Turkmenistan In-Depth

Today, depart from London Gatwick on the overnight flight to Ashgabat.

On arrival in Ashgabat, navigate immigration, complete cards, and possibly submit COVID checks or obtain your Turkmen visa, a bleary-eyed but memorable welcome to Turkmen bureaucracy! Once cleared, meet your local guide, who will accompany you throughout the trip, handling logistics and sightseeing. Transfer to your centrally located hotel, where your room will be ready for immediate check-in. Spend the morning at leisure to rest or enjoy breakfast. In the afternoon, explore the Altyn Asyr (Golden Age) Bazaar, famous for its vibrant camel market, carpets, spices, and local crafts, a true introduction to Turkmen culture. (B,L)

Begin the day with a visit to Nissa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former Parthian trading hub, steeped in ancient history despite its short-lived settlement. Stop at Magtymguly Pyragy Park to admire the statue of Turkmenistan’s most celebrated poet and philosopher. Explore the National Museum of Turkmenistan for a sweeping overview of the country’s culture and history, then the People’s Memory Monument Complex, commemorating WWII and the 1948 earthquake. After lunch, stroll Ashgabat’s historic heart, visit Soviet-era monuments, and browse local crafts at Altyn Asyr and Gulistan Bazaars. End with panoramic views from the Ashgabat Cable Car. (B,L)

After checking out, take a morning flight to Kerki, the gateway to Köýtendag Nature Reserve. Meet your driver and journey through small towns, stopping for lunch at a local roadside café. En-route, visit Kainar Baba, a serene shrine beside a hot sulphide spring and lake, perfect for a short dip. Continue to Koyten, check into your local hotel, then enjoy a late afternoon walking tour of the village, soaking in its rustic charm and local life. Dinner is served at a small café, such as the friendly Chinar Café. (B,L,D)

NB: Turkmenistan Airlines’ domestic flight schedules will only be confirmed much closer to departure and tickets will be handled locally. Current schedules show a daily morning flight departing/arriving at 10:00/11:00.

Enjoy the day exploring the rugged beauty of Köýtendag Nature Reserve, home to Turkmenistan’s highest peak, Aýrybaba. Discover dramatic gorges, caves, and juniper-strewn mountains, with highlights including Umbardepe Canyon and the sacred Kyrk Gyz Cave, where locals still make wishes. The day’s standout is the Dinosaur Plateau, a limestone slab imprinted with hundreds of prehistoric footprints. Travel through remote villages, meeting locals and experiencing life far from the capital. Walks are gentle yet rewarding, and all meals are included - packed lunch during the excursions and dinner at your hotel or a local café. (B,L,D)

Depart Koyten early and drive through scenic landscapes to Amurdarya Station, passing arid plains and fertile fields along the Amu Darya River. Pause in a small town like Kerkichi for refreshments before boarding the sleeper train to Mary, the provincial capital. The journey takes around 10 hours, offering a unique chance to watch the landscape change from lush riverbanks to the vast Karakum Desert, and mingle with locals aboard the train. Arrive in Mary at sunset and transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. (B,L,D)

NB: The train journey is an experience in itself – a pleasant way to mingle with locals and while away the hours in relative comfort. You will be in a sleeper compartment – so can always lie back and enjoy a doze, should you wish. You will be provided with a basic packed lunch/dinner for the journey, but may also purchase snacks/drinks for the train yourself.

