Lupine Travel

Turkmenistan is an odd country in the best way possible. From its marbled capital of Ashgabat to the fiery ‘Gates of Hell’ Darvaza gas crater, it is home to some of the most unexpected architecture, archaeological sites, and natural beauty in Central Asia—perhaps the world.

Itinerary

Day One, Aug 29 2027
Arrive in Ashgabat

• Arrive in Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat and transfer to the hotel.

• If arriving on an early morning flight, you’ll be able to check straight into the hotel to get some rest and spend the morning at leisure.

• This afternoon, we will meet our local guide who will take us sightseeing around Ashgabat. We’ll visit sites such as the Independence Monument, Alem Ferris Wheel, the Tower of Neutrality and more.

• This evening, we will take a night drive around Ashgabat to see the city lights.

• Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day Two, Aug 30 2027
Darvaza ‘The Gates of Hell’

• This morning we will head to the Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque before visiting the UNESCO archaeological site of Nisa, which has mud brick remains of fortifications and palaces, temples, ceremony halls and treasury buildings. It covers the remains of the Parthian civilisation, which combined traditional Turkmen art and culture with Greek and Roman elements. Nisa is presumed to be the first capital of Parthia.

• After lunch, we will transfer into 4×4’s and start our journey (approximately 5 hours) to the Darvaza Gas Crater. Once we leave the main roads of Ashgabat and enter the Karakum Desert, the roads become rough and bumpy, so be prepared for a tiring but rewarding journey.

• We’ll stop along the way at two lesser-known craters before finally arriving at Darvaza in the early evening.

• Our local team will prepare dinner whilst we take this time to relax and enjoy the massive campfire-like aura of “The Gates of Hell”.

• Overnight in a yurt camp near the crater.
Day Three, Aug 31 2027
Return to Ashgabat

• After breakfast at the camp, we will return to Ashgabat via the underground cave of Kow-Ata for an optional swim. The cave features a unique hot-water sulphur lake which is 35C all year round.

• This afternoon you will have the evening to spend at leisure.

• Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day Four, Sep 1 2027
Tour Ends

• This morning, we will be transferred to the airport to catch our onward flights.

• If you are planning to continue your journey through Central Asia, we can arrange onward transfers to Uzbekistan, via either the Dashoguz (Khiva) or Farap (Bukhara) border crossings. Please contact us if you would like us to arrange this.