• Season
    On request
    (spring and autumn preferred)
  • Duration
    8 Days / 7 Nights
  • Guiding Ratio
    Max 1:5
  • Price
    On enquiry

About this expedition

Cross Turkmenistan in eight days, from the Shavat border near Khiva to the Farap-Alat border toward Bukhara. The route takes you through the Karakum Desert for a night beside the Darvaza Gas Crater, into Ashgabat, on to UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv, then by overnight train into the remote Koytendag Mountains — dinosaur footprints, gorges, sacred caves and sulfur springs — and finally to the isolated Dayahatun Caravanserai.
The programme is delivered on the ground by a trusted local partner. SnowMonkeys remains responsible for the quality of the itinerary, the group fit, and how the trip connects with Uzbekistan if you want Khiva or Bukhara on either end. Private transport, a licensed English-speaking guide, visa support and the required domestic train sit in one programme.
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1
Shavat border, Dashoguz and Darvaza Gas Crater
Meet on the Turkmenistan side of the Shavat border near Khiva (planned around 10:00). After border formalities, drive to Dashoguz for lunch and a short bazaar stop, then continue south into the Karakum Desert. The planned distance is about 300 km (roughly 4–4.5 hours; road conditions can extend this). Arrive at the Darvaza Gas Crater in the late afternoon or around sunset. Watch the flames as the light fades, then dinner at the nearby camp — a freshly prepared open-air barbecue — and overnight in a traditional yurt camp accommodation.
Day 2
Day 2
Darvaza to Ashgabat
Optional early return to the crater before sunrise. After breakfast, drive south across the Karakum toward Ashgabat (about 270 km, around 3.5 hours under normal conditions). Pause at the Water Crater and Mud Crater on the way. Afternoon guided introduction to Ashgabat’s white-marble architecture, monumental avenues and cultural landmarks. Overnight in an Ashgabat hotel.
Day 3
Day 3
Full day in Ashgabat
A full guided day in the capital, complementing the previous afternoon: major monuments, museums, bazaars and architectural highlights, paced to the group with breaks for lunch and photography. Evening at leisure or dinner at a local restaurant. Second night in Ashgabat.
Day 4
Day 4
Ancient Merv and overnight train to Kerki
Depart Ashgabat around 07:30 and travel east toward the Mary region (about 360 km, 3.5–4 hours). Lunch in Mary or nearby Bayramaly, then a guided visit to UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv: the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala, the Askhabs Mausoleums, Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala. Evening transfer to Mary Railway Station and board the overnight sleeper train to Kerki (current programme based on a departure around 21:25; timetable reconfirmed for the travel date).
Day 5
Day 5
Kerki, Gaynar Baba and arrival in Koytendag
Morning arrival at Kerki (current programme around 07:00). Meet the driver, breakfast, then drive east toward the Koytendag Mountains (about 185 km). Stop at the Gaynar Baba sulfur spring. Afternoon arrival and check-in at a guesthouse or tourist base in Koytendag — simpler than the city hotels. Home-style dinner with your hosts.
Day 6
Day 6
Full day in Koytendag
Explore the Koytendag region with your guide. Visit the Dinosaur Plateau near Hojapil to see preserved Jurassic-period footprints, walk Umbar Dere Gorge toward the waterfall area (access depends on conditions), stop at Pälwan daş (“Hero’s Stone”), and visit Kyrk Gyz, the “Forty Girls” cave. Picnic lunch in the mountains where conditions permit. Return to the guesthouse for a second night and home-style dinner. An optional traditional rural experience sometimes described as a “goat massage” can be arranged if requested and available — it is not a guaranteed part of the programme.
Day 7
Day 7
Koytendag, Kerki heritage and Turkmenabat
Drive back toward Kerki. Visit the Astana Baba complex, the Alamberdar Mausoleum, and (where access and timing allow) the Idris Baba Madrasah. Lunch in Kerki, then continue north to Turkmenabat (about 230 km). Hotel overnight. Optional evening drive along the city’s illuminated avenues if energy and time allow.
Day 8
Day 8
Dayahatun Caravanserai and Farap border
Early departure (current programme around 07:00) north along the Amu Darya valley to the remote Dayahatun Caravanserai (about 170 km each way; final sections are rough, unpaved desert roads). Explore the 11th-century caravanserai with your guide. Return toward Turkmenabat for a late lunch. If time permits, a short introduction to Turkmenabat (Lebap Regional Museum, remains of Amul Fortress, a stop near the Amu Darya). Continue about 40 km to the Farap-Alat border. The tour finishes on the Turkmenistan side; onward transport toward Bukhara is arranged separately unless included by prior agreement.

What Makes This Trip Unique

The Darvaza overnight
Most visitors see the gas crater as a day trip. Here you sleep beside it — flames after dark, then the same landscape at first light.

Beyond the classic highlights
Ashgabat and Ancient Merv are on the route, but the second half moves into Koytendag and the isolated Dayahatun Caravanserai. Dinosaur footprints, sacred caves and rough desert roads are part of the point.

One continuous journey
You enter from the Khiva side of Uzbekistan and leave toward Bukhara. No internal flights for the core route. Private transport, a licensed guide and one overnight sleeper train sit in a single programme.

Partner-delivered, quality controlled
The local partner runs the guiding, vehicles, accommodation and border logistics. SnowMonkeys reviews the itinerary, confirms the standard, and remains your point of contact. You do not book a local operator directly and hope the level holds.

Who runs the trip

Delivered on the ground by a trusted local partner, with a licensed English-speaking guide throughout the route. SnowMonkeys ensures the quality of the programme, the group fit, and the connection with any Uzbekistan travel on either end.

Inclusions and Details

Private transport, a licensed English-speaking guide, visa support, and the listed accommodation sit in one programme. Delivered on the ground by a trusted local partner; SnowMonkeys ensures the quality and remains your point of contact.

  • Accommodation

    7 nights (camp, hotels, guesthouse, overnight train)

  • Meals

    Daily breakfast and meals specified

  • Transfers

    All ground transfers

  • Guides

    Professional guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Related trips

Turkmenistan is the overland without snow — Darvaza, Merv, Koytendag and Dayahatun. For skiing plus the Silk Road cities, see Uzbekistan. For a pure touring week, see Jyrgalan.
Plan your Turkmenistan trip
Send preferred dates, group size, nationalities and whether you want the Khiva and Bukhara connections. We will confirm feasibility with the local partner and return a firm itinerary and price.