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Carl Meadows
Carl Meadows
Saparmat Niyazov, Turkmenistan’s “President for Life” died in late 2006, but his book the Ruhnama, is still considered as being the “spiritual guidance for the nation.” English language copies can be found at very low prices, and they make very unusual souvenirs indeed!

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Turkmenistan

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Tour Highlights
  • Visit the famous Tolkuchka Bazaar
  • See the Earthquake Monument
  • Explore the Turkmen Carpet Museum
  • Journey into the Kara Kum desert
  • See the flaming crater at Darvaza
  • Discover the main market of Dashoguz
  • Visit the Kow Ata Underground Lake
  • Visit the historical site of Merv

Classic Turkmenistan Group Tour

11 day tour, from £2195 per person
Price Includes:
  • Flights
  • Accommodation
  • Transfers
  • Guide
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Following our successful tours to Turkmenistan for the past 3 years, we are pleased to announce a new departure for 2013. These small group tours are the perfect introduction to Turkmenistan, possibly the most reclusive of the Central Asian States. Turkmenistan is a large desert nation whose future is tied with the vast oil and gas reserves it holds. In the years since independence the country has been much overlooked by the world, and only made prominent headlines in 2006 when the former President Niyazov, who installed a great personality cult around himself, passed away. For those who join this special tour they will be afforded a glimpse of a fascinating country at a turning point in its history.

These tours, limited to just twelve participants, operate with a minimum of 8 persons and will take in the must-see sites of Ashgabat, Merv, Gonur, Nissa and Konye-Urgench, as well as remote Darvaza in the Karakum Desert and Turkmenbashy on the Caspian coast. All flights, meals, transport, accommodation and sightseeing is included.

 

Itinerary
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Itinerary
Day 1
FLY TO ASHGABAT
Fly to Ashgabat.
Day 2
ASHGABAT
Arrive Ashgabat in the early morning and transfer to the Grand Turkmen (formerly the Sheraton Hotel). This is one of the best hotels in the city and is very centrally located. After checking in, enjoy a few hours of rest before commencing a full day of city sightseeing. Visit the famous Tolkuchka Bazaar on the edge of the city. Tolkuchka is considered to be one of Central Asia’s most impressive markets. Spend time exploring this sprawling site which sells all manner of goods, from camels to cars. After lunch in a city centre restaurant, enjoy an introductory tour of Ashgabat, which will include the World War II Memorial, Earthquake Monument, Turkmenbashy Square and the Gulustan Bazaar (the pleasant central city market). (B,L,D)
Day 3
ASHGABAT TO DARVAZA
Check out of the hotel and continue sightseeing with a visit to the Turkmen Carpet Museum amongst its exhibits is the world's largest hand-woven carpet. Visit the National Museum and gain an insight into the history of the Turkmen nation and its people. After lunch travel by 4WD vehicles north into the Kara Kum desert. Pass through the semi-nomadic village of Erbent and visit some small desert craters before arriving at Darvaza, a most impressive flaming crater located at a remote spot. Camp here (all equipment provided) overnight. Darvaza is impressive in the day, but at night it is a remarkable site. A picnic dinner/barbecue will be prepared. (B,L,D)
Day 4
DARVAZA TO DASHOGUZ
Depart camp and head north through the desert to the historical Konye Urgench, completing the traverse of the Karakum Desert. Konye Urgench was once considered one of the most important cities in the Islamic World. This area, largely destroyed by the Mongols and Timur, has many sites of historical interest. Tour the area before moving onto the provincial capital city of the region, Dashoguz. On arrival in Dashoguz, enjoy a late lunch before a brief introductory tour of this small city. Check into the hotel for an overnight stay. (B,L,D)
Day 5
DASHOGUZ TO TURKMENBASHY
Morning visit to the main market of Dashoguz, before a short flight with Turkmenistan Airlines to Turkmenbashy, which is located on the Caspian Coast. Visit the small Japanese Memorial (this memorial was built in honour of Japanese prisoners of war, who died here in captivity). After lunch, there is an introductory tour of the main sites of the city (including a chance to hunt down Caviar in the Cheryomushki Market) before checking into the hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 6
TURKMENBASHY TO BALKANABAT
Drive to Balkanabat, provincial capital of the region and check into the hotel for an overnight stay. After lunch, enjoy an introductory tour of this small city, followed by free time to explore at leisure. (B,L,D)
Day 7
BALKANABAT TO ASHGABAT
This morning drive to Ashgabat and en route visit the Kow Ata Underground Lake. Enjoy lunch and if time, a quick dip. Visit the Geok Deppe Stud Farm and the Mosque of Turkmenbashy. On arrival back into Ashgabat check into the hotel for an overnight stay. (B,L,D)
Day 8
ASHGABAT TO MARY
Today, enjoy further sightseeing of Ashgabat. This will include Ene Mahri and the Memorial to Atamurat Niyazov, the Lenin Monument, Turkmenistan Trade Centre and Ashgabat Park. After lunch the tour travels out of the city to visit the Nisa Fortress, an impressive Parthian site 15km from Ashgabat. Visit the Saparmurat Turkmenbashy Eternally Great Park, a pleasant spot for city residents to spend their days relaxing. Transfer to the airport for a late afternoon flight to Mary. On arrival transfer to the hotel and check in for 2 nights. (B,L,D)
Day 9
MARY TO GONUR
This morning head out into the desert to visit the historical site of Gonur. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a nearby oasis before travelling by bus and then 4WD Russian “UAZ” jeeps across the desert for the final part of the journey to reach Gonur. Enjoy an expert guided tour of the area before returning to Mary to enjoy some free time to explore the small city at leisure. (B,L,D)
Day 10
MARY TO ASHGABAT
This morning drive to Merv for a morning tour of this site. Merv was in its heyday, one of the most important oasis cities on the Silk Road and parts date to the 6th Century BC. After lunch return to Mary to visit the Mary Museum before heading back to the airport to fly back to Ashgabat. On arrival in Ashgabat check into the hotel for an overnight stay. (B,L,D)
Day 11
FLY TO THE UK
Free morning to relax or explore before a final group lunch. In the afternoon transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK. (B,L)
Pricing Information/Dates
Price Includes
  • Return flights in economy class with Turkmenistan Airlines
  • All airport taxes and security charges
  • Accommodation in various standards of hotels and 1 night camping on full board basis (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
  • All transfers and transportation throughout
  • Sightseeing with English-speaking guide throughout
  • Entrance fees on sightseeing tours
  • Invitation letter
  • Travel permits and Registration
Price Excludes
  • Immigration Card ($14 Per Person
  • Turkmen Visa (Currently £81.67 if arranged though CIBT Visa Services or US$81 on arrival - this is subject to change)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Services other than those specified
Price Notes
Please insure your passport is valid beyond 24 April 2014
Itinerary Dates Price (Twin share) Single Room Supplement
14 Sep 2013
-
24 Sep 2013
 From £2195 Per Person + £260 SOLD OUT
Tour Route Map
  •   Ashgabat
  •   Darvaza
  •   Dashoguz
  •   Turkmenbashy
  •   Balkanabat
  •   Ashgabat
  •   Mary
  •   Ashgabat
Image Gallery
Click on images to enlarge
Reviews
This was a fantastic trip - one of the best I have been on. Well done Carl for organising it. Hopefully you can come up with another good next year!
R. Ryan
The local tour guide and tour manager from Regent Holidays were excellent. Transport was good - this cannot be said of the road! Barbecue food excellent, often better than some of the hotel meals. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable holiday - a very good travel group of ten persons.
D. Dufton