Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan Encompassed Tour

Begin your Turkmenistan tour on arrival in Ashgabat and transfer to the hotel accommodation. If time allows, explore the city independently. Overnight Ak Altyn Hotel or similar. No meals nor guided arrangements included today.

After a briefing by your tour guide, the day is spent exploring Ashgabat. Visits include the bazaar (depending on day and schedule), Independence Park and Neutrality Arch, the National Museum, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the ancient Parthian fortress at Nisa. Ashgabat is a city of grandiose monuments, an insight into nation building efforts that followed the breakup of the Soviet Union. The city is a microcosm of the country and good place to start to get to grips with Turkmenistan. Overnight at Ak Altyn Hotel or similar. (B)

After breakfast we visit the private Ahalteke horse stables, then continue to the Kopetdag Mountains. We stop at Turkmenbashi Mosque in Kipchak, afterwards exploring the battlefield of Geok Tepe, site of a famous engagement between Russian and Turkmen forces during the conquest of Central Asia. Later, we descend to the fascinating underground lake of Kowata. We arrive in Nohur after lunch. Overnight camping (BD)

(Approximate driving time: seven hours)

Leaving Nohur, we drive through walnut and pomegranate groves to Magtymguly. Our route follows the Iranian border, so we can expect to encounter several checkpoints along the way. We stop at the ‘Moon Mountains’, a series of rather striking barren hills, before continuing on to Balkanabat. We arrive early evening and check-in to our hotel. Overnight Nebitchi Hotel or similar. (BL)

(Approximate driving time: seven hours)

After stocking up on supplies we drive via Mollagara salt lake to the Balkan Mountains and the canyon of Yangikala, some of the most dramatic landscapes in Turkmenistan. Later we continue to the pilgrimage site of Gozli Ata where we arrive in time for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon we visit Yanagisawa canyon before returning to Yangikala. Overnight camping. (BLD)

(Approximate driving time: five-and-a-half-hours)

Today we drive via the volcanic rock formations of Kemal Ata to the Caspian Sea and the city of Turkmenbashi. In 1993 the city was renamed in his own honour by the late President for Life Saparmurat Niyazov, AKA Turkmenbashi. The day ends at the Caspian seaside resort of Awaza, a sharp contrast to the experiences of the last few days. Overnight Hotel Awaza or similar. (B)

After breakfast we first explore Turkmenbashi itself, visiting the port and the fish market. After an early lunch we head to the airport and catch a domestic flight to Dashoguz in the north of the country. On arrival we stock up on supplies at the bazaar in readiness for the forthcoming desert crossing. Overnight Hotel Dashoguz or similar. (B)

(Approximate driving time: six to seven hours)

This morning we drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Konye Urgench, an ancient capital of the land of Khorezm, known for its beautiful mausoleums. After visiting its key sights, we take the highway through the Karakum Desert to Darwaza, a burning gas crater where flames literally leap from the ground. Camp is set up nearby and we watch the sun go down, the crater’s flames lighting up the night sky. Overnight in yurt camp. (BD)

(Approximate driving time: six hours)

Heading deeper into the Karakum Desert, the largest in Central Asia encompassing 80% of Turkmenistan, we cross rough tracks and sand dunes until we reach the small settlement of Damla. Here we stop here for lunch and explore the village, where there are exceptional opportunities to meet and interact with people who rarely see western visitors. Later we continue through the Murzachirla desert to Ak Molla. Overnight camping. (BLD)

(Approximate driving time: eight hours)

From Ak Molla a full day of off-road driving lies ahead. We stop at the Bronze Age archaeological site of Gonur Depe. Around 55 hectares in size, the site comprises the remains of a fortified citadel with walls and towers clearly visible. From here we continue to Mary for the night, where the luxury of a hotel room and shower await. Overnight Hotel Mary or similar. (BL)

(Approximate driving time: three-and-a-half-hours)

Today we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Merv, once the world’s largest city and the most important ancient site in Turkmenistan. Here, remains of the silk road city’s mosques and citadels date back 2,500 years. Afterwards we drive to Turkmenabat for the night, passing through the Repetek Nature Reserve. Overnight Hotel Jeyhun or similar. (B)

(Approximate driving time: seven hours)

Driving out from Turkmenabat we pass the ruins of several old Silk Road settlements. We stop at Astana Baba to visit its interesting 11th century mausoleums. From here we follow the Amu Darya river, finally crossing it en route to the Kugitang Mountains. We reach a fertile valley surrounding the village of Koyten in the early evening. Overnight at a basic lodge. (BD)

(Approximate driving time: one-and-a-half-hours)

Today is spent exploring the Kugitang mountain, discovering dinosaur footprints, hiking to the Umbar Dere waterfall and Kyrk Kyz pilgrim cave. The area is part of the Kugitang Nature Reserve, home to several rare species including bukhara urial mountain sheep. Overnight at a basic lodge. (BLD)

(Approximate driving time: seven hours)

From Koyten we drive back to Turkmenabat, arriving in the afternoon, and take a domestic flight to to Ashgabat for a final night in Turkmenistan. Overnight Ak Altyn Hotel or similar. (B)

The Turkmenistan tour ends today after breakfast with airport transfers departing to meet onward flights. (B)