Tour itinerary:
Khiva / Nukus – Kunya Urgench – Darvaza – Dashoguz – Nukus / Khiva
Season:
All the year round
Days:
2 |
Nights:
1
Welcome to a two-day tour to the mysterious crater Darvaza, which has not ceased to burn for the past 45 years.
The tour begins with a meeting on the border of Shavat - Dashoguz. The nearest cities of Uzbekistan: Khiva and Nukus.
08:00 Morning transfer from Khiva/ Urgench to Uzbek - Turkmen border pass "Shavat" (60 km).
Arrival in the border pass office. Border formalities on both sides.
Meet by Turkmenistan guide and transfer to Kunya Urgench (100 km), the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once an important stronghold of the Achaemenid Empire, it once contained the city of Khorezm whose stunning ruins and amazing architecture draw visitors today.
Excursion in Kunya Urgench with visits to Mausoleum of Turabek Khanum, Minaret of Kutlug Timur, Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh, Mausoleum of Il-Arslan, Najamuddin Kubra Mausoleum and others.
Lunch at the local restaurant.
After lunch transfer to Karakum desert, directly to gas crater Darwaza (4 hrs).
In 1971 geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of about 50-100 meters. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn the gas. Geologists had hoped the fire would go out in a few days but it has been burning ever since. Locals have named the cavern The Gate to Hell, and the sight of the crater at night indeed gives a somewhat spooky feel.
The views are most impressive in the dark.
Barbecue dinner and overnight in yurt or tents.
Camp - style breakfast.
10:00 Transfer from Gaz crater to Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan border post Shavat by car (5 hours). Border formalities on both sides. Meeting the driver at Uzbekistan part of the border
Transfer to Khiva /Urgench.
The end of the tour.
- Turkmenistan Visa support (Letter of Invitation, State Registration, Travel Pass);
- Accommodation in private trekking tent or shared yurt in Darvaza camp (including foam sleeping mats, sleeping bags, pillows, foldable chairs and tables, toilet tent);
- All transfers as per program by comfortable tourist class transport as per road conditions including transfers to/from the border posts;
- English-speaking professional local guide in Turkmenistan (2 standard excursions);
- Meals: camp style breakfast, BBQ dinner in Darvaza, lunch at local café (1 lunch, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast);
- Single entry tickets to the sites, museums, mausoleums and natural fees as per program;
- Tourist tax per person;
- Bottled water 1,5 l per person per day.
- International flights;
- Accommodation in Uzbekistan (can be added by request);
- E-visa to Uzbekistan (if required), Turkmenistan tourist visa from 85+4 USD per person (subject to change; nationality dependent), migration tax 10+4 USD per person (subject to change);
- Photo/video fees (professional camera);
- VAT 15 %, personal travel/medical insurance, portage, tips, personal expenses, and other services not specified under “Tour Price Includes”.
- Check-in 14.00, check-out time 11.00. No early check-in/ late check-out is included unless indicated;
- Please note that VAT 15 % can be added to the basic tour price;
- Please note that the drivers do not speak English or can speak only basic English;
- All the changes in the basic itinerary, the timing for transfers depending on the international flight departure/arrival time are to be discussed and pre-agreed;
- Please note that the train trip/s can be replaced for transfer/s by car depending on train tickets availability and trains schedule;
- After the date of publication, any changes in the hotels, air/train ticket prices, tax increase, and exchange rate fluctuation may influence the tour prices;
- Please bring only cash USD for your personal expenses in Turkmenistan, no EURO, and no credit cards.
- We highly recommend acknowledging the necessary documentation before the trip: valid passport with expiration not later than 6-month, visa / e-visa/LOI.
- Please note that the representative of our company will need your passport for several hours for registration in Turkmenistan;
- Anur Tour is not responsible for the force majeure occasions: weather conditions during the tour, changes in air/train schedule due to weather, technical conditions; repairing-reconstructing works at some parts of roads; government decrees for blocking some parts of the roads during national holidays and government acts and decrees in changing the train /air schedule/visa formalities and customs regulations.
Accommodation:
Cities |
Standard |
Nights |
Darwaza |
Tent |
1 |