Turkmenistan: City & Desert

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 meet your expert local guide, who will accompany you throughout your journey. After settling into your centrally located hotel, enjoy a leisurely welcome lunch and discuss the days ahead with your guide. In the afternoon, explore the vibrant Altyn Asyr (Golden Age) Bazaar, best visited on Sundays when the camel market is in full swing. Wander through colourful stalls filled with carpets, spices, and local crafts, soaking up the lively atmosphere of Turkmenistan’s dazzling marble capital before returning to your hotel for an evening at leisure. (B,L)

Spend the morning exploring Ashgabat, beginning with Nissa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient Parthian trading hub. Visit Magtymguly Pyragy Park to admire, from a distance, the statue of Turkmenistan’s most celebrated poet and Sufi thinker. Continue to the National Museum of Turkmenistan for rich cultural and historical context, then see the People’s Memory Monument Complex, commemorating WWII and the 1948 earthquake. After a leisurely lunch, fly to Turkmenbashy and settle into your hotel, ready to rest before the next day’s desert adventure. (B,L,D)

Begin the day with a brief walking tour of Turkmenbashy’s city centre before leaving the Caspian coast. Travel along remote desert roads, stopping near Goşaoba, then venture off-road through ever-changing landscapes to reach Yangykala Canyon. Spend time exploring the dramatic cliffs and vibrant rock formations, one of Turkmenistan’s most breathtaking natural spectacles. In the afternoon, continue south toward Balkanabat, pausing at the remote shrine of Gozli Ata if possible, and pass through small desert settlements before visiting the striking Caravan Monument. Overnight in Balkanabat with dinner nearby. (B,L,D)

Journey east across the vast Karakum Desert along the M37 highway, crossing the iconic Karakum Canal and taking in the desert’s stark, isolated beauty. Pause at Kow Ata, a subterranean cave with a thermal lake, where you may 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. Visit the Akhal-Teke Stud Farm to admire Turkmenistan’s prized horses before reaching Ashgabat and exploring the grand Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque. Overnight in Ashgabat for three nights. (B,L)

Begin the day at Ashgabat’s surreal Wedding Palace, then explore the city’s quirky sights, including the Alem Centre, Constitution Monument, Yyldyz Hotel, and Monument of Neutrality. Visit the National Carpet Museum, home to the world’s largest hand-woven carpet. In the afternoon, set off in a 4WD for an adventure to the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, a flaming spectacle in a remote desert. Enjoy sunset views and a simple dinner at a nearby yurt camp, before returning to Ashgabat late at night. (B,L,D)

NB: For those who would prefer to omit sightseeing in Darvaza we can instead arrange further sightseeing in Ashgabat. This will see a slight reduction in the package price. Please contact us for further details.

Explore sights east of Ashgabat, starting with the 15th-century ruins of Seyit Jemaleddin Mosque near Anau. Continue to the small town of Yashlyk for lunch at the Berk Brewery & Restaurant. Visit the ruins of Abiverd, once a thriving city destroyed by Mongols in the 13th century. Return to Ashgabat for a flexible afternoon time; catch any sights missed earlier, explore independently, or relax in your comfortable hotel. This day combines history, culture, and leisure, offering a final opportunity to immerse yourself in the fascinating landscapes and heritage of Turkmenistan. (B,L)

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