Spend the day exploring Mary and the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Merv, a key Silk Road city spanning ancient, medieval, and post-medieval periods. Begin with the Mary Museum for context, then visit the historic Russian Orthodox Church, a MiG jet display, and the vibrant Gök Bazaar. After lunch, immerse yourself in Merv’s sprawling archaeological park, seeing forts, mausoleums, and the “wandering city” layout. This afternoon offers time to explore at leisure, taking in centuries of history before returning to Mary for an evening at leisure. (B,L)

Leave Mary and drive back to Ashgabat, stopping en route to explore the ruins of Abiverd, a medieval city destroyed by the Mongols, and enjoy lunch at Berk Brewery & Restaurant in Yashlyk, famed for its local beer. Continue to the 15th-century Seyit Jemaleddin Mosque near Anau, a striking glimpse into Turkmenistan’s historic architecture. Arrive in Ashgabat mid to late afternoon, check into your hotel for a two-night stay, and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore the city at your own pace. (B,L)

Begin at the Wedding Palace, a surreal landmark with striking architecture and panoramic city views. Explore other quirky Ashgabat highlights including the Alem Centre, Constitution Monument, Yyldyz Hotel, Monument of Neutrality, and the National Carpet Museum, home to the world’s largest hand-woven carpet. After lunch, set off in a 4WD for the remote Darvaza Gas Crater, the “Door to Hell.” Arrive for sunset, enjoy dinner at a nearby yurt camp, and marvel at the flaming crater 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.

Depart mid-morning, heading west from Ashgabat. First stop is the Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque, a grand modern mosque housing a mausoleum for Turkmenistan’s first president. Visit the Akhal-Teke Stud Farm to admire the country’s prized horses, then make a brief stop at Geok Tepe Fortress, site of the 1880-81 battle with Imperial Russia. Continue to Kow Ata, an underground sulphur-rich lake where swimming is possible. Arrive in Nokhur to explore this remote village and its unique way of life. Overnight in a basic homestay or camping (with all equipment provided). (B,L,D)

Spend the morning exploring Nokhur, a remote village whose people, said to descend from Alexander the Great, speak a unique Turkmen dialect and maintain distinct customs. After sightseeing, travel northwest across the arid, flat landscapes, striking in their isolation and raw beauty, towards Balkanabat. Arrive in the late afternoon and visit the city’s Caravan Monument, celebrating its trading heritage. Check in at the Nebitchi Hotel for the night and, time permitting, enjoy a brief walking tour to soak in the atmosphere of this provincial capital. (B,L)

Check out of your hotel and head into the barren yet stunning western Karakum Desert for a full-day adventure to Yangykala Canyon. Travel north through small desert settlements like Ak-Guýy and Oglanl, stopping near Goşaoba before going off-road into dramatic desert landscapes. Explore the spectacular canyons and cliffs of Yangykala for over an hour, enjoying a packed lunch amid the scenery. In the afternoon, drive southwest to Turkmenbashy, pausing at the remote Gozli Ata shrine if time permits, before checking in at the Charlak Hotel for a two-night stay. (B,L)

Enjoy the full day touring in and around Turkmenbashy, a small multi-ethnic port city with a unique Soviet-era charm. Highlights include the historical railway station, the lively city bazaar, and the Japanese Cemetery, a poignant reminder of WWII POWs. Enjoy time wandering the streets, absorbing the authentic local atmosphere. After lunch, tour the surreal Avaza coastal development, a showcase of 30 hotels, beaches, parks, and fountains. Explore mostly on foot or by local taxi, and, if you wish, brave the Caspian Sea. Return to Turkmenbashy in the late afternoon for leisure. (B,L)

Checking out of your hotel in Turkmenbashy drive to the surprisingly large Turkmenbashy Airport in good time to depart on the morning flight back to Ashgabat. Upon arriving back in the capital enjoy a few hours of final flexible city sightseeing with your guide, followed by lunch. From here, return to your hotel and check in for your final night in the country. The afternoon is at leisure to relax in your hotel or explore at leisure, although should you wish, we can arrange further sightseeing in and around the city. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your guide. (B,L)

NB: Turkmenistan Airlines’ domestic flight schedules will only be confirmed much closer to departure, and tickets will be handled locally. Current schedules show a daily morning flight departing at 08:30 and arriving at 09:30. If we must leave the hotel before breakfast, we will arrange a light snack box or similar for the airport.

This morning, you’ll be collected from your hotel after breakfast and transferred to the airport in good time to check in for your Turkmenistan Airlines flight back to the UK. (B)