From north to east
Go back
Visit Turkmenistan on a darvaza tour from Dashoguz (UZ) to Farap (UZ)
4 days / 3 nights
Itinerary
Day 1: Dashoguz - Darvaza
10:00-12:00: Meet the tourists at Dashoguz/Shavat border. At the border our guide will help you with the documents.
12:00-13:00: Drive to Dashoguz.
13:00-14:00: Lunch.
14:00-19:00: Drive to Darvaza Gas Crater (368 km from Dashoguz). On the road we will stop for taking photos of the desert.
19:00-20:00: Dinner.
20:00-21:00: Observe Darvaza Gas Crater.
Overnight in the yurt.
Day 2: Darvaza - Ashgabat
07:00-08:00: Breakfast.
08:00-13:00: Drive to Ashgabat. On the road we will visit 2 other craters: Mud Crater and Water Crater.
13:00-14:00: Lunch.
14:00-15:00: Visit National Museum of Turkmenistan.
15:00-16:00: Visit Old Nisa – the State Historical Reserve (UNESCO).
16:00-17:00: Visit Akhalteke Horse Farm.
17:00-19:00: Ashgabat City Tour.
19:00-19:20: Transfer to Ak Altyn hotel and accommodation.
Overnight in Ak Altyn hotel.
Day 3: Ashgabat - Mary
08:00-09:00: Breakfast.
09:00-13:00: Drive to Mary.
13:00-14:00: Lunch.
14:00-18:00: Visit Ancient Merv – the State Historical Reserve (UNESCO).
18:00-19:00: Show Turkmen Folklore Dance show.
19:00-20:00: Dinner.
20:00-20:15: Transfer to Margush Hotel and accommodation.
Overnight in Margush Hotel.
Day 4: Mary - Turkmenabat - Farap
08:00-09:00: Breakfast.
09:00-15:00: Drive to Turkmenabat.
15:00-16:00: Transfer to Farap border. Pass the Customs and Migration Services.
See off. End of the tour.
Included
- Letter of Invitation
- Travel Pass
- Travel Tax
- Accommodation
- Guide (English speaking)
- Transport
- Entrance tickets
- Breakfast
- Dinner in Darvaza
- Drinking water (1.5 liter per person per day)
Excluded
- Visa and other fees at the border (approximately $110 per person)
- Health Insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Photo tickets at sights
- Alcohol drinks
- Border bus between UZ-TM borders
- Tips and private expenses
Route map
Follow the main route and stops for this tour on the map below.
Visa process
This tour includes Letter of Invitation support, which you use to get your Turkmenistan visa on arrival.
How the process works
Book with us
Book a tour, group tour, custom trip, or minimal package. We need your travel dates, entry point, exit point, and route before we can prepare visa support.
Fill in the LOI form
Each traveler fills in the Letter of Invitation (LOI) form online. You upload your passport scan and visa photo, and add the personal details required by migration services.
We check and submit it
We review the application before submission. If something looks wrong, we contact you in the booking chat before sending it to migration services.
Review by the Migration Service
We will submit your application to the Migration Service, which reviews applications every Tuesday and Friday. Urgent processing takes 7-12 days, while standard processing can take up to 21 days.
Download the approved LOI
When the LOI is approved, it appears on your booking page. Print it and keep it with your passport for arrival.
Use it at the border or airport
Show the printed LOI on arrival, pay the official fees, and receive your Turkmenistan visa at the airport or land border. Our guide will enter the customs area and help you with everything.
Visa and border fees
These are separate from our tour costs and are paid directly to the border authorities.
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa at an embassy/consulate (difficult) | Usually $35 | Varies by nationality and embassy/consulate |
| or Visa on arrival (easy) | Usually $55-150 | Varies by nationality ($65 for most EU citizens, $150 for Russians) |
| Immigration fee | $10 | Standard fee for all travelers |
| Bank fee | $5 | Processing fee for payment |
| COVID test | $30 | Required COVID test at the border. Still required in 2026! |
These fees can change without notice. The final amount depends on nationality, place of issue, current border rules, and official decisions.
What do we need to apply for your LOI?
- Visa photo (a mobile phone selfie with a white background is sufficient)
- A scan of your passport (a full image of the passport is also okay, but with a clean background)
- Completed online form including personal information, work & family information
Important notes
- LOI approval is decided by Turkmenistan authorities, not by us.
- Visa and border fees are paid separately and are not included in our tour or LOI support prices unless your booking says otherwise.
- Processing times depend on official workload, public holidays, and whether all traveler documents are complete.
- If migration services request extra information, you must provide it quickly to avoid delays.
Visa FAQ
Direct answers about the Turkmenistan Letter of Invitation and visa on arrival.
Do I need a Letter of Invitation for Turkmenistan?
Yes. Travelers normally need an approved Letter of Invitation before entering Turkmenistan. We prepare the LOI application for travelers who have booked a tour, group tour, custom trip, or Minimal Package with us.
Is the LOI the same as the visa?
No. The LOI is the approval document. You use it to receive the actual Turkmenistan visa on arrival at the airport or land border, or at a Turkmenistan embassy or consulate.
Can I get the visa on arrival?
Yes, if your LOI has been approved before you travel. On arrival, you show the printed LOI, pay the official visa and border fees, and receive the visa at the airport or land border.
How long does the LOI take?
Urgent processing usually takes 7 to 12 days, while standard processing can take up to 21 days. Processing time depends on the Migration Service, public holidays, workload, and whether all documents are complete.
What documents do I need for the LOI?
You need a passport scan, a visa photo, and the completed online LOI form with personal, work, and family information. A clean phone photo of the passport and a selfie on a white background are usually enough.
Are visa fees included in the tour price?
No. Visa and border fees are paid separately to the border authorities unless your booking clearly says otherwise. The tour price covers the travel services, while official visa fees depend on nationality and current rules.
Can you guarantee LOI approval?
No. LOI approval is decided by Turkmenistan authorities. We check your documents, prepare the application, submit it, and guide you through the process, but the final decision is official.
Pay now to book your tour
To be paid upon arrival
910 USD
Paid in U.S. Dollars (cash)