Classic Turkmenistan Group Tour

Board your overnight flight from London Gatwick to Ashgabat, beginning your journey into one of Central Asia’s most intriguing and least-visited countries.

Arrive in Ashgabat and navigate the formalities of immigration, baggage collection, and possibly visas - a typical introduction to Turkmen bureaucracy! Once cleared, meet your Turkmen guide, who will accompany the group throughout the tour, and transfer to the centrally located Olimpia Hotel. Enjoy some morning leisure to rest and refresh after your overnight flight. At midday, gather for a welcome lunch in the city, a chance to meet your fellow travellers, discuss the days ahead, and learn a few practical tips for exploring Turkmenistan. In the afternoon, head to the Altyn Asyr (Golden Age) Bazaar, best visited on Sundays when the camel market is in full swing. Wander the bustling stalls, admire vibrant carpets and spices, and soak up the lively local atmosphere before returning to your hotel for the evening at leisure. (B,L)

Spend the morning exploring Ashgabat, starting with Nissa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former Parthian trading hub, mostly destroyed by an earthquake around 100 BC. Stop at Magtymguly Pyragy Park to view, from a distance, the statue of Turkmenistan’s most celebrated poet and Sufi thinker. Continue to the sprawling National Museum of Turkmenistan for cultural and historical context, followed by the People’s Memory Monument Complex, commemorating WWII and the 1948 earthquake. After a relatively late lunch, transfer to the domestic terminal for a 60-minute flight to Turkmenbashy, then settle into the Charlak Hotel for a two-night stay. (B,L,D)

Discover Turkmenbashy on a leisurely walking tour through this multi-ethnic port city. Highlights include the historic Railway Station, the lively city bazaar, and the poignant Japanese Cemetery, offering a glimpse into the city’s past. Wander the streets to soak in the Soviet-era architecture and authentic local atmosphere. After lunch, head to the surreal Avaza coastal development, a showcase of modern Turkmenistan with beachfronts, parks, cafes, and fountains. Enjoy a flexible tour of the area on foot or by local taxi, and brave the Caspian waters if you dare. Return to Turkmenbashy for an evening at leisure. (B,L)

Leave Turkmenbashy and venture into the starkly beautiful western Karakum Desert. Travel along remote desert roads, stopping near Goşaoba before going off-road through ever-changing landscapes to reach Yangykala Canyon. Spend over an hour exploring these dramatic cliffs, arguably Turkmenistan’s most breathtaking natural spectacle, while enjoying a packed lunch amidst the scenery. In the afternoon, drive south toward Balkanabat, pausing at the remote shrine of Gozli Ata if time allows. Pass through small desert settlements and arrive in Balkanabat to visit the striking Caravan Monument. Check in to the Nebitchi Hotel for an overnight stay with dinner nearby. (B,L,D)

Depart Balkanabat and journey east across the vast Karakum Desert along the M37 highway, crossing the iconic Karakum Canal and witnessing the desert’s stark, isolated beauty. Pause at Kow Ata, a subterranean cave with a thermal lake, where those who wish can enjoy a brief, optional swim in its sulphur-rich waters. Continue to Geok Tepe to glimpse the restored fortress walls, a reminder of the 1880–1881 battle that shaped the region. Stop at the Akhal-Teke Stud Farm to admire Turkmenistan’s prized horses before reaching the outskirts of Ashgabat to visit the grand Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque. Check in to the Divan Hotel for a three-night stay. (B,L)

Begin the day with a visit to the surreal Wedding Palace, a striking building with panoramic city views. Continue exploring Ashgabat’s quirkier sights including the Alem Centre, Constitution Monument, Yyldyz Hotel, and Monument of Neutrality. Conclude the morning at the National Carpet Museum, home to the world’s largest hand-woven carpet.

After lunch, choose between two options:

Option A – Ashgabat Touring: explore alternative city highlights and enjoy dinner in a central restaurant, followed by a sunset drive to admire the city's illuminations. (B,L,D)

Option B – Darvaza Excursion: embark on a 4WD adventure north to the Darvaza Gas Crater, witnessing its fiery glow at sunset, followed by a yurt-camp dinner before returning late to Ashgabat. (B,L,D)

After a leisurely morning to recover from the Darvaza excursion, meet your guide around 11am to explore the historic heart of Ashgabat. Begin with the striking 1927 Lenin Statue, featuring early Soviet-Turkmen designs, then visit the small bust of Alexander Pushkin and stroll past the Main Drama Theatre, Mollapenes Theatre, Paytagt Hotel, and White City Park. After lunch, browse Turkmen products and souvenirs at the Altyn Asyr Shopping Centre and the Gulistan (Russian) Bazaar. The afternoon continues with a road tour of Ashgabat’s eccentric roundabouts and monuments, and, if operating, a ride on the cable car for sweeping city views. Return to the hotel for leisure. (B,L)

Depart Ashgabat and explore sights east of the capital, beginning with the 15th-century Seyit Jemaleddin Mosque near Anau. Continue to Yashlyk for lunch at the popular Berk Brewery & Restaurant, famed for its Turkmen beer and weekend local crowd. Afterward, visit the ruins of Abiverd, a city destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century. From Kaakha, board the daily Mary-bound train for a scenic journey through the Karakum Desert, mingling with locals and watching the sunset over golden dunes. A packed dinner is served on board, before arriving in Mary and checking in at the Margush Hotel for a two-night stay. (B,L,D)

Spend the day exploring Mary and the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Merv. Start with a brief visit to the Mary Museum for context before visiting the historic Russian Orthodox Church, one of the city’s oldest buildings, and making a quick photography stop at an old MiG fighter jet. Explore the lively Gök Bazaar (Blue Market) before enjoying lunch in Mary. In the afternoon, tour ancient Merv, a sprawling Silk Road city with archaeological layers spanning millennia. See Erk Kala, Sultan Kala, the Kyz-Kalas forts, and the 12th-century mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammed ibn-Zeyd, absorbing the vast history of this remarkable site. Return to Mary for an evening at leisure. (B,L)

After checking out from your hotel in Mary, travel back to Ashgabat along the recently constructed motorway, enjoying the changing landscapes of the Karakum Desert. En-route, there will be opportunities for short breaks and refreshments before arriving in the capital in time for lunch.

This afternoon is free for final sightseeing or independent exploration, perhaps revisiting favourite spots, discovering overlooked corners of the city, or simply relaxing at the hotel. In the evening, gather for a farewell group dinner in central Ashgabat, sharing memories and reflecting on a rich and immersive journey through Turkmenistan. (B,L,D)

Transfer to the airport for the return flight. (B)