Description
Turkmenistan Tour: A Journey Through Ancient Wonders and Unique Landscapes
Period: All year around
Individuals dates available on request
Group size: min 1-15 persons
Duration: 5 days /4 nights
Route: Ashgabat-Murche-Nokhur-Ashgabat-Darvaza-Kunya-Urgench-Ashgabat.
A tour of Turkmenistan offers an unforgettable adventure through a land of contrasts, where ancient history meets surreal natural wonders. Begin in Ashgabat, the capital, with its striking white-marble architecture, modern monuments, and cultural landmarks like the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque. Explore the ruins of Nisa, a UNESCO-listed ancient city, and marvel at the Darvaza Gas Crater, a fiery natural phenomenon known as the “Gateway to Hell.” Discover the vastness of the Karakum Desert and visit the ancient oasis city of Merv, a key stop on the Silk Road. With its rich blend of history, unique landscapes, and vibrant culture, Turkmenistan offers an off-the-beaten-path experience in Central Asia.
Additional Information: PCR test
Upon arrival in Turkmenistan, all travelers (including Turkmenistan nationals) are required to undergo a PCR test, regardless of their vaccination status. The cost of the PCR test is $33 and is not included in your tour package.
For updates on any changes to regulations or restrictions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Hotel accommodation as per program above:
- 2 nights in Ashgabat (Grand Turkmen 3*);
- 1 night in Dashoguz (Dashoguz 4*);
- 1 camping gear for desert overnight in Darvaza;
Exclusions
- Migration duty-$14 p/p (must be paid at the border on arrival)
- Photo/video camera fees at sites/museums
- Personal travel insurance;
- International air tickets
- Alcohol and soft drinks;
Meals & services not mentioned above
Inclusions
- English speaking guide
- A/C land transport according to the program, incl. 4×4 cars (max 3p in a car)
- Airport transfers
- Domestic flights tickets (Economy class only):
- Meals; only breakfasts in hotel + dinner + breakfast in Darvaza
- Entrance fees to National musueum, Museum of Turkmen carpet, Kunya-Urgench
- Bottled mineral water along the way
Tour itinerary
Ashgabat arrival
Arriving in Ashgabat airport with Turkish Airlines or other. Complete border-crossing formalities. Meet our guide/driver, and transfer to the hotel. Check-in time from noon.
PM relaxed city tour in Ashgabat. The city name is translated from Persian as “the City of Love”. Ashgabat greets its visitors with luxurious buildings, numerous fountains, stunning parks, and white marble. Almost all the buildings in the city center, are white! The city holds many institutions and governmental buildings, unique monuments, attractions, and even some Guinness Records awards.
- Visit the National Museum of History. It contains over 500,000 exhibits particularly archaeological and ethnographical finds throughout the country including rare works of ancient art, paintings, drawings, sculptures, carpets, rugs, fabrics and clothing; household utensils, musical instruments, weapons, jewelry, medals, historical documents, horn-shaped vessels made of ivory, statuettes of Parthian goddesses and colorful Buddhist vases.
- Explore the Tolkuchka Bazaar to see local crafts and textiles on sale;
- Visit “State shopping center Gulistan” (Russian Bazar market);
- Altyn Asyr market (Best place to buy local turkmen cotton based products – clothes, textiles, and turkmen carpets);
- Lenin statue
The evening is free for leisure.
Overnight at a hotel in Ashgabat.
Murche and Nokhur villages
Breakfast at the hotel.
Meet your guide in the lobby. Drive to Murche village (1-1.5 hrs)
- Visit local semi-nomad families.
Drive to Nokhur village. (1-1.5 hrs)
Nokhur is inhabited by the ethnic group known as Nokhurli, who have a distinct language, customs, and traditions. The village is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site due to its rich cultural heritage.
Lunch at the local restaurant “Sharlavuk”.
- Visit local semi-nomad families.
Drive back to Ashgabat (3-3.5 hrs)
Overnight in Ashgabat.
Karakum desert and Darvaza flaming crater
After breakfast at the hotel, we check out and start our tour by visiting the Ashgabat Carpet Museum to learn about the history and techniques of Turkmen carpet weaving. Witness the wonders of craftsmanship as you marvel at the smallest carpet ever created designed to carry keys with utmost elegance. And hold your breath as you stand before the world’s largest handmade carpet. Each thread tells a story, and each pattern carries a legacy. Don’t miss your chance to experience this awe-inspiring journey. For connoisseurs of carpets, the museum also houses a shop for handicrafts and certified carpets. Or if time allows we can see a few other carpet showrooms.
After lunch, drive to Darvaza flaming crater across the central Karakum desert (260 km from the city, 3.5-4 hrs), internationally known as “Door to Hell”. En route make short sightseeing stops at two gaz craters (one with boiling water and the other one with sulfur-bubbling mud; both seeping with gas from the underground).
Dinner and overnight in tents or yurts nearby the essential Gaz crater Darvaza (wild camping, basic but reasonable).
Kunya Urgench
After camp breakfast, we drive to Kunya Urgench. The road from Darvaza to Kunya Urgench is a tough journey. Due to high temperatures in summer and cold winters, the road deteriorates very often. So, be prepared for the road challenge! After 6 hours of a tough road, we arrive at Kunya Urgench and have lunch at Turkmen cuisine.
We start a tour of Kunya Urgench (UNESCO World Heritage Site) to see outstanding monuments of the Turkmen Khorezm Empire. The tour will include the following monuments: the mausoleum of Turabeg Khanum (15th c.), the minaret of Kutlug Temur (11-14 cc.) the highest minaret in Central Asia, the mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh (late 12 cc.) with a turquoise cone of a dome, the mausoleum of Ill-Arslan (the mid 12c.) the founder of the pre-Mongol Khorzmshah empire.
Drive to Dashoguz. Hotel check-in (Dashoguz).
PM time at leisure.
Overnight in hotel.
End of the tour
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check out from hotel. Transfer to Dashoguz airport and fly to Ashgabat international airport.
End of services.
Tour Map
Tour Gallery
Tour Prices
On Request
For group the price is negotiated
