Classic Turkmenistan in a Week
Classic Turkmenistan in a Week
Our most popular itinerary distils Turkmenistan into a single, well-balanced week. It gathers the essentials — the marble capital, the Parthian ruins of Nisa, a night at the burning Darvaza crater and two of the country’s three UNESCO cities, Kunya-Urgench and Merv.
The pace is comfortable, with short domestic flights linking the far-apart regions so no day is lost entirely to the road. It is the ideal first encounter with the country: enough time for its greatest sights without the commitment of a longer grand tour.
A premium private itinerary for up to eight guests, with comfortable hotels, one desert camp and an expert guide throughout.
At a glance
Moments you will carry home
Two UNESCO cities
Medieval Kunya-Urgench and the great oasis of Merv in a single week.
A night at Darvaza
Camp beside the burning crater in the heart of the Karakum.
Marble Ashgabat & Nisa
The world’s whitest city and the royal ruins of the Parthians.
Bronze-Age Gonur
The 4,000-year-old Margiana capital out in the desert.
The route unfolds
Scroll the itinerary — the map traces your journey as it goes.
Ashgabat
Arrival
Airport welcome and a first evening in the illuminated marble capital.
Ashgabat & Nisa
Capital & Parthians
The capital’s monuments, museum and bazaar, then the UNESCO ruins of Old Nisa on the mountain’s edge.
Darvaza Crater
The Gates of Hell
North into the Karakum to camp beside the burning gas crater, glowing against the desert night.
Kunya-Urgench
Medieval Khorezm
A desert sunrise, then north to Dashoguz and the UNESCO monuments of Kunya-Urgench — the towering minaret and its mausoleums.
Fly to Mary · Merv
Queen of the world
Fly south via the capital to Mary, then out to the vast oasis ruins of Merv — walls, fortresses and the Sultan Sanjar mausoleum.
Gonur-Depe
Bronze-Age Margiana
Into the desert to Gonur-Depe, the 4,000-year-old Margiana capital, then back to Mary for the evening.
Mary → Ashgabat · Departure
Homeward
Fly back to Ashgabat, with a last look at the marble city before your onward flight.
What's included
- ✓Private English-speaking guide throughout
- ✓All accommodation per the itinerary (hotels + desert camp where shown)
- ✓Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- ✓All domestic flights and transfers in the programme
- ✓Daily breakfast and selected meals
- ✓Entrance fees to the sites and museums listed
- ✓Letter of invitation (LOI) and visa support
- ✓Bottled water and all travel documents
Not included
- —International flights to and from Turkmenistan
- —Visa fee paid on arrival
- —Lunches and dinners not specified
- —Travel insurance
- —Tips for guides and drivers
- —Personal expenses and drinks
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