Karakum Desert. The Darvaza Overnight Tour will take you to the very mouth of the ‘Door to Hell’ itself and give you a hands-on glimpse into the historical backdrop of Kunya-Urgench, all with the help of a knowledgeable guide and experienced drivers.
Turkmenistan Small Group Tour 2026-2027
5-day Turkmenistan group tour will introduce you the sights of ancient Merv, medieval mausoleums and minarets of Kunya-Urgench and the unique attractions of Ashgabat. You will also have a journey to the Darvaza gas crater, where you will enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Karakum desert.
3-day Darvaza Gas Crater Group Tour
Join our exciting 3-day Darvaza Gas Crater group tour. Discover the fiery Darvaza Crater, known as the Door to Hell, the monumental capital Ashgabat, and the ancient ruins of Merv for an unforgettable shared adventure.
Turkmenistan Historical Tours (9)
Turkmenistan Classic Tour
This 4-day classic tour to one of the world's most closed countries, Turkmenistan, offers a unique opportunity to explore its culture, traditions, sights, and cuisine. Experience both architectural marvels and natural beauty.
Turkmenistan UNESCO Sites Tour
The 4-day Turkmenistan UNESCO sites tour takes you to some of the oldest and most iconic sites in Central Asia, including the incredible Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the "Door to Hell".
Discover Turkmenistan
Our Discover Turkmenistan Tour will acquaint you with some of Turkmenistan’s key historical sites at Old Nisa, Merv and Mary without compromising on adequate time spent in Ashgabat to see its eccentric landmarks firsthand. As you visit one of the least-visited countries on earth, you’ll have accommodation in hotels each night and be accompanied on your city tours by a local guide eager to answer your questions along the way.
Turkmenistan City Tours (4)
Merv City Tour
Ancient Merv, which once held a place of prominence along the Great Silk Road and was one of the largest cities in the world in the 12th-13th centuries, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with layers of enduring city walls, fortresses, mausoleums and ancient dwellings. The Merv City Tour will unearth these stories as you travel to this hard-to-access site with a private driver and professional local guide, who will relate detailed historical information, popular legends and ongoing discoveries with you as you tour the area together.
Ashgabat City Tour
The Ashgabat City Tour is the perfect way to explore Turkmenistan’s capital, known for such unforgettable sites as the Arch of Neutrality, Gulistan Bazaar, Old Nissa and Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque. This tour affords you the convenience of seeing the city’s diverse highlights without having to arrange your own transportation or worry with communication barriers, as your experienced local guide will provide a unique perspective on each location’s history and answer all of your questions along the way.
Merv, Margush and Gonur Depe
The Merv, Margush and Gonur Depe Tour is two days of archaeological exploration at Merv and Gonur Depe in Margush. This tour is a great option for history buffs and amateur explorers alike, and is unique in that it begins both days from the city of Mary, from which you can quickly reach both excavation sites with a private guide and a driver experienced on the roads of outback Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan Adventure Tours (4)
Darvaza Gas Crater Day Tour
The Darvaza Gas Crater Day Tour takes you from Ashgabat to the heart of Turkmenistan’s desolate Karakum Desert, where you’ll set eyes on this blazing gas crater known as the Door to Hell. This full-day tour includes a stop at a nomadic desert village, camel sightseeing and a hot campfire meal near the crater, all while accompanied by an experienced driver and guide.
From Ashgabat to the Gates of Hell Tour
From Ashgabat to the Gates of Hell Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime overnight voyage that begins in Turkmenistan’s modern capital and ends at the fiery cusp of Darvaza Gas Crater in the formidable Karakum Desert, with a stopover in historic Kunya-Urgench along the way. Between traversing sand dunes in a 4WD, visiting a desert nomadic village and staring into the flames of the ‘Gates of Hell’, this trip is bound to be a camping experience like no other!
Yangykala Canyon Tour
Yangykala Canyon literally translates as “Fire Fortresses”, an apt description of this 24-kilometer stretch of beauty in northwest Turkmenistan that’s been dubbed the “Grand Canyon of Central Asia”. The Yangykala Canyon Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime excursion to these remote cliffs that includes transportation to the canyon on remote roads by an experienced driver, camping among its rocky heights and a visit the next day to the azure shores of the Caspian Sea.
Central Asia Tours (8)
11-Day Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan Tour
On the 11-Day Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan Tour you’ll traverse the boundless desert by train and car as you travel to historical Nissa, Merv, Kunya-Urgench and Mary, whose spellbinding remains invite exploration and discovery. Meanwhile Bukhara, Khiva and Samarkand offer dazzling medieval architecture, narrow Old City alleyways and Uzbek culture at its finest. Begin and end your trip in capital cities Ashgabat and Tashkent, whose lush parks, fine restaurants and clean, shady streets will refresh your body and soul.
12-Day Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan Tour
Join us on the 12-Day Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan Tour to travel by plane, train, car and foot through boundless deserts outposts and the glories of well-preserved masterpieces in Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Roam the enduring bazaars of Ashgabat and Tashkent in search of tasty fruits and handcrafted souvenirs. Stand mesmerized by the forlorn remains of Merv and Kunya-Urgench and the fiery depths of Darvaza Gas Crater. Yet the greatest treasure to be discovered in these lands is the enduring, heartfelt hospitality of its citizens.
Five Capitals of Central Asia Tour
Five Capitals of Central Asia Tour is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to visit the seat of culture and change in each Central Asian nation. Whether you’re visiting flashy Astana and Ashgabat, pensive Bishkek or the welcoming tree-lined boulevards of Tashkent and Dushanbe, you’ll be rewarded with fascinating, informative experiences from start to finish.
Silk Road Tours (2)
Urumqi to Ashgabat Silk Road Tour
On the Urumqi to Ashgabat Silk Road Tour you will experience the colorful chaos of historic Central Asia in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China. Follow ancient merchants to bazaars in Kashgar, Tashkent and Samarkand and hear the echoes of caravan cities in Bukhara, Merv and Bishkek on this remarkable 12-day journey.
Stans and Caucasus on the Silk Road Tour
Stans and Caucasus on the Silk Road Tour is a journey into the heart of West and Central Asia. Age-defying fortresses in Turkmenistan and lively trade posts in Tajikistan contrast with Uzbekistan’s exquisite Silk Road cities and the verdant mountain backdrops of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Turkmenistan Transit Tours (3)
Turkmenistan Transit Tour - Uzbekistan to Iran
This tour is perfect for travelers heading to Iran after visiting Uzbekistan. The 4-day Turkmenistan transit tour will take you across the Karakum Desert, where you'll explore ancient fortresses and mausoleums in Merv. The tour concludes with a visit to the modern capital, Ashgabat, renowned for its grand architecture.
Turkmenistan Transit Tour - Iran to Uzbekistan (Bukhara)
A fantastic 4-day Turkmenistan transit tour awaits you. Traveling from Iran to Uzbekistan, you will visit two of Turkmenistan’s most iconic sites – the stunning white marble city of Ashgabat and the ancient, long-abandoned ruins of Merv, with its thousand-year-old fortresses.
Turkmenistan Transit Tour - Iran to Uzbekistan (Khiva)
Transit through Turkmenistan from Iran to Uzbekistan, heading towards Khiva, is a journey north through several iconic landmarks. On this Turkmenistan transit tour, you will explore the modern capital Ashgabat, witness the fiery Darvaza gas crater, and visit the ancient ruins of the medieval city of Kunya Urgench.