📍 Turkmenistan

TURKMENISTAN UNVEILED: SILK ROAD RUINS AND FLAMING CRATERS

Q: What weather should you expect?

Spring (March-May): Pleasant temperatures (15-25°C) before extreme summer heat with blooming desert landscapes. Best weather for outdoor activities and comfortable sightseeing conditions. Autumn (October-November): Cooling temperatures after summer heat with clear skies and stable weather. Excellent for desert excursions and cultural exploration. Winter (December-February): Cool temperatures (0-15°C) but manageable for tourism with clear days. Less challenging than summer heat but some mountain areas inaccessible. Summer (June-September): Extreme heat (35-50°C) making outdoor activities dangerous during daytime. Indoor attractions only, early morning or late evening activities possible.

Eternal flames roaring from desert sands, surreal white marble cities, minarets guarding forgotten empires. Turkmenistan defies expectations.

≈ 10

Days

715

Stops

📖 5 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Approach Ashgabat and its marble avenues, then head to Darvaza to watch night open around the desert flames. Explore Merv and its Silk Road ruins, cross the Karakum to the rhythm of tracks, then reach Kunya-Urgench and its sacred minarets. Turkmenistan impresses with its mineral calm and traces of empires.

Darvaza: door to hell burns eternal
Ashgabat: white marble surreal capital
Merv: Silk Road ruins ancient
Kunya-Urgench: sacred minarets dynasties

Your day-by-day itinerary

Day

Ashgabat

white marble monuments surreal dictator architecture

6 photos

Day 1

🔍

Discover

Independence Square

Ruhnama Monument

National Museum of Turkmenistan

🎯

Activities

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Explore marble streets and golden statues

Day

Ashgabat

white marble monuments surreal dictator architecture

6 photos

Day 2

🔍

Discover

Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque in Gypjak

Ashgabat Cable Car to Kopet Dag Mountains

🎯

Activities

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Views from 1,290m altitude

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 70.1 km

Travel time: 1h10

Day

Kowata

underground lake cave swimming thermal waters

3 photos

Day 3

🔍

Discover

Kow Ata Underground Lake and hot springs

🎯

Activities

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Swimming in warm mineral lake 60m underground

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Observe Central Asia's largest bat population

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 226.4 km

Travel time: 2h50

Day

Yerbent

desert canyon village oasis turkmen traditions

3 photos

Day 4

🔍

Discover

Yerbent desert village

🎯

Activities

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Explore yurts and meet local camel population

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 125.2 km

Travel time: 2h05

Day

Darvaza

gas crater eternal flames desert camping

6 photos

Day 5

🔍

Discover

Darvaza Gas Crater 'Door to Hell'

🎯

Activities

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Camp on ridge above crater at sunset

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BBQ and night viewing of the flaming crater

Day

Konyeurgench

ancient minarets unesco sufi pilgrimage ruins

3 photos

Day 6

🔍

Discover

Kutlug Timur Minaret (60m, built 1011AD)

Ancient Timurid settlement ruins

🎯

Activities

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Explore UNESCO World Heritage mosques, madrasas and mausoleums

Day

Turkmenabad

lebap region amu darya river gateway

4 photos

Day 7

🔍

Discover

Turkmenabad pontoon bridge over Amu Darya River

🎯

Activities

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Explore Turkmenistan's second-largest city

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 293.7 km

Travel time: 3h40

Day

Mary

ancient merv silk road archaeological wonder

3 photos

Day 8

🔍

Discover

Ancient ruins of Merv UNESCO site

🎯

Activities

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Explore Silk Road oasis and 3rd century BC settlement

Day

Turkmenbashi

caspian sea port coastal resort town

10 photos

Day 9

🔍

Discover

Turkmenbashi coastal resort on Caspian Sea

🎯

Activities

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Explore empty palatial hotels and beaches

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Visit theme parks and shopping malls

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

UZBEKISTAN COMPLETE SILK ROAD DISCOVERY

📅 9 days 🛣️ 481.5 Km

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (March-May): Pleasant temperatures (15-25°C) before extreme summer heat with blooming desert landscapes. Best weather for outdoor activities and comfortable sightseeing conditions.

Autumn (October-November): Cooling temperatures after summer heat with clear skies and stable weather. Excellent for desert excursions and cultural exploration.

Winter (December-February): Cool temperatures (0-15°C) but manageable for tourism with clear days. Less challenging than summer heat but some mountain areas inaccessible.

Summer (June-September): Extreme heat (35-50°C) making outdoor activities dangerous during daytime. Indoor attractions only, early morning or late evening activities possible.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 8 and 12 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Turkmenistan?

Central Asian mystery with unique architecture, traditional culture, and natural wonders. Experience "Door to Hell" crater, incredible monuments, and authentic nomadic heritage. The country offers cultural immersion with natural phenomena and architectural marvels. Turkmenistan provides unique Central Asian experiences with natural wonders and cultural authenticity. ⚠️ SAFETY WARNING: Authoritarian government with extensive surveillance, restricted movement, arbitrary detention risks, and limited consular access. Avoid political discussions, photography restrictions extensive, guide accompaniment mandatory, and exit from country may be restricted. Human rights concerns and government monitoring of foreigners constant.